Academic Year English Courses in Dublin – Study & Work in Ireland
ISI Dublin’s First Academic Year programme is a long-term English course for eligible non-EU students who want to study in Dublin for 25 weeks, take 8 weeks of holiday and, where their immigration permission allows it, work during their stay in Ireland.
For many international students, an Academic Year course is more than a language programme. It is an eight-month period in which English classes, work experience, accommodation, immigration, budgeting and everyday life in Dublin all need to fit together. This microsite is designed to explain those parts clearly before you book.
What is an Academic Year / Study & Work programme?
The ISI Dublin Academic Year programme includes 25 weeks of full-time English study plus 8 weeks of holiday. Students choose one of three timetable options and complete a recognised final examination as part of the programme.
The programme is aimed at eligible non-EU students taking their first Academic Year English course in Ireland. If you are already studying in Ireland and need another Academic Year course, use our separate Academic Year Renewals website so the two journeys are not mixed.
Academic Year course options
AY15 Morning
15 hours per week · Monday to Friday · 09:00–12:15.
A popular option for students who prefer to study in the morning and keep afternoons available for work, appointments, independent study or Dublin life.
AY15 Afternoon
15 hours per week · Monday to Thursday · 13:00–17:00.
A four-day afternoon timetable that leaves mornings available and currently offers the lowest promotional First Academic Year package price.
AY20 Morning
20 hours per week · morning core programme plus 5 elective hours.
A more intensive route for students who want additional classroom time. The current AY20 structure combines 15 hours of General English with an additional elective component.
Compare courses and timetables in detail.
English levels and class placement
AY15 and AY20 can be offered from A0 to C2, subject to live class availability and your placement result. Your final class is confirmed through the school’s academic placement process, not simply from a self-declared level.
Students progress at different speeds, so ISI does not promise that every student will reach a particular CEFR level by the end of the course. Attendance, participation, independent study and your starting level all affect progress.
Oxford Test of English
The current Non-EU Academic Year programme includes the Oxford Test of English as the final examination. This gives the long-term programme a clear academic outcome rather than treating the course as 25 unrelated weeks of General English.
Learn more about the Oxford Test of English.
Can Academic Year students work in Ireland?
Students who hold a valid Stamp 2 permission may currently work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during the official student holiday periods defined by Immigration Service Delivery. Those full-time periods are June, July, August and September, and from 15 December to 15 January.
Work permission comes from your immigration permission and its conditions. Enrolling on an Academic Year course does not itself guarantee the right to work, and ISI does not guarantee employment.
Our Work in Dublin section explains work rights, Jobs Club support, PPS numbers, CV preparation and realistic job-search planning.
What is included?
The current First Academic Year package combines the tuition with the main programme charges so the total is easier to understand before payment. The package includes the applicable application fee, course materials, Medical Insurance, Learner Protection and the Oxford Test of English.
Accommodation, airport transfer and everyday living costs are separate. See What’s Included for the full explanation.
Current Academic Year promotion
November Savings offers eligible Non-EU students 20% off AY15 Morning and AY20 Morning tuition. AY15 Afternoon has a separate Black Friday €2,500 fixed-price package, available 2–30 November 2026 with no application fee. MediPEL costs €180 and saves €20 versus buying both protections separately; offers cannot be combined. The promotion has been extended to bookings received through 30 November 2026, under the same conditions as the September offer. Eligible starts can be up to 30 June 2028, subject to the school calendar and live availability.
Current promotional package totals are:
- AY15 Morning: €3,500
- AY15 Afternoon: €2,500
- AY20 Morning: €4,460
See Academic Year prices and dates.
Visa and immigration
Not every non-EU student follows the same immigration route. Whether you need an Irish entry visa depends mainly on nationality, while your permission to remain in Ireland depends on the immigration conditions that apply to your stay.
Visa-required students normally need to complete the Long Stay ‘D’ study visa process before travelling. Non-visa-required students do not apply for an entry visa first, but long-stay students may still need to register their immigration permission after arrival.
Use our Visa & Immigration hub for current guidance and links to official Irish Immigration sources.
Accommodation for a long stay
For Academic Year students, ISI normally recommends organising the first 8 weeks of accommodation rather than trying to commit to a full long-term housing arrangement before you understand Dublin.
Students can choose Host Family or Student Residence, subject to live availability, and then decide whether to continue, change option or search for private rent after arrival.
Compare accommodation options.
Why study in Dublin?
Dublin combines an English-speaking environment with a large international student population and a labour market where eligible students can gain practical experience while they study. Living in the city also means learning English outside class: with flatmates, host families, colleagues, shops, transport, social activities and everyday appointments.
That wider experience is why this site also covers Living in Dublin, not only the classroom programme.
Academic Year information by market
Students often arrive with different visa questions, community expectations and practical concerns depending on where they are coming from. Our market-specific guides bring the same Academic Year programme information together with relevant student stories and community links.
Study & Work in Ireland for Brazilian Students · Study & Work in Ireland for Latin American Students
Country-specific Academic Year guides
If you are planning your First Academic Year from Brazil or Latin America, use the dedicated market guides for country-specific context, current pricing, work rights, visa screening, accommodation and student stories.
Academic Year for Brazilian Students · Academic Year for Latin American Students
How to start
Before sending a payment request, we first check whether the First Academic Year route is appropriate for your situation. We look at whether this is your first Academic Year in Ireland, your nationality, current location, age, any Irish immigration permission you already hold, preferred course and accommodation needs.