Choosing Subjects in Ireland: Junior Cycle, TY and Senior Cycle

For many families, the Irish subject structure feels reassuringly clear: broad foundations first, then specialisation, with a balance of core and optional subjects. Below, we explain how choices work for international students, how HSI supports you before you arrive, and how to balance alignment with home studies and trying something new. For a system overview, see HSI: The Irish School System.

Quick Answer: How does subject choice work in Irish secondary schools?  Students study a mix of core and optional subjects. Junior Cycle (ages ~12–15) builds breadth; Transition Year (ages ~15–16) is a popular optional year to sample new areas; Senior Cycle (ages ~16–18) focuses on about seven subjects for two years. HSI helps you choose before you travel, and 5th-Year Senior Cycle choices normally stay fixed through 6th Year.

Irish secondary school at a glance (ages 12–18)

Junior Cycle (Years 1–3, ages ~12–15) → broad learning and discovery.

Transition Year (TY, ages ~15–16) → optional one-year programme to explore subjects, projects and work experience.

Senior Cycle (Years 5–6, ages ~16–18) → typically seven subjects studied across two years, leading to the Leaving Certificate (long-term students only).

See NCCA: Junior Cycle and NCCA: Senior Cycle overview for official context.

How to study abroad in high school: what this means in Ireland

With HSI, you’ll select subjects before arrival so your timetable can be secured at your host school. Multi-year students (e.g., TY → 5th Year) may have more room to refine choices later.

Junior Cycle subjects: core and options (ages ~12–15)

Most schools offer core subjects (English, Mathematics, Irish*) plus a range of options such as Science, Business Studies, a foreign language (French/Spanish/German, etc.), Graphics, Wood Technology, Music, Art, and Home Economics.

See the official overview of Junior Cycle on the NCCA site.

* Irish exemption: if you wish to be exempt from studying Irish, HSI will support you to secure the exemption as part of the pre-arrival process; learn more on the Department of Education portal.

What a week can look like (illustrative Junior Cycle timetable)

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
08:30–09:30	English	Maths	Science	Language	Business Studies
09:30–10:30	Maths	English	Geography	History	English
10:30–10:40	Morning break	Morning break	Morning break	Morning break	Morning break
10:40–11:40	Science	Language	English	Maths	Language
11:40–12:40	Geography	History	Art/Music	English	Science
12:40–13:20	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13:20–14:20	Wellbeing/PE	Home Economics	Language	Technology	SPHE/Civic
14:20–15:20	History	Technology	Business Studies	Geography	Art/Technology

Notes:

• This is an illustrative timetable; exact subjects and times vary by school.

• “Language” could be French, Spanish, German, etc.

• SPHE/Civic refers to wellbeing/citizenship classes.

Transition Year (TY) explained, and why HSI students love it (ages ~15–16)

TY is the most popular year for HSI students. It’s a unique Irish year that blends academic tasters, projects, work experience, trips and volunteering. You can try subjects you’ve never had before, build confidence in English, and figure out what you actually enjoy before Senior Cycle.

Read the official background here: NCCA: TY Programme Statement, and our overview: HSI: Transition Year.

TY benefits, at a glance

• Sample new subjects without exam pressure

• Develop study skills and independence (great preparation for Senior Cycle)

• Gain real-world insight through work placements

• Build friendships and confidence while improving spoken and academic English

  
  

Senior Cycle & the Leaving Certificate (ages ~16–18)

Senior Cycle covers 5th–6th Year. Students typically study seven subjects - including English and Mathematics (and Irish for domestic students) - chosen from the Senior Cycle subjects list, and those choices normally stay fixed for the full two years. Long-term students usually sit the Leaving Certificate at the end, which is used for university entry.

Important: In almost all cases, you will not change subjects between 5th and 6th Year. Your 5th-Year choices are intended to stay fixed for two years, as timetables and teaching plans are built around them.

What a week can look like (illustrative Senior Cycle timetable)

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
08:30–09:30	English	Mathematics	Option 1	English	Mathematics
09:30–10:30	Mathematics	English	Option 2	Option 1	English
10:30–10:40	Morning break	Morning break	Morning break	Morning break	Morning break
10:40–11:40	Option 1	Option 3	English	Option 2	Option 3
11:40–12:40	Option 2	Option 4	Mathematics	Option 3	Option 4
12:40–13:20	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13:20–14:20	Option 3	English	Option 4	Mathematics	Option 5
14:20–15:20	Option 4	Option 5	Option 5	Option 4	Option 1

Notes:

• “Option 1–5” = your five chosen subjects (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Business, Geography, a Language, Art/Music, Construction Studies, etc.).

• This is illustrative; actual timetables vary by school.

• 5th-Year choices are intended to stay fixed through 6th Year in Senior Cycle.

Choosing subjects before you arrive

With HSI, subject selection happens during your application so we can secure your timetable at the host school. If you’re on a multi-year pathway (for example, TY → 5th Year), there’s usually more scope to refine choices as you move into Senior Cycle.

Explore options: Public Schools  | Private Schools 

Match your Irish subjects to your home subjects (and what won’t match exactly)

If you’re returning to your home school and don’t plan to repeat time, prioritise home subject alignment (e.g., keep your Maths going; include a Science or required Language if needed).

Even when the subjects match, the content often won’t line up perfectly, for example, History in Ireland includes more Irish content than a history course in Spain or Brazil, and Maths topics may be taught in a different sequence. That’s normal and manageable; your teachers and HSI will help you bridge small gaps.

If you’re not constrained by home requirements, a great formula is two aligned subjects + two uniquely Irish choices for enrichment.

Uniquely Irish (and much-loved) subject choices

Many international students enjoy trying options they can’t access at home. Examples from the official Senior Cycle suite include Agricultural Science, Construction Studies, Home Economics, Politics & Society, Classical Studies, plus strong practical arts like Music and Art.

Browse the full list on Senior Cycle subjects.

(Subject availability varies by school. HSI will confirm what’s on offer when matching you with a host school - unlike other providers, there is no extra fee for subject choice with HSI.)

Changing levels or subjects

• Short-term (semester/year) students: choices are finalised before arrival and changes on arrival are uncommon due to timetable capacity.

• Multi-year students (TY → 5th Year): there may be scope to refine choices as you enter Senior Cycle.

• HSI coordinates with schools where feasible, but remember: 5th-Year choices are set for the two-year Senior Cycle.

  
  

Your pre-arrival support with HSI

• We help align your current subjects and future goals with realistic options at Irish schools.

• We secure your timetable with the host school.

• We secure an Irish exemptions from study of Irish.

Download: Subject-planning worksheet (optional)

Use our one-page worksheet to map your aims, must-keep home subjects, and “unique Irish” pick. It’s a helpful resource, not a required part of the HSI application.

HSI Subject Choice — Personal Reflection.pdf

Download PDF • 3.90MB

Summary

• Ireland’s structure is clear and familiar: broad Junior Cycle, exploratory TY, focused Senior Cycle.

• HSI helps you choose before you arrive, and 5th-Year choices normally stay fixed for Senior Cycle.

• If you’re returning home, aim for home subject alignment; if not, try a uniquely Irish option for enrichment.

• TY is hugely popular with HSI students for confidence, English, and exploration.