Frequently Asked Questions

We are based in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Our main school is at 72 Great James Street, Derry BT48 7DE. We also have partnerships in Dublin, Sligo, and Letterkenny, County Donegal.

Our school is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm GMT. Our reception team is available during these hours to assist with enquiries, course information, and student support.

You can book a course by contacting us via email at info@foyle.eu, calling +44 2871 371 535, or using the enquiry form on our Contact page. We'll get back to you within 24 hours with availability and a personalised quote.

We teach all levels from Beginner to Advanced (CEFR A1-C2). All students take a placement test on arrival to ensure they're in the right class for their level.

Class sizes are kept to a maximum of 12 students to ensure quality learning and individual attention. Average class size is 8-10 students.

All our teachers hold relevant qualifications including CELTA, DELTA, or equivalent. Many have postgraduate degrees in Applied Linguistics or Education and years of experience teaching English as a foreign language.

General English courses start every Monday. Summer Schools run July-August. CELTA courses are scheduled for January, April, and September. OET tests are held monthly. Contact us for specific dates.

Course durations vary: General English (1-48 weeks), Summer School (1-4 weeks), CELTA (4 weeks full-time or 6 months part-time), OET Preparation (4-12 weeks). Contact us to discuss your ideal study duration.

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is awarded by Cambridge English and is globally recognised as the gold standard initial teaching qualification. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a broader term for any teaching qualification, and quality varies widely.

Yes, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accepts OET as proof of English language proficiency for overseas nurses. Most healthcare roles require Grade B or above in OET, or equivalent IELTS score.

Absolutely! Our work placement programmes include morning English lessons combined with afternoon workplace experience. This allows you to apply classroom learning in real situations while gaining professional experience.

We offer two main options: Homestay (live with a local Irish family, includes breakfast and dinner) and Self-Catering (independent apartments/flats with kitchen facilities). All accommodation is quality-checked and supervised.

Most homestay accommodation is within 20-30 minutes walking distance or a short bus ride from the school. Self-catering apartments are centrally located.

Yes! When you apply, let us know your preferences (pets, dietary requirements, family composition) and we'll match you with a suitable family. All our homestay families are carefully selected and background checked.

Course fees and accommodation fees are usually charged separately. Our packages can include both, making budgeting easier.

Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. It provides funding for students and staff to study, train, or volunteer abroad. Foyle International is an approved Erasmus+ partner.

Students and staff from institutions with an Erasmus+ University Charter or organisational accreditations are eligible. Contact your institution's Erasmus+ coordinator to check eligibility.

Funding typically covers: travel costs, accommodation, daily subsistence allowance, and programme costs. The exact amount depends on your sending institution's grant and the destination country.

Contact your institution's Erasmus+ coordinator to express interest. They'll check eligibility and initiate the process with us. Alternatively, if your institution is already our partner, complete our Erasmus+ application form.

We've completed 50+ EU projects including Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus+ KA1/KA2. Current projects include MOBILETECH, PRO-MOVE, EYE, SKILLS-EU, VET towards ECVET, STAYWELL, and CORAL.

We arrange airport transfers from Belfast International Airport (~1 hour) and Dublin Airport (~2.5 hours). Contact us before your arrival to arrange transfers.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. UK short courses (under 11 months) may use the Standard Visitor route. Always check current requirements with UK Visas & Immigration.

Bring comfortable clothing, waterproof jacket (it's Ireland!), any medication, and your passport. Bed linen and towels are provided in all accommodation.

Yes, free high-speed WiFi is available throughout the school. Homestay hosts also provide WiFi access.

Our social programme includes afternoon activities and weekend excursions. Summer School students have a full activities schedule.

The UK has a National Health Service (NHS). EU citizens with EHIC cards can access emergency treatment. Non-EU students should arrange health insurance.

We accept bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and PayPal. A deposit (typically 25-30%) is required to secure your booking, with the balance due before arrival.

Cancellations made 4+ weeks before start: full refund minus admin fee. 2-4 weeks: 50% refund. Less than 2 weeks: no refund. Full terms provided at booking.

Yes, we offer competitive rates for groups of 10 or more students. Contact us with your requirements for a personalised group quote.