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IRELAND:

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Ireland has a long and honourable tradition in education. As a result of a sustained investment in this area Ireland now has one of the highest educational participation rates in the world - 81% of Irish students complete second-level and approx 50% go on to higher education. This dynamic, educated population has made its mark at home and abroad with international companies looking to Ireland again and again when hiring graduates for top class positions.

Responsibility for education lies within the Department of Education and Science. It administers all aspects of education policy including curricula, syllabi and national examinations. Attendance at full time education is compulsory in Ireland from six to fifteen years of age and is free in the majority of schools, and at undergraduate third-level. Education is considered a fundamental right under Irish constitution.

The Irish Education System was traditionally divided into three basis levels: Primary (8 years), Secondary (5 or 6 years) and Third level which offers a wide range of opportunities from post-secondary courses, to vocational and technical training, to full degree and the highest post-graduate levels. In recent years the focus has expanded to include pre-school education and adult and further education as the concept of lifelong learning becomes reflected in the education opportunities available within the Irish education system.

Third Level Institutions
The third level education system in Ireland is broad in scope and encompasses the university sector, the technological sector, the colleges of education and private, independent colleges. The institutions which fall within the first three groupings are autonomous and self governing, but substantially state funded.

The number participating in higher education in Ireland has increased significantly in recent decades with over 55 percent of students who complete second level now going on to higher education - one of the highest participation rates in the world. Entry to third level education for Irish students is competitive and based upon performance in the final secondary school examination, the Leaving Certificate. Entry requirements for overseas students are determined individually by each institution and are generally based on national examination performance and English language aptitude.

A number of institutions are authorised to confer their own awards. These institutions include the Universities, the Dublin Institute of Technology and a growing number of the Institutes of Technology. The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) is authorised to make awards in the non-university sector. HETAC makes awards and sets and monitors standards at all levels of higher education and training up to doctorate level. Therefore, a number of institutes of technology and private, independent colleges provide programmes whose awards are made by HETAC.

All recognised Irish awards will be included in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFE). The Framework was recently established to assist the national objective of moving towards a "lifelong learning society" by ensuring the existence of a single coherent, easily understood award system for all levels of education and training available in Ireland Today. The Framework is maintained by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). The quality and standard of all Irish educational awards made by authorised institutions and HETAC are fully recognised globally.

The following academic awards can be achieved at Irish third level institutions:

• Higher Certificate: Two year full-time course
• Ordinary Bachelors Degree: Three year full time course
• Honours Bachelors Degree: Normally a three or four year course
• Graduate Diploma: Designed for graduates seeking a vocational reorientation - usually a one year course
• Masters degree: Either by research or through a taught programme. Normally one-two year(s) duration
• Doctorate (PhD): Usually takes a minimum of three years of original research

The academic year typically runs from September to June and is divided into either two or three semesters with holidays in December (Christmas) and April (Easter).

Most universities run a semesterised system and modularisation has been introduced in the majority of colleges to allow greater flexibility for students. Teaching at undergraduate level generally involves a programme of lectures supplemented by tutorials, practical demonstrations and laboratory work (where relevant).
 

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