Dublin City University enjoys a long-established reputation as a leading provider of summer residential English language programmes for junior students. Our Summer Residential Programme offers young learners the opportunity to improve their English while experiencing life on a university campus in Dublin. Bookings are now open for Summer 2027.
Programme Overview
Our comprehensive programme combines General English tuition, on-campus ensuite residential accommodation, full-board meals, activities and excursions, return airport transfers, and ongoing support from our experienced team throughout the programme.
Students have the opportunity to develop their English communication skills in a supportive environment while meeting other young people and experiencing life in Dublin and Ireland.
Key Information:
- Our Summer Residential Programmes operate from DCU Glasnevin Campus, our main campus, which is 85 acres in size and set in low-rise parkland.
- The campus is modern and well equipped, with classrooms, restaurants, a sports centre, swimming pool, pharmacy, theatre, library, supermarket and other facilities located nearby.
- We have over 1,400 beds on campus, with free Wi-Fi, reception and 24-hour security.
- We welcome over 3,000 students to our residential programmes each summer.
- DCU has over 30 years’ experience delivering summer programmes for junior groups.
- Students have the opportunity to mix with international students, subject to availability and the mix of students attending during their programme dates.
- DCU Glasnevin Campus is located in a residential neighbourhood, approximately 15 minutes from Dublin Airport and within easy reach of Dublin City Centre.
Please Note:
-
Summer Residential Programmes are available to student groups only through schools or tour operators. Individual junior students cannot apply.
-
We do not offer Host Family/Homestay accommodation for junior students during the summer.
Programme Dates & Information
Availability is offered during June, July and August 2027. Please contact us to discuss your preferred programme dates and group requirements. Internationalisation is subject to availability during your period of attendance.
What is Included?
- 15 hours of General English tuition per week
- A mixture of morning and afternoon classes
- DCU International Academy Certificate and Learning Journal
- DCU Residence Accommodation – twin ensuite bedrooms for students
- Single ensuite bedrooms for group leaders
- Linen and towels
- Full-board meals from DCU Restaurant
- Return Dublin Airport transfers by private coach with DCU staff
- Half-day activities in the Dublin area
- Evening activities on campus, including discos, quizzes and sports
- Day trips
- Support from the DCU team throughout the programme
- Opportunity to mix with international students, subject to availability
For a standard two-week programme, students receive 30 hours of General English tuition, 10 half-day activities, 10 evening activities and two day trips.
Tuition
-
Students receive 15 hours of General English tuition per week, with classes scheduled across a mixture of mornings and afternoons.
-
Where possible, groups are internationalised with students of other nationalities. This depends on the mix of students and availability during the period of attendance.
-
At the end of the programme, students receive a DCU International Academy Certificate and Learning Journal.
Accommodation
-
Students stay in DCU Residence Accommodation in twin ensuite bedrooms, with group leaders accommodated in single ensuite bedrooms.
-
Students stay together in apartments, typically containing 4-5 bedrooms and a shared lounge area.
-
Linen and towels are provided, and rooms are cleaned once per week.
-
The residence includes:
-
Free Wi-Fi
-
Reception
-
24-hour security
-
Laundry facilities (additional fees apply)
-
- Check-in is from 16:00 on the day of arrival and check-out is at 10:00 on the day of departure. Luggage storage can be arranged for groups arriving or departing outside these times.
- As groups receive full-board meals, apartment cooking utensils are not provided.
- Students and leaders should bring personal items including toiletries, a hairdryer if required and an adapter suitable for Irish Type G electrical sockets.
Meals
-
Students and leaders receive full-board meals from DCU Restaurant.
-
The first included meal is dinner on the day of arrival, and the final meal is breakfast on the day of departure.
- On weekdays, students receive:
- Breakfast
- Hot lunch
- Dinner
- At weekends, students receive:
- Breakfast
- Packed lunch
- Dinner
- Dietary requirements, including vegetarian and coeliac diets, can be catered for.
Airport Transfers
- Return airport transfers are provided by private coach with DCU staff.
- Arrival and departure can be facilitated at any time of day or night, and DCU Glasnevin Campus is approximately 15 minutes from Dublin Airport.
Activities & Excursions
Learning continues beyond the classroom, with students taking part in a varied programme of cultural, social and recreational activities.
For a standard two-week programme, students receive:
- 10 half-day activities in the Dublin area
- 10 evening activities on DCU Campus, including discos, quizzes and sports
- 2 day trips
Activities and excursions are led by DCU guides. Local transport is by public transport using a LEAP card.
Please see our sample timetable for an example of the activities that may be included during a two-week programme.
What is Not Included?
The following are not included in programme fees:
- LEAP transport cards
- Personal/travel insurance
- Flights
- Laundry charges
- Any additional services not specifically included in the programme proposal
LEAP unlimited transport cards can be purchased through DCU before arrival or locally on arrival.
All bookings are subject to DCU International Academy’s Group Terms and Conditions.
Why Choose DCU for Summer Residential Programmes?
- Over 30 years’ experience delivering summer programmes for junior groups
- More than 3,000 residential programme students each summer
- A modern 85-acre university campus
- More than 1,400 on-campus beds
- Accommodation, classrooms, dining and facilities conveniently located together
- Experienced programme staff and DCU guides
- English tuition combined with activities, excursions and cultural experiences
- Opportunity to experience living and studying on an Irish university campus
- Opportunity to meet students from different schools and countries, subject to availability
- Approximately 15 minutes from Dublin Airport
Who Should Attend This Programme?
This programme is suitable for:
- Young learners who want to develop their English language and communication skills
- Students interested in experiencing life on a university campus
- Junior groups travelling through schools or tour operators
- Students looking for a combination of English tuition, cultural experiences, activities and excursions
- Groups looking to experience Dublin and Ireland as part of an organised residential programme
Internationalisation
Students from around the world participate in our Summer Residential Programme.
Where possible, groups are internationalised with students of other nationalities. This is subject to availability and the mix of students attending during your programme dates.
Make an Enquiry / Request a Proposal
For further information, availability or to request a proposal, please contact us with your preferred arrival date, your preferred departure date, number of students and number of group leaders looking to attend.
We aim to respond within one business day.
Sample Programme Timetable
For Illustrative Purposes Only
Note: Classes may be held in the morning, afternoon or a mixture of both.