List of 40 Best Schools in Northern Ireland (2026 Fees)

A small country with a low  population density, Northern Ireland is known as an excellent choice for expatriates and students. Northern Ireland boasts of a superior education system, a rich history, and a thrilling lifestyle filled with cultural, artistic, and entertaining activities.

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Table of Contents

• Facts about Schools in Northern Ireland

Facts about Schools in Northern Ireland

• The education system in Northern Ireland is overseen by the Department of Education. At the local levels, schools are administered by the Education and Library Boards.
• Children in Northern Ireland are required to go to school from age 4 to age 16. This age range covers preschool until secondary education. At age 16, students take the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examination.
• All schools in Northern Ireland follow a national curriculum, which is primarily based on the ones used in Wales and England.
• Generally, there are 2 types of schools in Northern Ireland: grant-aided (public schools) and independent (private schools). The majority of schools in the area are grant-aided institutions.

Ready to start your child’s education in Northern Ireland?

Below is a comprehensive list of all schools in Northern Ireland (Armagh, Belfast‎, Derry, Lisburn, Newry). Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best schools in Northern Ireland with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.

Edarabia showcases all private schools in Northern ireland through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.

Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in Northern ireland tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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