English Education Ireland (EEI) notes today’s announcement that EC English Language Centres has ceased trading and is entering formal insolvency. EC Dublin was a member school, and we are sorry to see the closure of a long-standing provider in Ireland and internationally.
EC Dublin has notified its Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) insurance provider in Ireland. This is the arrangement that exists to protect students’ tuition in exactly these circumstances, and it is now in effect.
Our immediate priority is students currently in Ireland. EEI is working with EC Dublin and the insurance provider to transfer these students to other accredited EEI member schools as quickly as possible so that they can complete their studies here. There will be no additional tuition fees for students transferred under this arrangement. Students will be contacted directly with details of their new school. Until then, they should continue to follow the instructions issued by EC Dublin.
For students who have paid for a programme but have not yet travelled to Ireland, EEI is working on arrangements. We will publish further information shortly.
This is also a difficult time financially, and losses will be incurred. PEL protection covers tuition. It does not cover accommodation, travel, insurance or other costs, which are outside the control of EEI and its member schools. EC has confirmed that existing accommodation arrangements will be honoured until 19 September. After that date, students will need to make their own accommodation arrangements. Where a transferred student needs help finding accommodation, their new school can advise on available options.
We ask students and partner agencies for patience over the coming days. We want to assure you that all students enrolled in EC Dublin will be given the opportunity to complete their programme in Ireland.
Update for EC Dublin students who had not travelled to Ireland at the time of closure
Date: 12th October 2026
On 14 September English Education Ireland said it was working on arrangements for EC Dublin students who had paid for a programme but had not yet travelled to Ireland. This is that update.
EC Dublin students who were in Ireland at the time of closure were covered by the Protection of Enrolled Learners scheme. All of them have been transferred to other accredited schools and are continuing their studies at no additional tuition cost.
It has now been confirmed that EC English did not take out any Learner Protection Insurance Policies for students outside of Ireland. There is no arrangement in place for EC Dublin students who had not travelled, and EEI is not in a position to arrange places for them.
If you are in this group:
- Do not travel to Ireland on the basis of your EC enrolment. Your course does not exist. Any visa or permission granted on the basis of an EC enrolment letter may not be valid. Check with Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie) or your nearest Irish embassy before travelling.
- Contact your agent. If you booked through an agent, they can rebook you with another school in Ireland and advise on your visa. If you booked directly, you may contact any accredited school, but you will need to pay that school’s fees.
- Register your claim. Fees paid to EC English are a matter for EC’s liquidator: Grant Thornton. Keep your contract, invoices and proof of payment. If you paid by card, contact your bank about a chargeback. You can submit a claim with the following document
EEI regrets that it could not deliver more for these students. We are pressing the Department of Justice and QQI to ensure that learner protection covers every student from the moment they pay, so that no student is left in this position again.
