About Ireland
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Five Essential Points
- Ireland consistently places among the Top 10 or 20 in the world on international rankings of countries’ quality of life, peace, and human development. For example, Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Ireland 8th most peaceful country in the world; and Human Development Index 2019 ranked Ireland #2 in the top 10 countries with the highest Human Development Index (HDI).
- With its highly sophisticated business infrastructure, Ireland ranks among the world’s most competitive countries. It is home to the European headquarters of some of the world’s largest technology firms (e.g., Google, Facebook, and Apple).
- The higher education system in Ireland is robust, with globally ranked universities renowned for research output as well as Institutes of Technology and private third-level colleges able to match the diverse goals and talents of students.
- Ireland offers favourable currency exchange rates, tuition fees, and living costs relative to other popular destinations.
- International students are attracted to the welcoming visa and immigration environment in Ireland. Under the Third Level Graduate Scheme, (1) honours undergraduate degree holders (Level 8) can stay in Ireland to work (and/or to seek employment) for 12 months after finishing their studies, and masters and postgraduate students (Levels 9 and 10) can work for up to 2 years after they graduate.
Five Quick Points About Ireland
- Dynamic, modern country with a young population
- Internationally recognised for being safe and friendly
- Huge emphasis on education and an increasingly popular location for English-language studies
- Technologically oriented economy
- Despite modern direction of recent years, respect for tradition continues
Geography and Regions
Ireland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean on the western fringe of Europe. The Republic of Ireland makes up five-sixths of the island (70,282 square kilometres). The northern part of the island – and the Republic of Ireland’s only land border – consists of Northern Ireland, which is officially part of the United Kingdom.
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Ireland is known for its picturesque coastlines, hills and valleys, and dramatic mountains. The Information Ireland website explains that,
“The two great mountain systems of Europe, north of the Alps, converge westwards to meet and mingle in Ireland. The older (Caledonian) extends from Scandinavia through Scotland to the north and west of Ireland, where it gives rise to the rugged and mountainous landscapes of Counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway.”
Green grass covers much of the island, and on the western coast, strong winds have limited the growth of trees. While 27 species of mammals call Ireland home, the country has no large natural predators. Seals and whales may be seen in some coastal areas.
Southwest Ireland is known for its sandy beaches and lovely fishing villages. The county of Kerry is beautiful and offers a large number of prehistoric and ancient Celtic sites. Artists love West Cork for its relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous scenery. Popular attractions include the The Ring of Kerry and the Blarney Stone. Click here for more on Southwest Ireland.
The West of Ireland consists mostly of cliffs, mountains, and hills – but it also has gorgeous, safe beaches.It is also the home of the stunning Aran Islands. The West of Ireland is an important part of Irish history and some of its residents speak Gaelic as a first language. It includes the charming city of Galway, which has over 30 wonderful culture and music festivals each year. Salthill in Galway is the centre-point of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500 km of coastal road along the spectacular west coast. Western Island includes the charming city of Galway with its wonderful music and festivals, as well as County Clare, the home of Irish traditional music. Click here for more on Western Ireland.
The East Coast and Lowlands are covered with glacial deposits of clay and soil. Bogs, lakes and rolling pastures are also common. The River Shannon, the longest in Ireland, cuts through this part of the country. Some of Ireland’s most historic and sacred sites are in this region, including trails of Celtic crosses, Norman churches, and castles. Click here for more information on Ireland’s “Ancient East” coast.
Southeast Ireland is located on the Irish Sea, facing the United Kingdom. This area – which is often the warmest region in Ireland – is home to gentle hills, peaceful farms, medieval castles, and wild mountains. Popular cities in the area include well-known Waterfordand historic Kilkenny. Click here for more on Southeast Ireland.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland. Located on the Irish Sea in the east, Dublin is the nation’s political, economic, and cultural centre. Among European cities, Dublin is known for its great artistic, literary, and cultural history, and was recently named by UNESCO as the world’s fourth City of Literature. The city itself straddles the picturesque River Liffey and is filled with Georgian architecture, tranquil parks, sculptures, and cultural monuments. Its residents enjoy a high quality of life and a vibrant entrepreneurial culture. Hundreds of top global companies have their European head offices in Dublin. Voted the third friendliest city in the world, Dublin offers students a charming mix of cafés, bars, global restaurants, shops, cycling and walking trails, and the warmth and hospitality of a small city. Click here for more on Dublin.
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Helpful Map: To help students find out which educational institutions and programmes are located in particular regions of Ireland, use the interactive map located on the Education Ireland website.
Climate
Ireland’s weather is mild and lacks the temperature extremes of other countries located at the same latitude. The average temperature on land is 10°C.
During the spring months (February to April), the average highest temperatures range from 8 to 12°C, while in summer (May to July) the averages for highest temperatures are between 18 and 20°C. July and August receive about 18 hours of daylight and it generally gets dark only after 11 PM.
Winter temperatures average around 8°C. During the coolest months (January and February), the temperature occasionally drops below freezing. Snow is rare, except in the high hills and mountains, and long stretches of cold weather are infrequent. Ireland is known, however, for abundant rainfall, particularly in the winter months and in the western part of the country. Fog is also common in coastal areas.
When packing for studies in Ireland, students should think of the fact that they will often be dressing in layers: for example, with a t-shirt underneath and a sweater over top that can be taken off if the temperature changes, as it often does in Ireland. Even in the span of one day, it can feel warm or cool depending on what hour it is, so students need to be ready for anything. Sweaters can be necessary even in the summer. And very important: students should bring waterproof clothing and an umbrella for outdoor activities, as well as comfortable shoes for the great walks and hikes that are accessible all over Ireland.
For more detailed weather information, visit the Irish Meteorological Service online.
History and Population
Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years. Irish ancestry includes a mix of many peoples such as the Celts, Normans, Vikings, and Scots. Once part of the U.K., the country became increasingly sovereign over the 20th century, with the Republic of Ireland officially declared in 1949.
Historically, emigration was caused by politics, religious oppression and economic issues. Over 80 million Irish people and their descendants currently live in other countries. Since the 1990s, thanks to an agreement in 1998 ending civil strife as well as to economic expansion, this trend has been changing; more people are now moving to Ireland than leaving the country.
The total population of Ireland is around 5 million. English is the main language, with a minority using Irish as their mother tongue.
Society and Culture
Ireland consistently ranks among the friendliest countries in the world for newcomers and tourists. Ireland is predominantly Christian, and mainly Roman Catholic. English and Irish (Gaelic) are the official languages, although Gaelic is a minority language.
Myths and legends are an integral part of Irish culture. Traditions such as music, Irish dancing, social outings at the Irish pub, and wearing something green on St Patrick’s Day are a very important part of the culture. The Irish are well recognised for their love of storytelling, their wit and humour, and for a distinctive musical rhythm or lilt in their voice in conversation. At the same time, they have embraced modern culture, and international students will see both traditional and modern cultures side by side in Ireland.
Living Conditions and Cost of Living
The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) explains:
“Every year, estimates are published which give an indication of how much it costs to live as a student for one academic year (nine months) in Ireland. Recent figures for Dublin have ranged between €10,000 and €15,000, largely depending on the type of accommodation chosen. These estimates include rent, electricity, food, books, laundry and medicine, as well as travel passes and social expenses, but exclude tuition fees. Rents and prices for goods and services are generally cheaper for students living outside of Dublin.”
The ICOS provides a good deal more information on living costs, as well as how international students can make the most of their budget: https://www.internationalstudents.ie/info-and-advice/practical-information/cost-of-living.
Since joining the European Union (EU) in 1973, Ireland has transformed itself from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technologically advanced economy which is now ranked eighth in the world in terms of purchasing parity. Notably, the Republic of Ireland is ranked in the top 10 countries in the world on the Human Development Index, which registers the overall well-being and progress of a population. The economy is increasingly a “knowledge” economy with a focus on services and high-tech.
Ireland’s currency is the Euro (€).
Government
The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy with two houses of parliament: the upper house or the Senate (Seanad) and the lower house or the House of Representatives (Dail). The popularly elected president is the head of state and the prime minister is the leader of the national parliament. Local government takes place through elected county councils for each of the 26 counties.
Ireland’s Education System
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Five Essential Points
- Ireland’s higher education system is among the best in the world, according to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.
- Over 1 in 10 full-time higher education students in Ireland are international students. Of these, fully three-quarters are from outside the European Union, leading to a healthy diversity of cultures on Irish campuses.
- Eight Irish universities are in the QS World University Rankings 2021. Five of those can be found in the global top 500. Meanwhile, Ireland’s 11 Institutes of Technology, first-ever Technological University, and 15 private higher education institutions are a crucial force in fuelling Ireland’s innovative economy and are closely linked with industry.
- Quality assurance lies at the heart of the Irish education system. Stringent reforms have led to the creation of an integrated quality assurance scheme and a transparent list of programmes meeting government quality assurance standards.
- With a range of recognised English-language schools across the country and as the only English-speaking nation in the EU after Brexit, Ireland is a leading destination for English-language learners, offering a wide variety of courses. Summer camp programmes are very popular, in addition to general English courses for adults and exam preparation courses.
Education System
Ireland has one of the best education systems in the world. In fact, many believe the education system is a major contributor to the country’s rapid economic growth in the last few decades. Responsibility for education lies within the Department of Education and Science, which administers all aspects of education policy.
There are three main sectors of formal education: primary (eight years), secondary (six years) and tertiary/higher education (universities, Institutes of Technology, colleges of education, NUI colleges, and independent colleges). In recent years a fourth sector, called further education, has been added to promote the concept of lifelong learning throughout a person’s career and life.
In terms of higher education, Ireland has 7 universities, 11 Institutes of Technology (IoTs), one Technological University, 15 private higher education institutions, and 7 colleges of education.
All government-approved academic awards in these institutions are internationally recognised. There is a wide range of technical and vocational training programmes available in Ireland. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, English-language programmes attracted roughly 120,000-130,000 students a year of all ages and nationalities.
Levels of Education
The graphic below outlines Ireland’s education system and pathway options.
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Pre-Primary Education
Pre-primary education is optional in Ireland, yet nearly 40% of four-year-olds and virtually all five-year-olds are enrolled in “infant classes” in primary schools. Pre-primary options include crèches, play-school, Montessori schools, and naíonraí (Irish-language pre-schools).
Primary Education
Irish families have several types of school to choose from for primary education. State-funded primary schools are the most common option, but there are other types of primary school that may be relevant for families coming to Ireland for study abroad.
The primary education sector spans eight years, and children study in this level from the age of six until they are 12 or 13. Within the primary sector are more than 3,000 schools, including state-funded primary schools, special schools (for students with disabilities), and private primary schools. Many – but not all – public primary schools have a religious and in most cases Catholic orientation. However, most of their teachers are non-religious in their focus and training.
Post-Primary Education
Within the post-primary education sector are secondary, vocational, community, and comprehensive schools. Over 350,000 students receive post-primary education in 450 secondary schools, 250 vocational, and about 100 other schools.
Secondary schools
These schools, also known as Voluntary Secondary Schools, are owned and operated by religious communities or private organisations; they enrol more than half of Irish high-school-aged students. Some secondary schools charge fees – sometimes quite substantial – and some do not.
Children generally begin secondary school at the age of 12 and leave by 17 or 18 years of age; please see the Post-Primary Schools section for information on the “cycles” within the secondary school programme as well as the examinations that lead to various post-secondary options for students.
Private day and boarding school options are available for those families that are interested. A full academic school year (two terms) runs from September to June.
Vocational schools, community colleges, and comprehensive schools
These schools are established by the state and administered by Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In addition to providing second-level education, they are designed to provide further education opportunities for school-leavers and adults in the various Irish communities. Just over a quarter of Irish high-school-aged students attend vocational schools.
Please see SECTION C for more on Ireland’s Secondary Schools.
Higher (Third-Level) Education
Third-level education in Ireland encompasses several sectors: the university sector, the Institutes of Technology, the developing Technological Universities sector, and the colleges of education, all of which receive most of their funding from the Irish government, as well as private higher education institutions.
In total, Ireland has 7 universities, 11 Institutes of Technology (IoTs), one Technological University, 15 private higher education institutions, and 7 colleges of education. A number of additional third-level institutions, some private, offer specialised education in areas such as art and design, medicine, business studies, law, etc.
Higher education semesters generally run as follows:
- The first semester runs from early September to December
- A one-month Christmas Break falls in December/January
- The second semester runs from late January to May
- Summer holidays run from May through early September
In terms of the qualifications offered, Ireland’s universities, private colleges, colleges of education, and IoTs offer the following according to Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), including the number of years each level of (full-time) education typically takes to complete.
Non-degree programmes:
- Level 6 Higher Certificate (offered by IoTs and Technological University Dublin only): Normally completed in 2 years, and those in possession of a Higher Certificate are generally exempted from the first year, or the first 2 years, of a bachelor’s programme)
- Level 8 Higher Diploma: Normally completed in 1 year
- Level 8 Graduate Diploma: Usually a 1-year course
- Level 9 Postgraduate Diploma: Normally completed in 1–2 years (one popular example of postgraduate diploma course is the 1-year teacher-training programme for the Higher Diploma in Education).
Degree programmes:
- Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree: Normally completed in 3 years (Note: Bachelor’s programmes in medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, and architecture are of 5–6-year duration)
- Level 8 Honours Bachelor’s Degree: Normally completed in 3–4 years (Note: Often higher admission requirements and more demanding examinations than ordinary bachelor’s degree programmes)
- Level 9 Master’s Degree: Normally completed in 1 year or sometimes 2 years (Note: the 1-year master’s is very attractive to many international students)
- Level 10 Doctoral Degree (PhD) or Post-Doctoral Degree: Usually requiring at least 3 years of research, then a dissertation.
For more information on each kind of qualification, please visit the Irish National Framework for Qualifications website.
What Is the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)?
The Irish (NFQ) measures and compares learning achievements at each Irish education institution, and it governs the transfer process between institutions. The NFQ levels have a correspondence with those within the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which allows Irish credentials to be recognised and accepted outside of Ireland. It is also aligned with the Bologna Process, another scheme that promotes comparability across the EU in the standards and quality of higher-education qualifications. Both Irish universities and Irish Institutes of Technology (IoTs) – as well as the HECA private colleges – offer third-level qualifications on the NFQ.
How do National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Levels 7–10 offered by Irish IoTs and Universities translate to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)?
NFQ level 10 > EQF Level 8
NFQ level 9 > EQF Level 7
NFQ level 8 > EQF Level 6
NFQ level 7 > EQF Level 6
What Is Important for Agents to Know: The Irish Higher Education system, through the NFQ, is in accordance with European Qualifications Framework (EQF), allowing students’ third-level qualifications obtained in Ireland to be easily recognisable across the EU.
Universities
Ireland’s 7 universities are autonomous and self-governing, and they offer degree programmes at the foundation, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. Between them, they host tens of thousands of international students and have dedicated international offices to help foreign students adjust to Irish academics and culture and to encourage their participation in campus clubs and societies. All 7 Irish universities are ranked in the top 3% of institutions worldwide.
The 7 universities are:
- The National University of Ireland (NUI) which is an umbrella university that covers the University College Dublin (UCD); National University of Ireland, Galway; University College Cork; and National University of Ireland Maynooth (MU).
- The University of Dublin, which is generally known as Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
- The University of Limerick (UL).
- Dublin City University (DCU).
Please see SECTION F for detailed information on universities.
Institutes of Technology (IoTs)
Ireland’s 11 Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological University Dublin are a major success story in Irish education. Located across the country, they allow students to progress from 2-year associate’s degree programmes to degree programmes including bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes.
IoTs enable students to develop skills in critical analysis, decision-making and entrepreneurship, and to emerge as graduates who are ready for careers in business, technology, and other fields.
The certificate and degree programmes offered by Ireland’s IoTs focus on areas such as business, science, engineering, linguistics, and music.
The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) measures and compares learning achievements at each institution, and it governs the transfer process between institutions. The NFQ falls within the European Qualifications Framework, which allows Irish credentials to be recognised and accepted outside of Ireland.
The Institutes of Technology as well as Technological Universities are:
- In the Dublin area: Dun Laoghaire Institute of art, design and technology and TU Dublin (Technological University Dublin)
- Outside Dublin: Cork, Waterford, Tralee, Dundalk, Athlone, Galway and Mayo, Sligo, Letterkenny, Limerick, and Carlow.
Please see SECTION E for more on Institutes of Technology.
Colleges of Education
These colleges – many of which are affiliated with universities – provide specialised training for primary school teachers, offering a 3-year Bachelor of Education degree and an 18-month postgraduate diploma. Post-primary teachers generally do a primary degree (e.g., a Bachelor of Education), followed by a postgraduate diploma.
Ireland’s Colleges of Education are:
- Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE)
- Froebel College of Education
- Mary Immaculate College (MIC)
- St Patrick’s College of Education
- Mater Dei Institute of Education
- The Marino Institute of Education (MIE)
- St Angela’s College
Private Colleges
There are many reputable private colleges in Ireland, many of which offer specialised education in fields such as business, law, hospitality and hotel management, art and design, and many other particular fields of study. International students who know exactly which kind of industry they want to work in and who want to obtain the qualifications needed for this goal are good candidates for private colleges.
Many private colleges in Ireland are accredited by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Across the private college sector, international students can find programmes that result in higher certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees at QQI Levels 6, 7, 8 and 9, and because these qualifications are QQI-accredited, they are easily recognisable to employers and transferable to schools across Europe.
However, not all private colleges are QQI-accredited. These may be accredited by another organisation, and students and agents should be very sure to ask as many questions and check as many sources as possible to be confident that these colleges have a good reputation.
An important source of information on private colleges in Ireland is HECA, the Higher Education Colleges Association that works to ensure standards in the sector. There are currently 15 private college members in HECA (visit this page to see the list), and all of these are QQI-accredited.
The members of HECA are as follows:
CCT College Dublin
Dorset College Dublin
Dublin Business School
Galway Business School
Griffith College
Hibernia College
Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences
IICP College
Open Training College
Setanta College
SQT Training Ltd
St. Nicholas Montessori College Ireland
Industry Funding and Oversight
The HEA
The statutory planning and development body for higher education and research in Ireland is called the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The HEA is the funding authority for Ireland’s universities, Institutes of Technology, and other designated higher education institutions. A full list of recognised third-level providers is available from the Department of Education and Skills.
QQI
In recent years, Ireland has taken great steps to strengthening quality assurance in the education sector. QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is the state agency responsible for quality assurance of further and higher education institutions in Ireland. Through various processes including regular review of providers, the agency ensures that students attending Irish institutions receive educational services of a high and consistent standard. The QQI is also responsible for maintaining the Irish NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) and facilitates the recognition of foreign qualifications. One important service the QQI offers is free comparability statements for each country and for each qualification. For any qualification not listed or for any query the QQI responds to questions swiftly through an online ticketing system. Please see this very helpful webpage.
ILEP
The Department of Justice oversees the ILEP list (Interim List of Eligible Programmes), which includes schools that comply with immigration regulations. This is a very important list for agents to consult, only courses that are on the ILEP qualify for the issue of study visas for non-EU students. The ILEP list is updated every 4 months and agents should familiarize themselves with it and check regularly for the most updated list.
English Language Training (ELT)
English is the language of instruction in third-level (higher) education, so mastering the language is an important step for international students looking to pursue higher study in Ireland. For younger students, particularly at the post-primary level, short-term summer programmes can help establish a strong foundation in English. English-language study may be combined with holiday programmes, cultural exchanges, and volunteer work opportunities.
According to Education Ireland, there are currently more than 90 quality-assured English-language teaching providers located all across the country. Students have the option of studying English in a centre associated with a public university or institute, or through private providers. Schools are located in major cities as well as smaller towns and cities. Schools offer courses such as General English for adults and juniors, Business English, English for Academic and Professional Purposes, English with Work Placement, or customised programmes. Short-term summer programmes have grown in popularity in recent years.
Resources for Agents Placing Students in English-language Programmes in Ireland
- QQI, through its Accreditation and Co-ordination of English Language Services (ACELS) function, provides quality assurance for English-language services in Ireland. ACELS manages and operates an Inspection/Recognition Scheme for ELT organisations and an Accreditation Scheme for English Language teacher training providers. All recognised ELT providers are listed on the ACELS website.
- Marketing English in Ireland (MEI) is the leading member-based association of language schools in Ireland. The association offers a range of events aimed at familiarising agents with the Irish English-language sector.
Ireland’s Secondary Schools
Five Essential Points
- Irish secondary schools (also known as post-primary schools) offer a very high standard of education. The secondary school completion rate in Ireland is among the best in Europe, and more than half of school leavers go on to university.
- Irish secondary education is free to students from the EU – although some schools will charge an administration fee for EU – as well as all other – international students. Students from outside the EU, however, will receive a visa only if they study in fee-paying (i.e., private) Irish secondary schools (which will be covered later in this section). In Ireland, the visa system is very simple; secondary school-aged students require the regular long-term D visa.
- Once students – including international students – have passed Irish secondary school exams, they can use their exam outcomes to apply not only to Irish universities, but to universities in the UK as well. This pathway is very attractive to many international students.
- Students receive a broad-based education, taking 9 to 11 subjects in the Junior Cycle stage of the system and 6 to 8 subjects in the Senior Cycle stage. An exciting opportunity exists in the form of the first year of the Senior Cycle, which is called the Transition Year. The objective of the Transition Year is to promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils, and it combines life-skills programmes with a core academic curriculum.
- The Irish people are world-renowned for being friendly, and international students will find welcoming host families to live with when they come to study. Not only will they receive a welcoming and supportive environment in which to live and study, they – and their parents – will have the comfort of knowing every host family in Ireland must be vetted and approved through a police check.
Overview
Most Irish secondary schools fall under the guidance of the Department of Education and Skills but are operated by religious orders or private owners. They do not generally recruit international students directly and rely on local guardianship organisations to recruit for them and to provide non-school services such as accommodation. All international students in secondary schools must have a guardianship provider.
There are two types of secondary school in Ireland: the first is non-fee-paying (i.e., national or public) and the second is fee-paying (i.e., private). Both types offer an excellent quality of education. Only EU students are able to attend non-fee-paying secondary schools, while those outside that area will receive a visa that permits them to attend only fee-paying schools. Most international students in secondary schools in Ireland are from within the EU area, and there are relatively few international students: approximately 1,000.
The visa for international students studying at the secondary school level in Ireland is the long-term D visa.
Students begin secondary school at the age of 12 and enter the Junior Cycle (lower secondary). When they are roughly 15 years of age, they progress to the 2–3-year Senior Cycle. The length of the Senior Cycle depends on whether the students take what is called a Transition Year, which the Irish government says is “designed to act as a bridge between the Junior and Senior Cycles.” The government offers the following information about this year:
- It is available to all second-level schools and currently some 550 schools offer the programme.
- Transition Year may be optional or mandatory for students depending on the school’s policy.
- Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students.
The Transition Year, which adds one year to the Senior Cycle, is composed of four “layers:” (1) the academic curriculum (e.g., English and math instruction), (2) exposure to subjects of particular interest (e.g., engineering), (3) a self-development layer (e.g., taking a driver’s education course), and a layer in which students obtain work experience and training.
In the Junior Cycle, students take a core curriculum of English, mathematics, science, history/geography, and a modern European language, and up to 5 other optional subjects. Each school offers between 15 and 18 optional subjects – and each school will have its own list of options.
In the Senior Cycle, students take 6 or 7 subjects from a wide range, and all subjects are taught at two levels (e.g., Lower and Higher). Students must take least 6 subjects to be eligible for university entrance.
Each school will have its own policies regarding whether or not a student must take Irish as a compulsory subject. International students may be permitted to take another subject in place of Irish. Agents and students’ families should check with the school for the school’s policies on this matter.
You can find a list of post-primary schools, including schools in each county, right here: http://www.education.ie/en/find-a-school
The School Year
There are three terms (sessions) in the Irish primary/secondary school year:
- September to December;
- Early January to March/April (Easter);
- After Easter to first week of June.
Students applying to boarding schools should apply in early April for a September start date, and in early May for other secondary schools.
IMPORTANT: International secondary school-aged students can rarely study for just one term (this is an option only once schools have completed recruitment of full-year students) and this is seldom available in Irish boarding schools. |
At the beginning of the school year, the school will publish a list of dates on which it will be closed, including holidays. International students will be living either with host families (i.e., homestay) or at boarding schools and should talk to their families/boarding school administrators about provisions for these school closures.
Exams and Certificates
Secondary-school students sit for the Junior Certificate examination after three years, where they demonstrate their knowledge of the broad Junior Cycle curriculum. They enter the Senior Cycle stream at the age of 15, and take a Leaving Certificate examination two or three years later. Students who want to continue on to third-level (i.e., higher) education aim to get good marks in their best 6 subjects tested by this examination as it directly impacts their chances of admission at Irish or British universities and Institutes of Technology.
Individual universities and programmes will have their own criteria for how they assess the points (i.e., scores) students achieve on their Leaving Certificate examinations. If an international student has a specific university they want to attend after finishing secondary school in Ireland, they should check as early as possible at the university for its admission guidelines.
IMPORTANT: Graduates of Irish secondary schools are eligible for admission to British universities through UCAS, depending on their results on the Leaving Certificate Examination. |
Aside from these two major examinations, students are also assessed throughout the school year by teachers, who will send reports to parents to indicate students’ progress and areas of strengths and weaknesses.
Fee-paying and Non-fee-paying Secondary Schools
The Irish government funds both fee-paying (aka private) schools and non-fee-paying (aka national or state) schools, but private schools get less funding than non-fee-paying schools and therefore charge students fees to support the operation of the school. Both types of school offer a high quality of education.
Most EU students who attend Irish secondary schools enrol in non-fee-paying schools and live with host families. Non-fee-paying schools are not options for non-EU international students.
International students from anywhere – in Europe or outside of it – can apply to an Irish private school, and most of them – approximately 60% – choose a boarding school option. The rest choose day schools and live with host families (also known as homestay).
In general, there are considerable variations in the way secondary schools operate in Ireland. Differences can be found in such areas as exams, sports, the arts, religion, languages, and practical skills acquisition. It is crucial for agents and families to talk to school representatives to make sure a school’s orientation is right for an individual student. In addition, there can be waiting lists at some schools, so inquiring early is the best approach. For a list of post-primary schools, including schools in each county, please click here.
IMPORTANT: International students pay the same tuition as Irish nationals to attend secondary school in Ireland, although some schools charge an overseas “administration” fee for all international students. |
Fee-Paying Schools
The tuition and fees for these schools varies substantially and the total cost will depend on whether international students are staying with a host family or choosing a boarding school package. It can cost anywhere from €13,000 to €30,000 including tuition, fees, boarding/homestay, and guardianship for an international student to attend a fee-paying secondary school in Ireland. For an example of what some prestigious secondary schools in Ireland cost, please see this article in the Irish Mirror (but please note, quoted costs may have changed since this article was published).
Generally, a school’s location will influence how much it charges (e.g., schools in Dublin often charge more than those in other areas). But in general, compared to what it costs to attend private secondary schools in other major English-speaking destinations, it is relatively inexpensive for international students to attend private schools in Ireland.
Boarding School
Ireland’s 27 boarding schools, most of which are in or close to Dublin, cost between €12,000 and €17,000 depending on the type of accommodation they offer. Many offer residential accommodation on their own campuses, some use host families – who are chosen and overseen by the schools – for some portion of the week/month, and some rely entirely on host families.
Not all boarding school packages are the same. Some schools offer 7-day boarding, while others offer 5-day or 12-day boarding. At five-day boarding schools, students spend every weekend with a host family. At 12-day boarding schools, students spend every second weekend with a family. Some seven-day boarding schools may close one weekend in every month, in addition to mid-term breaks in the first and second terms when students live with host families.
With all this variation, it is important to check with individual boarding schools about the exact accommodation being offered and what is included in the fees.
Host Families and Guardianship Providers
Many international students stay with host families (also known as “homestay”) while they study in Ireland. These families have been vetted and approved by the Irish police department, which provides a welcome sense of safety and security for the families of international students, and are inspected by a guardianship provider (see below). In general, students will receive their own room, study facilities, meals, and emotional/social supports from the host family.
Living with host families offers students cultural immersion and the opportunity to perfect conversational English skills. Students are generally included in family activities, further enriching their immersive experiences.
Guardianship providers
What does a guardianship provider do? Guardianship providers are responsible for providing pastoral and academic care, ensuring the well-being and safety of students while studying in Ireland. Guardianship providers inspect and manage their host families and some have come together to create The Association of Guardianship Providers (AGPI), which is devoted to ensuring guardianship providers meet top standards in child protection and service – including host family placements – for international students. AGPI appoints an established charity focused on protecting children to regularly inspect guardianship companies to make sure they meet the following criteria, among other stringent legal, operating, and management criteria:
- Being legally based in Ireland;
- Having a 24/7 emergency phone service;
- Having undergone child protection training.
Ireland’s English-language Training Schools
Five Essential Points
- Over the past five years, Ireland has grown dramatically in popularity among international students looking for English-language teaching (ELT); enrolments have been growing by roughly 10% since 2014, and much of that growth is attributable to the rise in the number of Junior students. Irish ELT is very popular among Italian, Spanish, and French students and more than three-quarters of English-language students were from outside the EU. Outside of the EU, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea are significant sources of students. As of 2016, 119,000 international students were enrolled in Ireland’s English-language schools.
- Ireland will be the only English-speaking country in the EU after Brexit, and it has a rich English-language literature tradition. As such, it is a natural – and relatively affordable – choice for international students wanting to learn or improve their English-language proficiency.
- Students have many opportunities to practise English outside of the classroom, and the Irish are known worldwide for their friendliness, not to mention their open-mindedness and progressive attitudes. Ireland is a small, beautiful country with scenic landscape that is easy to explore.
- Non-EU international students can work part-time while they are studying in ELT progammes on the ILEP. Working while studying helps to make studying in Ireland affordable and allows students to immerse themselves in Irish society. The fact that Ireland serves as the headquarters for many of the world’s foremost multinational pharmaceutical and technology companies is a great attraction.
- Ireland is one of the safest and most pleasant places to learn English, with welcoming host families ready to provide international students with comfortable accommodation. Host families must go through a rigorous process to be approved to accept international students, which will be covered later in this module of the course.
Overview
Close to 90 English-language teaching organisations (ELTOS) are integrated into Ireland’s education system, with the Department of Education and Skills responsible for ensuring their quality and operations. Schools are located both in Dublin – for a big-city experience – and in smaller cities like Cork, Galway, and Limerick and in smaller towns throughout the country. Most schools are family-run and often accompanied by exciting recreational and sports opportunities.
Most (65) ELTOS are members of MEI (Marketing English in Ireland) and as such agree to rigorous inspections by Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services (ACELS), through the service of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). These organisations oversee the credentials and professionalism of the English-language teachers at the schools. Together they ensure due diligence and high standards of care for students’ well-being.
![](https://www.icef.com/academy//wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cork-1.jpg)
Please note: Changes to the accreditation and oversight structure are anticipated as part of the implementation of the Ireland’s new international education strategy. Agents will be advised as any such changes take place.
Schools outside the MEI umbrella will have their own quality assurance and student protection policies, and it is the responsibility of the agent to investigate these policies at each school under consideration.
While most English-language schools in Ireland are privately owned, many higher education institutions offer foundation English courses for students who wish to study a third-level programme but do not yet have the English-language proficiency for direct entry. These courses sometimes include modules that focus on the subject area students wish to study. Agents can inquire with individual third-level institutions to find out about which foundation programmes they offer.
Language schools in Ireland generally offer packages that include tuition, accommodation, and some extra-curricular activities (with supplementary activities also available but for a fee outside of the package).
The benefits of studying English in Ireland include:
- Programmes that provide direct pathways to higher education – in Ireland as well as the UK (for EU students);
- Learning in a country where English has a deep historical tradition and that has produced some of the most famous English writers in the world;
- The friendliness of the Irish people, which offers a wonderful opportunity to practise English outside the classroom;
- A variety of programme start dates and levels;
- The chance to meet students from around the world;
- Instructors specifically qualified to teach international students;
- Integrated cultural, social, and sporting activities that enrich the learning experience;
- Opportunities to combine studies with internships and/or to work while studying English;
- Welcoming homestay families.
Types of English-language Study
There are a variety of English-language programmes for international students to choose from – the ideal selection will depend on such factors as:
- How old the student is;
- Whether they want a city or rural experience;
- A programme’s duration (from a couple of weeks to several months);
- Which recreational, professional, or sports activities/focuses are attached to the programme.
Some typical programme types include:
- General English for adults;
- Business English for adults;
- English for Exams (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge Exams);
- English + activities (e.g., sports, music, literature);
- English for kids and teenagers (most programmes – known as Junior programmes – occur during the summer months);
- English for school groups (known as Stage programmes, held during school breaks for short periods of time);
- English for seniors (aged 50+);
- English for families (where adults come to Ireland with their children and both the adults and children learn English in separate programmes);
- English for internships (students over the age of 18 can do an internship in a chosen industry after completing an English-language programme).
An interactive map of Ireland’s English-language schools can be found on the ACELS (The Accreditation and Coordination of English Language Services) website.
Immigration Rules for Non-EU Students
Ireland’s Department of Immigration has introduced a list – the ILEP (Interim List of Eligible Programmes) – that includes only those schools that have been determined to meet Ireland’s student immigration policy. Non-EU students will only be able to receive a visa to attend an English-language school in Ireland if the school is on the ILEP.
A school cannot make it onto the ILEP unless it provides student protection measures for non-EU students – for example, policies that guarantee that if a programme is cancelled, the student will either receive a refund or be transferred to another school/programme to continue their studies. In addition, ILEP-listed programmes have a maximum class size of 15 students and must have demonstrated that all teachers are fully qualified to teach English to international students.
Here are additional criteria ILEP-listed schools must meet, according to the Irish government:
“Have public documented policies in place, systems in place for the following:
- Refund of student fees and other payments in the case of refused visas;
- Punctuality and attendance, including recording of attendance;
- Absenteeism and expulsion;
- Student sick leave;
- Holidays and breaks;
- End-of-course exam entry and recording of grades/scores received. Students must be registered for exams.
The immigration permission to attend a 25-week English-language course is for 8 months. New students attending language courses may be granted permission for a maximum of 3 language courses. This amounts to a total immigration permission of 2 years (3 x 8 months).
Students can arrange their own timetable with the school. This must be scheduled at the beginning of the course so the timetable can be sent to immigration officials, and cannot be changed once it has been presented to the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) at the point of registration.
The visa required for each term of study is the immigration Stamp 2.
Education in Ireland explains the following immigration rules for non-EU students coming to study English in Ireland:
- The maximum time a student may stay in Ireland for the purpose of attending courses at language/non-degree level is limited to 2 years;
- The conditions below must be complied with:
- Students must have a Letter of Acceptance from the college, confirming they have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time day-time education involving a minimum of 15 hours organised daytime tuition each week between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm.
- They must have proof that fees have been paid to the college. Where their fees are below €6,000, the full amount of the fees must be paid in advance.
- They must have access to €3,000 at first registration. This is in addition to their course fees.
- They must comply with Medical Insurance requirements.
Once students are enrolled, immigration service (INIS) requires students to achieve 85% attendance if they wish to renew their immigration permission.
Students must NEVER pay for courses in cash, and if a school requests this, they should be reported to the INIS.
Schools must notify prospective students about all fees that will be associated with a course before the students enrol, and students should not be asked to pay additional fees that were not set out before the start of the course.
Accomodation and Work
Most English-language students stay with host families in Ireland, especially if they are teenagers. All families hosting English-language students are vetted by the Irish police, a service arranged by the Marketing English in Ireland office. In addition – and as an example of Ireland’s general high prioritisation of child welfare – TUSLA – a statutory body under the Irish Government Department of Children & Youth Affairs – works at safeguarding and police vetting for anyone who has organised contact with children – international students as well as Irish students – under the age of 18 years. It is empowered to visit organisations and inspect their vetting procedures and practices.
Adults tend to choose either to stay with a host family or in short-term apartment rentals. Many schools offer both school residential accommodation or house-share options for their students.
If a student wishes to organise their own independent accommodation, this is also possible. Education in Ireland recommends that students wanting to rent an apartment search on websites such as daft.ie or MyHome.ie for rental properties.
EU students are permitted the same work concessions (known as work rights in other countries) in Ireland as they are in their own countries. Non-EU students holding a valid immigration Stamp 2 may work for 20 hours a week during the course of the normal school year, and 40 hours per week in:
- The summer months of June, July, August, and September;
- From 15 December to 15 January inclusive.
Once the Stamp 2 immigration permission has expired, students cannot work in Ireland.
Summer Camps
Junior Programmes
Ireland is one of the world’s top destinations for Junior Programmes for children and teenagers under the age of 17 – and summer camps are extremely popular, especially for families across the EU. These short-term camps – running for periods from one week to four weeks – are plentiful, offered through stand-alone businesses and universities and schools alike. Many well-established language schools utilise university and college campuses which are unoccupied in the summer months, giving juniors and young adults a glimpse of campus and college life.
Some summer camps offer a mix of English-language training and cultural/recreational activities, and others are purely activity-focused. Some integrate international students with Irish children, and some are designed specifically for international students. All are carefully planned to take into account the different needs of children/teens at different ages.
Activities that have been offered/are offered at Junior summer camps around Ireland include:
- Filmmaking
- Cooking
- Sports
- Stem
- Music/Acting
- Archaeology
Because of the young age of students, accommodation is usually provided in one of two ways: (1) through residential accommodations attached to the school/programme itself or (2) with a host family (as detailed in other sections, homestays are vetted by the police to make sure they meet safety and welfare standards).
The costs of camp vary, and are dependent upon a range of factors including duration, accommodation, and activities/excursions provided.
Airport transfers are usually part of the package, as are meals. Agents should be rigorous in their questions and understanding of what is provided and taught when it comes to Junior summer camps, given the young age of the children who will be attending. This is especially important when it comes to camps for children under the age of 12, as Ireland’s regulatory framework (QQI) covers children only from the ages of 12 and up.
Families can feel confident knowing that it is a statutory/legal requirement in Ireland that everybody in contact with students under the age of 18 must undergo Garda (police) vetting. All host family members over the age of 16, academic staff, admin staff, activities staff, bus drivers, etc. must be vetted by the ELT organisation hosting the students. MEI arranges police and the school providers and processes the vetting applications which are then forwarded to the police.
Adult Summer Camps
Summer camps are no longer just for kids! Adult summer camps are increasingly popular in Ireland. Again, these can be English + an activity or oriented exclusively around English or an activity.
Some examples of summer camps for adults include:
- Painting
- Photography
- Creative Writing
- Cooking
- Music
- Golf
Adult summer camps can be delivered through universities and schools or through a stand-alone business. Agents must again be rigorous in their questions and research (e.g., about accommodations, travel, meals, extra feeds, etc.) given that summer camps are not standardised – they come in a range of shapes, sizes, and quality.
For a list of summer camps being offered right now, please use CourseFinders.com and search “Ireland Summer Camp.”
Resources
Agents may also want to register for www.irelandscontentpool.com to receive free access to high-quality video and photo content promoting Ireland.
- Network of English language schools: www.mei.ie
- ACELS, the accreditation body for the English-language training sector: http://acels.ie/
- The Irish tourism site: http://www.ireland.com
- Network of ELT teachers: http://www.elt-ireland.com/
- Irish Council for International Students (the body dedicated to looking after the needs of international students): http://www.icosirl.ie/
Ireland’s Institutes of Technology
Five Essential Points
- Irish Institutes of Technology (IoTs) – whose representative body is THEA – emphasise innovation and skills acquisition for the fast-changing global economy. They operate in close cooperation with the many multinational companies based in Ireland. Industry leaders are involved in the design of courses, facilitate work placements and research for students, and they also recruit graduates from Irish IoTs. Students learn in applied research environments and work on projects stemming directly from industry opportunities and challenges. They gain the ability to work with cutting-edge technologies, and emerge with work-ready skills.
- IoTs offer awards from Level 6 (advanced certificate and higher certificate) all the way to Level 10 (doctoral degree and higher doctorate), with undergraduate and master’s degrees the most popular among international students. Their awards – at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels – are aligned with the Bologna Framework. The Bologna Framework has made European higher education systems more compatible than ever before, and this means that graduates from Irish IoTs can use their qualifications to apply for a job or a course in other European countries.
- Some IoTs are now amalgamating to form a new type of higher education institution known as a Technological University. The first of these – Technological Institute Dublin (TU Dublin) – has already been established. The mission and focus of Technological Universities is aligned with those of Ireland’s IoTs (i.e., to provide students with a practice-based environment informed by the latest research and enabled by technological advances). Their emphasis is on programmes at levels 6 (advanced certificate) to 8 (honours bachelors).
- IoTs offer excellent student-to-professor ratios as well as strong supports for international students. The focus is on the individual student and optimising their experience of higher education. Class sizes are relatively small, producing a close-knit and comfortable environment for international students travelling far from their homes.
The tuition charged by IoTs is lower than the tuition charged by universities, ranging from €10,000–€12,000 for an academic year.
Overview
Ireland’s Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are a major success story in Irish higher education. Today nearly half of Irish secondary school students going on to third-level education in Ireland choose to study at an IoT. These institutes currently cater to 88,000 higher-level students. Like Irish universities, IoTs are sometimes referred to as “colleges.” This term does not mean “vocational” but rather is used generally to refer to higher education institutions in Ireland.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in these institutes’ global engagement – a direction that is fully supported by the Irish government. Many foreign students – studying at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and from both the EU and from outside of the region – are on IoT campuses today and international research collaborations are a priority.
Technological Universities
Recently, a new kind of institution has been introduced to the Irish higher education system: Technological Universities. THEA notes that:
“A Technological University will be distinguished by a mission and ethos that is aligned and consistent with the current mission and focus of institutes of technology with an emphasis on programmes at levels 6 to 8 … The Technological Universities will add to the existing diversity evident within an already strong technological sector. It is expected that ten of the 14 IoTs will choose this pathway in the coming years, working together to form Technological Universities in Dublin, the Southeast, the Southwest and the West.”
In early 2019, the first Technological University was established: Technological University Dublin. The university was formed by the amalgamation of three existing institutes of technology in the Dublin area – Dublin Institute of Technology; Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown; and Institute of Technology, Tallaght. This first Technological University is the second-largest third-level institution in Ireland according to student population. For more on the mission of Technological Universities, please see this link: http://www.thea.ie/events/ireland-s-first-technological-university-given-go-ahead/
Credentials and focuses of IoTs
The credentials awarded by the Institutes of Technology fall within the National Framework of Qualifications and run from advanced certificates to doctorates. Many programmes are STEM-based (i.e., oriented around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math subjects), but there are also programmes in the humanities and business. All IoT programmes develop self-management, critical analysis, decision-making, and entrepreneurship skills among students. They are centres of innovation and applied research tied to the knowledge-based Irish and global economy.
Close industry collaboration
Nimble, dynamic institutes that create and adapt curricula based on the needs of the fast-changing global economy, Ireland’s IoTs are well-placed to understand which skills and fields are increasingly in demand thanks to the presence of roughly one thousand multinational companies based in Ireland. Many of those companies work closely with IoTs. Their leaders are involved in course design, serve on institutes’ boards of governors, facilitate work placements, and recruit from IoTs. These partnerships are a cornerstone of the Irish government’s commitment to boosting Ireland’s already impressive commitment to innovation in the economy.
On all IoT campuses are Incubation Centres run in cooperation with Enterprise Ireland, the largest start-up programme in Ireland (a “start-up” is a new company or company in development responding to an emerging problem or opportunity). Within every Incubation Centre are business supports and research and development expertise for students wanting to start their own companies, products, or projects. These centres are further evidence of the strong industry linkages that help to define IoTs.
Opportunities to work
International students from IoTs who graduate with honours bachelor’s degrees or higher diplomas (Level 8) can also make use of the Third Level Graduate Scheme that allows students to “stay back” (that is, remain in Ireland) for 12 months once they have graduated to seek employment. Those with masters or postgraduate degrees are eligible to remain for up to 24 months. After securing employment, students may then be eligible to apply for a Green Card.
Pursuing a Course of Study at an IoT
Access to education for all kinds of students is a founding philosophy of the institutes, and admissions officers at IoTs will look not only at students’ past educational achievements but also at their work experience as they evaluate applications. For full admission guidelines, agents and students should contact individual Institutes of Technology.
There is a range of study options for international students at IoTs that align with Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications (see SECTION B for more on this framework):
- Higher Certificate (Level 6)
- Bachelor’s Degree (Level 7)
- Honours Bachelor’s Degree (Level 8)
- Higher Diploma (Level 8)
- Master’s degree (Level 9)
- Postgraduate diploma (Level 9)
- Doctoral Degree and Higher Doctorate (Level 10)
As students progress in their programmes, they begin to work on applied research (i.e., practical and oriented to a specific problem) projects. This is just one way IoTs function to graduate people with work-ready expertise.
In their third year of studying, students often secure work placements (i.e., internships) in the industry aligned with their studies, and frequently they use their fourth and final year to work on a project stemming from the work placement. This valuable experience is open to all students, domestic and international alike, and there are many internships available in a wide range of fields.
Overview of Individual IoTs
There are 11 IoTs in Ireland and one new Technological University (TU Dublin). Most offer programmes at the higher certificate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels, and some offer programmes at the doctoral level. Each of the IoTs have individual requirements regarding minimum English-language proficiency scores for admission into programmes; please check with each institution for these scores.
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
Location: Dublin, with Grangegorman, Blanchardstown, and Tallaght campuses.
Fun fact: TU Dublin is Ireland’s first Technological University, and it was formed out of the amalgamation of three IoTs in the Dublin area (Dublin Institute of Technology; Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown; and Institute of Technology, Tallaght). Enrolling nearly 30,000 students, TU Dublin is the second-largest higher education institution in Ireland, with a large international student population.
Research centres: TU Dublin’s centres of research excellence include Arts & Tourism, Business, Engineering & Built Environment and Sciences & Health.
Information specific to international students: https://www.tudublin.ie/study/international-students
For more information: https://www.tudublin.ie
Institute of Technology, Carlow (ITC)
Location: Carlow (one hour south of Dublin).
Fun fact: Multimillion-dollar investments have led to the introduction of two new state-of-the-art Teaching and Research buildings over the past three years; several more exciting projects are rolling out soon.
Programmes include: Science and Computing, Engineering, and Business and Humanities. For a full listing please visit http://www.itcarlow.ie/courses.htm.
Information specific to international students: http://international.cit.ie/
For more information: www.itcarlow.ie
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
Location: Cork, Ireland’s second largest city,
Fun fact: CIT has a strong reputation for its Science and Engineering disciplines in which two-thirds of its students are enrolled; the institute also has three main strategic research clusters: Biopharmchem, Network Embedded Systems, and Photonics.
Programmes include: Engineering, Science, Business and Humanities, National Maritime College of Ireland, CIT Crawford College of Art & Design (including media communications), CIT Cork School of Music (including dance and drama). For a full listing please visit http://www.cit.ie/study_at_CIT.
Information specific to international students: http://international.cit.ie/
For more information: www.cit.ie
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT)
Location: Dundalk, halfway between Dublin and Belfast.
Fun fact: Dundalk has a rich history complete with myths and legends and is situated in a beautiful, natural area while still having modern new campus facilities and on-campus accommodation.
Research centres: Ageing and Health, Entrepreneurship Research, Informatics and Creative Media, Sustainable Energy and Environment.
Programmes include: Finance, Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Art & Design, Music, Computing. For a full listing please visit https://www.dkit.ie/home-page/study-dkit/courses-dkit.
For more information: www.dkit.ie
Dunlaoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology (IADT)
Location: Dunlaoghaire, a major town in south Dublin.
Fun fact: IADT hosts a National Film School which is a centre of excellence for film, animation, broadcasting, and digital media.
Programmes include: Broadcast Production for Radio and Television; Cultural Event Management; Cyberpsychology; Digital Media; Public Culture Studies; Screenwriting; and Visual Arts; Entrepreneurship, Production, and Technology in the Arts. For a full listing please visit http://www.iadt.ie/courses
Information specific to international students: http://www.iadt.ie/study/international-students
For more information: www.iadt.ie
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)
Location: GMIT is a multi-campus institute located in the West of Ireland with campuses in Galway, Mayo, Letterfrack & Mountbellew.
Fun fact: Galway has been named European Capital of Culture 2020 and is home to some of Ireland’s most popular festivals including the annual Galway International Arts Festival, the Galway Food Festival, and Galway Race Week.
Research centres: Marine and Freshwater Studies, Biomedical Engineering, ICT and Telecommunications.
Programmes include: Software Development, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Medical Science, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science, Forensic Science, Public Health Nutrition, Hotel Management, International Tourism Management, Business, Accounting, Business Information Systems, Finance & Economics, Design, Contemporary Art, Film & Documentary. For a full listing please visit http://www.gmit.ie/courses/all-courses.
Information specific to international students: http://www.gmit.ie/international/studying-gmit
For more information: www.gmit.ie
Letterkenney Institute of Technology (LYIT)
Location: Co Donegal (in Ireland’s North West), with one location in Letterkenny and another in Killybegs.
Fun fact: There are over 30 clubs and societies international students can join – and a new wind energy centre has recently been opened on the Killybegs campus.
Research centres: Biotechnology, Wireless censors, and Electronics, Production, and Innovation Technology.
Programmes include: Business, Administrative Management, Sport Development and Coaching Law, Graphic Design, Product Design, Digital Media, Tourism, Culinary Arts, Architectural Technology, Electronic/Computer/Civil Engineering, Computer Games Development, Computer Security and Digital Forsenics, Early Childcare, Veterinary Nursing. For a full listing please visit: http://www.lyit.ie/full-timecourses/.
Information specific to international students: http://www.lyit.ie/admissions/internationalapplicants/
For more information: www.lyit.ie
Atlantic Technological University Sligo (ATU Sligo)
Location: Sligo Town in the North West of Ireland.
Fun fact: As of April 2022, the former Institute of Technology Sligo was formally dissolved and became part of the Atlantic Technological University.
Programmes include: Environmental Health and Sustainability, Analytical and Bioanalytical Science, Archaeological Science, Geotechnical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computing and IT, and Humanities and the Social Sciences. For a full listing please visit https://www.itsligo.ie/
Information specific to international students: https://www.itsligo.ie/study-at-it-sligo/international-students/contact-the-international-office/
For more information: www.itsligo.ie
Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT)
Location: County Kerry in the South-West of Ireland.
Fun fact: The campus offers state-of-the-art technology and resources, world-class sporting facilities and easy access to some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes
Research centres: Hospitality & Tourism, Biotechnology, Mechatronics, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Physical Education and Recreation
Programmes include: Creative Media and Information Technology, Business, Humanities and Social Science, Hotel Culinary and Tourism, Agricultural and Manufacturing Engineering, Civil Engineering and Construction Studies, Renewable Energy, Computing and Mathematics, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science, Health Studies, Nursing and Health Care Studies. For a full listing please visit http://www.ittralee.ie/en/#.
Information specific to international students: http://www.ittralee.ie/en/InformationFor/International/
For more information: www.ittralee.ie
Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS)
Fun fact: As of 1 October 2021, Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) were merged to form the newly designated TUS: Midlands Midwest.
Programmes include: a wide range of undergraduate and post-graduate options: https://lit.ie
Information specific to international students: https://lit.ie/international-study
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)
Location: Waterford, in the South-East of Ireland.
Fun fact: WIT has over 60 campus clubs and societies and a state-of-the-art dedicated Sports Campus.
Research centres: WIT has over 30 Research Centres across a diverse range of discipline areas.
Programmes include: Entrepreneurship, Healthcare Management, Marketing, Tourism, Finance and International Business, Change Management, Applied Arts, Languages, Engineering, Computing and Physics, Science, Nursing, Education, Information Technology, Field and Laboratory Sciences, Business, Art, Design, Music, Health Promotion, Hospitality, Tourism, Arts, Psychology, Nursing, Culinary Arts, Architecture, Agriculture, Social Care, Law, Languages. For a full list please visit https://www.wit.ie/courses
For information specific to international students: https://www.wit.ie/international
For more information: www.wit.ie