​Travelling and Holidays

Study Abroad Programme - Course Holidays

Key Info:

• SAY learners have 25 weeks of classes and 8 weeks of holidays.
• 2 weeks are allocated for Christmas as appropriate. Summer holidays are allocated in July or August as appropriate. 
• All other holidays are allocated at the end of your course.
• Holidays may not be front loaded & are not typically permitted in the first 12 weeks of your course.
• Other holiday weeks must be requested in advance by emailing attendance@gci.ie 
• When you take a holiday week, your attendance is not affected negatively and you do not attend classes. 

Requests for leave for learners on courses of 25+ weeks must fulfil one or more of the following criteria:

• Leave must  be for a minimum of 1 full week. Leave must be taken in full week blocks from  Monday to Friday (not Wednesday to Wednesday for example). 
• Exam course start dates – leave can be requested so that a learner may avail of the opportunity to follow their preferred exam course as all exam courses are date specific.
• To take leave for holidays, learners must have completed a minimum of 12 weeks of English Language.
• Requests at least 2 weeks before your intended leave date with supporting information.
• Leave for illness, bereavement or family emergency. Leave on the grounds of religion or any of the other grounds under the Equality Act
  
• Leave that comes under the heading of pastoral care or other extenuating circumstances deemed pertinent by the DOS/ADOS and not covered in any of the above
• Leave will be denied if the request for leave does not fall into any of the above and is not deemed pertinent by the DOS / ADOS
• If you are travelling outside of Ireland, you must provide your flight information attached to your request form.
• Requests for Leave will be either approved or denied and the learner will be notified by e-mail.

Please note:

When you are travelling outside of Ireland , you must ALWAYS bring these things to the airport:

• your flight information
• your original acceptance  letter
• your IRP card
• your passport
• your re-entry visa if applicable

You should also bring any boarding passes of previous trips you have taken during your time in Ireland.