After a very successful January programme, we are pleased to announce the commencement of our 2 week International Winter School Programme for December 2026.
This year our Winter School theme is ‘Global Career Accelerator: AI & Communication Skills‘.
Designed for international university students, this programme offers the opportunity to experience life as a student at DCU while attending courses in language development, culture and careers. In addition, students will attend guest lectures and elective weekend social activities with international students and local people.
This is a highly practical and enlightening programme: participants will benefit from 2 weeks of intensive development at DCU, ranked among the Top 350 Universities in the World. The key thrust of the Winter School is to prepare international students for life, leadership and career opportunities that will arise after they complete their degree in an increasingly digital world.
Programme Overview
- The International Pre Christmas Winter School is a 2-week block programme delivered in December 2026.
- Course module content includes: Language and Communication Development Tutorials alongside 4 specialised afternoon lectures covering artificial intelligence, gaining employment, business English skills and CV preparation.
- Outside of the classroom, DCU will arrange guest lectures and an elective activity programme for students.
- DCU IA will issue a certificate and academic transcript upon programme completion. Credits for participation may be awarded to attending students by their home university.
- Students will live in single room half board accommodation with a DCU Host Family in a shared family home for the duration of their programme. Onsite campus amenities include a supermarket, pharmacy, doctor, restaurants, sports centre and 24/7 assistance. Host family facilities include linen, towels and room cleaning.
- Opportunities to integrate with other international students from around the world and local Irish students through DCU campus life, home to 20,000 students with direct air access routes into Dublin.
Programme Intake Dates and Fees
| Programme | Check-In to Host Family | Classes
Start Date |
Classes
End Date |
Check-Out from Host Family | Fee |
| Winter School
Intake |
Sunday
6 December 2026 |
Monday
7 December 2026 |
Friday
18 December 2026 |
Saturday
19 December 2026 |
€1,299
per student |
Please note: fees are inclusive of single room half board accommodation with a DCU Host Family in a shared family home.
Programme Curriculum
Classroom Based
Our Winter School curriculum combines core morning language training with 4 specialised afternoon modules designed around Global Career Accelerator: AI & Communication Skills:
- Language and Communication Development Tutorials: intensive classes which focus on improving student confidence in speaking, conversational skills and academic delivery using English.
-
Specialised Afternoon Lectures (4 Sessions) Session 1 Artificial Intelligence Module 1 Session 2 Gaining Employment in an English speaking country Session 3 Business English Skills Session 4 Developing a CV and Cover Letter - Teaching and learning will be provided via a mixture of lecture-style delivery, and smaller tutorial-style provision.
Additional Activities
The programme will be complemented with a range of practical learning and social opportunities which will include:
- Guest lectures from career industry experts and dignitaries
- Elective social activities available at weekends
Assessment & Grading
Students are examined by continuous assessment throughout the programme and are issued with DCU IA certification upon completion of their course. DCU IA will issue an academic transcript to the student’s home university detailing percentage grade results from the programme. Credits for participation may be awarded to attending students by their home university.
What Will The Course Offer Me?
- An enlightening winter school focused on Global Career Accelerator: AI & Communication Skills at one of Ireland’s leading universities which will enhance your language acumen, business skills and cultural knowledge.
- Our programme seeks to achieve practical outcomes including outlining a pathway for students to consider living and working in an English speaking country for their future career.
- The opportunity to live and study in Ireland for 2 weeks in December 2026.
- The chance to meet and network with Irish host families and local people as well as with other international students.
- The chance to hear from leaders in education and industry on AI tools, career trends and future employment opportunities.
Who Should Attend This Programme?
This course is recommended for students who:
- Are aged 18 years and above from overseas universities who wish to take a short term winter school programme during home university holidays.
- Would like to earn home university credits by attending an international winter school programme (*please check with your home university that credits award is possible).
- Want to experience life as a student in an Irish university and live in Europe for a short term period.
- Have an interest in Irish life, arts, culture, literature, sport, history, nature or geography.
- Would like to use Dublin as a base with direct air access routes to travel to other European capitals at weekends during the programme.
Internationalisation
We receive students from around the world for our Winter School Programme, including countries like Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, China, Japan and Korea, as well as regions across Europe and the Middle East.
Summary of Fees and Services Included
The programme fee is €1,299 per student. This fee includes:
-
Tuition for 2 weeks
-
DCU Host Family accommodation: single bedroom in a DCU checked, police vetted shared family home which has previously received DCU students. Half board meals provided (breakfast and dinner on weekdays, full board at weekends)
-
Access to campus amenities including 24/7 assistance, supermarket, pharmacy, doctor, sports centre and restaurants
-
Registration Fees and Course Materials Fees
-
Programme certification and academic transcript
The following items are not included in programme fees:
Air travel to Ireland, airport transfers, student insurance, transport card and elective weekend social activities.
Apply Now for Your Programme
We invite you to make an online application for your programme:
Upon receipt of your application, we will issue you with a payment link to complete the application fee payment of €100 (this fee is deductible from your total course fees). Once the application fee payment is made we will complete your registration.
To make an enquiry, please contact us via our online contact form.