Terms & Conditions
Enrolment and Payment Conditions 2026
1. Enrolling On a Course
To enrol on a course, applicants must complete the enrolment form and send it to Cork English College by email or book online at www.corkenglishcollege.com . A booking deposit of €250 must accompany all applications and may be paid either by bank draft directly to the College, by credit card (Visa or MasterCard), or by inter-bank transfer to the College’s bank account. Please add €35 for bank charges on non-EU accounts. All payments for courses in Ireland must be made in euros. A copy of the bank receipt should accompany the enrolment form. Once these documents are received, the College will issue confirmation documents together with the full invoice. The deposit is non-refundable but is deductible from the total amount payable. The remaining balance must be paid at least 30 days before the course start date. Accommodation details will be confirmed after proof of full payment has been received.
2. Enrolling On a Group Course
To enrol on a group course, applicants should first confirm their allocation (by March 14th for summer groups), complete the College enrolment form, and send it to Cork English College by email. A deposit of 20% is payable on confirmation. Groups arriving between June and August must pay the deposit by April 1st to secure places. The balance of fees is due at least one month before the course start date. Visa invitation letters and confirmed accommodation details are provided only after full payment has been received.
3. Paying for a course
Payments can be made in the following ways:
- By inter-bank transfer in EURO (€)
- By Credit Card: MasterCard and Visa
- Via TransferMate
Non-EU students applying for an Irish visa must pay their fees into the TransferMate escrow account, where funds are held on behalf of the student and CEC pending the visa decision. Please contact the College for full bank details. Any bank charges from the sending and receiving banks are the sender’s responsibility. Note that €35 will be added for payments from non-EU accounts. Credit card processing fees also apply.
Terms and Conditions
1. Cancellation
Cancellation before arrival: If you cancel at least fourteen days prior to the start date, fees will be refunded less the non-refundable €250 deposit. If you cancel 7–13 days before the start date, 50% of the course fees will be refunded. No refund is available for cancellations made fewer than 7 days before the start date. Cancellation after arrival: Once a student has commenced their course at the College, they are obliged to complete their full course of study (defined as the initial enrolment period). No refund will be issued if a student withdraws before completing the full course of study. If a student wishes to change course, it may be possible to transfer to an alternative course or programme of the same value, subject to availability and, for non-EU students, immigration guidelines. Students cannot transfer from group tuition to individual tuition. No refunds are given for course changes, including changes to a less intensive course. Students who have obtained a visa extension as a result of a course extension cannot cancel that extension and are not entitled to a refund. Refunds are processed by our Accounts Department within 21 working days of receiving the request.
2. Cancellation – Group Courses
Cancellation before arrival: If you cancel at least fourteen days before the start date, fees will be refunded less the non-refundable 20% deposit. For cancellations 7–13 days before the start date, 50% of the total fees will be refunded. No refund is available for cancellations made fewer than 7 days before the start date.
3. Visa and Immigration Guidelines
Students needing a visa to study in Ireland should contact their nearest Irish embassy for guidance and allow a minimum of two months for processing. We can support visa applications where required. All fees must be paid in advance into the TransferMate escrow account; an invitation letter (including transfer details) is issued only after full funds are received by bank transfer. If original documents are required from CEC, we can send them by post free of charge or by courier for €100. Students delayed by visa processing may postpone their course. Visa Refusals: All prepaid fees will be refunded, less a €250 administration charge, within 20 days of receiving your request. Written proof of refusal from the Embassy is required. Immigration Procedures: Non-EU students on courses longer than 12 weeks (90 days) must register with the Immigration Bureau. A fee of €300 is payable on initial registration, and €300 for any extension (fees correct at time of printing and subject to change). Non-EU students enrolled for more than 25 weeks must register, pay for, and sit an approved English-language exam. Please check visa and immigration requirements before booking (www.irishimmigration.ie).
4. Holidays for long-term students
Students may take holidays depending on the total course length. The following rules apply: To request a holiday, contact the Admissions team at least 2 weeks in advance. Non-EU students must schedule all holidays before registering with GNIB. Unscheduled study breaks are only allowed in exceptional circumstances. Once holidays are registered with GNIB, they cannot be changed. The minimum holiday length is 2 weeks.
·Holidays must run Monday to Friday (no mid-week start)
·No holidays during the first 8 weeks of study, and not exceeding one-third of the weeks already completed
·A placement test may be required on return from holiday
·For academic progress, only one holiday is permitted in any 12-week period
·Where possible, take holidays after completing your current level.
Course weeks booked Holidays Permitted
12 weeks 1 holiday period
25 weeks 2 holiday periods
Working while Studying: Non-EU students on Academic Year Programmes (25+ weeks) may take casual employment while studying. During term and scheduled vacation periods, students may work up to 20 hours per week. Work up to 40 hours per week is permitted only from December 15 to January 15 and from June to September.
5. Postponement of Courses
If you are unable to attend, you may postpone your course. All postponements must be requested in writing at least 14 days before the start date. One postponement is allowed free of charge; subsequent postponements incur a €200 administration fee. A revised invoice will be issued and the rates applied will be those in effect for the new start date.
6. Public Holidays
If a public holiday falls on a Monday, students may begin their course on the Tuesday of that week. Public holidays are non-refundable, and CEC organises an alternative activity in place of classes on that day. View our 2026 Academic Year calendar.
7. Adult Beginners
We do not run a beginner-level group class. If you think you are a beginner, please take our online test and email info@corkenglishcollege.ie for guidance on your level. Private one-to-one lessons are available for beginners. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel an enrolment if a student places at the beginner level.
8. Accommodation
Accommodation prices are per week (7 nights).
No refunds are given for early departure.
Residential accommodation is provided by third-party partners and pricing may change for reasons beyond the College’s control. Quoted prices are guaranteed once accommodation is booked and paid for confirmed dates. Prices may change if dates are amended or postponed. Accommodation details are sent only after all fees have been paid in full.
Any damage to the homestay or residence property will be charged to the student(s) responsible. The school reserves the right to charge for exceptional cleaning.
Accommodation extensions:
Arrivals should be on Sundays (Saturday arrivals may be possible). Please check with our Bookings team before confirming flights. A €200 change fee applies for host-family changes, switches from host family to residence, or moves between residences.
Extra nights in a host family or residence may be available at an additional cost. Availability is not guaranteed.
Students wishing to extend should check well before their initial stay ends. If a host-family change is required for an extension, a €100 deposit is payable; this is non-refundable but deducted from the first week’s accommodation fee. Extensions should be paid 4 weeks in advance.
Host family:
Students may take holidays from host-family accommodation with 2 weeks’ notice; 50% of normal fees are payable during the holiday.
Special dietary requirements (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free) incur a supplement of €40 per week in host families. Prepaid host-family fees are refundable in full (less the administration fee) if at least 14 days’ notice is given.
During July and August, students aged 16–17 will be placed in twin rooms.
A seasonal supplement applies for host-family stays over the two-week Christmas period. Availability at this time is limited and cannot be guaranteed—contact the accommodation office for details.
Isolation in a host family due to COVID-19 is €40 per week.
A summer supplement applies to homestay bookings during June, July and August.
Groups:
For group bookings, participant information (sharing preferences, dietary/allergy notes, special requests) should be provided as early as possible and no later than 6 weeks before arrival. Host-family allocations will be issued 2 weeks before arrival, provided full payment has been received and flight details supplied. Requests to change accommodation will be considered where possible but must be received at least 14 days before arrival.
Residential accommodation:
A refundable deposit is payable on the first day (€50 for junior students; €200 for adult students). Deposits are refunded once the key is returned and no damage is reported. Residential fees are refundable (less the administration fee) with 28 days’ notice of cancellation.
9. Airport Transfers
Please send transfer details at least seven days before arrival. For airport transfers, provide the flight number, arrival time, and the student’s mobile number. Transfers are compulsory for students under 18. Students arriving at similar times may share transfers; no discount applies. Missed transfers are non-refundable.
10. Discipline
Students must follow the School’s code of conduct. Serious breaches may result in expulsion. In such cases, fees are not refunded. Any additional costs, including flights, are the responsibility of the student or, for under-18s, their parents/guardians.
11. Insurance
All students must have comprehensive travel, medical and personal insurance to be provided before arrival.
Cover should include Covid-19 and any related contingencies, such as extended stays—any such costs are the responsibility of the student or parent/guardian. EU students should bring their European Health Insurance Card; this covers emergency hospital care and certain doctors’ visits only and does not include elective procedures or dental care.
All non-EU students must hold medical insurance valid for their entire stay in Ireland.
We can arrange medical insurance for non-EU students at €140 (price correct at time of printing; policies are non-refundable once issued). The school and host families do not insure students against accident, illness, theft or loss of personal effects; the school accepts no responsibility for such occurrences. Our medical insurance is automatically added to non-EU Academic Year bookings to help with opening an Irish bank account (the policy can be used as proof of address).
Vaccination The Irish Health Service recommends keeping vaccinations up to date for Covid-19 and other conditions. Further guidance: Screening and vaccinations – HSE.ie
13. Publicity Materials
Unless otherwise specified at the time of booking, permission is granted for Cork English College to use student testimonials and photographs/images in official promotional materials. Consent may be given by the student or, where applicable, by a parent or legal guardian.
14. Junior Students
For all junior students, parents/guardians must accept the school rules and these Terms & Conditions before a booking can be confirmed. For students under 18, parents/guardians must complete and sign our consent form and return it to the College with the enrolment form.
15. Legal Notice
Cork English College reserves the right to alter prices and service details—including courses, accommodation, facilities/centres and course dates—where circumstances beyond the College’s/company’s control require such changes, or where enrolment numbers are insufficient to run a course viably. The College also reserves the right to decline any person at any time without liability. Cork English College gives notice that all arrangements for transport, activities or accommodation are made by Cork English College acting as agent on the express condition that it shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by defects in any vehicle or by the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in transporting passengers or delivering programme arrangements, or otherwise in connection therewith for any family member.
No responsibility is accepted for losses or additional expenses arising from delays or changes to air, sea, rail, bus or other services; sickness; weather; war; quarantine; strikes; or other liabilities. The contents of Cork English College’s promotional brochures are for information only and do not constitute a contract between the College and any student or third party.
The College reserves the right to make changes that may affect courses, curricula, programmes or any other published content without prior notice. The College may close on certain days in the event of status-red weather emergencies and/or on instruction from the Department of Education. Classes missed in such cases are non-refundable.
Please note that some facilities, prices and services listed in our promotional materials are subject to change and/or availability.
It’s important to note that some of the facilities, prices and services presented in our promotional materials may be subject to change or availability.