CES, English language schools in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Canada
CES has taught English to adults and young people for more than forty years, in human-scale centres from Dublin to Vancouver. Here is who they are, how they teach, what sets them apart, and the six centres we offer.
Who is CES?
CES — Centre of English Studies — is a network of English language schools in Ireland, the UK and Canada. On its official website the group reports more than 40 years of experience, nine centres, around 250 staff and some twenty-five courses.
Its motto is three words: Care – Excellence – Success. The group combines English lessons, a social programme and accommodation (homestay or residence) so that learning carries on outside the classroom.
We offer six of its centres: Dublin, Cork, Edinburgh, Oxford, Toronto and Vancouver.
How they teach
From the first lesson, teachers focus on the four key skills — speaking, listening, reading and writing — while building vocabulary and grammar, Monday to Friday.
Classes average 12 students (maximum 16) on the Standard General English course; the smallest centres do better: an average of 9 in Edinburgh, 6 in Oxford (maximum 9). Lessons run in the morning: 09:00–13:00 in Ireland (55-minute lessons), 09:30–13:00 in the UK (45-minute lessons), 09:00–12:15 in Canada. Afternoons are free for the social programme.
Before arrival, a level test (grammar, writing, speaking) places each student in the right class. A new weekly programme sets out that week’s goals, each level uses a coursebook, and continuous assessment lets students move level during their stay, at the end of a week.
On the teaching team: in England, every teacher holds at least Trinity TESOL or Cambridge CELTA; in Ireland, a university degree plus an ACELS-recognised teaching qualification; the two Canadian centres also recruit highly qualified teachers.
What sets CES apart
- A social programme run by the “Yellow Shirts”. In every school this team organises activities, evenings and excursions; a free orientation tour is offered on day one. Some activities are free, others cost extra — most weekend excursions are not included in the course fee.
- Recognised accreditations. Accreditation UK (British Council) in England, ACELS in Ireland, IALC member, full English UK member for its English schools, Languages Canada accreditation for Toronto, and several schools are full EAQUALS members.
- Exam centres. CES Dublin is an official IELTS and Pearson test centre; CES Toronto and CES Leeds are official IELTS test centres.
Its programmes, and who they are for
For adults: General English (standard and intensive), IELTS and exam preparation, combination courses with one-to-one lessons, teacher training (CELTA) and Erasmus+ programmes. For juniors and groups: activity-based stays, in a host family or a residence.
In our catalogue, courses can be booked from age 18, with a start possible every Monday on flexible-entry courses. The minimum level for the Standard course is Elementary (A1).
Prices, school by school
2027 rates from the Synergee price engine, for the Standard General English course (20 lessons per week), starting January 4, 2027. For each centre, the “from” price is the lowest weekly rate among the durations quoted by the engine; every duration is in the expandable table below. Your exact quote depends on your dates, duration and accommodation.
- Dublin, Ireland : from 305 EUR per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Cork, Ireland : from 240 EUR per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Edinburgh, Scotland : from 275 GBP per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Oxford, England : from 275 GBP per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Toronto, Canada : from 430 CAD per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Vancouver, Canada : from 430 CAD per week (12-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
See all 2027 prices
| Centre | Reference course | Lessons / wk | 2 weeks | 4 weeks | 12 weeks | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin, Ireland | Standard General English | 20 | 750 EUR | 1,500 EUR | 3,660 EUR | 85 EUR |
| Cork, Ireland | Standard General English | 20 | 600 EUR | 1,200 EUR | 2,880 EUR | 85 EUR |
| Edinburgh, Scotland | Standard General English | 20 | 580 GBP | 1,160 GBP | 3,300 GBP | 75 GBP |
| Oxford, England | Standard General English | 20 | 580 GBP | 1,160 GBP | 3,300 GBP | 75 GBP |
| Toronto, Canada | Standard General English | 20 | 950 CAD | 1,900 CAD | 5,160 CAD | 195 CAD |
| Vancouver, Canada | Standard General English | 20 | 950 CAD | 1,900 CAD | 5,160 CAD | 195 CAD |
Course price only, excluding accommodation. Registration fee is added. Each country uses its own currency.
Accommodation
Two kinds of option: homestay and residence. Prices are the engine’s reference homestay (single room), per week, for a 4-week stay; residences, their rates and their seasons appear in each centre’s quote.
See accommodation prices
| Centre | Homestay, per week (4 weeks) | Residences in the catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 295 EUR | 2 |
| Cork | 285 EUR | 2 |
| Edinburgh | 294 GBP | 1 |
| Oxford | 294 GBP | 1 |
| Toronto | 355 CAD | 2 |
| Vancouver | 370 CAD | 1 |
The six centres in detail
CES — Dublin
Ireland · 13 courses in the catalogue
At 31 Dame Street in the city centre, a few minutes’ walk from Dublin Castle, Temple Bar and The Spire. 33 classrooms across three teaching centres, a computer room, a café, two rooftop gardens and free Wi-Fi; official IELTS, OET, Cambridge and Trinity exam services. Accommodation: homestays in the suburbs (30–40 minutes by bus or train) and self-catering residences, two of them reserved for CES students.
CES — Cork
Ireland · 12 courses in the catalogue
In Wellington House, a Georgian building in the city centre (Wellington Road). 11 bright classrooms, a library, a study room, a cinema and TV room, a student common room, a garden and free Wi-Fi. Adult programmes all year, junior programmes in summer; homestay and residences.
CES — Edinburgh
Scotland · 10 courses in the catalogue
On Manor Place, close to the city centre. 12 year-round classrooms, an average class size of 9, a self-access study centre, a common room, a garden and free high-speed Wi-Fi. A dedicated social programme team; homestay available. Edinburgh’s summer and winter festivals are part of the experience.
CES — Oxford
England · 9 courses in the catalogue
In Wheatley, a village about 20 minutes from Oxford, on the High Street: the school is not in Oxford city centre, but outings to Oxford are organised. A “boutique” school of 10 classrooms, an average of 6 students per class (maximum 9), a computer room with 10 laptops, a student kitchen, a common room and a large English garden; homestay.
CES — Toronto
Canada · 10 courses in the catalogue
At 112 Elizabeth Street, 3 minutes from St. Patrick subway station and the Eaton Centre. 18 bright classrooms over two floors, common rooms, self-service kitchens, a pool table and a lift; official IELTS, Cambridge, OET, CELPIP and TOEIC test centre. IALC and Languages Canada accredited, a Designated Learning Institution for international students. Accommodation: homestay, or furnished studios 25 minutes from the school by subway.
CES — Vancouver
Canada · 7 courses in the catalogue
In Gastown, Vancouver’s historic district, near Waterfront Station. Fully refurbished premises, a common room, table tennis, a foosball table, a kitchenette, printing, free Wi-Fi, accessible facilities and an exam venue. Accommodation: homestay or residences.
Sources: CES official website (ces-schools.com), read on 7 November 2026; prices: Synergee engine.