Education
Ireland was identified in early 2025 as the most educated country globally, with 52.4% of 25-64 year-olds holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, the highest rate worldwide, according to the GHR Consulting Global Tech Talent Guidebook.
SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
South East Technological University (SETU) has 3 campuses in the South-East region of Ireland. The Waterford and Carlow campuses are located a 60 and 90-minute drive, respectively. SETU’s Summerhill Road Campus in Wexford Town offers a diverse range of courses to both full-time and part-time students.
This institution gives prospective companies access to 16,000 third level students with many full-time programmes requiring a minimum of 15 weeks work placement for students each year.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
In late 2019 Georgia Southern University opened a campus in Wexford Town. They are the first ever American public university to open an outreach learning centre in Ireland.
The Campus is located on Spa Well Road, the former residence of Wexford County Council. The university can accommodate up to 100 students from a variety of academic disciplines and welcomes a number of students from the US to the Sunny South East each year.
FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING
Further Education and Training (FET) is undergoing significant investment and transformation through Ireland’s FET College of the Future initiative, creating modern, industry-focused learning environments that support workforce development and lifelong learning. Delivering flexible pathways from apprenticeships and technical training to up-skilling and re-skilling programmes, the initiative is designed to ensure businesses have access to a highly skilled, adaptable talent pipeline equipped to meet the evolving needs of industry.
THE WEXFORD TERTIARY EDUCATION CAMPUS
The first of its kind in Ireland, designed to bridge the gap between vocational training and university degrees, the Wexford Tertiary Education Campus will house both South East Technological University (SETU) and the Waterford and Wexford ETB (WWETB) on a shared site, purchased by Wexford County Council in late 2025.
On completion, the campus will allow students to move seamlessly between vocational training and university degrees and will feature state-of-the-art labs, research facilities and business spaces and has been designed as a “one-stop-shop” for tertiary education, leading the way for County Wexford as a regional centre for excellence.
POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION
There are over 20 post-primary schools in County Wexford which cater to a range of 200 – 1,500 students depending on the school. A number of these institutions are vocational schools, these state-supported secondary schools are managed by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and place focus on practical skills, technical training, and career-oriented education alongside the national curriculum.
These schools are ideal for learners preparing for skilled trades (e.g.,electricians, welders, plumbers). These schools are linked to Further Education (PLC courses) and apprenticeships, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
Wexford’s secondary schools put an emphasis on students achieving their personal potential, they provide comprehensive Transition Year (TY) programs and overseas opportunities through exchange programmes and many operate as DEIS schools to provide additional resources to students such as breakfast clubs and free schoolbooks.
Gorey Community School is the largest secondary school in Ireland with over 1,500 students enrolled as of 2025. It is a co-educational, multi-denominational school. Meanwhile, Enniscorthy is home to the county’s only all-Irish secondary school, Meánscoil Gharman.
PRIMARY EDUCATION
County Wexford has over 110 primary schools across the 5 districts. Among these schools there are Gaelscoils, all-girls/boys schools, multi-gender schools and multi-denominational schools. According to the Wexford and Waterford Education and Training Board (WWETB), as of early 2025, County Wexford has over 119 sanctioned special classes within mainstream schools, along with dedicated special schools like Gorey Hill School (opened 2024/25) and St. Patrick’s Special School in Enniscorthy.
Eight new special classes were approved for the 2026/27 academic year to support children with complex needs.
Over €160 million from the Department of Education and Youth has been poured into County Wexford since 2020. This funding has supported the completion of 71 school building projects, with 18 more on the way. The continuous investment in the county reflects a broader national strategy by providing modern, inclusive and high-quality learning environments for every pupil and student in Ireland
PRE-SCHOOL & CHILDCARE
There is a wide range of childcare facilities including pre-school, sessional and day care services located in towns and villages throughout the county.
County Wexford Childcare Committee was established is to support the development of quality, affordable, accessible and inclusive childcare and family friendly services for all children in County Wexford.
There are centre-based options such as preschools and creches and there are home-based options such as childminders.