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Spending an academic year or semester in Ireland is a unique experience full of opportunities. Ireland is famous for its hospitality: its inhabitants are among the friendliest people in Europe. This fascinating country, known for its breathtaking landscapes, welcoming culture and thousand-year history, offers an ideal environment to grow personally and academically. Imagine living surrounded by verdant hills, spectacular cliffs like the Cliffs of Moher, and wild beaches where the wind tells ancient stories. Irish nature is a constant invitation to explore and relax. Walks in the woods, hikes in national parks and trips to small picturesque villages are an integral part of everyday life. Living here gives you the chance to discover Celtic legends, medieval castles and an ancient language like Gaelic, which still pulsates in Irish culture today.
Irish high school structure
The high school cycle in Ireland generally lasts five or six years and is divided into three main phases:
• Junior Cycle (3 years): covers the period from 12 to 15 years. At the end of this cycle, students argue
the Junior Certificate exam.
• Transition Year (TY) (1 year, optional in many schools): it is a year dedicated to self-discovery and development
of practical skills and the consolidation of personal interests. It does not have an academic program
rigid, but includes work internships, creative projects and extracurricular activities.
• Senior Cycle (2 years): these are the classes in which international students are placed, it focuses on
Leaving Certificate, the final exam needed to access university. Students can choose between
various routes, including:
- Traditional Leaving Certificate (the most common),
- Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) (oriented towards the world of work),
- Leaving Certificate Vocational Program (LCVP) (a mix of academic and practical studies).
A PERSONALIZED PATH TO GROW IN SAFETY
At Senior Cycle, students can take up to 7 subjects.
3 compulsory: English, mathematics and Irish (not for international students) and 4 optional as:
• Foreign languages (French, Spanish, German),
• Sciences (physics, chemistry, biology),
• Economy,
• Arts (music, art),
• Technology.
The subjects have different levels (Ordinary Level and Higher Level), which influence the Leaving Certificate score.
A PERSONALIZED PATH TO GROW IN SAFETY
The Irish school year begins in September and ends in May or June, with a calendar divided into three terms:
• Autumn: from September to December (follows the Christmas break).
• Spring: from January to Easter.
• Summer: from April/early May until the June exams.
Holidays include Christmas, Easter and short half-term breaks.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Ratings in the Irish system are based on:
• Annual exams and ongoing tests.
• Final exam (Leaving Certificate), which assigns a score based on performance and determines access
university through a points system called CAO points.
DUAL DIPLOMA
Irish school life is very active: students are involved in clubs, sports (rugby, Gaelic football, hurling), drama and music. Schools promote cultural events and social projects.
The environment is generally inclusive and aims to develop both academic skills and interpersonal skills.
UNIVERSITY ORIENTATION
Ireland stands out for its inclusive approach: it supports students with special educational needs (through additional resources and specialized teachers). Particular attention is given to counseling and orientation services. Schools often offer programs dedicated to foreign students to learn English and integrate with other students