FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions you can read our FAQ section below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us or send us an online inquiry. We will be happy to assist you.
COURSES
To apply for a course, please complete our online application form here.Once received, our Registration Officer will contact you to confirm your programme and arrange payment.
It is preferable to book your programme at least 4 weeks in advance of course commencement, in order to ensure that there is sufficient time to arrange accommodation and other details.
Payment can be made online by credit card or bank transfer to our account. To make a Credit Card payment online please click here.If you have any difficulties making payment, please email us and we will be happy to assist with the process.
For details on course prices please visit the web page of your chosen course or click here to view our Price List.
We have a wide range of courses available. You can have a look at them clicking here
Every student needs to have a book for their course. Adult students will receive an English Course book upon commencement of the programme. Adult students will also receive a DCU International Academy student hand book on their programme. Read our full policy.
Do I receive a Certificate at the end of the Programme?
Each student who attends a programme at Dublin City University International Academy will receive a certificate of programme completion (subject to the student meeting minimum attendance requirements). Certificates are issued to students on the final day of tuition at DCU.
How many Students are there per Class?
Our average class size is 10 students, and the maximum number per class is 15 students.
What is the timetable and classroom location?
The timetable for courses is set by the centralised DCU Timetabling Office, which provides classrooms for all Bachelors, Masters and Language students at Dublin City University. Class times are 09.00hrs to 13.00hrs and / or 13.30hrs to 17.30hrs for General English, Academic Year Programme (and similar courses) depending on the classroom allocation provided for DCU International Academy courses. DCU IA courses may take place in mornings, afternoons or as a mixture of both morning and afternoon classes. DCU IA is part of Dublin City University. The university holds lessons and activities on a number of campuses. Most DCU IA classes and activities take place on the DCU Glasnevin Campus. Customers should be aware that, in peak periods, DCU IA reserves the right to hold classes and activities from a nominated satellite centre. Satellite centres include: DCU St. Patrick’s College, DCU All Hallows College, DCU Innovation Campus, DCU Ryan Academy, St. Aidan’s School, Trinity Comprehensive School.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
For undergraduate enquiries for Non-EU students please email: ug.international@dcu.ie
To review the list of degree courses – click here
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION YEAR COURSES
International Foundation Year Courses
For foundation programme enquires please visit our pathways website: advance.dcu.ie
To review the list of foundation courses – click here
ACCOMMODATION
What types of accommodation can you arrange for me?
We have different categories of accommodation to suit all preferences. Please have a look at the accommodation section on our website for an overview.
How much will my accommodation cost?
This depends on the type of accommodation you prefer, please have a look at the accommodation section for prices.
How do I become a Host Family?
We invite persons interested in becoming a Host Family to complete our ‘Host Family Application Form’ online, clicking here. Once we receive your application we will arrange a visit to your home (‘Home Visit’) at a convenient time for you (between the hours of 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday).
VISA, LETTERS AND INSURANCE
Do I need a Visa? What is the process?
Please go to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website for full details on application procedures. Students should also check out the website of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs for details of the Irish Embassy attached to your country. Please note that while we can provide supporting documents for the visa application process it is the responsibility of the student to apply for the visa. Note: Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Agreement. You will, therefore, still have to apply for an Irish visa even if you have a visa for a Schengen country.
We will be happy to give you advice in how to acquire your visa. After you have paid for your course you will receive our Confirmation Letter (or an Invitation Letter for sponsored students).
Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). The fact that a provider and courses are listed on the ILEP means that in accordance with Ireland’s student immigration policy, attendance at that college in respect of one of their listed full time courses on the ILEP is an eligible purpose for a non-EEA national coming to Ireland. Please visit Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website for further information.
What type of visa do I need to study in Dublin?
If you are an EU national you don’t need a visa. If you are not an EU national then you will need to apply for a study visa for 8 months.
Please visit Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website to check if you need a visa.
Please visit Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website to check if you need a visa.
May I work holding a valid stamp 2?
As set out in the Government Policy Statement in May 2015, the standard immigration permission available for the purposes of pursuing an English language programme on the ILEP is 8 months. Since 1 January 2015 students holding a valid immigration stamp 2 are permitted to work 40 hours per week during the months of June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January inclusive. At all other times they will be limited to working 20 hours per week. Please visit Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website for further information.
Should I arrange an Insurance?
We strongly advise you to arrange insurance before you leave home. Please visit our Insurance page for further information. You can request insurance when you book your course through our website.
Please note that the MEI Pilot Scheme provides a fast-track visa process for students coming to Ireland for an English language programme. This scheme is applicable to Chinese and Turkish students only and is subject to Terms and Conditions. Please contact us for further information.
What is the process of letters request?
DCU International Academy provides various letters of support. Please allow one working day for your letter to be produced. All letters must be collected from main reception in VBG11.
- GNIB Registration: Request this when you have made your appointment to register with the GNIB. If you need more information on registering with the GNIB please read here.
- Re-Entry Visa: Request this if you are from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Kuwait, Pakistan, Russia or Venezuela and you want to travel outside of Ireland. This letter is only valid for 7 days; please do not order the letter more than 7 days before your re-entry visa appointment. If you need more information on re-entry visas please read here.
- Proof of Address: Request this if you require to open a bank account (the Bank of Ireland on campus) or to obtain a PPS number for work. If you are not staying with DCU host family accommodation, you need to submit the proof of address. Bring a signed contract, rent receipts, bills or a letter from your landlord (this should include your address, your name, landlord’s name, landlord’s contact details and his/her signature.) to the DCU International Academy office.
- Confirmation of your programme: Request this letter if you need written confirmation that you are a registered student in DCU International Academy. You can also use this letter for the Embassy when you apply for the visa. Please contact the relevant Embassy for further details on visa applications.
- Confirmation to permission to work: Request this if you need to prove to employers that you are eligible to work.
- Attendance rate: Request this if you need to prove your attendance rate.
*Please note: We do not issue letters related to fees. If you need a receipt of payment or a copy of an invoice please contact reg@dcu.ie.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Where is Ireland and Dublin Located?
Ireland is an island nation, located beside the United Kingdom in north-west Europe. Ireland has a population of 4.7 million people, of which 1.3 million live in the region of Dublin, the capital city.
Where is DCU International Academy Located?
DCU Campus is located in a safe residential area from 5 km to the Dublin City centre and 7 km to the Dublin airport. Direct bus routes just off of DCU Campus leaving for both the airport and the City centre regularly. Our address is DCU International Academy – Office VBG11, Dublin City University, Dublin 9 – D09 NA55.
The euro (sign: €; code: EUR). The official currency of the eurozone.
Do you have a welfare department?
Student welfare is of prime importance to DCU International Academy. Our dedicated Welfare Officer, William Hooper, is one of the first people that students meet when they arrive at DCU.
Where is the orientation for my first day?
New students should arrive at DCU at 08:40am on the first morning of their programme. The meeting point for new students is The Helix Theatre (first floor) on campus. To view the location click here.
If you have questions at any point during your programme, please visit our reception and speak to our staff. Alternatively, you can call our reception at +353 1 700 5678.
If you have questions at any point during your programme, please visit our reception and speak to our staff. Alternatively, you can call our reception at +353 1 700 5678.
Do you have airport transfer for groups?
We offer airport transfers from Dublin Airport to DCU as standard for Group Programmes. Our Arrivals Coordinator will meet your group upon landing at Dublin Airport and assist with your transfer to Dublin City University. Please note that our airport transfer service is offered exclusively for group programmes only. We recommend that incoming individual students take a taxi from Dublin Airport to DCU or DCU Host Family.
Do you have airport transfer for individual students?
We recommend that individual students take a taxi from Dublin Airport to DCU or DCU Host Family.
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- Taxis are available from the forecourts directly outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Passengers should follow taxi signage to the designated taxi ranks.
A taxi dispatcher is available at either taxi rank if you require any further information or assistance.Please provide details to your taxi driver of your destination (i.e. to DCU or the address of your DCU Host Family) before your journey starts.
- DCU Glasnevin campus is located 7km from Dublin Airport with a travel time around 15 minutes.
What should I do if I have a problem?
If you become aware of a problem during office hours, you should come to DCU International Academy reception and speak to our Welfare Officer, in person. Alternatively, call the Welfare Officer (+353 1 700 6737) or our general office number (+353 1 700 5678).
- We also provide an out-of-hours (weekday evenings and weekends) phone response service for students.
- The service ensures that students who experience an urgent or unexpected difficulty outside office hours can receive support and advice over the phone.
The Assistance Number is +353 85 185 7060.
Where can I find the student policies?
For further information, please click here.
AGENT
If you are interested in working as an agent for us, please contact our sales team.
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