The Irish education system is divided into four levels and administered by the department of education and skills. The levels are: primary, secondary, third level and further education.
• Primary Education: comprises of state-funded schools, special schools and private schools. The schools funded by the state include religious schools, non-denominational schools, multi-denominational schools and Gaelscoileanna. Children start school at the age of five. The primary school curriculum covers: Languages, Mathematics, Social, environmental and scientific education, Arts education, Physical education, Social, personal and health education. It also provides an additional English language support for migrants. For further information see the websites: www.education.ie, http://www.citizensinformation.ie
• Secondary Education: consists of secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools. The secondary education runs within two cycles, i.e. a three year junior cycle and a two or three year senior cycle. It also provides for three state national examinations and then a certificate award. The national exams are: The Leaving Certificate Programme, The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and The Leaving Certificate Applied. An additional English language support for migrant students is provided. For further information see: www.education.ie, www.educationireland.ie
• Third Level Education: comprises of the university sector, the technological sector, the colleges of education and private independent colleges. Institutions such as the Universities, the Dublin Institute of Technology and a number of the Institutes of Technology are authorised to issue awards. It provides for a full time and part- time education with a number of available grants and state scholarships. Awards that can be attained are: Higher Certificate, Ordinary Bachelors Degree, Honours Bachelors Degree, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree and Doctorate. The tuition fees for full- time undergraduate studies are covered by the State. The academic year runs from September to June and is divided into either two or three semesters. For a list of accredited colleges and further information see the website: http://www.citizensinformation.ie, www.education.ie, www.dfa.ie For International students see: www.icos.ie
• Further Education: focuses on training and education after leaving secondary education. It is administered nationally by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FECTAC) on a 6 level framework. Courses that lead to FECTAC award is offered nationally in colleges, training centres and workplaces. For a list of courses provided and further information see: http://www.fetac.ie, http://www.failteireland.com, http://www.fas.ie, http://www.vec.ie/