From the country thread I've found that I mau be the only Irish person here. At the moment I'm finding myself in need to rant so I thought I'd take this opportunity to inform everyone on the ridiculousness of our second-level (and ultimately third level) education system.

The final exam in Ireland is called the Leaving Certificate. This is an exam where students sit the 3 core subjects (English, Irish and Maths) plus at least 3 options. Additionally students are allowed to sit any of the other curricular subjects as well as their main 6.

Now we get to the title. At the end you get your grades as you would in any other education system. Each grade corresponds to a place on the "points system". The Board of Education chooses your best six subjects (the only fair part) and they tally up your score. The maximum points you can get are 625. Each ordinary level subject carries a maximum of 60 points. Each higher level carries a maximum of 100 points. An extra 25 points is awarded to students who pass (at least 40%) higher level maths.

When you get out of school you go to college. If your college has the word "university" in the title you must have passes in at least 2 languages including English. The second language can be Irish which is btw the most horrible language the world has to offer.

Each college course has a corresponding number of points. "Is this based on the difficulty?" you ask? Nope. It's based on the popularity. So take for example a degree in Applied Science in "The University of Limerick" is currently up for 340 points. This means that anyone who got 340 or more points can join this course. The same college offers a course in P.E. Teaching for 600 points. This means that to tell children to children to run, you need 6 A grades and to be a top level scientist you need to reach the country's national average.

Not only is there the points system but also "course requirements". These are extra details you must achieve on top of the points. For example the course I want to do requires 425 points. It also asks for a C in higher level maths. If I get 49% in maths, I can't join this course even if I get 500 points. If I get 50% I am welcome to join.

All of this is of course, completely irrelevant unless you can either afford tuition, or receive a grant from the government's SUSI programme which deliberatly makes it as difficult as possible to receive this grant.

So if you're planning on coming to Ireland for education here's a little tip:

Don't.