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INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
University
College
Institute of Technology
School
School leaving and higher education credentials:
Leaving Certificate (Ardteistmeireacht)
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
National Certificate
National Diploma
Diploma
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree (Honours)
Graduate Diploma
Master's Degree
Master's Degree (Honours)
Doctor's Degree
STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 4
Age of exit: 16
Structure of school system:
Primary
Type of school providing this education:
Primary
School
Length of program in years: 8
Age level from: 4 to: 12
Junior Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
Junior
Secondary School
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: Junior Certificate (Teastas
Sóisearach)
Senior Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
Senior
Secondary School
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Vocational
Programme (LCVP)
Senior Secondary
Type of school providing this education:
Senior
Secondary School
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 15 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate
(Ardteistiméireacht)
Vocational
Type of school providing this education:
Vocational
Secondary School
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 16 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving
Certificate Applied
School education:
Primary education lasts for eight years. Secondary
school lasts for five to six years. It is divided into a three- to four-year
junior secondary cycle, followed by a two-year senior secondary school cycle
leading to the award of the Leaving Certificate. Vocational secondary schools
offer two-year courses leading to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
and the Leaving Certificate Applied.
Higher education:
Higher education in Ireland is offered by universities
and institutes of specialized higher education. Universities are financed for
the most part by the State in the form of annual grants-in-aid and
non-recurrent grants for capital expenditure, in a proportion of the order of
90%, as well as by student fees, endowments, and private donations. Each
college has its own governing body and exercises full control over its
finances. Colleges are composed of faculties and departments.
Main laws/decrees governing higher
education:
Decree: Qualifications Act Year: 1999
Concerns: University
Decree: Universities Act Year: 1997
Concerns: Universities
Academic year:
Classes from: Oct to: Jun
Languages of instruction: English,
Irish
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
Higher technical and vocational education is offered
by Institutes of Technology (formerly Regional Technical Colleges) and
specialized colleges. They offer two-year Certificate, three-year Diploma and
four-year Degree programmes in the applied fields of Engineering, Science and
Business Studies, as well as some postgraduate courses.
University level studies:
University level first stage: Bachelor's
Degree:
The
main stage of higher education leads to a Bachelor's Degree, which may, in
certain cases, also be a professional qualification (Professional Degree). The
length of study generally varies between three and four years. The Bachelor's
Degree may be awarded as a General Degree, an Honours Degree and a BA (Special)
Degree. In Veterinary Medicine, Architecture and Dentistry studies last for
five years. Medicine takes six years.
University level second stage: Master's
Degree:
The
second stage of higher education consists of more advanced (graduate) studies
and leads to the Master's Degree. These studies last for a minimum of one year
after the award of the Bachelor's Degree. Candidates who attend a course of
study and/or present a thesis based on research are awarded a Master's Degree.
University level third stage: Doctorate:
A
further two years' study after the Master's Degree are normally required for
the PhD Degree.
University level fourth stage: Higher
Doctorate:
A Higher Doctorate may be awarded, after a minimum of
five years (usually longer), following the award of the first Doctorate, for
original work already published.
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and
primary/basic school teachers
Primary
school teachers are trained at five colleges of education where they follow a
three-year course leading to the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). Each college of
education works in partnership with a university which awards the degree.
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers take a one-year university
course culminating in the Higher Diploma in Education. Training for teachers of
specialized subjects is available at the University of Limerick where
candidates follow a four-year degree programme. Teachers of Home Economics take
a four-year Bachelor of Education (Home Economics) and art teachers take a
degree or diploma course at a recognized college followed by a one-year
Post-Diploma/Degree course.
Non-traditional studies:
Distance higher education
Oscail
-The National Distance Education Centre - is located on the campus of Dublin
City University and offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and
continuing professional education programmes.
Lifelong higher education
Short and sandwich courses are provided in the
Institutes of Technology and the colleges of technology for people at the
"apprentice" stage in certain careers (for instance, medical
laboratory technicians and trainees in technological employment).
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Department of Education and Science (An Roinn
Oideachais & Eolaíochta)
Head: Mary Hanafin, Minister
Administrative officer: John Dennehy, Secretary-General
International relations: , International Relations Officer
Tyrone House, Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 873 4700/ 889 6400
Fax: +353(1) 872 9553
EMail: keith_mcmullen@education.gov.ie
WWW: http://www.irlgov.ie/educ
Higher Education Authority (HEA) (An tÚdarás Um
Ard-Oideachas)
Head: Don Thornhill, Chairman
Administrative officer: John L. Hayden, Secretary/Chief Executive
Marine House, Third Floor, Clanwilliam
Court
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 661-2748
Fax: +353(1) 661-0492
EMail: info@hea.ie
WWW: http://www.hea.ie
Role of governing body: Responsible
for the founding of universities and tertiary level institutions and their
development to meet the needs of the community.
Conference of Heads of Irish Universities (CHIU)
Head: Michael McGrath, Director
Administrative officer: W. J. Smyth, Chairman
10 Lower Mount Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 676-4948
Fax: +353(1) 662-2815
EMail: chiu-info@chiu.ie
WWW: http://www.chiu.ie
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council
(Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Ardoideachais agus Oiliúna)
Head: Séamus Puirséil, Chief Executive
Administrative officer: Liam Ryan, Director Academic Affairs
International relations: Tadhg Ó hÉalaithe, Director Corporate Affairs
26/27 Denzille Lane
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 631-4567
Fax: +353(1) 631-4577
EMail: info@hetac.ie
WWW: http://www.hetac.ie
Role of governing body: HETAC is the
qualifications awarding body for third-level education and training
institutions outside the university sector.
ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission to non university higher
education studies
Name of secondary school credential
required: Leaving Certificate (Ardteistmeireacht)
Minimum score/requirement: Grade C3 in
2 Higher (or Common) Level papers, together with Grade D3 in 4 other subjects of the Leaving
Certificate. Examinations include a language and often Mathematics.
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential
required: Leaving Certificate (Ardteistmeireacht)
For entry to: All higher
education institutions.
Numerus clausus/restrictions: Places are
allocated in order of merit depending on the Leaving Certificate grades, on the
basis of points score.
Other admission requirements: Applicants
for postgraduate courses must make direct applications to the college of their
choice.
Foreign students admission
Admission requirements: Foreign
students must have, as a minimum, qualifications equivalent to GCE with at
least 2 subjects at Advanced level with high grades (at least Grade C) plus 4
other subjects at Ordinary level.
Entry regulations: Entry and
residence regulations in Ireland vary according to the person's country of
origin. Students who are nationals of another EU Member State and who enter the
Republic from any place (other than the UK) must present themselves to the
Immigration Officer at the port or airport of entry with the following
documents: valid passport; evidence of acceptance as a student at a college or
higher education institution; evidence of the ability to meet their needs for
the period of study.
Health requirements: Health visa
required
Application procedures:
Apply to national body for entry to: Undergraduate
degree or Diploma courses at all university colleges and colleges.
Apply to:
Central Applications Office
Tower House, Eglinton Street
Galway
Ireland
EMail: help@cao.ie
WWW: http://www.cao.ie
Application closing dates:
For university level studies: 1 Feb
For advanced/doctoral studies: 1 Feb
Recognition of studies &
qualifications:
Studies pursued in home country (System
of recognition/accreditation): The Higher Education and Training Awards
Council validates courses in
non-university higher education institutions and grants and confers awards on
those who successfully take approved courses.
Studies pursued in foreign countries
(bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
NARIC, National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
(Údarás Náisiúnta Cáilíochtaí na hÉireann)
Head: Richard Langford, Chairperson
5th Floor
Jervis House
Jervis Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 887 1500
Fax: +353(1) 887 1595
EMail: info@nqai.ie
WWW: http://www.nqai.ie/
Services provided & students dealt
with: The Centre has three principal objects: the establishment and
maintenance of a framework of qualifications for the development, recognition
and award of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skill or
competence to be acquired by learners; the establishment and promotion of the
maintenance and improvement of the standards of awards of the further and
higher education and training sector, other than in the existing universities;
the promotion and facilitation of access, transfer and progression throughout
the span of education and training provision.
Other information sources on recognition
of foreign studies: A guide for overseas students by the Irish Council for
Overseas StudentsHETAC Directory of approved courses in higher education by
HETAC, Dublin
References to further information on
foreign student admissions and recognition of studies
Title: A Guide for Overseas Students
Author: Irish Council for Overseas Students
Title: NCEA Directory of Approved
Courses in Higher Education
Author: NCEA, Dublin
STUDENT LIFE
Main student services at national level
Department of Education and Science
Marlborough St.
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 873-4700
Fax: +353(1) 872-9553
WWW: http://www.irlgov.ie/educ
Category of services provided: Special
services/Centre for foreign students
Irish Council for Overseas Students
41 Morehampton Road
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 660-5233
Fax: +353(1) 668-2320
EMail: office@icosirl.ie
WWW: http://www.icosirl.ie
Category of services provided: Academic and
career counselling services; Special services/Centre for foreign students
National student associations and unions
Union of Students in Ireland
Ceann Aras na Mac Leinn
Grattaen Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353(1)435-3400
WWW: http://www.usi.ie
Union of Students in Ireland Travel (USIT)
19-21 Aston Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 602-1600
WWW: http://www.usit.ie
Health/social provisions
Social security for home students: Yes
Cost/fee (per year): 0 (Euro)
Foreign student social security provisions:
A
student from an EC country who is
covered by social insurance in his home country may have full eligibility under
the Irish General Medical Services. Free hospital care is available to all
students within the provision laid down by the Irish Department of Health.
Special student travel fares:
By road: Yes
By rail: Yes
By air: Yes
Available to foreign students: Yes
Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Average living costs: 7480 (Euro)
Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Euro)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 7600 (Euro)
Maximum: 17900 (Euro)
Bodies providing information on student
financial aid:
Department of Education and Science
Student Support Unit
Tuallamore, Co. Offaly
Ireland
Tel: +353(56) 21363
Deals with: Grants
Category of students: Students
from other EU countries.
Irish Council for Overseas Students
41 Morehampton Road
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 660-5233
Fax: +353(1) 668-2320
EMail: office@icosirl.ie
WWW: http://www.icosirl.ie
Category of students: Students
from Africa and Asia mostly.
National Agency (SOCRATES/ERASMUS), Higher Education
Authority
Third Floor, Marine House, Clanwilliam Court
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 661-2748
Deals with: Grants
Category of students: Nationals
students.
Publications on student services and
financial aid:
Title: Study Abroad 2004-2005, 32nd
Edition
Author: UNESCO
Publisher: UNESCO
Publishing
Year of publication: 2003
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION &
EXCHANGES
Principal national bodies responsible
for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:
International Section, Department of Education and
Science
Head: Noel Dempsey, Minister
Administrative officer: John Dennehy, Secretary-General
International relations: , International Relations Officer
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 873-4700
Fax: +353(1) 679-1315
EMail: keith_mcmullen@education.gov.ie
WWW: http://www.irlgov.ie/educ
Irish Council for Overseas Students
41, Morehampton Rd.
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: +353(1) 610-5233
GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: A1-A2:
85-100%; B1 to B3: 70-84%; C1 to C3: 55-69%; D1 to D3: 40-54%; E: 25-39;
F:10-24; No grade: 0-9%.
Highest on scale: A
Lowest on scale: F
Main grading system used by higher
education institutions
Full Description: A:
excellent/outstanding; B: above average; C: average; D: below average; E:
failing.
Highest on scale: A
Pass/fail level: D/E
Lowest on scale: F
NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Data for academic year: 2004-2005
Source: National Qualifications
Authority of Ireland, 2004
Note on Higher Education Institutions: Also The Military College (URL: http://www.military.ie) and The Garda College (URL: http://www.garda.ie)
