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| Ireland Education System |
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Introduction |
Ireland has
a long and honorable tradition in education. As a result
of a sustained investment in this area Ireland now has
one of the highest educational participation rates in
the world - 81% of Irish students complete second-level
and approx 60% go on to higher education. This dynamic,
educated population has made its mark at home and abroad
with international companies looking to Ireland again
and again when hiring graduates for top class positions. |
Responsibility
for education lies within the Department of Education
and Science It administers all aspects of education
policy including curricula, syllabi and national examinations.
Attendance at full time education is compulsory in Ireland
from six to fifteen years of age and is free in the
majority of schools, and at undergraduate third-level.
Education is considered a fundamental right under our
constitution. |
The Irish
Education System was traditionally divided into three
basis levels: Primary (8 years), Secondary (5 or 6 years)
and Third level which offers a wide range of opportunities
from post-secondary courses, to vocational and technical
training, to full degree and the highest post-graduate
levels. In recent years the focus has expanded to include
pre-school education and adult and further education
as the concept of lifelong learning becomes reflected
in the education opportunities available within the
Irish education system. |
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Third
Level Institutions |
The third
level education system in Ireland is broad in scope
and encompasses the university sector, the technological
sector, the colleges of education and private, independent
colleges. The institutions, which fall within the first
three groupings, are autonomous and self-governing,
but substantially state funded. |
The number
participating in higher education in Ireland has increased
significantly in recent decades with over 55 percent
of students who complete second level now going on to
higher education - one of the highest participation
rates in the world. Entry to third level education for
Irish students is competitive and based upon performance
in the final secondary school examination, the Leaving
Certificate. Entry requirements for overseas students
are determined individually by each institution and
are generally based on national examination performance
and English language aptitude. |
A number of
institutions are authorized to confer their own awards.
These institutions include the Universities, the Dublin
Institute of Technology and a growing number of the
Institutes of Technology. The Higher Education and Training
Awards Council (HETAC) is authorized to make awards
in the non-university sector. HETAC makes awards and
sets and monitors standards at all levels of higher
education and training up to doctorate level. Therefore,
a number of institutes of technology and private, independent
colleges provide programmes whose awards are made by
Hetac. |
All recognized
Irish awards will be included in the National Framework
of Qualifications (NFE). The Framework was recently
established to assist the national objective of moving
towards a "lifelong learning society" by ensuring
the existence of a single coherent, easily understood
award system for all levels of education and training
available in Ireland Today. The Framework is maintained
by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
(NQAI). The quality and standard of all Irish educational
awards made by authorized institutions and HETAC are
fully recognized globally. |
The following
academic awards can be achieved at Irish third level
institutions: |
Higher Certificate |
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Two year full-time
course |
Ordinary Bachelors Degree |
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Three year full time course
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Honors Bachelors Degree |
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Normally a three or four
year course |
Graduate Diploma |
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Designed for graduates seeking
a vocational reorientation - usually a one year
course |
Masters degree |
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Either by research or through
a taught program. Normally one-two year(s) duration
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Doctorate (PhD) |
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Usually takes a minimum
of three years of original research |
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The academic
year typically runs from September to June and is divided
into either two or three semesters with holidays in
December (Christmas) and April (Easter).
Most universities run a semesterised system and modularisation
have been introduced in the majority of colleges to
allow greater flexibility for students. Teaching at
undergraduate level generally involves a program of
lectures supplemented by tutorials, practical demonstrations
and laboratory work (where relevant). |
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Types
of Institutions at Third Level |
University
Sector |
Universities
offer degrees at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels
and undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas over a full
range of disciplines. In addition research is undertaken
in many areas and the universities are also involved
in continuing and distance education programmes. |
Teaching at
undergraduate level is normally by way of a program
of lectures supplemented by tutorials and, where appropriate,
practical demonstrations and laboratory work. |
Masters degrees
are usually taken by coursework, research work or a
combination of both. |
Doctoral degrees
are awarded on the basis of research. |
Universities
award their own degrees using external examiners to
ensure consistency of standards. There is also a Higher
Education Authority (HEA), which oversees the work of
the universities on behalf of the Department of Education
and Science. |
Institutes
of Technology |
Ireland is
the largest exporter of software in the world and rates
amongst the top five producers of pharmaceuticals and
fine chemicals globally. The ever-increasing demands
of this high technology economy have ensured that our
higher education technological sector offers the highest
and most advanced standards and opportunities available
today. The Department of Education and Science has overall
responsibility for this sector including the formulation
and review of policy. |
There are
14 institutes of technology located throughout the Republic
offering programmes at degree, national diploma and
national certificate levels in a wide variety of subjects
from craft to professional level. Many also run postgraduate
and degree programmes, both taught and by research.
Most have schools of Science, Engineering & Technology
and Business. In addition some institutes have developed
special programmes in areas such as Humanities &
Languages, Paramedical Studies and Healthcare, Art &
Design, and Tourism. |
Colleges
of Education |
There are
several Colleges of Education for primary school teachers
in Ireland. These colleges offer three-year full time
courses leading to a Bachelors of Education degree,
which is the recognized qualification for primary school
teaching. Proficiency in the Irish language is currently
an entry requirement for courses in primary teacher
education accommodations can be made in certain instances.
Teachers at second level schools normally take a university
degree followed by a one year Higher Diploma in Education.
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Independent
Colleges |
Side by side
with the publicly funded tertiary sector are a number
of independent institutions and a wide range of institutions
mainly involved in the provision of business and professional
educational training. Courses on offer include; Accountancy
and Business Studies, Law, Humanities, Hotel and Catering,
Tourism Studies and Art. Many of the programmes offered
by these colleges are validated by the Higher Education
and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and some have links
with universities and/or professional associations through
which the courses on offered are accredited. |
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| Academic
Entry Requirements |
Access to
third-level education is highly competitive in Ireland.
Students compete for entry based on results achieved
in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination. Students
are graded on their six best subjects scores. Entry
requirements for courses may vary from year to year,
depending on the number of places available and the
number of applicants, thus there exists a great deal
of competition for the more sought after programmes. |
Overseas students
wishing to study in Ireland have two options: |
a) Attend
upper secondary school in Ireland and complete the Leaving
Certicate Examination with Irish students. This route
is chosen by a number of students who commonly take
the examination in conjunction with English language
tuition. |
b) Undertake
recognized public examinations in their own countries.
This is a more common route and it is essential that
every applicant check that the educational qualifications
she/he is presenting are adequate to satisfy entry requirements.
To have a realistic prospect these results should be
very good, e.g. for medicine 3 good 'A' Level passes
(grades A/B) or the equivalent, in relevant subjects
are required. The minimum requirement for most degree
level programmes is 3 grade 'C's at A level or equivalent.
If there is any doubt about the acceptability of an
applicant's qualifications, clarification should be
sought in good time from the particular third level
institution. |
As English
is the language of instruction at all Irish Institutions
of higher education, students must demonstrate a proficiency
in English to be accepted for a third level program.
Generally, the required minimum score in TOEFL is 550.
Many universities and colleges provide English Language
training program for intending students. Furthermore,
there are over 150 private English language training
schools throughout the country, which run both short
and long terms courses. For more information click here
English Language Schools |
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