--- title: "Transition Year Coding Course in Ireland | Live Online" description: "A Transition Year coding course for students in Ireland: Python, apps and AI across the whole TY year, fitted to your school's programme. First class free." canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/transition-year-coding-course-ireland source: src/pages/transition-year-coding-course-ireland.html --- > A Transition Year coding course for students in Ireland: Python, apps and AI across the whole TY year, fitted to your school's programme. First class free. In short A good Transition Year coding course runs for the whole year and ends with one finished project the student can show and explain. The Transition Year Programme Statement, in all Irish schools since September 2025, lets each school design its own TY, allows externally provided learning only within the context of the school's TY programme, and says TY should not be used to start Leaving Cert courses early. So the right course is exploration, not a head start: Python first, then an app, website, data project or AI model built to the end. Modern Age Coders teaches TY students live online in groups of five to ten or one to one. The first class costs nothing, and the course is then USD 100 a month in a group or USD 150 a month one to one. Start here ## Three year-long projects for Transition Year Each of these can carry a student from September to a finished piece of work in May. The card opens the full syllabus. [![App Development for Teens course thumbnail](/images/app-dev-teens.webp) TY / 01 App Development for Teens A phone app designed for a real user, built across the year and released to friends and family before the TY showcase. Open the syllabus →](/courses/complete-app-development-masterclass-for-teens)[![AI and Machine Learning for Teens course thumbnail](/images/ai-ml-teens.webp) TY / 02 AI and Machine Learning for Teens A small model trained on data the student collects, tested honestly, and explained in plain words to a room of parents. Open the syllabus →](/courses/ai-ml-masterclass-teens)[![Data Science for Teens course thumbnail](/images/data-science-teens.webp) TY / 03 Data Science for Teens An investigation of an Irish open dataset, from a question in October to charts and a written finding in the spring. Open the syllabus →](/courses/data-science-course-for-teens-python-data) The Programme Statement ## What the Transition Year Programme Statement asks of schools The statement is short and readable, and it is the document a TY coordinator will work from. The points that matter for coding are these. | Point | What the statement says | Where | | --- | --- | --- | | What TY is | A one-year optional programme available to all post-primary schools, standalone within senior cycle | Page 7 | | In schools from | September 2025, replacing the 1994 Transition Year Guidelines for Schools | Cover; Department press release | | Foundations | Four Student Dimensions: Personal Growth, Being a Learner, Civic and Community Engagement, and Career Exploration | Page 11 | | Who designs it | Each school, with autonomy to suit its own culture, identity and context | Page 16 | | Placements | Work and community placements amounting to the equivalent of two to four weeks | Page 19 | | Reporting | Three elements: the student's TY portfolio, student reflection and school reporting | Page 23 | ### A user and a creator Under Being a Learner, the statement lists "Becoming more skilled with digital technologies, both as a user and a creator." Most teenagers are already expert users. Coding is how they become creators. Under Personal Growth it suggests "Individual tasks and projects, involving digital and non-digital skills to enable self-expression." A year-long coding project is one of the clearest examples there is. ### Outside learning, inside the school plan The statement allows for students taking part in "externally provided learning experiences", but "once it is within the context of the school's TY programme". It also mentions short certified courses and micro-credentials among Career Exploration experiences. So the first step is a conversation with the school's TY coordinator. We are happy to describe the course in writing for a school, and we do not promise that any school will count it. Sources, read 16 September 2026: [Transition Year Programme Statement (NCCA, 2024)](https://curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/5849acbf-0326-487a-beec-3db6b5878470/TY-Programme-Statement-ENG-INT.pdf); [Department of Education press release, 2024](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/press-releases/minister-foley-welcomes-publication-of-12-new-and-revised-leaving-certificate-subjects-and-senior-cycle-programmes/); [Curriculum Online, Transition Year](https://www.curriculumonline.ie/senior-cycle/transition-year/). Sampling, not a head start ## Why a TY coding course should not be the Leaving Cert started early The statement is explicit on this, and it is good advice. TY is for finding out, not for getting a year ahead. The statement says TY "should not be used, for example, as a way to explicitly spread leaving certificate subject specification over three years rather than the two years of 5th and 6th year, for which these curricula were designed." So our TY course does not teach the Leaving Certificate Computer Science specification. It teaches programming and building for their own sake, which is also the best preparation for anyone who later chooses the subject. The Department's Inspectorate, reporting on its 2024 evaluations, found that TY programmes "often included digital subjects to help inform Leaving Certificate subject choices", and listed "Transition Year Computer Science Sampling" among the digital subjects it observed. That is the right use of the year: try computing properly, then decide. Students who go on to take the subject can find help on our [Leaving Cert Computer Science grinds](/leaving-cert-computer-science-grinds-online) page. ### Try it for real A student who has built something over months knows far more about whether they like computing than one who sat through a taster afternoon. ### Decide with evidence By spring the student can say what they enjoyed, what they found hard and what they would like to study next, which makes Fifth Year subject choices easier. ### Keep the record Plans, screenshots, test results and reflections go into the TY portfolio as the year goes on, not in a rush at the end. TY in numbers ## Transition Year in numbers, and a lesson in reading them Transition Year was first piloted in September 1974 and opened to all post-primary schools in September 1994. Today virtually every school offers it: 99%, according to the Department. The Department's Education Indicators give the recent trend. | Year | Students in TY | As % of the previous Third Year | | --- | --- | --- | | 2019 | 48,268 | 74.0% | | 2020 | 47,544 | 72.9% | | 2021 | 48,025 | 73.8% | | 2022 | 54,927 | 79.2% | | 2023 | 58,703 | 80.3% | ### Trap 1: which year? The report says "2023 means September 2023". So its 2023 row is the 2023/24 school year, and anyone who reads it as the year students sat the Junior Cycle is out by one. ### Trap 2: the denominator The rate divides TY students by the previous year's Third Year, and the report warns it "may include new arrivals into the system", so it can run slightly above the true share of students moving straight into TY. ### Trap 3: percent or points? From 2019 to 2023 the number in TY rose by about 21.6%, while the rate rose by 6.3 percentage points. Both are true. A headline that mixes the two up is wrong by a factor of three. This is a first TY data project in miniature. Students load the table in Python, compute both kinds of change, and write one honest sentence about the trend that a reader could not misunderstand. The policy picture is still moving. The Department has committed to universal access to TY, meaning every student in every school could choose it, "from a date to be identified". We found no date announced yet. Sources: [Education Indicators for Ireland, June 2025](https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/09fe3ad4/2025_Report_Education_Indicators_for_Ireland.pdf); [Introduction of the new Programme Statement, February 2024](https://assets.gov.ie/292927/15cfebd5-51a6-431c-b713-6bfe5bc9984b.pdf); [Inspectorate, Post-primary insights 2024](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/post-primary-insights-2024/). The 21.6% and 6.3 points are our own arithmetic on the table. A week or a year ## A coding week at university, and a coding year at home Some Irish universities run excellent short programmes for TY students. They and a year-long course do different jobs. ### ComputeTY at DCU Dublin City University's School of Computing runs ComputeTY, a week-long coding camp on its Glasnevin campus. It reached its 21st year in 2026, has introduced more than 5,000 young people to computing, and welcomed almost 70 students that year. ### What it teaches DCU describes interactive Python workshops and lab sessions guided by its own Computing students, with awards for Python programming and micro:bit programming. DCU says places are allocated by school. ### How the two fit If a school offers a place, a student should take it: a week on a campus is a wonderful taster. A year-long course is different, a single project carried from September to May with the same teacher. Source: [DCU, ComputeTY Coding Camp 2026](https://www.dcu.ie/engineeringandcomputing/news/2026/apr/computety-coding-camp-dcu-inspires-future-tech-talent) and [DCU School of Computing, ComputeTY](https://www.dcu.ie/computing/computety), read 16 September 2026. We have no connection with DCU. The TY year ## A project plan from September to May Set against the 2026/27 school calendar fixed by Circular 0018/2026. Each school's TY programme has its own rhythm, so the plan bends around trips, placements and events. | When | Stage | The student | | --- | --- | --- | | September to the October mid-term | 1. Python, quickly | Writes and fixes short programs every week | | After the mid-term (schools close 26 to 30 October 2026) to Christmas | 2. A first small build | Finishes a mini website or game and shows it to the group | | From 6 January 2027 to the February mid-term | 3. Choosing the big project | Picks an app, a data investigation or an AI model, with a real user in mind | | To the end of the spring term on 19 March 2027 | 4. Build and test | Builds it, tests it with real people and keeps a log of changes | | From 5 April 2027 to May | 5. Show and reflect | Presents the project and writes the portfolio reflection | ### Why a year, not a week The things a TY student learns from a long project, planning, getting stuck, starting a part again, finishing, simply cannot happen in a week. That is also what employers and colleges mean by experience. Where each skill leads after TY is laid out stage by stage on the [coding roadmap](/coding-roadmap). ### Around placements and trips TY is full of good interruptions: two to four weeks of placements, trips, musicals and mini-companies. Lessons pause when they need to and the project plan moves with them. A work placement in a technology company is a natural partner to the project; the student will understand far more of what they see. The catalogue ## Nine live courses that suit Transition Year Grouped by the kind of project a student wants to finish. The free first class helps a student pick a course and a starting level. I ### Make something people use Apps and websites TY / MAKE / 01 #### App Development for Teens A phone app, from a paper sketch to real users. [Open the syllabus](/courses/complete-app-development-masterclass-for-teens) TY / MAKE / 02 #### Full Stack Web Development for Teens A site that stores and serves its own data. [Open the syllabus](/courses/full-stack-web-development-teens-masterclass) TY / MAKE / 03 #### Git and GitHub for Teens Every change saved, so the portfolio shows the journey. [Open the syllabus](/courses/git-github-version-control-course-for-teens)II ### Find something out Data and AI TY / FIND / 01 #### Data Science for Teens An Irish dataset, a question and an honest answer. [Open the syllabus](/courses/data-science-course-for-teens-python-data) TY / FIND / 02 #### AI and Machine Learning for Teens A model trained on the student's own data. [Open the syllabus](/courses/ai-ml-masterclass-teens) TY / FIND / 03 #### AI Tools for Teens Using AI tools with judgement, for thirteen and up. [Open the syllabus](/courses/teens-ai-tools-mastery-course)III ### Go deeper into code For students who love the puzzle TY / DEEP / 01 #### Python for Teens The language under almost every TY project here. [Open the syllabus](/courses/python-complete-masterclass-teens) TY / DEEP / 02 #### Problem Solving for Teens Algorithms for students who enjoy hard puzzles. [Open the syllabus](/courses/problem-solving-dsa-masterclass-teens) TY / DEEP / 03 #### Java for Teens A typed language, for a second way of thinking. [Open the syllabus](/courses/java-programming-masterclass-for-teens) How the classes run ## Weekly lessons that fit around a busy TY Lessons are live, with a teacher in India at a set time in Irish time. India never moves its clocks, so our teachers are four and a half hours ahead while Ireland is on summer time and five and a half ahead after the clocks go back in October. TY students often have more flexible days than other years, so there is more choice of slot. Weekday evening The usual choice, Irish time, after the school day. Weekend Longer sessions when a project needs a push. By arrangement Where a school fits the class into its own TY timetable. ### The first class is on us The student writes real code with a teacher, talks about project ideas, and gets a suggested course and level. ### Five to ten per group TY students and others of the same level, sharing progress and testing each other's projects. ### One to one For a student with a very particular project, or a timetable that will not fit a group. ### A log for the portfolio Each week the student notes what they built and what went wrong, which becomes the portfolio reflection. ### A letter for the school On request we describe the course in writing for a TY coordinator; the school decides how it fits. ### A showcase at the end The finished project is presented to the group and can be shown at the school's TY events. Student work ## Finished projects by our students Four projects that our students built and published; the kind of work a TY year can end with. More are on the [student labs](/student-labs) page. ![NutriLife AI nutrition coach project screenshot](/images/projects/nutrilife.webp) AI and ML #### NutriLife An AI nutrition coach that reads what you eat and works you toward a target. by Bhavya · [Open it](https://nutrilife-bhavya.lovable.app) ![Misti AI chatbot for maths and coding screenshot](/images/projects/misti.webp) AI and ML #### Misti A chatbot that answers mathematics and programming questions, built and deployed by a student. by Harshit · [Open it](https://misti.modernagecoders.com) ![GuardianX AI internet safety assistant screenshot](/images/projects/guardianx.webp) AI and ML #### GuardianX An assistant that helps a young person recognise unsafe situations online. by Vivaan · [Open it](https://guardianx-cybersaver.lovable.app) ![SkyCast weather forecast application screenshot](/images/projects/skycast.webp) Web app #### SkyCast A weather forecasting site with live conditions for any location. by Krish Fees ## Fees for the TY course Paid monthly in US dollars at one rate for every country outside India. There is nothing to pay upfront for the year, no enrolment charge, and a student can stop at the end of any month if their TY plans change. Free first class USD 0 no card required - Real code and a talk about project ideas - A suggested course and level - No card taken Book it Group batch USD 100 a month, billed in US dollars - Five to ten students at one level - The same teacher for the year - Project checked every week - A certificate when the course is complete Start here One to one USD 150 a month, billed in US dollars - A teacher for one student - Built around an unusual project or timetable - Flexible around placements Enquire What families say ## Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews Reviews exactly as families and students posted them on Google. Nobody was paid or prompted to write one. ★★★★★ "The one step solution for my son. Modern Age Coders make learning coding so simple that kids love it. The teachers explain complex concepts clearly with practical exercises and interactive content." Ria Mukherjee Parent ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders has been a game-changer for me. I struggled to grasp IT concepts and coding before joining, but their classes transformed everything. I can now confidently write complex programs with ease." Samriddha Mondal Student ★★★★★ "One of the most wonderful education centres out there. Education is not limited to school syllabus but focuses on skill development." Vansh Agarwal Student ★★★★★ "My child Dhairya is really enjoying the Modern Age Coders classes. This is his first online class and he eagerly looks forward to it. I can already see his improvement, and the teachers are very cooperative." Sonam Oswal Parent of Dhairya ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders have wonderful teachers who teach in a clear, easy and practical way. The teacher boosts students' confidence and inspires them to learn without hesitation." Sonu Goyal Parent ★★★★★ "I highly recommend this computer coding class! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about coding." Ritu Kedia Parent Questions about TY ## What TY students, parents and coordinators ask ### Does the new Programme Statement allow outside courses in TY? It says students who wish to take part in externally provided learning could be accommodated, but only within the context of the school's TY programme. Each school decides, so talk to the TY coordinator first. ### Will this course give my child a head start on Leaving Cert Computer Science? It is not designed to. The statement says TY should not be used to spread Leaving Cert specifications over three years. The course teaches programming and building, which helps any later choice without teaching the syllabus early. ### What will my child have at the end of the year? One finished project, such as an app, a website with its own data or a small AI model, plus a log and a written reflection that can go into the TY portfolio. ### How many students do Transition Year? The Department's Education Indicators report 58,703 students in TY in 2023/24, which was 80.3% of the previous year's Third Year. ### Is ComputeTY at DCU the same kind of thing? No. ComputeTY is a week-long camp on DCU's campus with places allocated by school. It is an excellent taster; a year-long course is a longer project with the same teacher. ### What about work placement weeks? Lessons pause or continue as the family prefers. The statement suggests placements equivalent to two to four weeks, and the project plan is built around them. ### Does my child need to have coded before? No. The first months cover Python from the start, and students with club experience begin further on. ### How much does the TY course cost? The first class is free. After that a group place is USD 100 a month and one-to-one lessons are USD 150 a month, charged in US dollars, with no upfront payment for the year. ### What times are lessons? A weekday evening or a weekend slot chosen in the free class, or a time a school arranges. Our teachers are four and a half hours ahead of Ireland in summer and five and a half in winter. ### What happens after we fill in the form? We call back at a reasonable hour in Ireland to arrange the free first class. There is no charge unless the student decides to go on. Elsewhere on this site ## Before and after Transition Year Pages for the years either side of TY. ### [Best coding classes for teens in Ireland](/best-coding-classes-for-teens-ireland) The whole secondary route. ### [Junior Cycle Coding help](/junior-cycle-coding-short-course-help) For the years before TY. ### [Leaving Cert Computer Science grinds](/leaving-cert-computer-science-grinds-online) For students who choose the subject. ### [After CoderDojo](/after-coderdojo-next-step-coding-ireland) For TY students who started at a club. ### [Understand the code, do not copy-paste](/understand-the-code-dont-copy-paste-ireland) Using AI help without losing the learning. ### [Coding classes in Ireland](/coding-classes-in-ireland) The national page. Start here ## Start the TY project with a free class Leave a number and we will phone at a time that suits you in Ireland. In the free class the student writes some code, talks through project ideas with a teacher, and leaves with a plan for the year. Want to see more before you decide? There is a page on [the way our teachers work](/how-we-teach), a syllabus for [each of our courses](/courses), and a gallery of [projects our students finished](/student-labs). [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/919123366161?text=Hello%20Modern%20Age%20Coders%2C%20I%20am%20in%20Transition%20Year%20in%20Ireland%20and%20would%20like%20a%20free%20first%20coding%20class.) · [+91 91233 66161](tel:+919123366161) · [contact@modernagecoders.com](mailto:contact@modernagecoders.com) You can also message us on WhatsApp, which is free from an Irish mobile and often quickest. The number is an Indian one because our teachers and team are in India; we have no premises in Ireland. ## Keep exploring Modern Age Coders ### Related courses and guides - [Terms of Service](/terms) - [USACO Preparation Online Coaching](/usaco-preparation-online-coaching) - [Our Team | Founder & Mentors](/team) - [Vibe Coding Classes for Kids, Teens & College](/vibe-coding-classes) - [Summer Research Programs in Coding and AI](/summer-research-programs-coding) - [Vibe Coding for Beginners](/vibe-coding-for-beginners) - [Coding Classes for DPS Vasant Kunj Students Students](/coding-classes-for-dps-vasant-kunj-new-delhi) - [Winter Coding Camp for Teens 2026 (Ages 12–17)](/winter-coding-camp-teens) - [Winter Coding Camp for Kids 2026 (Ages 6–11)](/winter-coding-camp-kids) ### Learn more - [Python to AI Roadmap for Students in the Netherlands](/python-to-ai-roadmap-for-students-netherlands) - [Coding Classes in Dordrecht](/coding-classes-in-dordrecht) ### Free resources - [Java Tutorial for Beginners to Advanced](/resources/java) - [Generics in Java](/resources/java/generics-in-java) - [LIKE Pattern Matching and NULL Handling](/resources/sql/pattern-matching-and-null) - [Methods in Java](/resources/java/methods-in-java) ### From the blog - [Coding for 5-Year-Olds: How Young Kids Can Start Learning Programming?](/blog/coding-for-5-year-olds-young-kids-start-learning-programming) - [Coding for 6-Year-Olds: Best Ways to Introduce Programming at an](/blog/coding-for-6-year-olds) - [How to Read and Write Files in Python (The Complete Guide)](/blog/how-to-read-and-write-files-in-python) ### Start here - [Book a free demo class with Modern Age Coders](/book-demo) - [Real projects built by Modern Age Coders students](/student-labs) --- *Canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/transition-year-coding-course-ireland*