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High scool exchange program in Ireland
Live and study at an Irish secondary school for a term, a semester or a school year in Ireland.
Live and study in Ireland – an adventure in the land of fairy tales and legends.
What does it mean to spend a year on a school exchange programme in Ireland?
Studying in a High School in Ireland means being part of a welcoming environment, where every pupil is encouraged to participate and develop their potential. Lessons combine lectures, group work and discussions, within an educational system that values critical thinking, creativity and the ability to express oneself. During a year abroad in Ireland, school becomes a place for personal development as much as for academic learning.
What is Ireland’s greatest charm? Its people! The Irish are warm, full of humour and know how to laugh at themselves. They are also passionate about sport and always up for a bit of fun. But Ireland isn’t just about its welcoming people; it also boasts breathtaking landscapes and an incredibly rich culture just waiting to be explored.
As the months go by, speaking English becomes more and more natural and Ireland feels increasingly familiar. A school year abroad here is a year of personal development: in a safe and stimulating environment, you’ll become more independent and gain a fresh perspective on the world.
Choose Ireland for your school exchange abroad and get ready to marvel at its sublime natural beauty and discover a people with an innate sense of warmth and hospitality. You can go before your final year of secondary school or after your A-levels – it’s up to you!
Why go to Ireland to study for a term, a semester or a school year?
St Patrick's Day
How can you talk about Ireland without mentioning St Patrick’s Day? It’s THE unmissable Irish festival. Everyone dresses in green, wears a little shamrock or a big hat, and gets together to celebrate as one. It’s a unique opportunity to experience Ireland’s festive and friendly atmosphere.
What’s High School like in Ireland?
Personal development
The Irish school offers much more than just academic lessons. It will enable you to develop interpersonal skills through group activities and a range of enriching projects. This is a real asset, not only for your higher education but also for your adult life.
We're behind you
In Ireland, school is a caring environment where your teachers and classmates will support you. They encourage you to be yourself, building on your strengths and supporting you in the areas where you feel most vulnerable.
It’s going to be quite a workout
Schools in Ireland place a strong emphasis on sporting activities. Hurling, football, rugby and golf are just some of the sports you can take part in, which will help you make new friends. And you might even discover a new passion!
Friends for life
Your Irish classmates will give you a warm welcome. During your school exchange, you’ll not only discover a new way of looking at school, but also forge strong friendships with lots of new people.
A vast country to explore – it’s up to you to choose where you want to spend your school exchange
Give it a go and trust WEP to help you find the place to be.
With the classic programme, you’ll enjoy the authentic high school experience – the one that WEP has been offering since its inception. You could be placed anywhere in the country, depending on where the family who has chosen you to share in this incredible life experience lives.
Paid homestay family
School fees
Placement anywhere in Ireland
A term, a half-year or a school year
Types of accommodation during the school year
Find out about the different types of accommodation available for your school exchange in Ireland.
High school in Ireland
Find out what’s in store for you during your school programme
School in Ireland starts at the age of 6, in primary school. After primary school comes secondary school, which is divided into two stages: the junior cycle (ages 12 to 15), followed by the senior cycle (ages 16 to 18). There is also the transition year, which may or may not be compulsory depending on the school and which takes place after the junior cycle. It allows pupils to spend a whole year focusing on non-academic subjects, such as sport and community work. If you have the opportunity to go on an exchange to Ireland, you’ll be able to experience a completely new school system and spectacular scenery whilst improving your English.
The school system in Ireland
High school in Ireland can last between 2 and 3 years, depending on the ‘transition year’. It will allow you to specialise by choosing the subjects you prefer or which are most relevant to your future plans. At the end of secondary school, you’ll receive your final qualification, also known as the Leaving Certificate – or, as we call it here, the baccalaureate.
There are several types in Ireland depending on the course of study, but if you’re planning to go on to higher education, it will be the Leaving Certificate (Established).
Here’s a brief summary of secondary education in Ireland:
Junior cycle:
* First Year – Year 5 – Cinquième
* Second Year – Year 4 – Quatrième
* Third Year – Year 3
* (Transition Year) – Year 2
Senior cycle:
* Fifth Year – Year 1
* Sixth Year – Year 6
High school classes
The school year in Ireland runs from September to the end of June, much like here. You’ll also find the same holidays: the autumn half-term, Christmas, winter half-term, Easter (Holy Week) and the summer holidays.
As for public holidays:
- New Year’s Day: 1 January, for a fresh start.
- St Patrick’s Day: 17 March, the unmissable Irish celebration where everyone dresses in green.
- Good Friday & Easter Monday: April, with chocolate and egg hunts on the agenda.
- Labour Day: May, to rest but also to enjoy the arrival of the warmer weather.
- Spring Bank Holiday: May, to relax with the family.
- Summer Bank Holiday: August, to make the most of the summer for a little while longer.
- All Saints’ Day: October/November, marking the end of the Celtic year.
- Christmas: 25 December, the perfect time to try some plum pudding.
- St Stephen’s Day: 26 December, a religious and family-oriented celebration.
The school calendar and public holidays
In Ireland, marks are out of 100 and are expressed as letters: marks from 85 to 100 are equivalent to an A, and so on down to the lowest mark, which ranges from 10 to 24 and is equivalent to an F.
Grades in Ireland
There’s a huge range of activities on offer in Irish schools to suit your interests and talents! You’ll be spoilt for choice: hurling, badminton, poetry, homework clubs… These activities are a great way to get involved in your new school, meet new people and develop new skills.
Examples of extracurricular activities
High schools in Ireland offers you the chance to tailor your curriculum. As well as compulsory subjects such as Irish, maths and English, you’ll be able to choose subjects that match your future aspirations. Whether you’re interested in engineering, economics, religion or any other field, there’ll be options to suit your interests. In total, you’ll need to choose at least five.
Examples of lessons
Testimonials from exchange students in Ireland.
Read testimonials from former participants who chose WEP for their study abroad programme
Going with WEP is best
Since 1988, a wide choice of destinations and comprehensive assistance before, during and after your overseas program. WEP is the ideal partner for your big overseas adventure.
Like you, we also get to choose who we travel with: our schools, host families and overseas partner organisations are carefully selected.
We offer a custom-made insurance policy, specifically designed for our participants, and we have a solid network behind us.
Emergency assistance, overseas and from Australia, is available 7 days out of 7, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Allowing all our participants to live their desired overseas experience is a mission, a challenge we're thrilled to accept.
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