FOUR-MONTH/TERM/YEAR ABROAD PROGRAMME
A four-month/term/year abroad can be an excellent opportunity for students, beneficial above all for their personal development and as a way to broaden their cultural knowledge and awareness, as well as helping them achieve greater fluidity in the use of another language.
Ireland has a consolidated and prestigious tradition in providing a high standard of education and enjoys the highest admission rates in Europe.
Full support is offered for students who join these programmes.
They are open to students aged 12 to 18 and a wide range of private or public schools is available.
OUR SCHOOLS
Public Secondary Schools
Kilkenny College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 850
Type: Semi Private
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Newtown School
Location: Waterford
Students: 300
Type: Semi Private
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
St. Leos College
Location: Carlow
Students: 980
Type: Public
Student Type: Girls Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Brigid’s School
Location: Callan
Students: 269
Type: Public
Student Type: Girls Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 560
Type: Public
Student Type: Girls
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Kieran’s College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 600
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
Castlecomer Community College
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 610
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Knockbeg College
Location: Carlow
Students: 480
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys Only
Day/ Boarding : Day
Athy College
Location: Athy
Students: 450
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Mary’s Academy CBS
Location: Carlow
Students: 550
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Éamann Rís CBS
Location: Callan
Students: 233
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
CBS Thurles
Location: Tipperary
Students: 729
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation Thurles
Location: Tipperary
Students: 384
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Mhuire Thurles
Location: Tipperary
Students: 384
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Josephs Spanish Point
Location: Clare
Students: 279
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Borris Vocational School
Location: Borris
Students: 506
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Carlow Vocational School
Location: Carlow
Students: 955
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Eoin Hacketstown
Location: Hacketstown
Students: 233
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
Location: Carlow
Students: 368
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation / De La Salle College Bagenalstown
Location: Muine Bheag
Students: 596
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Presentation College Carlow
Location: Carlow
Students: 724
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Tullow Community School
Location: Tullow
Students: 633
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Aindriú Secondary School
Location: Muine Bheag
Students: 217
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Kilkenny City Vocational School
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 410
Type: public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Cois Siúire
Location: Mooncoin
Students: 145
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown
Location: Johnstown
Students: 513
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Coláiste Pobail Osraí
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 209
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Duiske College
Location: Graignamanagh
Students: 166
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Grennan College
Location: Thomastown
Students: 379
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Loreto Secondary School
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 900
Type: Semi Public
Student Type: Girls
Day/ Boarding : Day
Meánscoil na mBráithre Criostaí – C.B.S Secondary School
Location: Kilkenny
Students: 682
Type: Public
Student Type: Boys
Day/ Boarding : Day
Scoil Aireagail
Location: Ballyhale
Students: 190
Type: Public
Student Type: Co-Ed
Day/ Boarding : Day
Private Secondary Schools
John Scottus School
Location: Dublin
Students: 140
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
St. Andrews College
Location: Dublin
Students: 900
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Midleton College
Location: Cork
Students: 350
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Holy Child School
Location: Dublin
Students: 338
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Rockwell College
Location: Tipperary
Students: 550
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding – Boy Only
Loreto Abbey Dalkey
Location: Dublin
Students: 330
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Rathdown School
Location: Dublin
Students: 325
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Kings Hospital
Location: Dublin
Students: 720
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Alexandra College
Location: Dublin
Students: 471
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Villiers School
Location: Limerick
Students: 609
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Notre Dame School
Location: Dublin
Students: 200
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Day
Sligo Grammar School
Location: Sligo
Students: 410
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
St. Columba’s School
Location: Dublin
Students: 300
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Boarding
Glenstal Abbey School
Location: Limerick
Students: 280
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
Dundalk Grammar School
Location: Louth
Students: 600
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
Blackrock College
Location: Dublin
Students: 600
Type: Private
Day/ Boarding : Both
PROGRAMME DETAILS
- A wide range of schools and destinations to choose from
- Public or private schools (single-gender and mixed-gender schools)
- Total support provided for students under the age of 18
- Highly qualified staff
- Accommodation with local host families or at boarding school
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Full board with selected local host families or at boarding school (excluding Christmas and Easter)
- Tuition fees
- Text books
- On-site guardian for the protection of minors
- School uniform
- Airport transfers
- Monthly reports on the student’s academic performance
- Participation of local guardian in school meetings
- Airport transfers at Christmas and Easter
- Full board with selected local host families or at boarding school (excluding Christmas and Easter)
- Tuition fees
- Text books
- On-site guardian for the protection of minors
- School uniform
- Airport transfers
- Monthly reports on the student’s academic performance
- Participation of local guardian in school meetings
- Airport transfers at Christmas and Easter
PROTECTION OF MINORS
Children will be provided with a full guidance service for the duration of their stay in Ireland.
The service includes:
- Managing of arrangements with the school
- Participation of local guardian in school meetings
- Travel assistance
- Contact between local/school guardian and parents
- Sending of reports to the local guardian/parents
- Student assistance
- Monthly evaluations
- 24-hour assistance if required
- Airport transfers
- Managing of arrangements with the school
- Participation of local guardian in school meetings
- Travel assistance
- Contact between local/school guardian and parents
- Sending of reports to the local guardian/parents
- Student assistance
- Monthly evaluations
- 24-hour assistance if required
- Airport transfers
IRISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
JUNIOR CYCLE (12-14 YEARS)
For the first 3 years of secondary school, students study for the Junior Certificate.
They study 7-10 subjects (Mathematics, History, English, Geography and Political Economics are compulsory subjects).
Students can choose to take other subjects such as Modern Languages, Art, Science and Business Studies.
There is a wide range of subjects to choose from, which may vary from school to school. Students can take exams at Ordinary or Higher level.
The exam for the Junior Certificate will be held at the end of the third year but is not mandatory.
TRANSITION YEAR (15-16 YEARS)
This year is dedicated to the student’s personal development.
In most schools, students will learn a wide range of subjects.
They will also have the chance to participate in two weeks of work experience.
Normally, schools organise at least one trip during the school year, these are often Adventure Camps where students can go horseback riding, canoeing, and so on (these cost between €150-400).
This type of course is very popular with international students who only wish to stay in Ireland for one year.
SENIOR CYCLE (16-18 YEARS)
The final two years of school prepare students to take the Leaving Certificate.
Students will study Mathematics and English plus 4-5 other subjects. Both Ordinary and Higher levels are available.
The subjects available during this school cycle are: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Italian, Classical Studies, Economics, Business, Accounting, Home Economics, Art, Construction, Technical Design, Music, Agricultural Studies, and Engineering.
TYPES OF SCHOOL
1) Public schools
The major school districts are all managed by the state.
They tend to offer a wide range of practical subjects. Professional Institutes can often be found in the same school block.
Students who attend this type of school usually live with a host family.
2) Private Schools
These are schools that charge a fee.
It is compulsory for all non-European students to attend this type of school.
3) Boarding Schools
This type of school is mostly private.
They offer 5/7 days of room and board at the school itself.
4) Semi-Private Secondary Schools
These schools offer extra activities for a fee.
1) Public schools
The major school districts are all managed by the state.
They tend to offer a wide range of practical subjects. Professional Institutes can often be found in the same school block.
Students who attend this type of school usually live with a host family.
2) Private Schools
These are schools that charge a fee.
It is compulsory for all non-European students to attend this type of school.
3) Boarding Schools
This type of school is mostly private.
They offer 5/7 days of room and board at the school itself.
4) Semi-Private Secondary Schools
These schools offer extra activities for a fee.
