English for Higher Education Professionals Programme in Ireland

What is the English for Higher Education Professionals Programme?

The English for Higher Education Professionals programme is a specialised training experience designed for university and college staff who wish to communicate with greater accuracy, fluency, and confidence in English. This Erasmus+ course supports participants in developing the linguistic and intercultural skills needed for teaching, research, administration, and international collaboration.

Rather than a general English course, it focuses on the realities of academic life: writing emails and reports with clarity, delivering persuasive presentations, participating in seminars, and engaging effectively with colleagues and partners across borders. The programme also highlights the growing importance of learning English for higher education, preparing participants to navigate global academic networks with ease.

Who is this course designed for?

This course is ideal for professionals working in higher education, whether your role is academic, research-based, or administrative. Many participants include lecturers who wish to refine their instructional English, researchers preparing abstracts or conference papers, and university staff who manage mobility, communications, or international projects.

If your work requires strong English vocabulary for higher education, confident interaction with students and colleagues, or polished written communication, this programme provides the targeted development you need.

Why choose GCI?

Choosing GCI means joining a school with a long track record of supporting higher education professionals through Erasmus+ training. Our expert trainers combine linguistic expertise with deep understanding of academic environments, ensuring that sessions are practical, relevant, and immediately applicable to your work.

Participants often report increased fluency in meetings, greater confidence presenting research, and a sharper sense of how to adapt their communication style for different academic audiences. Completing the course also provides you with a certificate in higher education in English, supporting your ongoing professional development and international engagement.

Curriculum & Outcomes: Academic and Professional English

The programme focuses on the essential communication skills used in universities settings. Sessions explore academic writing, from reports and emails to proposals and abstracts, helping you structure ideas with clarity and precision. Presentation and seminar skills are developed through guided practice, enabling you to speak more naturally, answer questions effectively, and communicate complex concepts with confidence.

Grammar and vocabulary development is integrated throughout the course, with a specific focus on English grammar for higher education and the terminology commonly encountered in academic and administrative contexts. By the end of the programme, you will be better equipped to work internationally, manage professional interactions more effectively, and communicate with confidence in English-speaking academic settings.

Programme Details

This English for higher education course is offered as a one-week programme, with small class sizes that allow for personalised support and feedback. Classes take place on our modern seafront campus in Galway, a vibrant university city that offers an inspiring backdrop for professional learning. Participants receive a Certificate in Higher Education in English upon completion.

Start dates in 2026 are June 22nd and August 24th, both scheduled to align with Erasmus+ mobility windows.

Securing Your Place: Erasmus+ Funding for English for Higher Education Professionals

The programme is fully eligible for Erasmus+ KA121/KA131 Staff Mobility for Training. Once you decide to join, GCI will support you with the necessary documentation, including your Learning Agreement, Invitation Letter, and detailed Course Programme.

Our Organisation ID (OID) for applications is E10256003. After your grant is approved, simply confirm your dates with us, complete your Learning Agreement, and we will guide you through the final steps before arrival.

The Galway Experience: Networking & Professional Immersion

Studying in Galway is an experience in itself. As a university city with a lively cultural atmosphere, Galway offers countless opportunities to practise English in authentic settings and connect with academic professionals from across Europe. Participants often enjoy meeting peers from different institutions, exchanging ideas, and forming new partnerships that continue long after the course ends.

Outside the classroom, you can explore Ireland’s west coast, enjoy local events, or take part in GCI’s optional social and cultural activities, an ideal way to build confidence while experiencing Irish life.