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• The education system in Ireland
• [Daycare & kindergarten](#daycare-kindergarten
• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• International schools
• Higher education
• Language schools

The Education System in Ireland

The Irish education system offers a variety of schooling options. Choices for parents and students range from public to private schools, religious institutions, and even same-sex facilities.

What is the education system like in Ireland?

If you’re moving to Ireland with children, you’ll find the education system straightforward and easy to understand. Schooling is compulsory from age six to sixteen, though most kids start earlier in junior or pre-school. The structure is much like what you’d find in Europe or North America, with clear stages of primary, secondary, and further education.

Education in Ireland is mostly state-funded, and tuition is free at public schools and many universities, unless you opt for a private or international school. All primary and secondary students learn both English and Irish, though children born outside of Ireland can apply for an exemption from Irish lessons.

The Department of Education oversees school standards, curricula, and teacher qualifications, ensuring consistent quality across the country.

School hours and school year in Ireland

While the exact date will vary slightly from school to school, the academic year in Ireland typically begins in September and ends in June. On the whole, schools operate on a two-semester system, and close for week-long mid-term breaks, Easter, Christmas, and July and August for summer.

School hours vary slightly by school level and each specific school. Most start around 9:00. Younger children usually finish between 13:30 and 14:30, while older students stay until about 16:00.

School ages and levels in Ireland

When looking at Irish schooling years and the corresponding age of the student, keep in mind that Ireland typically uses the terms “class” and “year” to refer to grade level. The chart below only takes into account primary and secondary school. Read on for information regarding daycare, pre-school, or kindergarten.

Primary school

Secondary school (Junior cycle)

Secondary School (Senior Cycle)

Fourth Year is sometimes referred to as a Transition Year, which prepares students to move from Junior to Senior secondary school. The Transition Year is not compulsory within Irish education and it is up to each individual school whether they offer it. Even if a school offers the Transition Year, it may not be mandatory, and students can skip straight from Third Year to Fifth Year.

The difference between public and private schools

• Public education is free and parents pay only for school uniforms, lunches and school materials. Private education, on the other hand, comes with annual tuition fees.
• In general, class sizes are smaller in private schools. This may not be the case in public schools.
• Private schools are more likely to offer facilities for sports and extracurricular activities.

Daycare & kindergarten

Ireland’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme provides state funded childcare and educational opportunities for children and working parents. This scheme accepts students from the time they are two years and eight months old until they are five or six, when they must enroll in primary school. The preschool provides ECCE for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 38 weeks a year.

You can find participating childcare services through your local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC) or by checking on the National Childcare Scheme website. To apply you need to provide:

• a copy of your child's birth certificate or passport
•  PPS number

Below is a look at the different childcare options you will see throughout Ireland. The educational approach of each schooling type will vary slightly, but the majority focus on basic developmental and social skills, as well as providing a safe environment for children to spend the day while their parents work.

Childcare options in Ireland

• Nurseries and crèches:  They are considered full day care with more than five hours of service per day.
• Montessori groups: These provide individualized education, where children can choose their own activities independently.
• Playschools: Schools that are focused on playtime that helps children learn developmental skills such as sharing, taking turns, and listening during class.
• ����í�Dz԰���í:  Irish-speaking nursery or playschool.
• Childminder: It’s a person who looks after other people’s children (under 15) in their own home for at least two hours per day. They set their own hours and conditions directly with parents.

Children with special educational needs

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) helps children with disabilities take part in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.

AIM includes seven levels of support, ranging from universal supports (such as staff training and inclusive practices) to targeted supports (like specialist equipment, expert advice, therapeutic help, or extra classroom assistance).

Parents and pre-school providers work together to decide what supports are needed and can apply jointly through the AIM programme. More details are available on or from your local

Is preschool mandatory in Ireland?

No schooling before primary school is mandatory in Ireland. Primary schools often have Junior and Senior Infant Classes (similar to kindergarten), but attendance before age six is optional.

What are the fees childcare services?

The fee you pay for childcare services will depend on the type you choose. Under ECCE, 15 hours of service per week are provided free of charge. If your child attends extra hours, you’ll need to pay for it. You can get support for this from .

Primary school

There are two main types of primary schools: national (state-funded) and private.

• Most children attend national schools, which are free of charge and funded by the state. Many are managed by churches, though they are open to students of all backgrounds.
• Some national schools, called Gaelscoileanna, teach entirely through the Irish language. These schools are also state-funded and preferred by families who want their children to grow up bilingual.

Private primary schools charge fees and have more flexibility in setting the curriculum, school calendar, and daily schedule. However, many still follow the same basic national curriculum as public schools.

How to enroll in primary school in Ireland?

You can apply directly to the school of your choice, as long as there is a place available. If demand is high, places are allocated according to each school’s admissions policy, which you can request from the school’s board of management.

Secondary school

Much like at the primary level, secondary schools are divided into free state-funded schools and private schools. There are three main types of secondary schools:

• Voluntary secondary schools: The most common type of school throughout the country. They are often run by religious communities or private trusts
• Community colleges: They are operated by local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The focus is on practical skills and vocational training
• Community schools: They offer both academic and vocational courses and managed jointly by ETBs and religious or private patrons.

Secondary education in Ireland is divided into three levels: the Junior Cycle, an optional Transition Year, and the Senior Cycle.

The Junior Cycle ends with the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). After this, the Senior Cycle lasts two to three years and ends with the Leaving Certificate, which leads to a state examination. This exam completes secondary education and is the main pathway to university, technical colleges, or other higher education institutions.

How to enroll in secondary school in Ireland?

You can search for schools using , which allows you to filter by ethos, language, and gender. Contact the school to check availability and apply in writing, either through their application form or a letter to the Board of Management.

Schools must respond within 21 days to confirm if your child has been accepted or placed on a waiting list. You may be asked to provide documents such as a birth certificate or previous school reports.

Top-rated schools in Ireland

Some schools on the list are single-sex, while others are mixed:

• Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ (Limerick)
• Scoil Mhuire (Cork)
• Gonzaga College (Dublin)
• Coláiste na Coiribe (Galway)
• Muckross Park College (Dublin)
• Waterpark College (Waterford)

Private schools in Ireland

Private schools make up a small part of Ireland’s education system. They include both day schools and boarding schools. Private schools are independent of state funding and charge annual tuition fees, which range from around 5,000 EUR (5,800 USD) to 15,000 EUR (18,000 USD) for day students and 11,000–20,000 EUR (13,000–23,000 USD) or more for boarding.

Here are some private schools in Ireland:

• (Dublin)
• (Dublin)
• (Limerick)
• (Cork)
• (Cork

International schools

International schools are less common in Ireland than in many other countries, with most located in or near Dublin.

What are the benefits of international schools?

Many expat parents choose international schools for several reasons.

• One is that children learn alongside classmates from around the world who share similar experiences of adjusting to a new country.
• For some families, another reason is the opportunity for their children to study in their native language and connect with other international families.
• These schools also follow internationally recognized curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). This helps students transition smoothly if families move again and ensures their qualifications are accepted by universities worldwide.

International School Admission Requirements

Requirements to enroll at an international school will vary from school to school. All schools must post their admissions requirements.

In general, the admission requirements for an international school in Ireland include:

• a certain level of knowledge of the language of instruction
• student’s passport
• student’s birth certificate
• school transcript from the previous year
• filled application form
• registration deposit

International School Tuition Fees Fees will vary depending on the age of your child and the school you choose. International schools cost more than public or regular private schools, but they are generally less expensive than in countries like the UK. The average annual international school fees will be approximately between 5,000–11,000 EUR (5,780–12,700 USD).

Top international schools in Ireland

French School

German School

American School

Higher education

Ireland’s higher education system is well established and internationally recognized. The country offers a mix of long-standing academic traditions and modern research-oriented institutions.

Universities such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University College Cork are the most prominent, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs taught in English.

Types of higher education available in Ireland

Higher education schools are often referred to as third-level schools in Ireland. These are generally either state-funded or private, and most belong to one of several main categories:

• Technological universities/Institutes of technology: These focus on practical and professional education. Areas of study include engineering, business, science, linguistics, and music.
• Colleges of education: These colleges primarily provide training for primary school teachers. Some colleges also offer postgraduate studies.
• General universities: These institutions offer a wide range of academic programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

How much does it cost to study in Ireland?

If you are an EU, EEA, UK or Swiss citizen, you can attend a public Irish university tuition free. These students will only need to pay for certain student fees, typically around 3,000 EUR (3,250 USD) yearly. Graduate courses will be higher and range between 3,000 to 30,000 EUR (3,460 to 34,600 USD) depending on your area of study.

If you are a non-EU/EEA/UK or Switzerland citizen. University tuition fees will fluctuate based on your chosen institution and field of study, but on average the yearly tuition for an undergraduate course will be anywhere from about 5,000 to 45,000 EUR (5,780 to 52,000 USD)

Top universities in Ireland

• Trinity College Dublin
• University of Galway
• University College Cork
• Dublin City University
• University College Dublin

Language schools

Whether you want to brush up on your English skills, learn Irish, or try something completely different, Ireland has plenty of language schools for expats to choose from.

Do I kneed to Know Irish in Ireland?

Ireland has two official languages: Irish and English. As an expat, you will not need to know Irish to live in Ireland. There are a few words and phrases that you may encounter and are useful to know but in general you do not need to know any Irish to live, work, and socialize in the country.

Language school fees

Language school fees in Ireland will vary depending on whether you prefer a group class, one-on-one tutoring, or maybe a private course for you and your family. Average prices are listed in the chart below.