CATEGORIES
Education system In Ireland | Explained
- Lovish Rawal
- February 6, 2023
- 12:01 pm
- No Comments
The education system in Ireland is divided into four main parts:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Further education, and
- Higher or tertiary education
International students can enroll into the Irish education system at any of these four levels.
Level of Education | Age Range | Type of Institution | Funding |
Primary | 4 to 12 | State-funded | Free |
Secondary | 12 to 18 | State-funded, private | Fee-based |
Higher | 18+ | Universities, colleges | Fee-based, with government assistance available |
Further Education | 18+ | Institutes of Technology, community colleges, private colleges | Fee-based, with government assistance available |
To understand the education system in Ireland for International students, read this article till the end.
We will cover each of these levels in detail and tell you how you can enroll into them as an international student.
- Primary Education System in Ireland
- Secondary Education System in Ireland
- Education System for International Students at Primary and Secondary Level
- Further Education System in Ireland
- Education System for International Students at at Further Education Level
- Higher Education System in Ireland
- Education System for International Students at at Further Education Level
- Top universities in Ireland for international students
- Select the right university with the help of SelectRight
Primary education system In Ireland
The primary education system in Ireland is compulsory for children aged 4 to 12.
The education is provided by national schools. These schools are funded by the government and managed by a board.
The board consists of:
- Parents
- Teachers, and
- Representatives from the local community
Primary Irish education system is based on the principles of inclusivity and equality. It emphasizes the development of literacy and numeracy skills.
Secondary education system In Ireland
Secondary education in Ireland is for students aged 12 to 18.
It is provided by secondary schools. There are three types of secondary schools in Ireland:
- Community schools
- Comprehensive schools, and
- Voluntary schools
Community and comprehensive schools are funded by the government. They are open to all students. The schools are managed by a board whose constituency is the same as that of primary schools.
The schools offer a place for students from all backgrounds and abilities. With academics, they focus on a range of extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and drama. This helps students develop their interests and skills outside of the classroom.
Voluntary schools are funded by private organizations, such as religious groups or charitable foundations.
Unlike community and comprehensive schools, they aren’t open to all. These schools have additional entrance requirements, like the student being of a certain faith or meeting certain academic standards.
The curriculum is almost the same. However, they may also have a particular focus or ethos. Such as a focus on a particular religion or educational philosophy.
Advice for international students
International students can enroll into Ireland primary and secondary schools. The process is best imagined as a sequence of these steps.
- You have to meet the same entry requirements as Irish students. The requirements typically include meeting a certain level of English language proficiency, and meeting any specific academic or other requirements set by the school.
- You have to research and find a suitable school. You can use the government tool to find schools in an area and see information about the school(s), including school inspection reports.
- Find a school that’s a good fit. Get in touch with them personally to ask about enrollment.
- Once you have selected a school, you must submit an application. Fill out an application form and deliver any necessary papers, such as transcripts, evidence of English language proficiency, or other supporting files.
- You can enroll in the school by paying any fees due and completing any papers required if your application is approved. A passport or other kind of documentation may also be required to verify your identity. You will also have to apply for a visa.
Further education system in Ireland
Further education in Ireland is provided by further education and training centers.
These institutions offer courses and programs open to students who have completed secondary education and are not yet ready to enter higher education.
Such courses include:
- Vocational and technical courses for students to enter a particular career.
- Adult education programs where adults can learn new skills and subjects.
- Continuing education programs in which students can enhance their skills or knowledge in a particular area.
- Apprenticeships are training varying between 2 and 4 years. With this, students combine on-the-job employer-based training with off-the-job training in training centers and educational colleges around Ireland.
These insertions also offer guidance and counseling services to their students.
Advice for international students
International students can also enroll into Ireland for further education
- For apprenticeship international students need to provide evidence of language competence in accordance with locally applied English language requirements. They need an equivalent of a minimum of ‘grade D’ in 5 subjects in the Irish Junior Certificate. Check with https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/get-started/discover for further information.
- For Post Leaving Certificate Courses, international students can make applications directly to the College of Further Education. You can find a PLC course with the help of: www.fetchcourses.ie, www.qualifax.ie, and www.careersportal.ie.
Higher education system in Ireland
The higher education system in Ireland is provided by universities, institutes of technology, and other higher education institutions.
Higher education institutions are funded by the government and offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in a variety of disciplines.
A student can enroll into undergraduate, postgraduate or diploma programs in the university.
To be eligible, students must have completed secondary education and meet the entry requirements for the institution and program they wish to attend.
This is the stage where more international students enter the Irish education system.
Advice for international students
- Undergraduate
To enroll at an Undergraduate level, you need to:
- Meet the minimum entry requirements for the institution and program. Depending on the minimum grade point average (GPA) or a certain level of English language proficiency. SAT scores may be accepted.
- Submit transcripts and other supporting documents and qualifications.
- Some institutions may have additional requirements for international students, such as an interview or an aptitude test.
- Postgraduate
To enroll at a Postgraduate level, you need to:
- Have a 3 or 4 years Bachelor’s degree. Some courses may ask for a Bachelor’s in a specific field.
- Meet the minimum entry requirements for the institution and programs like a minimum grade point average (GPA), or a certain TOEFL or IELTS score.
- You also need to submit transcripts, LORs, and an SOP. Depending on your course, you might need to submit an additional essay or a research proposal.
- Some institutions may have additional requirements such as GMAT or GRE.
Please remember to contact the university directly regarding their specific requirements. The specific scores and counties vary depending on the course and university. We have outlined the General eligibility criteria.
Top colleges in Ireland for higher education
University | Location | Ranking |
University College Dublin (UCD) | Dublin | #201-250 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 |
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) | Dublin | #198 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 |
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) | Galway | #501-550 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 |
University of Limerick (UL) | Limerick | #551-600 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 |
Dublin City University (DCU) | Dublin | #601-650 in the QS World University Rankings 2021
|
- University College Dublin (UCD) – A research-intensive institution that is regularly rated among the best in the world and Ireland. It is the biggest university in Ireland and is renowned for its robust business, law, and engineering departments.
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD) – A renowned institution that is frequently rated as one of the best in the world. It is currently ranked at number 1 in Ireland. They offer strong programmes in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
- The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) – A research-based institution that is one of the best universities in Ireland. It is renowned for its potent courses in the fields of engineering, science, and medicine.
- The University of Limerick (UL) – It was founded in 1972 and has a strong focus on research and innovation. UL offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, science, humanities, and social sciences.
- University College Cork (UCC) – A research-intensive university. It is known for its strong programs in areas such as engineering, business, and arts.
How to select a university?
These are just a few examples of top colleges in Ireland. There are many other universities.
To select a university that is perfect for you, you have to look at:
- The curriculum of your course
- Faculty
- Tuition, and much more.
There’s too much to do in too little time.
This is why you should take the help of SelectRight.
SelectRight uses 6 million+ data points across 10,000+ STEM, CS & MBA programs to give you unbiased recommendations for the most fundable programs.
You might not be applying to just Ireland. Hence, SelectRight makes your job simpler. You can compare universities and programs across the world on one platform.
And once you have selected your universities you will get access to a carefully curated directory of unbiased industry experts who can help you with various aspects of your application. Ask for a review of your application, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LoR) or anything else you need.
With this support, you can drastically improve your chances of getting into the university that you want.
You can choose from a variety of educational opportunities in Ireland, including primary, secondary, postsecondary, and further education.
In order to enroll in the education system in Ireland, you must first review the entry requirements and choose an appropriate school or institution. Then get in touch with the school or establishment to ask about enrolling and to talk about the enrollment procedure.
The admissions are particularly competitive in the Irish education system at the higher education level. Take all the help you can get; create an account on SelectRight.