Discover how the Irish education system compares to your country and which year corresponds to your child in Ireland.
Select your country to see detailed equivalencies
| Age | 🇮🇪 Ireland | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇫🇷 France | 🇩🇪 Germany | 🇨🇳 China |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-13 |
Year 1 (1st Year)
Junior Cycle
|
1º E.S.O. |
Scuola Media 2
Secondaria I
|
5ème
Collège
|
Klasse 7
Gymnasium
|
初一
Junior Middle 1
|
| 13-14 |
Year 2 (2nd Year)
Junior Cycle
|
2º E.S.O. |
Scuola Media 3
→ Esame di Stato
|
4ème
Collège
|
Klasse 8 |
初二
Junior Middle 2
|
| 14-15 |
Year 3 (3rd Year)
Junior Cycle
→ Junior Cert
|
3º E.S.O. |
Superiore 1
Liceo
|
3ème
→ Brevet
|
Klasse 9 |
初三
→ Zhongkao
|
| 15-16 |
Transition Year
Optional
|
4º E.S.O. | Superiore 2 |
Seconde
Lycée
|
Klasse 10
→ Mittlere Reife
|
高一
Senior Middle 1
|
| 16-17 |
Year 5 (5th Year)
Senior Cycle
|
1º Bachillerato | Superiore 3 |
Première
Lycée
|
Klasse 11
Oberstufe
|
高二
Senior Middle 2
|
| 17-18 |
Year 6 (6th Year)
Senior Cycle
→ Leaving Cert
|
2º Bachillerato | Superiore 4 |
Terminale
→ Baccalauréat
|
Klasse 12
→ Abitur
|
高三
→ Gaokao
|
| 18-19 | — | — |
Superiore 5
→ Maturità
|
— | — | — |
Transition Year is optional in Ireland, meaning students can skip directly from 3rd Year to 5th Year. However, it is an excellent year for international students as it provides opportunities to develop English language skills and allows personal growth without the pressure of a final exam.
Understanding the structure of secondary education in Ireland
Secondary education in Ireland spans from ages 12 to 18 and is divided into two main cycles: the Junior Cycle and the Senior Cycle, with an optional intermediate year called Transition Year.
Three years of general education culminating in the Junior Certificate exam. Equivalent to middle school / lower secondary.
A year of personal growth without exam pressure. Excellent for international students wanting to improve their English.
Two years of intensive preparation culminating in the Leaving Certificate, equivalent to high school diploma / A-Levels.
Discover the unique benefits of this special year
A full year to adapt to the Irish system without the pressure of important final exams.
Ideal opportunity to perfect English language skills before facing the academic Senior Cycle.
Extracurricular activities, projects, trips, and work experiences that enrich personal development.
Time to explore academic and professional interests before choosing Leaving Certificate subjects.
Contact us and we will help you determine the most suitable year for your child in Ireland.
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