Ireland - Education system

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

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 Junior Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Junior Secondary School

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 12 to: 16

Certificate/diploma awarded: Junior Certificate (Teastas Sóisearach)

Senior Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Senior Secondary School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

Senior Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Senior Secondary School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate (Ardteistiméireacht) Vocational

Type of school providing this education: Vocational Secondary School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Applied Vocational

Type of school providing this education: Vocational Secondary School

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 16 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Vocational programme

School education:

Primary educatuin lasts for eight years. Secondary school lasts for five to six years. It is divided into a three- to four-year junior secondary cycle, followed by a two-year senior secondary school cycle leading to the award of the Leaving Certificate. Vocational secondary schools offer two-year courses leading to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied.

Higher education:

Higher education in Ireland is offered by universities and institutes of specialized higher education. Universities are financed for the most part by the State in the form of annual grants-in-aid and non-recurrent grants for capital expenditure, in a proportion of the order of 90%, as well as by student fees, endowments, and private donations. Each college has its own governing body and exercises full control over its finances. Colleges are composed of faculties and departments.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Universities Act Year: 1997

Concerns: Universities

Academic year:

Classes from: Oct to: Jun

Languages of instruction: English, Irish

Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level:

Higher technical and vocational education is offered by Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Technical Colleges) and specialized colleges. They offer two-year Certificate, three-year Diploma and four-year Degree programmes in the applied fields of Engineering, Science and Business Studies, as well as some postgraduate courses.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree:

The main stage of higher education leads to a Bachelor's Degree, which may, in certain cases, also be a professional qualification (Professional Degree). The length of study generally varies between three and four years. The Bachelor's Degree may be awarded as a General Degree, an Honours Degree and a BA (Special) Degree. In Veterinary Medicine, Architecture and Dentistry studies last for five years. Medicine takes six years.

University level second stage: Master's Degree:

The second stage of higher education consists of more advanced (graduate) studies and leads to the Master's Degree. These studies last for a minimum of one year after the award of the Bachelor's Degree. Candidates who attend a course of study and/or present a thesis based on research are awarded an Earned Master's Degree.

University level third stage: Doctorate:

A further two years' study after the Master's Degree are normally required for the PhD Degree.

University level fourth stage: Higher Doctorate:

A Higher Doctorate may be awarded, after a minimum of five years (usually longer), following the award of the first Doctorate, for original work already published.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

Primary school teachers are trained at five colleges of education where they follow a three-year course leading to the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). Each college of education works in partnership with a university which awards the degree.

Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers take a one-year university course culminating in the Higher Diploma in Education. Training for teachers of specialized subjects is available at the University of Limerick where candidates follow a four-year degree programme. Teachers of Home Economics take a four-year Bachelor of Education (Home Economics) and art teachers take a degree or diploma course at a recognized college followed by a one-year Post-Diploma/Degree course.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

Oscail -The National Distance Education Centre - is located on the campus of Dublin City University and offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional education programmes.

Lifelong higher education

Short and sandwich courses are provided in the Institutes of Technology and the colleges of technology for people at the "apprentice" stage in certain careers (for instance, medical laboratory technicians and trainees in technological employment).

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Department of Education and Science (An Roinn Oideachais & Eolaíochta)

Head: Dr Michael Woods, Minister

Administrative officer: John Dennehy, Secretary-General

Tyrone House, Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel: +353(1) 873-4700

Fax: +353(1) 872-9553

EMail: mannionc@educ.irlg v.ie

WWW: http://www.irlgov.ie/educ

Higher Education Authority (HEA) (An tÚdarás Um Ard-Oideachas)

Head: Dr Don Thornhill, Chairman

Administrative officer: John L. Hayden, Secretary/Chief Executive

Marine House, Third Floor, Clanwilliam Court
Dublin 2
Ireland

Tel: +353(1) 661-2748

Fax: +353(1) 661-0492

EMail: info@hea.ie

WWW: http://www.hea.ie

Role of governing body: Responsible for the founding of universities and tertiary level institutions and their development to meet the needs of the community.

Conference of Heads of Irish Universities (CHIU)

Head: Michael McGrath, Director

Administrative officer: Dr A. Cosgrove, Chairman

10 Lower Mount Street
Dublin 2
Ireland

Tel: +353(1) 676-4948

Fax: +353(1) 661-2815

EMail: chiu-info@chiu.ie

WWW: http://www.chiu.ie

The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (Comhairle na nDamhachaini Ardoisdeachas agus Oiliunaí)

Head: Seamus Puirseil, Director (Acting)

26 Mountjoy Square
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel: +353(1) 855-6526

Fax: +353(1) 855-4250

EMail: info@hetac.ie

WWW: http://www.hetac.ie

Role of governing body: Responsible for the coordination, development and promotion of technical, industrial, scientific, technological and commercial education and education in art and design outside the universities.

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