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STUDY IN IRELAND - Educational System IN IRELAND

 
 
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Institution Types and Credentials    |    Structure of Education System

Admissions to Higher Education    |    Grading System

 
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Preschool in Ireland remains optional and most of these institutions are private and require payment fo children to enter. Primary education has been split into different types of institutions, which one a child enters is down to choice. National schools are often lead by a certain member of a religious order. There are also primary schools whose official language of instruction is Irish, as opposed to English, these schools are becoming more popular. Another increasing trend are primary schools that allow students from all religions to study together, which other primary schools prevent. Apart from these, students can pay to enter a private primary school as well.

Secondary education is comprised of secondary schools that offer vocational education, teaching pupils the basics of a certain craft/trade/profession. There are also secondary schools that like their primary counterparts, teach only in Irish instead of English. Voluntary secondary schools, often run by a certain religious communities provide general secondary education in various schools subjects. These are all chosen by the student/parents.

Universities in Ireland offer certain students to apply under a "Free Fees Scheme", where if the student meets certain requirements (Being an EU student, having been registered in the EU for 3 years prior to application to enroll in a full time undergraduate degree) these students are able to study at Irish universities without paying tuition fees. The universities themselves will determine if a student can be considered under the Free Fees Scheme. However even these students must pay around 2500 Euros per academic year, a charge which covers various student services provided by the university.  Non EU students pay varying amounts of tuition fees depending on the university and the program choosen. It is thus recommended to check with universities individually for exact prices for desired programs.

The Irish universities often use a percentage grading system, where anything above 70% is considered excellent and all grades under 40% are considered a fail.

To apply to universities in Ireland for undergraduate degrees., students have to register and apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) http://www.cao.ie/ this is only a centralized system to help collect and process student information and act as a medium between the students and univesities, only the universities can make the final decision on admission.  Post graduate applications are done directly to the university themselves.'

To apply to universities in Northern Ireland, students must register and process themselves through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) http://www.ucas.com/

The majority of Universities and programs in Ireland are taught only and fully in the English language.

 
 
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Institution Types and Credentials

 
Leaving Certificate (Ardteistmeireacht) - Secondary School Leaving Certificate
 

LCA - Leaving Certificate Applied Programme - Secondary School Leaving Certificate

 

LCVP - Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme - Secondary School Leaving Certificate

 

Vocational/Technical Non-University Level Qualification 3 years or less

  • Advanced Certificate
 

Shorter/Intermediate University Level Qualification

  • Higher Certificate - Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications
 

Advanced/Postgraduate Qualification (without research training)

  • Higher Diploma - Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications
 

First Terminal University Level Qualification 3/4 years

  • Bachelor Degree - Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications
 

First Terminal University Level Qualification 4 years or more

  • Honours Bachelor Degree - Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications
 

Advanced/Postgraduate Qualification (with research training)

  • Post Graduate Diploma - Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications
 

Advanced/Postgraduate Qualification (with research training)

  • Masters Degree - Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications
 

Doctoral Degree

  • Doctorate
 
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Structure of Education System

 

Duration of compulsory education
Age of entry: 4 Age of exit: 16

Structure of school system

Primary
Type of school providing this education: Primary School
Length of program in years: 8
Age level from: 4 to 12
Certificate/diploma awarded: None

Junior Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Junior Secondary School
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: Junior Certificate (Teastas Sóisearach)

Senior Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Senior Secondary School
Age level from: 15 to 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate (Ardteistiméireacht)

Vocational Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Senior Secondary School
Age level from: 15 to 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

Vocational
Type of school providing this education: Vocational Secondary School
Age level from: 15 to 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Applied

 
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List of Universities and COLLEGES in IRELAND

 
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National Bodies

 

Department of Education and Skills
An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Telephone:   +353 1 889 6400
eMail:    info@education.gov.ie
Website:   http://www.education.ie/

Higher Education Authority – HEA
An tÚdarás Um Ard-Oideachas
Brooklawn House, Crampton Ave., Shelbourne Road
Dublin 4
Telephone:   +353 1 231 7100
Fax:   +353 1 231 7172
eMail:    info@hea.ie
Website:   http://www.hea.ie

Higher Education and Training Awards Council
Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Ardoideachais agus Oiliuna
26/27 Denzille Lane
Dublin 2
Telephone:   +353 1 631 4567
Fax:   +353 1 631 4577
eMail:    info@hetac.ie
Website:   http://www.hetac.ie

Irish Universities' Association – IUA
Cumann Ollscoileanna Eireann
48 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Telephone:   +353 1 676 4948
Fax:   +353 1 662 2815
eMail:    info@iua.ie
Website:   http://www.iua.ie

 

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Admissions to Higher Education

 

Admission to Non University Higher Education Studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Leaving Certificate (Ardteistmeireacht)

Admission to University Level Studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Leaving Certificate (Ardteistmeireacht)
For entry to: All higher education institutions

Foreign Students Admission

Admission requirements: Foreign students must have, as a minimum, qualifications equivalent to GCE with at least 2 subjects at Advanced level with high grades (at least Grade C) plus 4 other subjects at Ordinary level.

Entry regulations: Entry and residence regulations in Ireland vary according to the person's country of origin.

Documents needed: valid passport; evidence of acceptance as a student at a college or higher education institution; evidence of the ability to meet their needs for the period of study.

Health requirements: Health visa required

 

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Grading System

 


Grading System in Secondary School

  • A1 to A2: 85-100%
  • B1 to B3: 70-84%
  • C1 to C3: 55-69%
  • D1 to D3: 40-54%
  • E: 25-39%
  • F:10-24%
  • No grade: 0-9%

Grading System in Higher Education Institutions

  • A: excellent/outstanding
  • B: above average
  • C: average
  • D: below average
  • E: failing
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