Enrolment and Payment Conditions
1. Enrolling On a Course
Applicants should first confirm availability by contacting the Institute by telephone or email (admissions@eci.ie). Upon confirmation, applicants must complete an enrolment form online at www.eci.ie or send via email to admissions@eci.ie. A booking deposit of €250 (Ireland) or £250 (UK) must accompany the completed enrolment form. The deposit is not refundable but is deductible from the total amount payable. All payments must be in Euro for courses in Ireland, and in Sterling for courses in the UK.
2. Enrolling On a Group Course
Applicants should first contact the Institute to check availability and request an allocation for their group. All summer groups should confirm their allocations by 14th February 2025. A deposit invoice of 20% will be issued by 1st March 2025. Once names are confirmed, the group enrolment form should be completed and sent to the Emerald Cultural Institute by email. Bookings can also be submitted online at www.eci.ie/ group-booking/. The balance of fees due to the Institute should be paid at least one month in advance of the course start date. Acceptance letters and confirmed accommodation details can be provided only after full payment has been received.
3. Paying for a course
Ireland
The balance of fees due to the Institute must be paid one month in advance of the course start date. All payments must be made in Euro (€) via inter-bank transfer, credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or TransferMate (online platform for processing international bank transfers at no cost to the payer).
Contact the Institute for full bank account details.
Non-EU students who require a visa to enter Ireland must pay fees into the escrow account operated by TransferMate where funds will be held on behalf of the student and the Institute pending the visa decision. For inter-bank transfers, please contact the Institute for full bank account details. Additional bank charges incurred for both the sending and receiving banks are payable by the sender. Please note €35 bank fees will be added for payments from non-EU bank accounts.
Payments by credit card will incur a 3% admin charge.
UK
The balance of fees due to the Institute must be paid one month in advance of the course start date. All payments must be made in Sterling (£) via inter-bank transfer or credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
Contact the Institute for full bank account details.
Additional bank charges incurred for both the sending and receiving banks are payable by the sender. Please note £20 bank charges will be added for payments from both EU and non-EU bank accounts.
Payments by credit card will incur a 3% admin charge.
Terms and Conditions
1. Cancellation
Cancellation of booking before arrival: For cancellations received at least fourteen (14) days prior to the course commencement date, fees will be refunded less the non-refundable deposit of €250 (Ireland) or £250 (UK) plus bank charges of €15 (Ireland) or £15 (UK). For cancellations received within 7-13 days of the course commencement date, 50% of the course fees will be refunded. For cancellations received less than 7 days before the course commencement date, no refund is given.
Cancellation after arrival: Once a student has commenced their course at the Institute they are obliged to complete their full course of study. The full course of study is defined as the initial enrolment period. No refund will be given for course fees if a student withdraws from the course before the completion of the full course of study.
2. Cancellation – Group Courses
Cancellation of booking before arrival: For cancellations received at least fourteen days prior to the course commencement, fees will be refunded less the nonrefundable deposit of 20%. For cancellations received within 7-13 days of course commencement 50% of the total fees will be refunded. For cancellations of less than 7 days no refund is given.
3. Visa and Immigration Guidelines
Students requiring a visa to study in Ireland should contact the nearest Irish embassy for detailed information and allow at least two months to process visa applications. We can assist with the application procedures for the visa when required. All fees must be paid in advance into the escrow account operated by TransferMate and an invitation letter with details of the transfer will only be issued once the funds have been received in full by bank transfer. If original copies of documents are required from ECI they can be sent by mail free of charge or by courier for a fee of €100. Students who experience delays in having their visa issued can postpone their course. Visa Refusals: We will refund all prepaid money minus €265 for administration costs on all visa refusals, within 20 days of receiving the request. Written proof of the visa refusal from the Embassy is required. Immigration Procedures: All non-EU students attending a course of more than 12 weeks (90 days) duration are required to register with the Immigration Bureau. A fee of €300 is payable to the Immigration Bureau by students on their initial registration and students will also be charged €300 for any extension of their immigration period. (The registration fee quoted is €300 at time of printing, but may be subject to change). All non-EU students registered for courses over 25 weeks in length are obliged to register, pay for and sit an approved English-language examination. An examination deposit of €140 is required at the time of booking. We recommend that all non-EU students verify visa and Immigration requirements before booking their course (www.irishimmigration.ie).
4. Holidays for long-term students
Students are permitted to take holidays depending on the duration of their course. The following regulations apply:
To request a holiday, students should contact the admissions department at least 2 weeks in advance. Non-EU students must schedule all holidays before they register with the GNIB. Unscheduled breaks in study are not permitted except in exceptional circumstances. Once non-EU students have registered their holidays with GNIB they will not be permitted to change these arrangements.
The minimum holiday period permitted is 2 weeks
• Holidays cannot be taken in the middle of a week (must be booked from Monday to Friday)
• Holidays cannot be taken during the first 8 weeks of a student’s course and cannot exceed 1/3 of the total weeks already studied
• Upon returning from a holiday, students may have to take a level test before being placed in a class
• In the interest of the student’s academic progress, only one holiday is permitted during any 12-week period
• Where possible, students are advised to take holidays only on completion of their current level.
Course weeks booked: 12 weeks Holidays Permitted:1 holiday period
Course weeks booked: 25 weeks Holidays Permitted: 2 holiday periods
Working while Studying: Non-EU nationals with permission to remain in the State for an Academic Year Programme (25+ weeks) are allowed to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term-time and during scheduled vacation periods, students can work up to 20 hours per week. Students can work up to 40 hours per week only during specific periods from December 15 to January 15 and from June to September.
5. Postponement of Courses
If you cannot attend your course you may postpone it. All postponements must be made in writing at least 14 days before the course start date. A course may be postponed once without a charge being applied. Additional postponements will be subject to a €200 administration fee. New invoices for postponed courses will be issued and the rates applied will depend on the revised start date.
6. Public Holidays
In the case of public holidays, which occur on a Monday, students may begin their course on the Tuesday of that week. Public holidays are non-refundable.
7. Adult Beginners
We do not provide a beginner level class, if you believe you are a beginner, please take our online test and contact us at emerald@eci.ie, we will be happy to advise you of your level. Private individual lessons are available to beginners. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel an enrolment if a student tests at a beginner level of English.
8. Accommodation
Prices for accommodation are quoted per week, 7 nights. Accommodation, both residential and homestay, is subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed. We can only guarantee a place for the duration and the dates initially booked, i.e., Emerald Cultural Institute cannot guarantee accommodation if the student changes or extends course dates. The Institute does not accept responsibility for costs incurred due to changes in accommodation, e.g. moving.
Refunds will not be given for early departure.
Residence accommodation is provided by third parties and prices are subject to change where circumstances are beyond the Institute’s control. Offered prices will be guaranteed once accommodation has been booked and paid for confirmed dates. Prices may be subject to change in situations where dates are amended or postponed. Accommodation details will only be sent once all fees have been paid in full.
Any damage caused by a student to homestay or residential property will be charged to the student or students responsible and the Institute reserves the right to recover the cost for exceptional cleaning.
Accommodation extensions:
Accommodation arrivals should be on Sundays (Saturday arrivals will be also accommodated where possible) and we recommend that you check with our Bookings team before confirming flight arrangements. For students requesting host family changes or changes from host family to residence or between different residences, a change fee of €100 will be applied. Extra nights in host family and residence are possible subject to availability and an additional charge. If you would like to extend your accommodation, please speak with the accommodation office to check availability. Accommodation extensions cannot always be guaranteed and are subject to availability. Students wishing to extend their accommodation should check availability well in advance of completion of their initial stay. Students who wish to extend their accommodation but require a change of host family must pay a deposit of €100 (Ireland). This deposit is non-refundable but will be deducted from the first week’s accommodation fee. Accommodation extensions should be paid 4 weeks in advance.
Host family:
Students can take holidays from their host family accommodation once 2 weeks’ notice are given. 50% of normal fees are payable during holiday periods. Any special dietary requirements, such as gluten free, vegan or dairy free diets, will be subject to a supplement of €40 per week for host family accommodation. Prepaid host family accommodation fees can be refunded in full (less the administration fee) if at least 14 days cancellation notice is given. During July and August students aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated in twin rooms. A supplement applies to students who are accommodated in a host family over the Christmas holidays (2 weeks). Accommodation availability during this period is very limited and cannot be guaranteed. Please contact the accommodation office to check availability. Isolation in host family due to Covid-19 is €40 per week. A summer supplement is applied for homestay bookings of 2 to 11 weeks in July and August.
Groups: For groups, participant details (including sharing preferences, diet/allergy notes and special requests) should be submitted as early as possible to facilitate timely placement in host families but must be received at least 6 weeks before the group arrival date. Host family placement details will be sent 2 weeks before the arrival date assuming the full payment has been received in our account and flight details have been advised. Accommodation change requests will be considered where possible but must be received at least 14 days before the group arrival date. Residential accommodation: A deposit for all residential accommodation is charged and is payable on the first day to the Institute (€150 for adult students). This deposit will be refunded provided that the room key has been returned and no damage has been caused. Residential accommodation fees are refundable (less the administration fee) once 28 days’ notice of cancellation are provided.
9. Airport Transfers
Transfer details should be sent to us at least seven days prior to the arrival of the student. For students booking an airport transfer we ask for the flight number, arrival time and student’s mobile number. Transfers are compulsory for all students under 18 years of age. Students arriving at similar times may be required to share transfers and no discount can be offered in this instance. Missed transfers are not refundable.
10. Discipline
If students’ behaviour or conduct is unsatisfactory, they will be subject to the Institute’s disciplinary procedures. A serious breach of conduct may result in expulsion. In the event of an expulsion, fees are not refunded. Additional charges for flights and other costs will not be covered by the Institute and are the responsibility of the student or, in the case of underage students, their parents/guardians.
11. Insurance
Ireland
All students are required to have comprehensive travel, medical and personal insurance, to be provided to the Institute before arrival. This should include medical cover for Covid-19 and appropriate cover for eventualities arising as a result of Covid-19. Any additional costs incurred due to Covid-19, such as extended stays, are the responsibility of the student or parent/guardian.
Students travelling from EU countries should bring their European Health Insurance Card with them. This only entitles students to emergency hospital care and attendance at certain doctors. Please note that this will not cover elective procedures or dental visits. To comply with immigration guidelines, all non-EU students are required to have medical insurance valid for their entire stay in Ireland. We can organise medical insurance for non-EU students at a cost of €140 (fee is valid at time of printing but may be subject to change; policies are non-refundable once they have been issued). Students are not insured by the Institute or by the family, against accidents, illness, theft or loss of personal effects, and the Institute accepts no responsibility in the event of such occurrences. We will automatically add our medical insurance policy to non-EU Academic Year Bookings in order to facilitate opening a bank account in Ireland – our policy can be used as proof of address which is a requirement of opening a bank account.
If medical insurance has been provided by the Emerald Cultural Institute, it is the student’s responsibility to be fully aware of the terms and conditions of their insurance policy particularly in the area of making claims.
Non-EEA students who register for a course which is on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) will be covered by protection for enrolled learners (PEL). This is an insurance policy which covers the cost of alternative tuition as a direct result of the insolvency or winding up of the Emerald Cultural Institute. PEL is provided by the insurance company “Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC”.
UK
Students must arrange appropriate medical, travel and personal insurance. Students are not insured by the school or by the family/residence, against accidents, illness, theft or loss of personal effects, and the school accepts no responsibility in the event of such occurrences.
12. Vaccination
The Irish Health Service recommend that individuals ensure they are vaccinated against Covid-19 and certain other conditions. Further advice is available at: Screening and vaccinations – HSE.ie
13. Publicity Materials
Permission is given for the use of student comments or testimonials and photographs/images of students in the official promotional material for the Emerald Cultural Institute by the student or their parents or legal guardian with acceptance of these terms and conditions, unless otherwise specified at the time of booking.
14. Junior Students
For all junior students, parents/guardians must sign and agree to accept the school rules and Terms & Conditions prior to receiving the booking confirmation. For all students under the age of 18, parents/guardians must complete and sign our consent form and return it to the Institute together with the enrolment form.
15. Legal Notice
The Emerald Cultural Institute reserves the right to change the prices and the details of its services, including courses, accommodation, facilities/centres and course dates where circumstances beyond the Institute’s/company’s control necessitate such changes or where the number of enrolments is not enough to operate a course viably. The right is also reserved to decline any person at any time without liability. The Emerald Cultural Institute gives notice that all arrangements for transport, activities or for accommodation are made by the Emerald Cultural Institute as an agent upon the express condition that they shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of any defect in any vehicle or through the acts of default of any company or persons engaged in conveying the passenger, or in carrying out the arrangements of the programmes, or otherwise in connection therewith of any family member. No responsibility is accepted for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in air, sea, rail, bus or other services, sickness, weather, war, quarantine, strikes, or other liability. The contents of Emerald Cultural Institute’s promotional brochures are intended for information purposes only and do not constitute a contract between the Institute and any student or third party.
The Institute reserves the right to make changes which may effect courses, curriculum of courses, programmes or any other content announced in the publications, without prior notice. The Institute reserves the right to close the school on certain days in the case of status red weather emergencies and/or if directed to do so by the Department of Education. Classes missed in this instance are non-refundable.
Please note that some of the facilities, prices and services presented in our promotional materials may be subject to change or availability.