← Study in Ireland

SECONDARY SCHOOL IN IRELAND

Your school year in Ireland.
A world of possibilities.

For students aged 13–17. Secondary schools around Maynooth and Celbridge, host-family life or a stay with us, and a C2 team nearby — with personal support for students and their families.

Ages 13–17School year · Semester · TermC2 support nearby

Stronger English. Greater independence.
The confidence to take on the world.

A school stay in Ireland gives your child opportunities to speak up, think for themselves, build international connections and discover what they’re capable of.

English for life.

More than knowing the words.

Sharing ideas in class, chatting over dinner and making plans with friends give English a purpose. A chance to become more comfortable using it in everyday life.

Explore the benefits & research ↗
Illustrative scene of students discussing ideas in class
Illustrative wide view of the Coach House residence at C2C2 founders Maria and Gonzalo in their green jacketsC2 teacher sharing a meal with students

A bigger world. A team close by.

Schools approximately 10–15 minutes from C2, personal support for your child and close communication with you. Space to grow, with familiar people to turn to.

Beyond the classroom. Into their everyday.

English over dinner, friendships at school and a different culture to discover. Everyday moments that give their Irish chapter meaning.

Everyday English
School & friends
New horizons
Each student’s journey is different. We plan it with your family.Meet the support behind their experience ↗

Close to Dublin.
Closer to us.

Our school residence is at A83 YV24 in Knockstown, near Summerhill. Our office and official headquarters are at 111 Rail Park in Maynooth. We work with secondary schools around Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin, with Dublin within reach for visits.

C2 English School Ireland

Location is part of our support.

Our partner schools are only 10–15 minutes from our residence, so our team can reach any student quickly whenever support is needed. School options are discussed individually with each family.

C2 school residenceA83 YV24 · Knockstown
Office & official headquarters111 Rail Park · Maynooth
Partner-school areasKilcock · Maynooth · CelbridgeLeixlip · Dunboyne · Dunshaughlin

Town markers show approximate areas, not individual school addresses.

Real roads and place names · partner-school area markers are approximateOpen the map ↗
Illustrative scene of teenagers talking together outside a secondary school
Illustrative school-life scene · Ireland

One term. A semester.
A whole new school year.

Choose a length to see what each option involves. We’ll plan around the student, the Irish school calendar and your family’s goals.

ONE TERM

A first chapter.

A shorter stay that lets your child experience an Irish secondary school term and the rhythms of daily life here.

We’ll plan together
  • School-term dates and the right year group
  • School subjects and the student’s current studies
  • Accommodation options for the chosen dates

Dates, school placement and the appropriate year group are confirmed individually.

Illustrative panoramic view inspired by Maynooth Education Campus
Maynooth Education Campus ↗Illustrative campus view. School placements are confirmed individually.

ACADEMIC PLANNING · AGES 13–17

Let’s plan the school stay around their studies.

Before exploring school options, we talk with your family about where your child is in school now and what they hope to gain from a term or year in Ireland.

01

Where they are now

Current year group, subjects, interests and English level.

02

What could fit in Ireland

Available schools, suitable year groups, subjects and dates.

03

How they return

We help you identify what to check with the student’s school at home, including approval and recognition of studies.

Talk through their academic path →

Two ways to feel at home in Ireland.

Depending on the season and availability, students may stay with a host family or at our Coach House with us, their English teachers. We confirm the suitable option with each family.

Illustrative family dinner with a visiting student and lively host-family children
Host-family living Illustrative image

Everyday life in an Irish home.

Time with a host family gives students opportunities to use English naturally as part of everyday life beyond school.

Illustrative wide view of the Coach House residence at C2
The C2 Coach House Illustrative wide view

Stay with us at the Coach House.

At certain times of year, students may be able to stay at our own residence with their English-teacher hosts.

If a host-family arrangement needs to change, the Coach House may be available as an alternative without changing the student’s school placement. We discuss this with each family, subject to availability.

PERSONAL SUPPORT · LOCAL PRESENCE

A team close by.

10–15 minfrom schools in our local network

Someone the student knows

A familiar C2 contact nearby throughout their stay.

Parents kept in the loop

Open communication as their child settles in and throughout the experience.

We follow through

We work through concerns with the student and family, including accommodation issues.

A place to learn.
A place to belong.

School gives each week its structure. Class projects, friendships and shared experiences give students more chances to use English in context—during the school day and beyond it.

THE SCHOOL DAY

Learn in context.

Illustrative scene of students walking together on a school campus
Part of a school community
Illustrative scene of a student presenting a school project about the European Union
Sharing a project
Illustrative scene of teenagers exercising together in a gym beside an indoor swimming pool
Sport and shared routines

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Meet people. Share the day.

Illustrative scene of teenagers spending time together at an open-air Dublin market, with Georgian townhouses behind them
Time with other teenagers
C2 students visiting Trinity College in Dublin
Exploring Dublin
Students and a C2 teacher sharing a picnic outdoors
Time together outdoors

Photos show examples of school and social settings. Activities and visits vary by programme, dates and availability; the specific arrangements are confirmed with each family.

C2 ENGLISH SCHOOL UPDATES

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YOUR SCHOOL STAY, STEP BY STEP

Start with a conversation.
Plan the stay together.

We’ll learn what matters to your family, explore the arrangements that may fit and make the details clear before you decide.

02

Understand the student

Talk through interests, English level, school year, goals and education at home.

03

Explore the options

Consider suitable schools, dates, accommodation, support and any funding route.

04

Review the proposal

Check availability, costs, inclusions, documents and booking terms before committing.

05

Prepare for arrival

Once arrangements are agreed, we’ll confirm the school stay and practical next steps.

DATES · COSTS · INCLUSIONS

A clear picture of
what the stay covers.

Return flights are generally included for students travelling from within the European Union. We confirm the route, school, dates, accommodation and any extra costs in each student’s written proposal.

Ask for a tailored proposal →
01

THE CORE PROGRAMME

What we plan together

  • Irish secondary-school placementWe search for a suitable school and coordinate the placement; the specific school and year group depend on availability and acceptance.
  • Accommodation and mealsHost-family accommodation with full board, or a stay at the C2 Coach House when available. The meal arrangements are confirmed for the student’s dates.
  • Personal C2 supportStudent meetings, regular check-ins, school–family communication, practical and emergency assistance, and a final report.
  • Student insuranceIncluded in the programme; cover details are stated in the proposal.
  • Flights for EU departuresReturn flights are generally included. The route, airport welcome and planned transfers are confirmed individually; departures from outside the EU are costed in the proposal.
02

DATES, OPTIONS & EXTRAS

What depends on the stay

  • School and host-family acceptancePlaces depend on availability and the school’s and host family’s acceptance of the student.
  • School holidaysHoliday dates follow the assigned school calendar. Accommodation during breaks, including Christmas, is confirmed for the student’s dates; some stays are optional.
  • Uniform, materials and personal costsUniform is separate; books and materials are charged at cost. A computer or tablet, optional trips and personal spending are not included.
  • Optional additionsPre-departure online lessons and airport transfers beyond the planned journey can be arranged separately.

This is a guide to the programme, not a guarantee that every item applies to every student. Your written proposal will list what is included, what is optional and what is charged separately.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FUNDING ROUTE

First, who is organising the stay?

This matters because family grants and school mobility funding have different applicants. Choose the description that best matches your plan to see which options to explore.

01

FAMILY-LED

I’m a parent or guardian planning a stay.

You contact C2 directly to explore school and accommodation options. You can plan privately or check for family funding in your country, including ITACA for eligible Italian families.

Who applies for family funding?The parent or guardian, where an eligible family grant is available.
Explore family funding routes
02

SCHOOL OR ORGANISATION-LED

Our school is arranging pupil mobility.

A sending school or eligible organisation leads the project and explores the Irish placement and support arrangements with C2. This is the route for Erasmus+ and other school-led schemes.

Who applies for project funding?The sending school or eligible organisation; C2’s role is agreed within the project.
Explore school mobility routes

Not sure which path fits? Tell us who is arranging the stay and we’ll help you find the right information.

EIGHT ROUTES TO EXPLORE · ONE PERSONAL CONVERSATION

Funding &
school mobility.

Support may be available through your home country or a school partnership. Start with the route that fits your family or organisation, then check the proposed stay with the relevant funding body.

These are opportunities to investigate, not confirmed funding offers from C2. Eligibility, deadlines and approval of the school stay depend on each scheme. Privately funded enquiries are also welcome.

01 / FAMILY FUNDING

Start with your home country.

ITALY · ITALIA

Programma ITACA

Il Programma ITACA dell’INPS sostiene soggiorni scolastici all’estero per gli studenti che soddisfano i requisiti del bando. Stai valutando l’Irlanda? Parliamone.

Who it may suit. Students from families eligible under the applicable INPS call, for all or part of a school year abroad.

Who applies. The eligible family submits the application to INPS.

What to check. Family eligibility, school year, duration, deadlines and package requirements. ITACA concerns school attendance abroad and is separate from summer-holiday schemes.

INPS: 2026–27 programme information ↗Discuss an ITACA school stay →
GERMANYAuslandsBAföG

Who it may suit. Eligible secondary-school students considering recognised schooling abroad.

Who applies. The student or family applies to the responsible German funding authority.

What to check. School level, equivalence, duration and personal financial eligibility. A short term does not automatically qualify. Ask the authority to assess the proposed Irish school stay.

Official rules for education abroad ↗
SWEDENCSN study allowance

Who it may suit. Students who meet the age and personal conditions for upper-secondary study outside Sweden.

Who applies. The student or family applies to CSN.

What to check. Recognition of the school, full-time attendance and residence conditions. Age rules matter for younger teens. This allowance should not be treated as funding for the full programme cost.

Read CSN’s official guidance ↗
FINLANDKela student financial aid

Who it may suit. Eligible students whose studies abroad meet Kela’s conditions.

Who applies. The student applies to Kela, with evidence from the home school where required.

What to check. Upper-secondary exchange studies generally need home-school recognition of at least 20 credits per term. The study grant normally starts at age 17; other aid components have separate conditions.

Read Kela’s official guidance ↗

02 / SCHOOL & ORGANISATION PARTNERSHIPS

Start with a school partnership.

ACROSS EUROPE

Erasmus+ pupil mobility

A route for pupils to learn at a partner school abroad through an Erasmus+ school education project.

Who it may suit. Pupils at participating sending schools. Long-term individual mobility can last 30–365 days.

Who applies. The sending school or eligible consortium applies and manages the project; families do not apply directly for an individual Erasmus+ grant.

What to check. Project funding, the Irish receiving school, learning arrangements and agreed responsibilities. C2’s potential practical support role would need to be agreed within the project’s rules.

Official Erasmus+ pupil mobility guidance ↗Discuss a school partnership →
NORWAYLånekassen exchange support

Who it may suit. Norwegian upper-secondary students on an eligible exchange route.

Who applies. The student applies for support through an approved exchange organisation or school cooperation arrangement.

What to check. An organisation-led exchange normally lasts a school year and replaces Vg2, with advance school approval. Other school-led routes have their own rules. A private C2 booking alone does not establish eligibility.

Read Lånekassen’s exchange guidance ↗
SWITZERLANDMovetia individual school exchange

Who it may suit. Pupils taking part in an individual school exchange arranged through a Swiss school or canton.

Who applies. The Swiss school or cantonal authority applies, with an agreement involving the partner school abroad.

What to check. School partnership, host-family arrangements, duration and the applicable funding call. Private family bookings alone do not qualify. Check the current route for 2027 as Switzerland’s programme arrangements may change.

Read Movetia’s official guidance ↗
UNITED KINGDOMTuring Scheme

Who it may suit. Pupils joining an overseas placement organised by a participating UK school.

Who applies. The UK school applies for funding and manages the placement.

What to check. The school’s funding award, pupil eligibility and permitted duration. The 2026–27 school application round has closed; families should ask their school about funded places and future calls.

Read the 2026–27 school guidance ↗

Don’t see your country?

Tell us where the student lives and attends school. There may be other regional or school-led routes to investigate.

Talk through your options →

Guidance reviewed 1 November 2026. Follow the official links for current calls and conditions.

C2 ENGLISH SCHOOL · INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

From a school year in Ireland to university abroad.

C2 English School supports students as they build their English and experience Irish school life. For families looking further ahead, our University Abroad project offers dedicated guidance on destinations, course choices, applications and costs.

University Abroad — University guidance for students and families

UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES

Find the right path to university abroad.

Explore destinations, compare courses and costs, and understand admission requirements and applications—with guidance for students and the parents alongside them.

Explore destinationsCompare coursesPlan costs & applications
Visit University Abroad
A family and adviser reviewing university options together on a laptop
University planning with the whole family in view

PARENTS · SCHOOLS · FUNDING ROUTES

School year in Ireland: questions families ask.

Can my teenager study at an Irish secondary school for one term, a semester or a full school year?

We can discuss a term-length stay, a longer semester-style stay or a full academic year. Ireland’s school year is organised around school terms, so “semester” does not always match the calendar used in your home country. We confirm exact dates with the proposed school. Compare the stay lengths →

What age is the school year in Ireland programme for?

C2’s programme is designed for students aged 13–17. We discuss the suitable year group using the student’s age and previous schooling; admission depends on an available place and the school’s acceptance.

Where will my child attend secondary school in Ireland?

C2 works with different secondary schools in the Maynooth, Celbridge and surrounding area. We look for a suitable placement close to our local support base, but a particular school or year group cannot be guaranteed: each placement depends on availability and school acceptance. See the local school area and support →

Where will my child live during a school term in Ireland?

Depending on the dates and availability, students may stay with a host family on a full-board basis or stay with us at the C2 Coach House residence. We confirm the accommodation and meal arrangements in the individual proposal. If a concern arises with a host-family placement, contact C2 promptly; subject to availability, the Coach House may provide a temporary backup while the school arrangement is addressed.

What is generally included in a school year abroad in Ireland?

The core plan includes an Irish secondary-school placement search and coordination, accommodation and meals as agreed, C2’s ongoing student and family support, student insurance, and return flights for EU departures in most cases. The exact route, dates, accommodation, airport arrangements and any extras are confirmed in writing. Uniform, books and materials, personal spending and optional activities are separate or charged at cost. See what the programme covers →

Can an Italian family use the ITACA grant for a school year in Ireland?

ITACA is an INPS scholarship route for eligible Italian students attending school abroad. The family must apply through the relevant INPS call and check its current eligibility, deadlines and award conditions. C2 can discuss the Irish school stay, but cannot apply for the family or guarantee an award. Read about ITACA and other funding routes → · Check INPS information ↗

Can my child take part through Erasmus+ pupil mobility?

Erasmus+ pupil mobility is organised through a participating sending school or eligible organisation; families do not apply directly for an individual pupil grant. The sending school needs to lead the project and agree the Irish placement and responsibilities. See school-led mobility routes →

Is this a summer English course or a school placement?

This programme is for attending an Irish secondary school over a longer period. It is different from a short English-language holiday course. For a shorter residential experience, see English immersion for teens.

How do we check school places, dates and the full cost?

Send us the student’s age, current school year, home country, preferred duration and any funding route you are considering. We will discuss current availability and prepare an individual written proposal; it confirms the school and accommodation arrangements, dates, what is included and any separate costs before you decide.

A PERSONAL INVITATION FROM C2

A school stay in Ireland.
Let’s plan it together.

Are you a parent exploring a term or full year in Ireland, a school planning pupil mobility, or an exchange organisation looking for a local partner? Talk to Mary Mangan, our Director of Studies. Together, we can discuss the student’s plans, school options, accommodation, support and possible funding routes.

Mary Mangan · Director of Studies

For parents, schools and exchange organisations · No obligation.