Work and Study English Abroad in Galway, Ireland

What is Study Abroad Year?

Prepare to be amazed as you learn English in Ireland, the emerald island. Thanks to iconic scenery and world famous Irish symbols (Guinness, St Patrick's Day, and of course U2), there’s no other country that feels more familiar even if you've never been here before!

Our choice of three Study Abroad Year (SAY) courses are English programmes that give you the chance to study, work and learn about the local culture. You'll get the opportunity to explore all Ireland has to offer over the long stay English language courses that we provide.

Our main course is a Study English Abroad programme, which is the ideal way to fully immerse yourself in another language while also having the chance to find employment and study in Ireland. A long stay General English course typically lasts for 25 weeks of study, comprising 20 lessons per week either in the mornings or afternoon along with 8 weeks of holidays.

This flexible work/study abroad program is a great choice if you’d love the opportunity to travel and explore Ireland and other European capitals. The Study Abroad English programmes are specifically designed for non-EEA students. These are long stay General English programmes and the course seeks to develop your skills and fluency in English while enjoying a unique experience of living and studying in Galway.

On this programme students who require a visa have the option of working, which reinforces the language encountered in class. It is one of the most popular choices for work and study English in Ireland. 

Galway Cultural Institute also offers two Business English Study Abroad Year courses that combine the intensive General English classes of our Study English Abroad programme with business lectures in our sister school, Galway Business School.

The first of these is a SAY Business English and ICT Skills Course which is ideal for budding entrepreneurs looking to enter the global workforce or if you have plans to set up a business that will deal with multinational companies.

Again, the course is 25 weeks with 8 weeks of holidays. The business modules (4 per week) are delivered by Galway Business School and are approximately 12 weeks long.

The second Business English programme is our comprehensive Business English Communications Course which will significantly improve your business English communication skills but also introduce you to the practice of studying in a higher education setting. The programme contains 20 lessons per week over 25 weeks, plus 4 business lectures over 12 of the weeks in Galway Business School. 8 weeks of holidays are also included.

Why should I study English in Ireland?

Can you imagine going to school during the week and exploring a whole new country on the weekend? That could be your next lifetime experience should you choose one of our SAY courses and study English abroad in Ireland.

Ireland has quickly gained popularity as a great study abroad destination. This tiny island of ours is renowned for the friendliness of locals and for the amazing surroundings waiting to be explored.

Home to a wonderful literary history (think Bram Stoker and James Joyce for starters) and a traditional music scene that is second to none, those interested in the arts will never be at a loss for things to do during their study abroad experience.

A foreign language that cannot be ignored, English is the first international working language. Studying English abroad is not only a great way to see the world but a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employment prospects in your home country.

Choosing to study English in Ireland may bring many benefits to you as an individual both academically and professionally.

When you study English abroad, you are able to: 

• Improve and perfect your English language skills
• Return home with language credentials 
• Learn to appreciate other cultures and foster intercultural understanding  
• Advance academically
• Make friends form around the world
• Embracing a new culture and a new way of life 
• Work and study in Ireland

Independent research measuring the impact of studying abroad shows students who study abroad are more likely to excel academically, broaden their world views, and prepare for an impactful career.

Studying abroad is a unique and transformational learning experience. Students who have studied abroad are better able to work with people from other countries, understand the complexity of global issues, and have greater intercultural learning.

Galway is the cultural capital of Ireland and the ideal destination for students looking for a fun, small and safe city. A lively, student-oriented town on Ireland’s west coast, Galway's magical combination of ancient history and contemporary culture makes it a great location for international students.

You can learn more by exploring our Galway Guide, but here are some highlights for you to consider during your English study abroad experience in Ireland. 

• Enjoy summer festivals, especially the Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s most prestigious film festival, and the Galway Arts Festival, one of the most vibrant celebrations of music, theatre and performance in Europe
• Join in the social activity programme with weekend trips that include the ancient Aran Islands and the rugged mountain landscapes of Connemara
• Explore Galway, the cultural capital of Europe in 2020, and even take the Ed Sheeran walking tour organised by GCI staff!

Study Abroad Year Options

At Galway Cultural Institute we have three SAY (Study Abroad Year) options:

Study English Abroad Year

Study Abroad English Business and ICT Skills

Study Abroad Business English Communications 

The SAY programmes follow the same structured approach and methodology as our General English programmes. Dependant on duration of stay and ability, students should progress through several Common European Framework Levels and leave GCI with an obviously more proficient ability in English.

These courses are designed for students who want to reap the benefits of spending a longer period in a total immersion environment. This extra time provides GCI students with the opportunity to improve fluency, accuracy and confidence.

An international education enhances your academic performance by supplementing coursework and textbooks with hands-on experiences.

The immigration permission to attend one of our 25-week English-language courses is for 8 months.

• The student must take a recognised examination at the end of the course you choose (students who do not comply with this requirement will not be permitted to obtain further immigration permission)
• Our course is listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) as required by INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service).
• INIS has published an overview of conditions for language programme students listing immigration requirements for such students.

You can read more information about visa and other similar topics in our Student Guide. 

How will studying English abroad help me? 

Learning a language comes naturally when you study abroad. Not only will you become fluent faster, you will also have memories to last a lifetime! If you are reading this, you are probably the type of person who wants to travel the world and have new adventures. 

Studying English abroad is often a game-changer for many individuals and quite often you will hear students say it’s the best decision of their life. Studying abroad is one of the most powerful ways of advancing academically and develops your personality further.

Our student testimonials stand as evidence to the above.

Working and Studying in Ireland: General Information

At Galway Cultural Institute, we recognize the importance of finding a job for our students, especially our long stay students that are studying English with us on one of our Study Abroad Year courses. This programme is specifically designed for students outside the EEA area, allowing them to study and work at the same time, giving them the possibility to have a part-time job during their studies.  

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service outline the conditions for working during/after your studies.

Supporting our students to find a job in Galway is one of the key things our dedicated staff at Galway Cultural Institute and Galway Business School do.  It can take many job applications before getting your first interview so we are here to help.

Frequently asked questions

What is the timetable for SAY courses?

For our main Study English Abroad Year course we offer two options, one for A.M. and one for P.M. classes, so students choose which one they want to study. The A.M. course is delivered during the mornings from 9.00 until 12.30 with breaks, while the P.M. course is delivered from 13.30 until 16.45 in the afternoon with a small break of 15 minutes in between.

For both Business SAY courses students will participate in morning General English classes, then receive business input during the afternoons (an average of 3 to 6 hours per week).

Should students pay the international exam fee before departure? Or they choose what the exam they want to have and pay for it when arrival?

International exam fees must be paid before arrival as it is part of the visa regulations. Typically, students choose PET (Preliminary) Cambridge at the beginning if they are not sure of their English level or have never studied English before. Students can also change their international exam at the school and pay the difference in prices if applicable.

Will the course include learner protection?

There are no additional fees for learner protection, GCI is part of the ELE Ireland group and we have Escrow learner protection in place for our students.

Study Abroad Year Related articles

Study English Abroad - From São Paulo to Galway

Why Study Abroad In Ireland

Finding A Job in Galway

5 Reasons to study English in Galway