Language provider English Path has acquired NCG Dublin in Ireland as it seeks to profit from what it sees as increased interest in the country.
The acquisition of NCG Dublin, for an undisclosed fee, is the latest move for the provider which launched in Dubai in 2021 by higher education specialist GEDU Global Education. In 2022, English Path opened a location in Malta.
In total the English Path network includes, nine language schools in five major cities across the UK, as well as institutions in Malta, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
“After the Brexit vote there has been an increased interest in moving outside of the UK and maintaining access to the European Union,” English Path managing director, Mike Summerfield, noted.
“We see Dublin as one of the main destinations for students and believe we can build on the success of NCG Education Dublin in the coming years. We are excited to work with the team at the school and take the school to new heights.”
Former owner of the school in Dublin’s coastal suburb of Dún Laoghaire noted that the centre has seen a strong rebound following the pandemic.
“We see Dublin as one of the main destinations for students”
“We took over the school six years ago, and saw strong growth pre-Covid,” said Sadiq Basha, who is also New College Group, as well as Edvoy.
“While Covid impacted us significantly in the past year we have seen a strong recovery and in fact student numbers are the highest they have ever been.
“I believe the acquisition by English Path will provide great impetus for the school to continue to grow and I look forward to seeing where they will take the school in the future.”
Ireland is facing a housing crisis which has seen record numbers of people in emergency accommodation this year, which has also impacted the international education sector.
The school originally launched in the 1970s as Dublin Language Centre and already has an established network of host families, Summerfield added.
“We will be adding student residence and shared apartment accommodation options in the coming months,” he noted.
More English Path destinations and programs are also set to be announced in the coming months, the company added.
