Ireland is a great place to improve your English. It is one of the most dynamic countries in the European Union; its recent economic development has given it a new lease of life. Today it is a modern, open country, whose inhabitants warmly welcome visitors, while maintaining a solid base of traditions that make up the charm of this country.

    For over 40 years, our partner school has had the pleasure of welcoming students of many nationalities wishing to improve their English. Accredited by “The Advisory Council For English Language Schools”, it is a warm, welcoming, and stimulating environment for young students.

    All teachers are university graduates with specific qualifications in teaching English as a foreign language. Specific programmes have been developed for all levels of English.

    The city of Blackrock is a residential suburb of Dublin, 10 minutes by train and 25 minutes by bus away from the capital’s city centre. Located on a beautiful seaside, it is famous for its shops, cafés and weekend market.

    Blackrock College is a large educational institute built in 1860, surrounded by 26 hectares of fields and parks, with a beautiful view of Dublin Bay. Part of this large complex includes ‘The Castle, a historial building of Georgian architecture, which now acts as the residential accommodation.

    Enrolment in this college includes:

    • 15 hours of general English lessons per week (morning classes from 9:00 to 12:50 or afternoon classes from 14:00 to 17:50), maximum 15 students per class
    • 5 half-days of activities per week: Arts & Crafts, Sports, ATC Projects (Vlogging, Photography, Gamezone) or cultural visits (Chocolate Factory Experience, Dublin Wax Museum, Croke Park, Dublinia and The Viking World, Dalkey Castle) with group leaders
    • 1 World of Work seminar whose aim is to prepare students towards their future professional life can replace 1 half-day of activities (ages 16+)
    • 1 day of free time with group leaders per week
    • 1 day of excursion per week (Glendalough and Wicklow Gaol, Powerscourt Villa and Gardens and Wicklow Gaol, National Heritage Park and Ferns Castle, Kilkenny and Smithwick’s Distillery)
    • 1 evening activity every day (films, discos, karaoke, Irish night, …)
    • Student ID
    • Certificate of completion at the end of the stay

    The summer camp takes place on the main campus of the University of Dublin, located in Belfield, 5km south of the city, on a modern 125-hectare site (Belgrove Village).

    Founded in 1851, UCD used to be a Catholic institution and was established to provide an alternative to Trinity College, which was Anglican in its origins. With over 1,400 faculties and 32,000 students, it is nowadays Ireland’s biggest university. Its alumni include numerous well-known poets and novelists such as James Joyce.

    UCD has over 60 sports clubs and competes in the most popular Irish field sports such as Gaelic football and hurling. In addition, there is an Olympic-sized swimming pool available to students once a week.

    Enrolment in this college includes:

    • 15 hours of general English lessons per week (morning classes from 9:00 to 12:50 or afternoon classes from 14:00 to 17:50), maximum 15 students per class
    • 5 half-days of activities per week: Arts & Crafts, Sports, ATC Projects (Vlogging, Photography, Gamezone) or cultural visits (Guinness Storehouse, Epic Ireland, Croke Park Tour, Dublin Bay Cruise, Dublin discovery tour, Bray, Dun Laoghaire) with group leaders
    • 1 World of Work seminar whose aim is to prepare students towards their future professional life can replace 1 half-day of activities (ages 16+)
    • 1 day of free time with group leaders per week
    • 1 day of excursion per week (Games of Thrones tour, Cliffs of Moher, Galway city and Cathedral)
    • 1 evening activity every day (films, discos, karaoke, Irish night, …)
    • LEAP card (ticket for tram, bus, luas)
    • Student ID
    • Certificate of completion at the end of the stay

    The city of Maynooth is “The” University town of Ireland. It boasts a total of 8 400 students a year and is located 24 km west of Dublin, about only 40 minutes drive from Dublin Airport. Created in 1795 the university offers a unique combination of both historical and brand new fully equiped buildings. All the Dublin attractions are easily accessible, as well as all the cultural sites around Maynooth, as Castle House or Celbridge Abbey. The campus has excellent sports facilities on its grounds and boasts a wide indoors sports complex with a gymnasium where students can practice table tennis, basminton, basketball, volleyball, etc.

    Enrolment in this college includes:

    • 15 hours of general English lessons per week (morning classes from 9:00 to 12:50 or afternoon classes from 14:00 to 17:50), maximum 15 students per class
    • 5 half-days of activities per week: Arts & Crafts, Sports, ATC Projects (Vlogging, Photography, Gamezone) or cultural visits (Guinness Storehouse, Epic Ireland, Croke Park Tour, Dublin Bay Cruise, Dublin discovery tour, Bray, Dun Laoghaire) with group leaders
    • 1 World of Work seminar whose aim is to prepare students towards their future professional life can replace 1 half-day of activities (ages 16+)
    • 1 day of free time with group leaders per week
    • 1 day of excursion per week (Games of Thrones tour, Cliffs of Moher, Galway city and Cathedral)
    • 1 evening activity every day (films, discos, karaoke, Irish night, …)
    • LEAP card (ticket for tram, bus, luas)
    • Student ID
    • Certificate of completion at the end of the stay

    Founded in 1973 due to the fusion of 3 different schools – Park House School, The Hall School et Hillcourt School – Rathdown School is located in the suburb town of Gleanageary, about 12 km from Dublin city centre.

    The school is nestled in the heart of a quiet residential area and is set on 16 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. With views across the Irish sea and the Wicklow mountains, it offers the perfect landscape for students to enjoy their trip.

    Its sport facilities include an indoor sport complex with a gymnasium where students can play table tennis, basketball, badminton and volleyball as well as flood-lit tennis courts, hockey and football pitches.

    Enrolment in this college includes:

    • 15 hours of general English lessons per week (morning classes from 9:00 to 12:50 or afternoon classes from 14:00 to 17:50), maximum 15 students per class
    • 4 “integration sessions” per week with Irish students: Arts & Crafts, Sports, cookery
    • 1 cultural visit per week
    • 1 day of free time with group leaders per week
    • 1 day of excursion per week (Glendalough and Wicklow Gaol, Powerscourt Villa and Gardens and Wicklow Gaol, National Heritage Park and Ferns Castle, Kilkenny and Smithwick’s Distillery)
    • 1 evening activity every day (films, discos, karaoke, Irish night, …)
    • Student ID
    • Certificate of completion at the end of the stay

    Language courses: the basics

    Language level: A1 to C1

    English classes are held from Monday to Friday with four lessons per day in the morning or the afternoon (every other week). There is a maximum of 15 students per group.

    Students receive a placement test on their first day in order to determine their level. Teachers write weekly reports monitoring each student’s progress. Visits and excursions are discussed and prepared in class so that the students understand and can make the most of what they are visiting.

    Aside from their 15 weekly hours of lessons, students will be able to work on various projects in the afternoon after classes (see example below).

    Learning tools

    My Learning Journal”:

    Our partner school has set up a learning journal system that students will fill in throughout their stay. This allows students to have a better experience of the activities and excursions, an easier assimilation of vocabulary and themes covered in class and outside, to understand and review their difficulties with their teachers.

    ATC Online :

    Students will also have access to an online platform, created to encourage independent learning and course preparation. Once they return home, they will be able to log on for 12 weeks after the end of their stay, in order to be able to recall the different things covered during their lessons and to develop new skills.

    Contents :

    Course summaries
    Timetable and topics for future courses
    Pre-excursion preparation

    After classes, the school offers a wide variety of sports as well as recreational and cultural activities. Since all colleges offer excellent sport facilities, students can participate in the activities in a safe and pleasant background.

    Activities include:

    5 half-days of activities per week (morning or afternoon, depending on the class schedule)

    • Sports: football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, rugby, swimming…
    • Group projects: in order to enhance their creativity, students can take part in projects that focus on writing, shows (Arts & Crafts), creating real-size games (Gamezone), online content…
    • 1 cultural visit in or around Dublin
    • Students aged 16+ can replace one half-day of activities with a World of Work seminar whose aim is to prepare students towards their future professional life: writing a CV, preparing for interviews, giving presentations, …

    1 full day excursion on Sunday

    Below is a sample of timetable for a 2-week course:

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    Our 4 colleges offer residence accommodation with full board.

    Services/facilities available:

    • Shared room (2, 3, 4 or 5 students). Multi-bedded rooms are also available for younger students
    • Wardrobe and side locker in each room
    • Bed linen provided (towels are not)
    • WiFi
    • Key handed to each resident
    • Daily room cleaning
    • Weekly laundry included
    • 24 hour security
    • Single-gender residence

    Services/facilities available:

    • Single ensuite rooms with shower in 6 bedded apartments
    • Wardrobe, study desk and chair in the room
    • Bed linen and towels provided
    • TV, living area and kitchen in each apartment
    • WiFi
    • Electronic key handed to each resident
    • Room cleaning twice a week
    • Self-serve laundry (coin operated)
    • 24 hour security

    Services/facilities available:

    • Single or twin rooms with shower in 5 to 6 bedrooms apartments
    • Wardrobe, study desk and chair in the room
    • Bed linen and towels provided
    • Common living area and kitchen in each apartment
    • WiFi
    • Electronic key handed to each resident
    • Room and common areas cleaning once per week
    • Self-serve laundry (coin operated)
    • 24 hour security

    Services/facilities available:

    • Shared room (up to 8 beds)
    • Bathrooms located on each floor
    • Wardrobe in the room
    • Bed linen provided (towels are not)
    • WiFi available in the common areas
    • Key handed to each resident
    • Daily room cleaning
    • Weekly laundry included
    • 24 hour security

    Transport

    Arrivals: Saturday or Sunday

    Departures: Saturday or Sunday

    Transfers available on request (fees apply, please see ‘Dates & Prices’ tab).

    Please note: Do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course (about 4 days after payment has been made).

    Visa Information

    Do you need a visa for this programme? For more information please consult our page Visa Information.

    Do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or email if you require any additional information.

    Dates & Prices 2024

    Dates 2021

    Programmes are available from two to four weeks.

    Students arrive on the Sunday before courses start during the following periods:

    • Blackrock College (11-15 years): From July 03 to August 08
    • University College Dublin (13-17 years): From June 26 to August 21
    • Maynooth University (11-17 years): From June 26 to August 01
    • Rathdown School (11-14 years): From July 01 to July 31

    Prices 2021

    WPCS 42.0.3
    Rathdown School (ages 11-14)
    2 weeks€ 1.725
    3 weeks€ 2.575
    4 weeks€ 3.360
    Blackrock College (ages 11-15)
    2 weeks€ 1.745
    3 weeks€ 2.675
    4 weeks€ 3.495
    University College Dublin (ages 13-17)
    2 weeks€ 1.940
    3 weeks€ 2.910
    4 weeks€ 3.880
    Maynooth University (11-17)
    2 weeks€ 1.970
    3 weeks€ 2.930
    4 weeks€ 3.840
    Compulsory transfer - per traject€ ERROR
    Transfer - ages 15 or -€ 125
    Transfer - ages 16 +€ 95

    Prices include:

    • English lessons (15 hours per week)
    • Residence accommodation, full board
    • Course materials
    • Activities and excursions programme as described
    • Transportation to activities and excursions

    Prices do not include:

    • Travel to/from Dublin
    • Airport round trip transfers
    • Refundable deposit (€50) for the residence accommodation (to be paid on site)
    • Optional insurances
    • Visa fees (if applicable)
    • A security deposit of €50 is to be paid on arrival, and will be reimbursed at the end of the stay if no damage to the equipments nor premises has been incured.
    • Bus and local transport tickets are not included (except for UCD), allow €75 for two weeks.