A booking non-refundable deposit of €250 must accompany all enrolments and can be paid via flywire or bank transfer into school account. Please add €10 for bank charges.
This deposit is non-refundable but is deductible from the total amount payable.
The balance of fees must be paid at least 2 weeks in advance of the course start date.
Accommodation details will be confirmed after we have received full payment.
Confirmation documents Upon receiving the enrolment form and deposit, ACET will send confirmation of the booking. It is the responsibility of the applicant to pass on the confirmation documents to the client. ACET shall not be held liable for any issues arising from the failure to provide documentation to clients.
Age Limit Minimum age limit is 16. Clients under 18 years of age must submit a signed Parental Consent form along with a copy of their passport during the enrolment process. By signing this form parents acknowledge that their child will be studying in an adult centre and that ACET is not legally responsible for the child.
Public Holidays Monday is the starting day for all courses each week. When Monday is a public holiday, Tuesday is the starting day. There is no reduction in fees when a course includes a public holiday. Public holidays are non-refundable.
Client Holidays Clients on long courses (except examination courses) may take a holiday break without losing their course fee, provided 4 weeks notice is given. Holidays must be taken for full weeks, commencing on a Monday and cannot be taken mid-week. Clients cannot return to class during the holiday period.
Course Levels If a client is not of sufficient level to join a course, we reserve the right to cancel, alter, or make arrangements on an alternative course for them.
If there are four or fewer clients in a class, the lessons will take place over a reduced number of hours as required.
Please note that we do not accept absolute beginners. We do not have suitable courses for beginner students and ACET reserves the right to refuse or cancel an enrolment if a student is at a beginner level of English.
Course Fees Adult course fees include tuition, level placement test, welcome pack and end of course certificate. A course registration of €60 is applicable to all courses.
Bookings are non-transferable, i.e. they are specific to dates, courses and applicant. Clients are expected to attend classes regularly and on time. Clients forfeit tuition if they are late, absent or leave early.
Cambridge Examination Courses are subject to a level test and the examination fee is not included.
We may not have a separate FCE/CAE/CPE preparation class. We will have an examination preparation class. A separate FCE/CAE/CPE preparation class is dependant on bookings.
Four participants per examination are needed for the examinations to go ahead. ACET is not responsible should the examination not take place nor do we take any responsibility for other testing centres running the examination. Final number cannot be confirmed until the closing date of registration. ACET does not run the CPE examination. Students are responsible to make their own examination arrangements.
Cambridge Examination Course Dates:
PET / FCE and CAE for 2024
- January 8 – March 8 (8 weeks)
- April 8 – May 31 (8 weeks)
- June 24- July 24 (4 weeks & 3 days)
- July 29 – August 21 (4 weeks & 2 days)
- October 7 – Dec 13 (10 weeks)
Accelerated dates : (All 4 weeks)
- Feb 12– March 8
- May 6 – May 31
- Nov 18 – Dec 13
Accommodation Homestay fees are calculated per 7 nights, half board Monday to Friday, full board at weekends in a single room.
Clients should expect to travel for an average of 40 – 60 minutes from their homestay to ACET.
WiFi/internet access is available in most homestay but cannot be guaranteed. We cannot guarantee a Nationality mix in the homestay.
Twin rooms can only be booked by clients travelling in pairs who wish to share a room. Special requests must be made at the time of booking. We will endeavour to fulfil these requests but they cannot be guaranteed.
Extra nights in host family / residence are subject to availability and an additional charge.
Accommodation details will only be sent once all fees have been paid in full.
Student Residence Apartments University Hall / Victoria Lodge / Victoria Mills / University Place residences – 30 to 40 minute walk from ACET.
Clients have a single room with a private bathroom in an apartment which they share with other clients. Each apartment has a kitchen, a living room with a television and a bathroom. Bed linen is supplied. Clients must provide their own towels.
Accommodation in student residences is provided by a 3rd party. ACET acts only as an intermediary. ACET does not assume any liability for loss, delay or accident of any kind whatsoever which might occur due to fault or negligence during clients’ stay at the client residences.
Clients changing accommodation will not be refunded any difference in price. Accommodation costs are not refunded for part of a week. No allowance is made for absences from accommodation. Nationality / gender mix is not guaranteed in apartments or client residences.
Any damage caused by a student to homestay or residence preperty will be charged to the student or students responsible. ACET reserves the right to recover the costs.
Airport Transfers Clients booking homestay accommodation can be collected free of charge from Cork airport, train or bus station on arrival.
Clients must confirm date and time of arrival to ACET one week in advance. Collection is organised from 09.00hrs to 22.30hrs.
In the case of a delay en route to Cork, clients must contact ACET or their hosts. We cannot guarantee collection in the case of a delay, UNLESS the client makes contact with ACET or their hosts.
Clients booking other types of accommodation can request a transfer on arrival at a cost of €60 (subject to availability only). The maximum waiting time for a transfer is 30 minutes.
Insurance
All students are advised to take out private medical insurance. Non-EU students can purchase medical insurance through ACET.
Insurance is provided through a third-party company and any claims need to be made by the student (insurance holder) to the insurance company directly. ACET is not part of any claim application process.
Students from the EU should travel to Ireland with their European Health Insurance Card to cover public medical care.
Non-EU students must purchase Learner Protection Insurance with ACET.
New students should refer to their enrolment confirmation for course and accommodation dates. Please note that the invoice may not reflect the course dates but the date of enrolment. This information, as well as the name of the course and the corresponding number of lessons per week, is included in the enrolment confirmation letter. Students can only start on Mondays (or Tuesday in case of a bank holiday Monday).
Continuity of Enrolment
Enrolment of a current student will be terminated if:
- The student or their ETO notifies ACET of his/her wish to terminate their enrolment;
- The student withdraws from their nominated course;
- ACET terminates the student’s enrolment or suspends or excludes the student in accordance with the provisions of our Policies and Procedures; Or
- The student has completed all course requirements.
Refusal and Cancellation of Enrolment
ACET may cancel an enrolment, refuse to enrol, or refuse to re-enrol a person/ student for the following reasons:
- Beginner level of English
- Misconduct (refer to the section on Code of Behaviour);
- Failure to satisfy the minimum academic requirements for courses chosen;
- Failure to arrive on the commencement date;
- The student has gained admission by misrepresentation, falsification of documents or other fraudulent means;
- Failure to fulfil the normal admission or enrolment requirements;
- Non-payment of tuition fees and/or accommodation fees;
- Cancellation of a student’s visa;
- Non-attendance or consistently low attendance;
- Other reasons as deemed by the school’s management.
Medical & Special Educational Needs
It is the student’s responsibility to notify ACET of any sickness, disability, allergy, mental health condition, special educational needs, or any other relevant medical information that might affect the student’s stay at ACET. Students must provide an up-to-date medical form at the time of booking and inform the school of any subsequent changes.
Publicity Materials Permission is given for use of students comments or testimonials and photographs / images of students in the official promotional material for ACET by the student or their parents or legal guardian with acceptance of these terms and conditions, unless otherwise specified at the time of booking.
Teacher Courses A minimum of 6 participants is required to run the courses for Non-Native Teachers. In the event that there are fewer than 6 participants on scheduled dates, Standard English classes will be offered in the morning at the appropriate level with the teacher training afternoons /activities taking place.
Cancellation fees & Legal Notice ACET reserves the right to change the details of its services, including courses, facilities/centre and course dates where circumstances are beyond our control. This also includes if there 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.
Notice of cancellation must be given according to the refund policy in order to qualify for a refund. If notice of cancellation is given in writing 15 working days or more before the start date, fees are refunded in full, less the deposit. If notice of cancellation is given in writing less than 15 working days before the start date, one week of the tuition fee and one week of the accommodation fee are refunded. If notice of cancellation is given on or after the first day in Cork, the accommodation fee and the course fee are not refunded. (Working days are Monday-Friday)
Documents sent to clients for visa purposes must be returned to the school upon cancellation. Fees can only be returned (less the deposit) after ACET has received the original visa refusal letter.
ACET is not liable for any extra costs incurred as a result of delays (flights, visas, personal etc.) These costs may include accommodation costs, transportation costs, dining, medical bills etc.
ACET is not responsible should an examination for Cambridge English or ETS not take place. A limited number of participants is needed for the examinations. The CPE examination does not take place at ACET.
ACET shall not be responsible for or deemed to be in default by reason of delays in or failure of performance of this agreement due to causes beyond its reasonable control and not being limited to civil war between nations, insurrections strikes, riots, fires, floods, explosions, earthquakes, serious accidents, any act of government, governmental priorities, allocations, regulations or orders affecting materials or facilities, acts of God or the public enemy, failure of transportation, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, or labour trouble causing cessation, slowdown or interruption of work and failure of suppliers and sub-contractors to furnish labour or materials within their contractual delivery times.
ACET reserves the right to close the school on certain days in the case of status red weather emergencies and /or if directed by the Department of Education. Classes missed in this instance are non-refundable.
Visa and Immigration 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 and an invitation letter with details of the transfer will only be issued once the funds have been received in full by bank transfer. Students who experience delays in having their visa issued can postpone their course.
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. (This is subject to change).
Non-EEA students enrolled in the Academic Year Programme, who need to register with the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) once in Ireland, must be aware of the following:
It is the student’s/Educational Tour Operator’s (ETO’s) responsibility to book an appointment with the GNIB to process the visa accordingly before the expiry of the entry visa. ACET provides guidance and support with any visa-related questions but the school does not book appointments for students.
- It is the student’s/ETO’s responsibility to provide the school with all necessary and updated personal student information for a timely and correct provision of student and visa documents.
- It is the student’s responsibility to keep these documents in a safe place.
- If the date and time of the GNIB appointment overlaps with class time, the student must inform the school to be excused from class.
- The student commits to meeting all immigration requirements, such as keeping good attendance rates and sitting the end-of-course exit exam. The end-of-course exit exam fee is non-refundable.
We recommend that all non-EU students verify visa and Immigration requirements before booking their course (www.inis.gov.ie).
Holidays for long term students Students are permitted to take holidays depending on the duration of their course. The following regulations apply:
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.
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.
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 mid-December to mid-January and from June to September.
Complaints and Grievances Students are advised to complete our Student Complaint Form to make a complaint in writing. The Student Complaint Form can be requested at reception or by email info@acetireland.ie. Any complaint received will be dealt with immediately and a resolution should be reached within 2 weeks of receipt of the complaint.
ACET Sick Leave Policy All sick leave of more than two days must be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate. If a student presents a valid doctor’s note for a certified sick leave period, their attendance will not be reduced for the period of the doctor’s certificate. Students must contact the school at info@acetireland.com or by telephone 021 4551661 on the first day of the sickness to inform us of the illness and the expected duration of the absence.
On return to the school, students must present a doctor’s certificate which covers the full period of the absence. Failure to follow these steps will mean that a student is absent without certification. Uncertified absences will be marked as absent from class and the student will receive a reduced attendance record.
ACET Expulsion Policy If their conduct and/or attendance is unsatisfactory, a student will be subject to ACET’s disciplinary procedures. A serious breach of conduct can result in expulsion. Students will be given an oral warning, then a written warning and ultimately a second and final written warning. In the event of expulsion fees are not refunded. All issues relating to expulsion policy should be addressed to Joelle Coade, Managing Director, info@acetireland.i
