14 best private schools in Ireland for international students. Rankings and fees in 2024

Nowadays, the best private schools in Ireland for children, as well as public educational institutions offer high-quality educational services to those wishing from all over the world. With a sufficiently high quality of education in Ireland, not inferior to secondary school education in the UK, Switzerland and other countries, the cost of education in the best private schools in Ireland is much more affordable. Centuries-old educational traditions have been formed in Ireland today, combined with technological achievements in the field of education; this symbiosis has been successfully introduced into schools in Ireland. Irish schools offer classes in the main compulsory subjects, as well as in a number of subjects for students to choose from.

Irish system of secondary education is similar to many European ones and consists of three main blocks:

• Primary school
• Secondary school
• High school.

In some educational institutions, there is an additional year between the cycles of secondary school – Transition Year.

The first educational stage, the junior school, accepts children aged 6 to 12 years. During this period, students are required to study mathematics, English and the national – Irish. Additionally, students attend music classes, art classes, sports classes.

The second stage – junior secondary school, lasting for three years, is designed for students aged 13 to 16 years. During this period, the range of academic disciplines becomes wider and reaches 10 subjects. At the end of this stage, the student can go to the Transition Year – a year when the student himself determines the list of subjects studied and his interests. In some schools, the transition year is mandatory, in others – the right to choose remains with the child.

Studying on these two stages of education constitute a mandatory educational minimum for Irish citizens. At the end of these two stages, children take the Junior Certificate exam – according to its results, they are enrolled in a senior secondary school.

Senior Secondary School is a two–year program aimed at preparing for admission to higher education. During this period, the student studies 6-8 subjects: English and mathematics are mandatory among them, the student chooses all other disciplines based on his future plans. At the end of their studies, students take an exam and, with good scores, receive a Leaving Certificate (LCE). LCE is an analogue of the British A-level and is recognized by all English-speaking countries. The graduates can apply to universities in Ireland, as well as American, Australian or English universities.

Ireland boasts a total of over 800 schools, with approximately 20% of them being privately run institutions. While public schools in Ireland do admit international students, Irish law stipulates that a child under the age of 18 must have an Irish guardian. However, when a student enrolls in a private school in Ireland, the educational institution takes on the role of guardian. It's worth noting that public schools primarily emerged in the 1960s and often lag behind private schools in several aspects. Private schools in Ireland have a rich history, well-established teaching methodologies, and outstanding technical resources. These school campuses are complete with academic buildings, cafeterias, libraries, open and enclosed sports facilities, and dormitories where students reside under the continuous supervision of staff. In Ireland, there are both single-gender educational institutions and coeducational private boarding schools.

Foreign students who are 12 years old and above can enroll in English schools in Ireland. Nonetheless, many international students from various countries typically join in the final two grades to prepare for university admission. Regardless of age, private schools offer an extensive curriculum to students. Subjects include biology, physics, chemistry, geography, history, art, music, physical education, economics, basic accounting, and more. Special emphasis is placed on nurturing a well-rounded student, with all pupils actively participating in sports, artistic endeavors, or musical pursuits.

Check our private schools in Spain.

The requirements for international students aspiring to enter prestigious private schools in Ireland may vary depending on the chosen educational institution. feesTypically, the application package comprises:

• A transcript with grades from the last two years, with at least 40% of the grades being "excellent."

• Recommendations from teachers in mathematics and English.

• A cover letter explaining why the student wishes to attend that particular school.

• English language proficiency test results, with requirements varying based on the school and the student's age.

• Immunization records and medical history.

• Additionally, including any awards or achievements in sports and the arts in the application package can be beneficial. Some schools may require a Skype interview or additional testing in subjects like mathematics.

It's essential to submit your documents well in advance, as most schools accept applications until January.

Henrietta Lightwood

Marketing and Admission Director at Dukes Education

What subjects are most commonly chosen in recent years?

Mathematics remains popular, like other sciences. By the way, psychology is literally experiencing a rebirth as a subject in demand!

The cost of studying in private boarding schools is quite reasonable, with average fees being 20-30% lower than those of neighboring Great Britain or top-tier US schools. Despite this affordability, the technical and material resources of these schools often surpass those in England and the United States. Typically, a year of study, inclusive of accommodation and meals, amounts to approximately €10,000 to €15,000.