The Structure of the Education System in Ireland
Pre-school care and education is provided for children of pre-school age by the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme and by privately funded childcare services.
Primary education
Most children in Ireland start their first-level education in primary schools (also called national schools) at the age of 4 or 5 years of age. The primary school cycle is 8 years long.
The primary education sector is made up of different types of primary school including denominational schools, multi-denominational schools, Irish-speaking schools (called Gaelscoileanna), special schools and non-State-aided private primary schools. Education in State primary schools is free of charge.
Post-primary education
Secondary education is provided by different types of post-primary schools.
Post-primary education has 2 stages:
Junior cycle – age 12 to 15 (approximately)
Senior cycle – age 16 to 18 (approximately)
The majority of post-primary schools in Ireland do not charge fees.
Further and Adult Education
After post-primary school many students move on to further education or third level (see third-level education below).
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) are the Irish state body that oversees the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
The NFQ has 10 levels of education and allows you to compare the different standards and levels of education available to you across the education system.
Levels 1 – 3: include short-term and part-time courses that provide an introductory, or basic level of expertise. They are offered by private colleges, community colleges and publicly- funded training centres.
Level 3 – Junior Certificate (normally taken by 15 year olds)
Levels 4 – 5: awarded by a number of institutions for both part and full-time courses that provide specialised or vocational training in a given field.
Level 5 – Leaving Certificate, normally taken by 17-19 year olds.
Level 6 and above in the NFQ describe qualifications awarded at third level in Ireland. These institutions include colleges, technical colleges, institutes of technology and universities.
Levels 5 & 6 are generally called Further Education and Training (FET).
FET includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services. FET courses and programmes are provided through the Education and Training Board network throughout the country as well as through other local providers, including online through SOLAS’ eCollege.
PLC courses at Level 5 & 6 can be used to gain entry to Undergraduate Degrees at Level 7 & 8.
Levels 7 – 8 – Undergraduate degrees, typically 3 or 4 years long.
Level 9 – Postgraduate (Masters) degrees, typically 1-2 years long.
Level 10 – A Doctorate (PhD) degree, typically 4 years long
Levels 7 – 10 are generally called Higher Education
Applications for courses at Level 6 – 8 are usually made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system. This is the route for students completing their Leaving Certificate examinations (age 18) but also mature students (age 23+).