| The secondary school cycle in Ireland consists of 5 - 6 years of study which is divided into 2 parts: Junior and Senior. |
| The Junior Cycle comprises First, Second and Third Year and leads to the Junior Certificate Examination, an external state examination. Students starting the first year of secondary school will usually be aged about 12. |
| Fourth Year / Transition Year |
| There is no state exam at the end of this year and it is an optional year in some schools. The course varies from school to school but is usually less academic than other school years. It is often an excellent year for the international student, providing valuable opportunities for personal development while gaining confidence in the English language, without the pressure of preparing for a state exam. |
| Fifth and Sixth Year form the Senior Cycle. At the end of the two years, students take the Leaving Certificate Examination which is the examination for high school graduation and university entrance in Ireland. It is recognised and highly regarded by academic institutions in the UK, Europe and the United States. |
