Studying a Subject Outside of School
*This Course will be available for booking soon*
Live online and classroom-based tuition to help 6th Year students, looking to study a subject outside of school, prepare with confidence for the 2024 Leaving Certificate Exams.
Subject choice is a vital part of student success in the Leaving Certificate. The challenge of the Leaving Certificate is less daunting when students study subjects that they are interested in, or are related to the their field of future study or simply subjects that they are good at. Unfortunately, sometimes students are unable to access the subjects they want in their schools. Over the last 40 Years, students have attended weekly grinds at The Institute of Education and with the help of our teachers studied many subjects outside of school, over the last number of years, the number of students taking this “independent” option has increased.
This year we are introducing a specific course for students who are studying a subject outside or independently of their school. Unlike “grinds”, students attending this class will be assigned homework, class tests will be set, feedback will be provided through a formal Christmas report. Students will be expected to fully participate in class, the teachers will know your name! The weekly class time is 120 minutes, over 29 weeks, this extra class time will allow our teacher dedicate sufficient time to covering the syllabus. The majority of the tuition will be delivered online. Depending on the subject, a small number of classes may be delivered onsite.
While the focus of the classes will be Leaving Certificate 2024, students preparing for Leaving Certificate 2025 will be permitted to attend the course. Student preparing for Leaving Certificate 2025, may not be required to attend all classes (depending on project components and practical requirements), and a 50% discount will be applied for the 2nd year of the course.
Taking on a subject out side of school is a significant undertaking, it requires hard work and perseverance, but with the exceptional teachers on this course, it is very possible and can be hugely rewarding.
Students studying a subject outside of school with us receive:
- Access to expert teachers
- Answers to their questions
- Exam focused notes
- Exam strategies & examiner insights
- Recordings of all live classes to rewatch right up to the end of the 2024 Leaving Certificate exams
Our formula for success:
Expert Teachers + Exam Focused Notes + Live Class Recordings = Better Leaving Cert Results
(The school data policy is available to view here.)
Students studying a subject outside of school with us receive:
- Access to expert teachers
- Answers to their questions
- Exam focused notes
- Exam strategies & examiner insights
This course will feature:
- Class duration 120 minutes/week
- Homework assigned and corrections shared
- At Least 1 Progress Test (Christmas) with report
- A Mock Exam
- Support with Projects, where appropriate
To learn more about what will be covered in each course please select from the subject list below:
Applied Maths (H)The Applied Maths course content will be updated soon.
Agricultural Science (H)
The Agricultural Science course content will be updated soon.
Economics (H)
The Economics course content will be updated soon.
Politics & Society (H)
The Politics & Society course content will be updated soon.
Our live online classes are taught by our expert teachers using Microsoft Teams. This technology is reliable, intuitive and familiar to many students. It allows the teachers to dedicate their full attention to teaching and students to focus on learning.
This method of class delivery offers many advantages to students:
Interaction: Each student can interact with their teacher before, during and after class. Similarly, teachers can interact with their students either individually or as a class group
Progression: This two-way communication enables teachers to accurately gauge students’ ongoing progress and understanding
Clarification: Students may message their teachers directly if they prefer to seek further explanation on a particular point without interrupting the class
Over 4,000 students attended online classes with us in the last 12 months. 97% of students who did so said that they were very satisfied with the class delivery and format.
Our commitment to you: whether you choose to attend your classes online or on-site you can be assured that the outcome will be exceptional
Please note:
Login details for online classes will be issued to students by email before the start of the course.
We have provided answers to other Frequently Asked Questions below, but if you have any other questions, please contact info@instituteofeducation.ie.
Online Grinds FAQs
Click on each question for the answer>>
Q: What subjects are available?
A: Please click here to view the timetable of subjects on offer online.
Q: If I enrol in an online class, can I also avail of classes at Leeson Street?
Q: How do I access my online classes?
A: Students enrolled on the course will receive an email from us containing their unique login details and links to access their chosen subjects. Login credentials will be sent in advance of course start date. Only those details sent to you will enable you to successfully access classes online.
Q: How are the online hosted?
A: All online classes are hosted live on Microsoft Teams. The links to the weekly classes are accessed via Moodle. Students must sign into both Moodle and MS Teams with the @instituteofeducation.ie login credentials sent to the student.
Q: Are the online classes pre-recorded?
A: No, each online class is streamed live as per the timetable. Recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid.
Q: Will I have access to recordings of the live classes?
A: Yes, recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid. These will be available up until the end of the State exams 2023.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to attending online classes?
A: We would advise that all students enrolling in our online grinds have the following:
• Access to a reliable wifi service.
• Access to a PC, Laptop, Tablet, or similar device.
• We would not recommend using a mobile phone.
• Headphones/earphones.
Q: If I'm attending the online classes will I have access to the notes?
A: Yes, students enrolled in online classes will receive a monthly delivery of notes for each chosen subject. Please allow five working days for delivery from the time of booking.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: No, a hard copy will be posted out to each student for the subjects they enrol in, on a monthly basis.
Q: How long is each weekly class?
A: Each class lasts 120 minutes.
Q: How much is the fee per class?
A: This depends on the number of subjects taken. Please refer to the fees table to see a list of fees.
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Yes, though please note: Classes are taught for 29 weeks. A refund (or partial refund) can be given for requests made on or before Week 17, 28th January 2023. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or helpdesk@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly course?
A: There are 29 weeks of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week (29 classes).
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly classes?
A: Yes, the classes schedule generally follows the normal school calendar with breaks at mid-terms, Christmas & Easter. Please refer to the timetable for more details
Q: If I start weekly classes later in the year, will this be reflected in the fees I pay?
A: Yes, fees are reduced 3 times throughout the year. The website will always display current and up-to-date pricing.
Q: Is attendance at weekly classes and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, attendance is monitored for each class attended. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: What style are the classes conducted in? Can students ask questions?
A: Our classes run in a more lecture style than most students might be used to in school, but they are also interactive, and teachers will use a variety of methods to ensure that students can learn and understand and feel comfortable asking questions and contributing to the class.
Q: For weekly classes, does the beginning of a new term mean the start of a new course?
A: No, in the weekly classes each subject commences in September and runs through to the end of the academic year in May. Students can catch up on what they have missed by reviewing the previous class recordings and notes.
Q: If I want to join weekly classes during the year, can I find out what is yet to be covered on the course and what I have missed?
A: Each teacher has their own individual teaching plan for the year and will be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attend the weekly classes. Can we buy the notes?
A: No, teaching is a central part of all our courses and classes. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of what was covered in class by the teacher.
Our on-site weekly classes will be delivered in our state-of-the-art Leeson Street Campus. Please refer to the timetable for the schedule of classes.
In addition to expert in-class tuition students attending our on-site classes will receive the Institute’s legendary class notes to support their learning. All on-site classes will be recorded live each week. Students will have access to these recordings and will be able to pause, rewind and re-watch their classes as part of their study regime. These live recordings will be available to our students until after the State Exams in 2024.
If you have booked a course at Leeson Street please send a headshot photo of the student to photos@institueofeducation.ie and your admission card will be posted to you. You will not be able to attend your class without your admission card, so please do not forget it.
The Institute of Education
79 – 85 Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2
D02 PX56
Leeson Street Grinds FAQs
Click on each question for the answer>>
Q: What subjects are available?
A: Please click here to view the timetable of subjects on offer.
Q: If I enrol in a class in Leeson Street, can I also avail of classes online?
Q: Are my onsite classes recorded?
A: Yes, All classes, whether online or onsite, are recorded and available to students to watch back online for revision. All students will be sent login details for our student platform; Moodle, where they can watch back any of their classes.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: No, a hard copy will be provided to each student from the teacher for the subjects they enrol in, on a monthly basis..
Q: How long is each weekly class?
A: Each class lasts 120 minutes.
Q: How much is the fee per subject?
A: This depends on the number of subjects taken. Please refer to the fees table to see a list of fees.
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Note: Classes are taught for 29 weeks. A refund (or partial refund) can be given for requests made on or before Week 17, 28th January 2023. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or helpdesk@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly course?
A: There are 29 weeks (29 classes) of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week.
Q: If I start weekly classes later in the year, will this be reflected in the fees I pay?
A: Yes, fees are reduced 3 times throughout the year. The website will always show the most up-to-date pricing.
Q: Is attendance at weekly classes and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, students are required to sign a roll sheet at each class they attend. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly grinds or part-time courses?
A: Yes, the classes schedule generally follows the normal school calendar with breaks at mid-terms, Christmas & Easter. Please refer to the timetable for more details
Q: Are the classes conducted ‘lecture style’ or are students free to ask questions?
A: Our classes are run in more lecture style than most students might be used to in school. However they are also interactive and our teachers use a variety of methods to ensure that students can ask questions and contribute to the class.
Q: For weekly classes, does the beginning of a new term mean the start of a new course?
A: No, in the weekly classes each subject commences in September and runs through to the end of the academic year in May. Students can catch up on what they have missed by reviewing the previous class recordings and notes.
Q: If I want to join weekly classes during the year, can you tell me what remains to be covered on the course and what the student has missed?
A: Teachers have their own individual teaching plan for the year, and should be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attended the course. Can we buy the notes?
A: No. Teaching is a central part of all our courses. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of the day’s work covered by the teacher.
This course commences in September 2023.
The timetable and weekly schedule for this course for the Academic Year 2023/24 will be updated soon.
NOTE: All classes are 120 minutes in duration.
*Students may join at any stage throughout the year, subject to availability.
The fee for enrolling in this course will be updated soon.
Testimonials
It was like being in the classroom even though I was at home. The course was very useful and the notes are incredible!
– Brian, 6th Year Student
I liked how interactive it was and how comprehensively all the material was covered. I thought the teacher was excellent.
– Ava, 5th Year Student
My daughter attended classes at the Institute. She found the lessons to be excellent; well-structured and focused. The teachers were top-class and provided excellent advice and encouragement. The lecture notes are superb!
– Grainne (Parent)