Ireland's long tradition in educational excellence is recognized the world over. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Ireland held the position as one of the principal education providers to the western world. Successive modern governments have continued to regard education as a key priority and investments in this area have been sustained for a long period. This has resulted in one of the highest education participation rates in the world today which, in turn, has had positive implications for the strong economic growth and development of the country.

Strength in Technological Education

The ever increasing demands of Ireland's high technology economy have ensured that the higher education technological sector offers the highest and most advanced standards and opportunities available today. There are fourteen Institutes of Technology (ITs) located throughout the Republic of Ireland offering programs at foundation, national certificate, national diploma, degree and postgraduate levels in a wide variety of subjects, as well as providing craft and professional level programmers.

Opportunities for Researchers and Research Students

Ireland has a very open, vibrant and growing economy, whose expansion in recent years has been based mainly on major export growth in the ICT and biotechnology sectors. There is an ever growing range of opportunities for good researchers and research students to join Irish universities and colleges.

The Irish Education System was traditionally divided into three basic levels: primary (8 years); secondary (5 or 6 years) and third level which offers a wide range of opportunities from post-secondary courses, to vocational and technical training, to full degree and the highest post-graduate level. In recent years the focus has expanded greatly as the concept of lifelong learning becomes reflected in the educational opportunities available within the Irish education system.

Responsibility for education lies within the Department of Education and Science (DES). The DES administers all aspects of education policy including curricula, syllabi and national examinations. Attendance at full time education is compulsory in Ireland from six to fifteen years of age and is free in the majority of schools, and at undergraduate third level.