Country education guide

Ireland

The Department of Education sets national policy; curriculum and state examinations are delivered through national agencies and schools.

📚 School stages

Grades, stages, and local pathways

Early childhood provision is followed by junior and senior infant classes in primary school.

The national primary curriculum follows the infant years with six numbered classes.

Junior Cycle combines school-based assessment with state examinations and ends with the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

Senior Cycle normally lasts two or three years and includes established, vocational, and applied Leaving Certificate routes.

Applications and entry conditions depend on applicant category, qualification, course, and institution.

📝 Examinations and qualifications

Each record links to the authority that publishes its current rules.

School-leaving qualification

Ireland’s principal senior-cycle examination and certification route, with established, vocational, and applied programmes.

Completion or score rule: Subjects and levels are reported individually. Higher-education selection converts eligible results under the receiving route; there is no single universal passing total for every purpose.
Where it applies: Ireland

🔗 Official source library