Leaving Certificate - Secondary education in Ireland

Secondary education in Ireland

Irish Education is in no way inferior to the classic British education. It provides each graduate with the chance to find a prestigious job in any country of the world. At the same time, this is an opportunity to save money and still receive secondary education in English as studying in Ireland is cheaper and getting enrolled in Irish colleges or universities will be easier too. Especially when starting Irish education at the stage of high school.

All subjects in Irish schools and colleges are taught in English. Knowledge of Gaelic is not required from foreign students.

Irish education is the best alternative to British boarding schools. Elementary (primary) schools in Ireland accept children ages 6 to 11 years old. At this stage children will be learning languages and mathematics. 

Secondary School in Ireland commences when students reach 12 years of age and consists of two stages:
Phase I, Junior Cycle: acquisition of specialty for students aged 12-15 years old. At this stage, students are not only following basic courses but are also studying disciplines of their choice. Students are studying for three years before passing exams, which earn them Junior Certificate. Sometime students will stop their education at this stage.

Phase II, Senior Cycle: University entrance preparation course that is intended to deepen the learning process and prepare students for their respective future specializations. It is designed for students aged 16 to 18 years old and lasts for three years.

SECONDARY EDUCATION IN IRELAND FOR FOREIGNER STUDENTS AS A STEP TOWARD UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT

Senior Cycle is of utmost interest to international students who are aspiring to enrol into Irish universities. The first of three academic years of this cycle is called Transition Year. During the Transition Year, students have to decide what their future profession will be and begin preparation for university admission, completing an internship in their chosen field as part of the training. This is the best stage for international students to enter Irish education system. Irish private schools (about 80 boarding schools across the country) are willing to accept students to undergo the Transition Year and to keep them afterwards for the remaining two years of Senior Cycle.

Together with other students, international students choose their specialization during the Senior Cycle.

Their academic programme will look like this:
•    Mandatory program: mathematics, Irish, English, and foreign languages (including Greek, Italian, Spanish, etc.).
•    Freely elected subjects (at least 8) in the fields of Natural Sciences, Business and Finance, Economics and Accounting, Computer technology.
•    Additional disciplines: photography, crafts, arts etc.

What is the Leaving Certificate and what are its benefits

On completion of the Senior Cycle students are examined in core subjects, often the number of subjects taken for examination is six. The maximum score is 600 points for all subjects combined.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students receive the State Leaving Certificate. With this document on your hands, you can easily apply to Irish, British, Canadian and American universities and colleges.

The entry demands would differ per university. Top universities may require no less than 580 points. Other schools will settle for 200 points. In any case, excellent results in core subjects will be appreciated by any university.

The peculiarities of studying in public and private schools

You will find certain differences between private and public schools. Irish state-run schools do not provide free education to foreigner students. However, you can study in a public school to acquire the Leaving Certificate and smoothly enter a university of your choice.

Because the study at Senior Cycle begins, roughly, at the age of 15 or 16, students enrolling in a public school system will require a guardian. This issue is approached in earnest in Ireland.

Appointed guardians are usually teachers or outside families with children. Guardianship is a prerequisite for studying in the country for teenagers of up to 16 years of age inclusive.

Elite private Irish schools offer a different kind of structure and beautiful facilities to their students. These institutions are very similar to the British one. Housed in charming historical buildings, such institutions adhere to traditions and provide the highest level of education.

Almost all of the prestigious Irish educational institutions for students aged 12 to 18 years are called Catholic schools. It does not mean that the school emphasises religion or that the students must be Catholic. The name is merely a tradition, a sign of status and a conveyor of a strict discipline.

Admission to one of the secondary schools in Ireland at the stage of Transition Year is the first step on the path to a successful career and secured future.