The Irish education system is made up of primary, secondary, third-level and further education. MLC place students in primary and secondary level schools. We work with public, private and boarding schools and have an excellent network of well established relationships with many schools across Ireland.
Public Schools
These are non-fee paying schools and include secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools. Secondary schools are privately owned and managed; in most cases the trustees are religious communities or boards of governors. These tend to be single gender schools. Vocational, community and comprehensive schools usually offer a wider range of practical subjects and tend to be co-educational (for male and female students).
Private Schools
These are fee paying schools which are inspected by the Department of Education. Non EU students who require a visa to study in Ireland must attend a fee paying school.
Boarding Schools
These are also private fee paying schools inspected by the Department of Education, but which also offer facilities for students to reside on campus. Depending on the school, boarding can be for five or seven days, and we use host families for any boarder free weekends.
Second-level education is generally for students from the age of twelve to eighteen. Second-level education consists of a three-year junior cycle followed by a two-year or three-year senior cycle depending on whether an optional Transition Year is taken after the Junior Certificate exam at the end of 3rd year.
Junior Cycle
The Junior Cycle includes first, second and third years and leads to the Junior Certificate Examination. In the first 3 years of secondary school students prepare for the Junior Certificate. Students study 7-10 subjects across the following fields; Language and Literature, Mathematical Studies, Science and Technology, Social, Political and Environmental Education, Arts Education, Physical Education, Religious and Moral Education, Guidance, Counselling, Pastoral Care. Students sit the Junior Certificate at the end of 3rd year and results are issued in September.
Transition Year
Transition Year follows the Junior Certificate examination. This year is free from formal examinations and allows students to experience a wide range of educational inputs. This is an optional year but is very well suited to international students as they study a wide range of topics, and also participate in work experience, group projects, and many cultural and activity based trips and excursions. Furthermore the Irish students are not under pressure to prepare for exams. TY is intended as a year for students to develop personally and to mature before embarking upon the two year Leaving Certificate programme.
Senior Cycle
The Senior Cycle includes fifth and sixth year and leads to the Leaving Certificate Examination. Students study English, Maths and four or five additional subjects at one of two levels; higher or lower. The Leaving Certificate is the main basis upon which places in universities, colleges and other third level institutions are issued. The Leaving Certificate is also recognised and highly regarded by academic institutions in the UK, Europe and the United States. To pass, international students must sit two higher level subjects and achieve at least a C grade (55%). They must also pass the other 4 subjects in order for the results to be con-validated in their own country. Students sit the Leaving Certificate at the end of the 6th year and results are issued in August.
The school year runs from late August to early June. There is a midterm week in October, two weeks Christmas holidays, a midterm week in February and two weeks Easter holidays. Students usually stay in Ireland for the midterms and usually go home for Christmas and Easter but we can facilitate stays during the holidays also.