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Your Pathway to University​

At The Institute of Education, international students choose from three programmes leading to the Irish Leaving Certificate. Each gives you the same outcome: a globally recognised qualification and a route into Ireland's top universities.​

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57

Years of Excellence

35,000

students supported this year

140

full time Institute students received 600+ points in 2025

1

The Institute was ranked 1st amongst grinds providers

What is the Irish Leaving Certificate?​

The Leaving Certificate is Ireland’s final second-level examination, equivalent to A-Levels and recognised by universities across Ireland, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.​ Students sit between 6 and 8 subjects at Higher or Ordinary Level, with Maths and English compulsory. Exams are in June, results in August, and university places are offered on a points basis.

The top six subject scores count.​ At The Institute of Education, students choose from 28 Leaving Certificate subjects.​

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A Transformative Experience​

Settling into a new country is about more than the classroom. From the day you arrive, you are part of a school community with a full programme of activities designed to help you make friends, find your interests and feel at home.​

  • Academic Mentoring​
  • University Application Support​
  • Career Guidance​
  • Flexible Subject Selection​
  • Peer Mentoring Programme​
  • Weekly Supervised Study​
Student Life
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3-Year Integrated English Programme

4th Year | 15 yrs

The Institute of Education’s 3-Year Integrated English Programme supports international students aged 15–16 to develop academic English and transition successfully into Ireland’s Leaving Certificate curriculum.

This tailored pathway combines an intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course with ongoing access to core academic subjects and school life. Students begin with focused language support and then integrate fully into mainstream classes to complete their Leaving Certificate.

All learning takes place on site at our Leeson Street campus, providing full immersion in school and community life.

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3-Year Programme (no English integration)

4th Year | 15 yrs

Students entering our 3-year programme are provided with everything they will need to transition successfully into a new culture, environment and education system.

This is a popular choice for many international students who wish to explore their talents and abilities and build their academic confidence before they start the Leaving Certificate syllabus.

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2-Year Programme

5th Year | 16 yrs

Our 2-year programme allows international students to immerse themselves in the Irish education system and lays the foundations for a successful Leaving Certificate examination.

Up to 70% of the subject syllabuses, plus project work is completed by the end of the first year, providing more time for revision and exam preparation in the final year.

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Find Your Pathway

By providing you with the best teachers in Ireland, you will be empowered to take ownership of your learning. Our educational environment is exceptional. A friendly school community will support you every step of the way so that you can achieve your potential in the Leaving Certificate examinations.

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Learning & Support

Whether it’s a two or three-year programme, you’ll work with our expert teachers and a team of academic mentor to establish a solid foundation in key subjects such as Maths and English.

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Subject Choice

With 28 subjects available to choose from, our international students can select a combination of subjects that they enjoy and that supports their future academic goals.

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University Preparation

Our International Office works closely with all students, providing them with advice, guidance and support throughout the International programme.

Subject Choices

Explore the range of subjects available in 4th year, allowing students to test their interests before senior cycle.

Maths
English
French
German
Spanish
Business
See All of Our Subjects

Pathways In Focus

The Irish Leaving Certificate provides international students with a diverse range of interesting pathways to some of the world’s leading universities. Whatever future ambitions you have, we can help you find the course and opportunity that works for you.

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Health Sciences

If you are interested in the health sciences, you have lots of choice across the medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and broader healthcare professions.

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Business

A business degree is flexible, with broad applicability across a range of sectors. As an undergraduate student, you might choose to study a language as part of your business degree, or combine your study of business with law, economics or computer science.

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Sciences

If you’re interested in science, you can choose a course that is as general or as specific in nature as you please.

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Computing and IT

Your degree in Engineering can be as general or as specific as you wish. There are numerous and diverse sub-fields, ranging from mechanical, to electronic to biomedical among others.

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Engineering

Technological University Dublin is a great place to start for students who are interested in Computing and IT. TUD is a practice-based environment with lots of specialised courses for those with specific careers in mind within the IT sector.

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Law

If you’re interested in a general law degree, almost every university in Ireland has an undergraduate programme for you.

Student Testimonials

Photograph of Marisa, a student of the institute of education

I feel very supported by the International Office here. They are very nice to me and have made me feel comfortable. They have helped me with my college applications and they check in with me all the time to see how I’m doing.

Marisa
Current 6th year student

I did my Leaving Certificate in The Institute of Education and am now studying medicine in the Royal College of Surgeons. The Institute of Education opened many doors for me.

Muhammad
Past Pupil of the Institute of Education

The teachers here are amazing! Everything is very accessible and clearly explained, they give very convenient notes and pay great attention to students’ questions.

Arina
Current 6th Year Student
Doris Wong

We are so impressed with the Institute’s academic approach. Nadine’s teachers are all extremely committed and dedicated. Another thing that impresses me is how all the classes are available through the Moodle platform. This is extremely convenient and enables much easier revision and recapping.

Doris Wong
Mother of Nadine, current 6th year student
A photograph of international 6th year student Giovanni

Studying in Ireland is great because I have the opportunity to choose and study subjects I like and that are not taught in Italy. I also have the opportunity to speak English daily which allows me to improve my fluency in the language.

Giovanni
Current 6th year student
Shauna

It has been 5 months since I moved to Ireland and started at the Institute and it has been amazing. Thank you so much to everyone for making me feel so welcome.

Shauna
Current 5th Year Student
Yashika

Joining the Institute was the best decision I’ve ever made The teachers here are fantastic!

Yashika
Current 6th Year Student
Yashika

Joining the Institute was the best decision I’ve made. The teachers are excellent- funny, friendly and they have great teaching styles. And not just the teachers, but the people around me. There is a feeling of unity among the students here and I feel so supported.

Yashika
Current 6th Year Student
Natalie

I come from Italy and have found the Irish system less stressful. In Italy we can’t choose our own subjects, but in the Irish system we can, which I really like.

Natalie
Current 5th Year Student

I’m extremely glad that I made the decision to come to the Institute. The school is full of like minded students who have a drive to succeed and the teachers are incredible

Ray
Past Pupil of the Institute of Education

Choosing to learn at the Institute of Education was absolutely the right choice for me. It set me up for success through University and into my career.

Hua
Past Pupil of the Institute of Education

The helpfulness of the international office meant that everything ran like clockwork and any problems were dealt with immediately and with efficiency and understanding.

Gloria
Past Pupil of the Institute of Education

The best thing about the Institute is the teachers. Every teacher is familiar with every conceivable aspect of the curriculum. They know the exam material inside out.

Jason
Current 5th Year Student
Arina

The International Office have really helped me adapt to school, filing applications and paperwork and answering all my questions. Thanks to them, I am much less worried because I always feel supported.

Arina
Current 6th Year Student

Have Questions? We’re here to help

If you’d like to learn more about the International School at The Institute of Education or need help, we’d love to hear from you. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Get in touch