Intensive English Courses in Ireland
Accelerate your progress with 25+ hours per week of full-immersion English classes.
Intensive English is a workload format rather than a separate subject: it packs more class hours into each week to help you progress faster, usually by adding skills-focused or elective classes on top of a core General English programme. It suits learners working to a deadline, preparing for an exam, or making the most of a shorter stay. The exact weekly hours vary by school, so check the real contact hours and lesson length.
Who is this course for?
Students with a specific goal or deadline who want to progress as fast as possible: exam preparation, career advancement, or pre-university language requirements.
What you will study
- A core General English programme matched to your level
- Additional skills-focused or elective classes
- More speaking, writing and exam-style practice per week
- Faster movement between CEFR levels than part-time study
What you will achieve
- Faster progress than part-time study through higher weekly hours
- Strong improvement across all four language skills
- High contact hours with experienced teachers
- Well suited to exam deadlines and pre-university requirements
What level do you need?
| Level | Name | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Beginner | Understand and use very simple phrases, introduce yourself and ask basic questions. |
| A2 | Elementary | Handle short everyday exchanges, shopping, directions and simple personal information. |
| B1 | Intermediate | Cope while travelling, describe experiences, and hold a conversation on familiar topics. |
| B2 | Upper intermediate | Understand complex texts, interact fluently, and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue. |
| C1 | Advanced | Use English flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. |
| C2 | Mastery | Understand virtually everything and express yourself precisely, like a proficient speaker. |
Shaded rows are the levels Intensive English courses most often cover. Schools place you by a short test, so you join a class that matches your ability.
Lessons and hours: what to check
Schools describe courses in lessons per week, but a lesson can be 45, 50 or 60 minutes, so the real contact time varies. Always compare the actual hours, not just the lesson count:
- 20 lessons of 45 minutes = 15 hours a week
- 20 lessons of 60 minutes = 20 hours a week
- 30 lessons of 45 minutes = 22.5 hours a week
Each school listing shows the published price per week where available, so you can weigh hours, class size and price together before you enquire.
23 schools offering Intensive English in Ireland
English Path Dublin teaches English in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, with General English, semi-intensive study and Work and Study options for eligible learners.
Castleforbes College is an English-language school on Upper Gardiner Street in Dublin 1, offering General English, intensive classes, IELTS preparation, conversation lessons and 25-week study programmes.
ULearn is an English-language school at 13 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, offering General English, examination preparation, Business English and longer study programmes.
Everest Language School teaches General English, IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation, and 25-week Work & Study programmes at 26 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2. The school publishes 2026 course and accommodation prices.
Delfin English School provides General English, intensive English, IELTS and Cambridge preparation in Dublin.
Portobello English school founded in 2003, with 50-minute group lessons, Cambridge preparation and accommodation in residences or homestays.
Highly-rated Dublin English school with 4.7 stars from 682 reviews, offering comprehensive courses in the city centre.
Englishour’s Lower Abbey Street teaching centre is one of three central Dublin locations offering General English, exam preparation and flexible English classes.
CES Dublin is an English-language school on Dame Street offering General English, IELTS and Cambridge preparation, Work & Study, teacher training and junior programmes.
Babel Academy of English teaches adult, junior and specialist English programmes across three Dublin 1 locations, including General English, IELTS preparation and English for Work.
Swan Training Institute is an established English-language school on Grafton Street in central Dublin, offering adult General English, IELTS preparation, intensive courses and seasonal junior programmes.
ATC Dublin offers General English, Intensive English, IELTS and Cambridge preparation at its year-round campus.
OHC Dublin is an English-language school at Merrion Square North offering General English, intensive tuition and exam preparation, with homestay options.
Cork English College teaches adult and junior learners in Cork, offering year-round General English, examination preparation and arranged accommodation.
Naas-based Avanti Language Institute teaches General English, examination preparation and activity-linked courses, with host family and online options.
Dublin College of Advanced Studies offers General English, IELTS preparation and teacher training from a city-centre Capel Street campus.
City College Dublin, formerly City Language School, offers English-language education in Dublin alongside student support and accommodation partnerships.
Galway school offering 20 or 30 weekly 45-minute lessons, Monday starts and a 16-student group limit.
Celtic School of English in Tralee provides practical adult English classes, junior programmes and work-placement pathways with optional student accommodation.
ATC Bray offers General English, Intensive English, IELTS and Cambridge preparation at its year-round campus.
ISI Dublin operates adult English-language courses at its Parnell Square and Meetinghouse Lane teaching centres, with General English, Academic Year and Erasmus+ options.
Highly-rated English school in Dublin city centre with proven student success and expert instruction.
Central Cork English school offering adult General English, IELTS preparation and junior programmes within a Georgian city-centre building.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an intensive course?
There is no single standard, but intensive courses commonly run from around 25 to 30 hours a week. Remember contact hours depend on lesson length: 30 lessons of 45 minutes is 22.5 hours, while 30 lessons of 60 minutes is 30 hours.
Who is intensive English for?
Learners with a deadline or a specific goal, such as exam preparation, pre-university study or work, and anyone who wants to make the most of a shorter stay.
Will I progress faster?
More class time usually means faster progress, provided the level and teaching suit you. Pace also depends on your starting level and how much you practise outside class.
Does an intensive course qualify for a student visa?
If you are from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland and want to work on a Stamp 2 student permission, you generally need a course on the ILEP or TrustEd Ireland list lasting at least 25 weeks with a minimum of 15 hours a week. EU citizens do not need a permit and can work without this restriction. Always check the current rules at irishimmigration.ie.