Universities in Ireland

The system of higher education (or “third-level education» ) – are state universities, professional colleges and educational institutions. Recently began to appear private, mainly business colleges. In Ireland, there are  six universities.

• The most famous – Trinity College Dublin (University of Dublin, Trinity College).
• Another famous University – National University of Ireland (NUI) – consists of three colleges: University College Dublin, University College Cork and University College Galway.

All three colleges are autonomous and self-governing, each of them has the status of a university itself. There are NUI accredited colleges, one of the most prestigious medical schools in Europe, The Royal College of Surgeons, St. Patrick’s College (St Patrick’s College) and St Angela’s College. Irish include the six “friends” and two universities, located in Northern Ireland and in the United Kingdom: Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster (University of Ulster).

Irish universities – primarily academic and research centers, and they come in the first place, those who want to devote themselves to scientific careers. All Irish universities have departments of humanities, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, economics and medicine. In each, there are three levels: bachelor’s degree (3-4 years), master’s and doctoral programs.

Largest and most famous professional college is Dublin Institute of Technology (Dublin Institute of Technology – DIT). It has more than 22,000 students. At the Institute there are several schools – schools of technology, service and hospitality, marketing and design, commercial and music.

Another great system – Regional Technical Colleges (RTC) – includes 11 professional colleges across the country. There are also specialized higher education institutions such as the National College of Art and Design, the College of Music in Cork.

Unlike Irish universities, colleges and professional institutions more focused on practice, the needs of the market, they prepare students for work. Specialists in business, technology, industry, services such education and a college degree is valued more than a university degree. But also traditional classical universities under the influence of time, are forced to create new programs – short undergraduate and graduate courses, distance learning programs, training for professionals, university courses include new “market” items.

Ireland is a country of myths and legends, attracted by its rich historical heritage, literature, music and national dances, as well as the beauty of nature – the undulating mountains, numerous lakes, picturesque countryside, sandy beaches and ancient castles.

Extremely popular sports such as golf, football, rugby, cricket, tennis, horseback riding, water sports. Deserve special words people themselves – hospitable, welcoming, ready for friendly communication people. In Ireland, everyone can find something for everyone – whether it’s theatre, a concert of traditional and contemporary music, a good pint of Guinness at the fireplace in the old, cozy pub, walk on the luxurious Emerald Island (Emerald Isle), or just the contemplation of nature – the stunning landscape of rugged mountains east coast .

Types of language schools in Ireland

Ireland began to carry out a systematic policy to attract foreign students 20 years ago, but has already achieved in this way considerable success: every year to learn English and further education in Ireland come over 100 000 students, mostly from Western Europe. More and more students after the language course enter higher education. Learning English in Ireland is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Science through the Advisory Council of English Language Schools (ACELS), many language schools form the Association of Accredited Language Schools in Ireland (Recognized EnglishLanguage Schools Association, she is MEI ~ RELSA.

There are different types of language schools and courses in Ireland formats – from small private schools (family run schools) and English language teacher in the family – to the language centers in universities. All schools offer a variety of entertainment options, the most popular – riding and Irish folk dances.

Atlantic Language Galway school

Atlantic Language Galway is a language school, has been successfully operating since 1993. The high level of teaching in Atlantic Language Galway confirmed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ireland, the Advisory Board on English language schools (Advisory Council for English Language Schools, ACELS), the Irish Association of MEI ~ RELSA (Marketing English in Ireland ~ Recognized English Language Schools Association), Commerce Galway Chamber of Commerce, etc.

LSI Atlantic Language Galway is located on the second floor of a modern building Fairgreen House, located in the “heart” of Galway, a short walk from the bus and train station and close to the Citylink, where buses come from Dublin and Shannon airports.

Did you know that …

– The national symbol of Ireland – shamrock. According to legend, an Irish missionary St. Patrick with this plant explained the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the unity of the “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
– Ireland is known for a serious approach to the issues of religion and morality. Country  legalized divorce only in 1995.
– In terms of quality of life, Ireland ranks 4th in the world. For information: 1st place belongs to Norway,  2nd – Iceland, 3rd – Australia.

Secondary education in Ireland

To stay at school, as well as to educate in general, in Ireland, are very seriously: it is the highest in Europe attendance. Irish students study more subjects and pass more exams than their British counterparts. The level of training of teachers is high, and therefore is high and the level of teaching. All educational institutions powered by the government of Ireland. Training programs are tested and approved by  Ministry of Education.

Education in most primary and secondary schools is free for residents of Ireland, although all these schools – private. Studying at the University also partially paid by the state. Education in Ireland implies a fact that every Irish child starts school life usually at 4 years. Although you can not give the child to the school for 6 years. In elementary school study for eight years.

Boarding Schools in Ireland

In addition to the free primary schools, of which about 3,000 in Ireland, there are a few paid boarding school – they are working on the British system of preparatory schools (“prep” school). In elementary school, the child attend the center of attention. Flexible enough training and educational program is built for a specific student. For each child, use different teaching methods. In the first eight years, children learn English and Irish languages, mathematics, religion, subject called “Society and Environment”, do the fine and applied arts, music, sports. At the end of primary school students do not pass the exams, but the test is usually performed on the overall development and knowledge of the core subjects.

High Schools in Ireland

The academic year begins in Ireland in September and ends in May. In high school Irish children pass in 12 years. In Ireland there are more than 800 secondary schools, 80 of them are boarding school. They all  established by the Ministry of Education curriculum for secondary schools. But beyond that, some of them offer the International Baccalaureate program (International Baccalaureate) and the British A-level. Most high schools – private: they are managed by the Board of Trustees, religious community or individual. But they exist on state subsidies.  Foreigners have to pay for their education.

Students from abroad are accepted and in private (boarding and day), and in public schools. Public schools receive funding even for international students, so they take advantage of foreigners in the school. Public schools usually take foreign student in a very small charge: it covers the cost of its maintenance, textbooks. We should also pay for accommodation and guardianship: a foreign child who is studying in public or private day school, takes hold on to his Irish family, it can also act as its guardian. Guardians may be special education organizations that define foreigners in Irish schools.

Final Schools in Ireland

Recently in Ireland, there are new schools, so-called “final Schools”, which prepare students for final exams and university entrance. They are particularly suitable for those who can not afford to study in the Irish school from the beginning to the end, but would like to go to the Irish (British or any other European) University. In addition to regular secondary schools in Ireland there are public (community) and professional (vocational) high schools. The first offer academic and technical education. The latter specializes in technical and vocational education. These schools – a mix of night schools and colleges. They are increasingly used for training, trainings, etc.

On the way to the universities of Ireland

Key items of Irish secondary school program – Irish, English and Mathematics. Apart from them, studying biology, chemistry, physics, geography, economics, basic accounting, history, organization of business, commerce, languages, art, drawing, music, physical education. As you can see, a lot of attention is paid to the economic and natural science subjects. Not surprisingly, the strongest and most advanced areas in Ireland are considered to computer engineering technology, banking, medicine and science.

High school is divided into three levels. The three-year junior high school (Junior Cycle) is preparing for the exams at the intermediate certificate (Junior Certificate). Compulsory lower secondary education is over, and the student, in theory, can no longer appear in the school. But if he is going to the university, he will have to study for three years. First is the so-called “transitional year» (transition year): the student is ready to move from junior to senior high school (Senior Cycle). He chooses which items he will be the last two years to study to pass the exams for high school diploma (Leaving Certificate Examinations).

Senior high school program in Ireland generally includes items 6-8 (while in England the last two years at school studied 4-3 objects). The minimum requirement for admission to the university – the highest scores on two major subjects (“A” in ABC). In the best universities and the most prestigious faculties requirements may be higher.