British Council Accredited · Est. 1997

Master English in the Heart of Northern Ireland

Join students from 50+ countries at our modern academy in Derry. Learn from qualified native speakers with internationally recognised qualifications.

27+
Years of Excellence
50+
Nationalities
95%
Student Satisfaction
British Council Accredited
Trinity CertTESOL Provider
Erasmus+ Verified Partner
IELTS Official Test Centre
95% Student Satisfaction

Our Programmes

From intensive exam preparation to relaxed cultural immersion — find the course that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.

General English students in class
Popular

General English

Build confidence in all four skills — speaking, listening, reading, and writing. All CEFR levels, start any Monday.

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Business English professionals
Professional

Business English

Master professional communication — meetings, negotiations, presentations, and email etiquette for the international workplace.

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Summer school students
Seasonal

Summer & Winter School

Combine English lessons with cultural activities, sports, and excursions. Perfect for groups and individuals aged 12+.

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Erasmus+ teacher group
Erasmus+

Euro Mobility

Verified Erasmus+ partner since 2001. We handle all KA1 and KA2 logistics — courses, accommodation, cultural programme.

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Teacher training workshop
Professional

Teacher Training

Trinity CertTESOL, CLIL methodology, and Cambridge TKT — internationally recognised qualifications for EFL teachers.

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Work placement student
Unique

English + Work Placement

Study English in the morning and gain real work experience in Derry's local businesses in the afternoon. A unique immersion opportunity.

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Why Derry?

A Historic City, A Warm Welcome

Derry (Londonderry) is one of Ireland's most captivating cities — a living museum of history, creativity, and resilience. Walking its ancient walls, exploring its vibrant murals, and soaking in its legendary craic, you'll find the perfect environment to immerse yourself in English.

Despite being a city of just 90,000 people, Derry punches far above its weight — a UNESCO City of Literature, home to an acclaimed film festival, and one of the friendliest cities in Europe.

Safe, friendly, and affordable
Only 1.5 hours from Dublin by bus
Rich cultural heritage and arts scene
Stunning coastal and countryside nearby
Explore Derry
Derry city and North West Academy students

Why Choose North West Academy?

More than 27 years of experience delivering outstanding language education to students from around the world.

British Council Accredited

Meeting the highest standards of English language teaching — recognised by the British Council and international education bodies.

Trinity CertTESOL

As an approved Trinity CertTESOL centre, we train the next generation of EFL teachers to the highest international standard.

Official IELTS Centre

Sit your IELTS exam on-site at our official British Council/IELTS test centre — no travel needed on exam day.

Homestay Accommodation

LIVE with a local Derry family for full cultural immersion. Our carefully vetted homestays are minutes from the academy.

Expert Teachers

All our teachers hold DELTA, MA in ELT, or equivalent — and have real experience teaching students from your country.

Erasmus+ Specialist

20+ years hosting Erasmus+ teacher groups from across Europe. We handle all paperwork, scheduling, and cultural activities.

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Years of Excellence
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Nationalities Taught
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British Council Strengths
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Student Satisfaction

What Our Students Say

Real feedback from students who studied at North West Academy.

"The teachers are incredibly patient and professional. After 3 months my IELTS score went from 5.5 to 7.0. The homestay family made Derry feel like home."

MG
Maria Gonzalez
Spain — IELTS Preparation

"Our Erasmus+ group came for a 2-week CLIL training course. The programme was excellently structured, the teachers outstanding, and Derry itself stole our hearts."

YT
Yuki Tanaka
Japan — CLIL Teacher Training

"I completed my Trinity CertTESOL here and it was the best career decision I ever made. The practical teaching experience was invaluable. Now I teach in Berlin."

SM
Sophie Müller
Germany — Trinity CertTESOL

Ready to Start Your English Journey?

Whether you need a short refresher or a full qualification, we'll help you find the perfect programme. No commitment — just honest advice.