Education in Ireland
Ireland is an island in the Atlantic off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. Irish culture has had a significant influence on other cultures, especially in the fields of literature, science and education. Irish literature has been contributing to the world and it cultivated a lot of influential writers, for example, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats and Bram Stoker, etc. In the survey conducted in 2022 by Campus Advisor, Ireland ranked first in the world in the ‘Arts & Culture’ category. Not only does Ireland have the dominant impact on Art and culture, but it also keeps abreast of the times to develop into a knowledge society.
Education is always the priority of the Irish government. During Covid-19, education systems faced up to a huge challenge worldwide and the Irish government realized that there could be an unbalanced situation across different education levels, such as there was not enough support for early childhood and secondary teachers handling more than 25 students in a class. Therefore, the state invests more money in education to reach an even more comprehensive education system.
The State funding reinforces their outstanding performance in research and the nurturing of highly-skilled graduates. Irish education institutions of all levels are offering the most advanced quality education and exciting cultural experience allowing students from all over the world to pursue academic and professional qualifications. Regardless of your duration of learning in Ireland, you are sure to encounter a unique and enriching educational and cultural experience. With the friendly and hospitality of the Irish, overseas students find students’ life settling with ease in Ireland.
Ireland Education System
The education system in Ireland and Hong Kong is quite similar, it includes 3 years of junior cycle, 3 years of senior cycle and 4 years of tertiary education. Students who are studying GCSE and MYP curriculum are also able to transfer to the Irish Leaving Certificate programme.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
On 6 November 2012, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland(NQAI) completed its amalgamation with Higher Education and Training Award Committee (HETAC), FETAC and the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) and a new integrated agency, QQI, was established. QQI is responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training (including English language provision) and validates programmes and makes awards for certain providers in these sectors. The quality and standard of all Irish educational awards of QQI are fully recognised globally. Awards and qualifications formerly made by HETAC, FETAC and IUQB continue to be recognized but the awards now are made by QQI.

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
The NFQ is maintained by the NQAI, it is a system of ten levels which capture all learning from the very initial stages to the most advanced, and all recognised Irish awards are included in the NFQ. It allows students to compare and contrast qualifications and plan their education and training and career progression. This information will help you to judge whether a course will lead you to the outcomes you expect. Students are encouraged to use the NFQ to identify the qualification they will achieve before making decisions on their study pathway.
For more information please visit
https://www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/the-qualifications-system/national-framework-of-qualifications
