FAQ · Education 44

Trinity College Dublin has run an extramural programme in Korean language and culture since 2010, and the classes are taught by a native-speaker instructor named Do Eunjee. Two evening levels are offered, one for complete beginners and one for post-beginner learners, and each course costs 395 euro, payable in advance. The classes are designed for the general public and all of them take place in the Arts Building. Registered undergraduate and postgraduate students at the college are asked to take the Broad Curriculum and extracurricular Korean modules instead of this extramural programme. In the 2025 to 2026 year the introduction class meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, starting on 16 September 2025, as a 24-week course made of two terms of 12 weeks. The post-beginners class meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, starting on 17 September 2025, and it is also a 24-week course made of two terms of 12 weeks.

For a non-EEA student, a full-time English language programme on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes must last at least 25 weeks, with at least 15 hours of class each week between 9 am and 5 pm on at least four weekdays. The provider must list every cost in advance, including exam fees, learner protection fees and private medical insurance, and it cannot accept those fees in cash. Payment has to go through an approved money transfer facility or by electronic bank transfer, and the page warns that the lowest price may not be the best deal. Every provider must publish a refund policy that states the longest time for a refund, which cannot be more than two months, and any charge it keeps must be told to you before you pay. If a visa application is refused, or you are refused entry into Ireland, the refund request must be processed within 20 working days. Immigration permission for one such course can last up to 8 months, and a new student can hold permission for at most three programmes, which is a total of two years.

Public library membership in Ireland is free for everyone, and you can join at any age, although anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to give permission and accept the membership terms. You complete an application form online or in person, and an online application is finished only when you visit a library with photographic identification and proof of your current address. The library then issues a card and a personal identification number, the card is needed to borrow items, and the number is needed for computers, online services, and reservations or renewals. Membership lasts one year and can be renewed through your local library or your online account. The card is for you alone, you should bring it on every visit, and you should tell staff if your details change or the card is lost. Adult members can use all collections and the internet, members aged 15 to 17 can use DVDs up to a 15 rating, members aged 12 to 14 are limited to a 12 rating and children's internet, and members under 12 are limited to the children's library and DVDs up to a PG rating.

Third-level education in Ireland includes all education following second-level schooling. This encompasses higher education in universities and colleges as well as further education through Post Leaving Certificate courses and others. Various degree-awarding institutions can grant awards at all academic levels. These include several universities and technological universities across the country. Additionally, Quality and Qualifications Ireland is a state agency that can grant awards in other institutions.

There has been significant political debate regarding the requirement for students to study Irish for the Leaving Certificate. Fine Gael has advocated for the abolition of compulsory Irish, suggesting it should be an optional subject in the final two years of secondary school. Some politicians argue that forcing students to learn the language may actually drive young people away from real engagement with it. While the requirement for certain legal professionals was abolished in 2007, the Bar Council and Law Society still run compulsory oral Irish language workshops. Current political emphasis is shifting toward improving teaching methods and oral fluency.

In the Republic of Ireland, the first two years of primary school are known as infant classes. While the term infant school is mainly used in England and Wales, Ireland uses this specific terminology for its primary school departments. Dictionaries often define the age ranges for such education as being between four and eight years old. This period covers the early stages of a child's formal schooling. These classes were integrated into the state education system following its establishment in 1831.

Transition Year is an optional one-year programme that students can take in the year after the Junior Cycle. While it is optional in many cases, it may be compulsory in some schools or unavailable in others due to funding and population. The programme is designed to provide a broad educational experience through life skills and work experience. Instead of written exams, students are assessed through various activities. It focuses on non-academic subjects like cooking, first aid, and driving to help students transition from the school environment.

Nutrition and living conditions in industrial schools were generally poor. Many children were underweight because their meals were often scanty. However, the situation changed during holidays such as Christmas. During these times, or when inspectors visited, the children would temporarily receive better food. This provided a brief improvement to their usual dietary conditions.

Ireland offers a variety of educational bodies across both the public and private sectors. Publicly recognized institutions include several Regional Technical Colleges such as the Cork Institute of Technology and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. There are also numerous private sector bodies including the Griffith College, the American College Dublin, and the National College of Ireland. Some institutions have specific historical connections, such as those whose degrees were formerly awarded by HETAC or the NCEA. This diverse landscape provides many options for students seeking different types of academic training.

In Ireland, grinds are a form of private tuition that acts as a supplement to other forms of schooling. This industry is often described as shadow education, particularly at the secondary school level. Some private schools that offer the Leaving Certificate as a single year repeat course are sometimes referred to as grind schools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of online grinds represented a shift in how this education was delivered. A report indicated that increasing numbers of well-off pupils undertake these private grinds to boost their Leaving Cert grades.

International students can pursue secondary education through three main institutional pathways in Ireland. One option is attending fee-paying private day schools where students typically live with vetted Irish host families. Another pathway is enrolling in boarding schools which offer residential accommodation for foreign students. Students from EEA countries may attend public schools, but non-EEA students must enroll in fee-paying schools. Additionally, specialized international education agencies can facilitate student placements and provide ongoing support. These agencies help match students with host families and provide local coordinators to mentor them.

The Gaelic League successfully campaigned to have Irish included in the school curriculum. Irish is recognised by the Constitution of Ireland as the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. English serves as the other official language of the country. While most government business is conducted in English, the inclusion of Irish in schools was a key objective of cultural movements. This effort aimed to encourage the use of Irish in everyday life.

The academic organization of the university is arranged into faculties and schools. There are currently five faculties, and each one is headed by an Executive Dean. Below the faculty level are the Schools, which each have their own Head. For every degree programme, there is a Programme Board led by an elected chairperson. Additionally, a statutory Academic Council oversees the teaching and research work of the university.

The National University of Ireland is a federal university system composed of constituent and recognised colleges. These constituent universities act as independent institutions for most essential purposes. However, they award degrees and diplomas under the National University of Ireland, which is based in Dublin. Graduates from these constituent universities use the NUI abbreviation in their post-nominals. This system was established under the Irish Universities Act 1908 and was later amended by the Universities Act of 1997.

Ireland's higher education system hosts a substantial international student population. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 44,535 non-Irish domiciled enrolments in publicly funded institutions. Under the Free Fees Initiative, the Government pays tuition fees for students who meet specific nationality, residence, and course requirements. These requirements include holding EU, EEA, UK, or Swiss nationality, or having official refugee status. Students who qualify for this initiative are still required to pay a student contribution charge. For the 2025/26 academic year, this charge is set at €2,500 per year.

Scholarships are available for students pursuing musical studies in Ireland. For example, an entrance scholarship allowed Gerard Thomas Gillen to graduate from University College Dublin with first-class honours. Additionally, a travelling scholarship from the Arts Council of Ireland enabled further organ studies in Antwerp, Belgium. These types of awards can support students in their academic and professional musical development. Such opportunities have historically helped scholars pursue advanced research and international training.

In Northern Ireland, Irish was gradually granted formal recognition following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The British government approved legislation in 2022 to recognize Irish as an official language alongside English. Regarding the European Union, Irish became an official EU language on 1 January 2007. While it previously had limited status, it became a fully recognized EU language on 1 January 2022. This allows MEPs fluent in Irish to speak the language in the European Parliament.

Ireland offers different vocational paths alongside the traditional Leaving Certificate. The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme serves as a practical and hands-on complement to the conventional curriculum. Another option is the Leaving Certificate Applied, which is designed to prepare students for adult and working life. These programs provide alternatives to the standard academic route. Students can choose these variants depending on their specific career preparation needs.

Efforts to support literacy are made through collaborations between different agencies. In September 2008, LSDA Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding with NALA, which is Ireland's National Adult Literacy Agency. The main objective of this agreement was to enhance opportunities for people with literacy needs across the island of Ireland. This partnership allowed the two agencies to cooperate, share experience, and organize joint conferences. One such event was a cross-border Essential Skills Conference held in Dundalk in November 2008.

Most students in Ireland enter secondary school between the ages of 12 and 13. Approximately 90% of school-leavers take the terminal examination known as the Leaving Certificate between the ages of 16 and 19. There are several types of schools, including voluntary secondary schools, community colleges, and comprehensive schools. The system emphasizes both breadth and depth to prepare individuals for society, further education, or work. Some students also attend Gaelcholáistí, where Irish is the main medium of education.

The timing of when children move from play-based learning to formal instruction is a subject of debate among academics. Some studies indicate that an early start may provide benefits, while others suggest it could have a neutral or negative long-term effect. In England, this shift occurs at age five when children move from the Early Years Foundation Phase to Key Stage 1. At this stage, government policy encourages a focus on formal instruction in mathematics, reading, and writing. In Wales, the foundation phase was introduced in 2008 to promote more informal learning for children up to seven years old.

The Department of Education and Youth is the government department responsible for these areas. Within this department, there is a Minister of State who holds special responsibility for special education and inclusion. This specific role is currently held by Michael Moynihan, TD. The National Council for Special Education also operates as a body under the aegis of the department. These structures ensure that special education is managed at a ministerial and departmental level.

The National Library of Ireland serves as a copyright library for the country and is mandated to collect all materials relating to Ireland. Under Irish copyright law, the library is entitled to claim a copy of every book published in Ireland. Its massive collection holds over 12 million items, including approximately 1 million volumes in its book collection. The library also acquires content from Northern Ireland and attempts to collect all publications in Irish. Major collections include serials, maps, drawings, manuscripts, and original newspapers.

Historically, various educational models existed in Ireland, including the Lancastrian School which used a mechanical system of education. This method allowed one master to govern over one thousand children at a very low annual expense. While some schools focused on drilling children in religious texts, others emphasized elocution and grammar. Some academies even incorporated democratic elements like boys' newspapers and parliaments for debate. These different approaches ranged from harsh discipline to more pedagogically inclined methods.

International students under the age of 18 studying without their parents must have a designated guardian resident in Ireland. This guardian can be a family member, a family friend, or a professional guardianship agency. Schools generally require these guardians to be available during school holidays and attend parent-teacher meetings. For students living with host families, all household members aged 18 and over must undergo mandatory Garda vetting. Additionally, the Child and Family Agency, known as TUSLA, conducts assessments for unaccompanied minors to ensure appropriate care arrangements are in place.

In the mid-1800s, educational institutions in Ireland underwent significant changes regarding student accommodation. In 1864, funding was granted for a new three-storey red-brick School House which included a dormitory and classrooms. This facility also provided rooms for schoolmasters and a bathroom for the students. By 1865, the building was completed to support the growing number of boarders. This development helped the school accommodate an increasing number of students during that period.

The Housing Finance Agency has been lending to higher-education institutions to support the construction of student accommodation since 2018. Various initiatives involving the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank have provided significant facilities to support the creation of student beds. By the end of 2024, five universities had received loan approvals totaling approximately €256 million for 2,218 student bedrooms. These funds are raised from several sources including the National Treasury Management Agency and international capital markets. The agency is designed to be self-financing by adding a margin to its cost of borrowing.

An interest in the Irish language has persisted among a minority in various diaspora countries. This interest is demonstrated through the founding of language classes, including some at the tertiary level. People also engage with the language through the use of the Internet. Additionally, there are ongoing contributions to journalism and literature in Irish. This shows that the language remains relevant beyond Ireland's borders.

The Economic and Social Research Institute is an Irish research institute founded in 1960. It was established to provide evidence-based research that informs public policy debate and decision-making. The institute focuses its research on the areas of sustainable economic growth and social progress. Its mission is to produce research that informs public policymaking and civil society to achieve a better Ireland. The organization conducts significant research across twelve designated areas including macroeconomics, education, and health.

During the 1950s, the food and diet of the children were described as very good. Dr McCabe inspected the school in 1955 and noted that the meals were attractive, well cooked, and attractively served. By March 1966, Dr Lysaght reported that the children looked well nourished and healthy. He inspected a main meal consisting of soup, milk, mincemeat, vegetables, custard, and tinned pears. He found that the amounts served were ample and well cooked.

During a Status Red storm warning, all public education services may be cancelled. The Department of Education has confirmed that closures can include Montessoris, crèches, primary, and post-primary schools. For example, during a recent storm, all such schools were closed for two days. The National Emergency Coordination Centre and Met Éireann work together to advise the public during these events. These high-level warnings are issued to ensure public safety during extreme weather.

In 2018, Webometrics ranked WIT as the 7th best higher education body in Ireland out of 32. The institute was also ranked at 10th place by Unirank. It was considered the leading Irish institute of technology, with the exception of DIT which classified as a Technology University. The institute consists of 6 schools and various departments across several campuses. These campuses include Cork Road, College Street, Carriganore, the Applied Technology Building, and the Granary.

There are eight medical schools across the island of Ireland where students can obtain a medical degree. In the Republic of Ireland, medical education begins with a degree followed by a 12-month internship to gain the right to practise. This internship scheme is managed by the National Doctors Training and Planning unit within the HSE. After the internship, doctors undergo basic specialist training for 2-3 years and higher specialist training for 4-6 years. Alternatively, some may choose a continuous block of streamlined specialist training.

Fionnuala Ní Aoláin is a notable Irish academic lawyer who specializes in human rights law. She earned her LLB and PhD from Queen's University, Belfast, and her LLM from Columbia Law School. Throughout her career, she has held various academic positions at institutions such as Harvard Law School, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and Princeton University. She also served as a Special Rapporteur for the United Nations Human Rights Council. Additionally, she was appointed to the Irish Council of State in March 2026.

The Dublin Institute of Technology School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering was once the largest provider of these programs in Ireland. This school has now become part of the new Technological University Dublin following a merger. Students can study a wide range of disciplines including communications, computer, and power engineering. The institution offers various educational courses ranging from Level 6 apprenticeships to Level 10 post-doctoral degrees. These programs seek accreditation from professional bodies like the Institution of Engineers of Ireland.

The Limerick School of Art and Design is a constituent art college of the Technological University of the Shannon located in Limerick, Ireland. It operates across four TUS campuses including Clare Street, Moylish, Clonmel, and Athlone. The school features four departments covering Fine Art and Education, Design, Digital Arts and Media, and Midlands Media and Design. Students can access over 25 programmes at level 8 and level 9 across various art, design, and media disciplines. Additionally, the school supports research with many MA and PhD students engaged in diverse projects.

Academic qualifications for educators in Ireland can include various levels of higher education. For example, an individual might hold a Bachelor's degree in Arts alongside specialized teaching credentials. These credentials can include a Higher Diploma in Education, a Masters in Education, or even a Ph.D. Such qualifications are often awarded by institutions like the University of Dublin. These academic paths support careers ranging from secondary school teaching to university professorships.

Historically, adult education was administered by Vocational Education Committees, known in Irish as Coiste Gairmoideachais. These statutory local education bodies existed from 1930 until 2013. During their operation, their duties in the area of adult education increased significantly over time. They managed various programs including community education, adult literacy, and the Back To Education Initiative. In 2013, these committees were replaced by Education and Training Boards.

Students at Ardscoil la Salle must wear the full uniform during school hours and outings. Boys wear a school jumper, blue shirt, blue and silver striped tie, grey trousers, and black shoes. Girls wear a school jumper and tie, a white blouse, a royal blue skirt, and black shoes, though they may choose grey trousers instead. The school jumper color changes from royal blue for Junior Cycle to navy blue for senior cycles. Additionally, students must wear the navy blue and royal blue school tracksuit with black runners on Physical Education days starting in the 2025/2026 academic year.

In Ireland, grinds are a form of private tuition that acts as a supplement to regular schooling. Some institutions, such as Ashfield College and Bruce College, offer the Leaving Certificate as a single year repeat course and are referred to as grind schools. These schools are often used by well-off pupils to boost their Leaving Cert grades. A 2020 study showed that students from these schools have strong chances of progressing to further education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of online education led to the establishment of new online-only grind schools.

The cost of education depends on the type of school chosen by the student. Non-EEA students are required to enroll in fee-paying private secondary schools. For those choosing boarding schools, tuition typically ranges from €16,000 to €32,000 per year. These rates are generally lower than what is found at comparable institutions in Canada or the United States. Students attending private day schools often live with vetted Irish host families. Specialized agencies can also assist with student placements and ongoing support.

In Ireland, a graduate diploma or post-graduate diploma is classified as a level 9 award on the National Framework of Qualifications. This specific level is considered the same as a masters degree. A higher diploma is categorized as a level 8 award, which is equivalent to an honours bachelor's degree. These programs typically involve one year of full-time study and are often completed after a bachelor's degree. They can serve as reorientation qualifications to gain new skills or as professional qualifications required to enter certain professions.

DCU provides various academic departments including the School of Applied Language & Intercultural Studies and the School of English. Students have access to specialized teaching and research facilities such as language and interpreting laboratories. The campus also features computer laboratories, networking facilities, and a video-conferencing suite. Additionally, there are television and sound studios available for use. These resources support a wide range of learning and research activities on campus.

Ireland offers several types of visas depending on the nature of the visit. A Short Stay Business Visa is issued for attending meetings, trade shows, or negotiating contracts. There are also specific visas for conferences, events, and examinations. For those seeking work, an Employment Visa is provided if they hold an approval from the Atypical Working Scheme Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. Additionally, there are options for internships and for seafarers wishing to join a departing vessel.