St Columba's College

Ireland, Dublin

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The school at a glance

Fees €11,481 - 36,322

Ages Not listed

Pupil numbers 350

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Opened 1843

Bus Service No

Availability Not shared by this school

Academic offering

Taught languages English, Italian, French, Spanish

Typical class size 15

Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts

Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language

Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form

Introduction

St Columba's College is a Catholic, seven-day boarding and day school on a 140-acre campus in Whitechurch, Dublin 16. The curriculum follows the Irish National Curriculum; pupils sit Junior Cycle in Form III and Leaving Certificate in Forms V–VI, with Transition Year in Form IV that blends short modules (Public Speaking, Digital Literacy, Linguistics) with academic study and work experience, including RCSI Mini-Med and Law Library. The Leaving Certificate programme offers seven subjects with core English, Maths, and Irish or a language, plus options such as History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art, Music, and Design and Communication Graphics, with Higher and Ordinary levels available. The school supports CAO and UCAS applications and offers study opportunities in the US and Europe, with curricula aligned to DoE and NCCA standards. Facilities include Cadogan Music Centre, Library, Art Centre, Science Block, Dining Hall, and an on-site nine-hole golf course, two AstroTurf pitches, a Sports Hall, and thriving drama, music and debating programs.

Gallery

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Vibes and Culture

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The Essentials

Location

The school is located at Whitechurch, Dublin 16, Ireland. It sits on a 140-acre campus in South County Dublin, at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, overlooking the city. The campus is described as being set on 140 acres at the foot of the Dublin Mountains with views toward Dublin.

Stages

Junior Cycle; Transition Year; Senior Cycle within a Catholic voluntary secondary school.

Type

Catholic, seven-day boarding and day school.

Additional learning support

Special Educational Needs (SEN) support is provided via a dedicated SEN department and Learning Support Programme, with identification, targeted support and exam accommodations as required.

Country affiliation

Ireland

Religious affiliation

Catholic

School day structure

The school day begins with breakfast between 7:00am and 8:05am, followed by a Chapel service at 8:20am and lessons beginning at 8:45am. Lessons run six days a week (Monday to Saturday), with a morning break from 11:00am to 11:30am and a two-course lunch. There are two further lessons in the afternoon, followed by compulsory games, evening meals and supervised prep; boarders have house routines.

Diving Deeper

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Fees

Application & registration fees

- Registration fee: EUR 200 (payable at time of application; non-refundable).
- Confirmation of Entry fee (payable on acceptance of a place; allowable against the final account where applicable): EUR 1,500 (Irish/UK/EU) and EUR 2,000 (Non‑EU). On acceptance, write the pupil's full name in the payment reference.

Tuition fees — annual and per installment (published figures for the 2026/27 billing structure)

Fees are billed two times per school year (one invoice in each billing month). The annual fee and the corresponding single invoice amount (annual ÷ 2) are shown below.

- Day Pupil: EUR 11,481 per year — split invoice EUR 5,740.50.
- Day Boarder (day boarder who takes supervised prep and meals): EUR 14,981 per year — split invoice EUR 7,490.50.
- Junior Boarder (Forms I–III): EUR 26,154 per year — split invoice EUR 13,077.00.
- Senior Boarder (Forms IV–VI): EUR 31,154 per year — split invoice EUR 15,577.00.

Detailed boarding & day fee categories and additional levies

- Summer Works Levy: EUR 800 per family (charged in addition to tuition where applicable).
- For boarding, differentiated annual fee levels (by junior/senior and by nationality category) and an EU administration charge apply in practice; examples of annual figures used in the school's published fee schedules are:
- Junior (Forms I–III): EUR 25,270 (Irish/UK/EU); EUR 31,322 (Non‑EU).
- Senior (Forms IV–VI): EUR 30,270 (Irish/UK/EU); EUR 36,322 (Non‑EU).
- EU Pupils administration charge (where applicable, excl. Ireland & UK): EUR 1,755.

What is included and excluded from the tuition/boarding fees

- Included: core tuition, accommodation (for boarders), and scheduled meals.
- Excluded (examples of chargeable items): extra textbooks, College publications, extra stationery, external public exam fees, travel costs related to College activities, dry cleaning, emergency medical/specialist/dental fees, prescriptions, transport for games (unless team travel is included), gowns/surplices/House ties, and weekly House allowance. Optional extras are charged per term. Any fee account with an outstanding balance will not be allowed to sign up for optional extras.

Optional extras & common additional charges

- Instrumental music tuition: standard annual charge (example: EUR 1,000 per year for a primary instrument; additional instrument charges typically EUR 900 for a second instrument and EUR 800 for a third instrument; charged half‑yearly in arrears).
- English as a Foreign Language and one‑to‑one lessons: charged separately (rates vary by number of classes).
- School trips: optional trip costs must be paid in full in advance; some trips require a deposit when booking (example deposit cited recently: EUR 220). Any account with an outstanding balance will be prevented from taking part in optional trips.

Billing schedule, invoicing & payment terms

- Billing schedule: fees are billed twice each academic year (one invoice in each billing month). Invoices are issued by e‑mail. Payment timetables are tied to the two billing points.
- Overseas pupils who require a visa must pay the full year's fees in advance and pay extras at the end of each term. Interest is charged on overdue balances. If a place becomes available from January, fees for the remainder of the year are charged as two terms.
- Notice of withdrawal: parents are required to give six months' notice of removal of a pupil or, alternatively, pay a half year's fees in lieu of notice. For withdrawal from certain programmes (e.g., Learning Support Programme or music tuition) at least one full term's notice is required or a full term's fees are payable in lieu. A pupil whose fees have not been paid by Half Term may not be allowed to remain at the College.

Refunds and how confirmation payments are treated

- The Confirmation of Entry fee is allowable against the final account when a pupil leaves at the end of an academic year; any balance after charges for extras is refunded in the term after the pupil leaves.

Payment methods and banking details

- Accepted payment methods and instructions include online bank transfers (overseas payments must be made by online banking). Payment by Euro cheque or bank draft drawn on Irish banks has historically been accepted in some circumstances; parents are advised to use the College bank details and to include the pupil's full name in the payment reference. The College publishes its bank account and IBAN/SWIFT details for electronic payments. Invoices are issued by e‑mail to the address on record. Interest may be charged on outstanding balances. For specific payment processing queries contact the Bursar's office.

Other practical payment notes

- Discounts and reductions: discounts for siblings, children of past pupils and significant discounts for the children of Church of Ireland clergy apply under the College's discount policy. Bursaries (means tested) may be available in certain cases. Fee accounts with outstanding balances are restricted from optional activities or extras. Guardianship requirements apply for pupils whose parents live overseas.

Academics

Curriculum

The curriculum is determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Pupils prepare for the Junior Cycle in Form III and for the Leaving Certificate in Form VI. There are three forms in the junior school: Form I, Form II and Form III; Form IV is Transition Year (compulsory) and Forms V and VI form the Senior School. Transition Year features a broad mix of short modules (e.g., Public Speaking, Digital Literacy, Linguistics) alongside academic study, work experience and career-oriented courses (e.g., RCSI Mini-Med and Law Library). The Leaving Certificate programme in Forms V–VI is typically seven subjects, with core English, Maths, French or Spanish and Irish (unless exempt), plus options such as History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Economics, Art, Classical Studies, Music, and Design and Communication Graphics; some subjects can be studied at Higher or Ordinary level. The school supports applications to Irish universities via CAO and UK universities via UCAS, as well as study opportunities in the US and Europe, with the curriculum aligned to Department of Education and NCCA standards.

Student Teacher Ratio

8:1

Higher Education Progression

In 2024, 81% of students secured their first-choice university, with 75% gaining places at Russell Group or Top 10 institutions, including UCL, King's College London, Durham, Bristol, Manchester and Bath.

Wellbeing

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Parent Experience

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Facilities

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Extra-Curricular Activities

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Languages

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Reputation

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Admissions

1. Entry and intake: The College recommends entry at Form I (aged 12). Admission to all Forms is possible, but Form I is preferred; some pupils join Form II (often from preparatory schools), Form IV (Transition Year) and Form V (the start of the two-year Leaving Certificate). Entry to Forms III or VI is not normally recommended, though exceptions may be made after consulting the Admissions Office. 2. Applications and timing: Day places cannot be applied for until October 1 in the year preceding entry; boarding places may be applied for a year earlier. All pupils applying for a place must visit the College before entry. 3. Application and fees: Applicants should complete the application form and return it to the Admissions Office with the appropriate fee. 4. Visits and tours: Candidates are invited to meet the Warden and tour the facilities before entry. 5. Assessments and interviews: Form II entrants normally sit the Common Entrance Examination; Form IV and V entrants are usually interviewed by the Warden or Sub-Warden and past reports are sought from their current school. Pupils whose first language is not English sit assessments in English and Mathematics in November of the year preceding entry. 6. Offers: The first round of offers is made during Michaelmas Term (September–December of the year prior to entry); the second round of offers is made at the start of Trinity Term, just after Easter. 7. Sizes and capacity: Year-group sizes rise to about 60 in Forms IV and V; the Junior cycle average class size is about 15; the Senior cycle average is about 10; the College has bed space for about 240 boarders and usually awards around 100 day places. 8. Current status: Boarding applications are open for the 2027-2028 academic year; Day Pupils and Day Boarders entry into Form I in September 2027 will open on October 1, 2026. 9. Fees overview: For the 2026-2027 year, Day Pupil from €11,481 per annum; Junior Boarder from €26,154 per annum; Senior Boarder from €31,154 per annum; Day Boarder from €14,981 per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards: Junior Scholarships are offered to the highest performers in the Entrance Assessments for Form I, with values of €2,500 for a boarder, €1,125 for a day boarder, and €900 for a day pupil, tenable for three years. The Form III Scholarship may be awarded to high‑performing Form III pupils, tenable for Forms IV–VI, with values of €5,000 for a boarder, €2,250 for a day boarder, and €1,800 for a day pupil. The Old Columban Society scholarship is awarded to a child of an Old Columban, worth €1,250 for one year. The Norman Scholarship provides funds for the sons and daughters of Church of Ireland clergy to support third‑level education. Additional awards include discounts and broader terms: a 50% discount for Norman Scholarship recipients; 10% discount for children of past pupils; 5% discount for the second child, 10% for the third child, and 15% for the fourth child. Bursaries are means‑tested and may be available to boarding pupils; the application follows the Bursary Policy. Academic Scholarships may be offered to external applicants at 11+ and 13+ (and to Prep School pupils at 11+), awarded by a Scholarship Review Panel based on entrance assessment performance, interview, and references; internal candidates with outstanding GCSE outcomes may also be considered. Music Scholarships exist at 11+ and 13+ (external applicants and Prep School pupils at 11+); auditions are required and candidates should typically be established performers with appropriate grade levels. A 16+ Music Scholarship may be offered in some cases. Sports Scholarships reward sporting excellence and require evidence of elite level pathway or representative experience; Drama Scholarships depend on audition and commitment to drama. The Scholarships process includes deadlines: 11+/13+ Scholarships deadline is Friday 13 November 2026; Sixth Form deadline is Friday 4 December 2026. Bursaries are means-tested and may supplement scholarship awards where needed. For more information, refer to the Bursary Policy.

School Events

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FAQs

Where is St Columba's College located?

St Columba's College is in Whitechurch, Dublin 16, Ireland, on a 140-acre campus at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains with views toward the city. It is a Catholic voluntary secondary school offering seven-day boarding as well as day pupil options. The campus includes residential houses and multiple academic buildings.

What age does the school start at and which forms does it include?

Entry typically begins at Form I, aged 12, and the school runs through Form VI. The Junior Cycle covers Forms I–III, Form IV is Transition Year, and Forms V–VI form the Senior School, leading to the Leaving Certificate.

Is St Columba's College both a day and boarding school?

Yes. St Columba's offers seven-day full boarding and day pupil options. Boarders reside in Beresford, Glen, Gwynn, Iona and Stackallan houses, while day pupils live in Kilmashogue or Clonard, and day boarders stay in Glen or Hollypark.

How does the admissions process work, from inquiry to offer?

Entry is usually at Form I (aged 12). Prospective pupils visit the College for a tour and to meet the Warden. Form II entrants sit the Common Entrance Examination; Form IV and V entrants are usually interviewed; assessments for non-native English speakers occur in November prior to entry. Offers are made in Michaelmas Term and again at Trinity Term.

What admission-related fees should families expect?

There is a Registration fee of EUR 200 (non-refundable) payable at application. A Confirmation of Entry fee is EUR 1,500 (Irish/UK/EU) or EUR 2,000 (Non‑EU) payable on acceptance. For boarding, there are annual figures and additional costs such as the Summer Works Levy of EUR 800 per family.

Are scholarships or bursaries available, and what do they cover?

Yes. Scholarships, bursaries and awards are available, including Junior Scholarships for Form I entrance (€2,500 for a boarder, €1,125 for a day boarder, €900 for a day pupil, tenable for three years) and Form III Scholarships (€5,000 for a boarder, €2,250 for a day boarder, €1,800 for a day pupil, tenable for Forms IV–VI). Other awards include the Old Columban Society scholarship (€1,250 for one year) and the Norman Scholarship for Church of Ireland clergy. Discounts apply (e.g., 50% for Norman Scholarship recipients; 10% for children of past pupils; 5%/10%/15% for siblings). Bursaries are means-tested and may supplement scholarship awards.

What curriculum is used and how are the stages structured from junior to senior years?

The curriculum is determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Pupils prepare for the Junior Cycle in Form III and for the Leaving Certificate in Form VI, with Transition Year in Form IV offering a mix of modules and work experience. The Leaving Certificate programme in Forms V–VI is typically seven subjects, with core English, Maths, French or Spanish and Irish (unless exempt) plus a range of options.

What are typical class sizes and the student-teacher ratio?

The Junior Cycle average class size is about 15 pupils, the Senior Cycle average is about 10 pupils, and the overall student-teacher ratio is 8:1.

How does the school support higher education and university applications?

The College supports applications to Irish universities via CAO and UK universities via UCAS, with study opportunities in the US and Europe. In 2024, 81% of students secured their first-choice university, with 75% gaining places at Russell Group or Top 10 institutions such as UCL, King's College London, Durham, Bristol, Manchester and Bath.

What on-campus facilities support learning and the arts?

Facilities include the Library, Big School Room, Cadogan Music building, Art Centre, Science Building, Dining Hall and Stackallan House. The Cadogan Music building houses teaching and performing spaces, and the Cadogan facilities complement robust arts and academic programs.

What sports and leisure facilities are available on site?

On site there are two AstroTurf hockey pitches, a modern Sports Hall with a five-bay indoor nets facility, six tennis courts (four astro, two hard), a nine-hole on-site golf course, a swimming pool and rugby playing fields, plus cross-country routes.

Are there any notable campus features or spaces for students to use outside classes?

The campus includes the Deerpark and Sanitorium and Whispering House, which serves as a cafe and social centre for pupils. The on-site Cadogan Music building supports teaching and performance near the main learning spaces.

What extracurricular activities and clubs are available beyond class time?

There is an active programme including debating, choir, drama and writing for the school newspaper, with opportunities for pupils to start their own clubs if none exist. The school also runs an extensive trips programme to enrich learning outside the classroom.

What leadership and student senior roles exist at the College?

There is a Senior Prefect system and a Senior Prefects' Welcome, with pupil leadership roles within the student body. A house system is in place, stewarded by Housemasters and Tutors, and senior students hold leadership positions within the school.

What kinds of trips and competitions do students participate in?

Pupils participate in a wide range of trips and visits, and participate in events such as European Youth Parliament, World Schools Debating Championships and Model United Nations.

How is wellbeing supported at St Columba's College?

The school runs a dedicated wellbeing programme overseen by Cúram, with SPHE, CSPE, Religious Education, SEN and Guidance. The Student Support Team coordinates wellbeing across College life, and confidential support is available from the School Counsellor.

How is safeguarding managed at the College?

The College has a Child Safeguarding Statement aligned with Children First guidance and 2023 procedures. The Designated Liaison Person is Mark Boobbyer and the Deputy DLP is Julian Girdham, with staff training and annual reviews.

What support exists for students with Special Educational Needs?

SEN provision is integrated within the wellbeing framework, coordinated by the Student Support Team with the Head of SEN providing targeted support and exam accommodations as required.

What is the boarding culture like and how is the uniform managed?

St Columba's runs seven-day, full boarding with a structured uniform policy across Prep, Senior and Sixth Form. A second-hand uniform shop run by the Parents' Association helps families update attire.

How are meals arranged and dietary needs handled?

Meals are provided on campus by Baxter Storey, including breakfast, hot lunch with a salad bar and fruit, snacks and an evening meal. Dietary requirements are accommodated.

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