Complete guide to all grammar schools across Northern Ireland. The SEAG Transfer Test, school details by county, Year 8 entry requirements, and preparation advice.
Northern Ireland has approximately 66 grammar schools across all six counties plus Belfast. Unlike England, NI uses Year 8 entry (equivalent to Year 7 in England). Since 2023, all grammar schools use the single unified SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group) test, replacing the former separate AQE and GL Assessment tests.
The SEAG test consists of 2 papers sat over 2 consecutive Saturdays in November, each 60 minutes long with 56 questions (28 English + 28 Maths). Questions are a mix of multiple-choice and free-response/written. Scores are age-standardised into a Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) ranging from 138 to 282, with a mean of 200.
NI grammar schools are broadly divided between Catholic maintained (managed under Catholic trusteeship) and controlled/voluntary (broadly non-denominational) schools, plus a small number of integrated schools with grammar streams. The transfer test is unregulated — it is organised by the grammar schools themselves, not the NI government.
All NI grammar schools now use the unified SEAG test. Two papers sat over two consecutive Saturdays in November, covering the NI Key Stage 2 curriculum in English and Mathematics.
Major grammar schools across Northern Ireland grouped by county. Includes approximate Year 8 intake numbers, school type, and key information for transfer test families.
The largest grammar school in Northern Ireland with approximately 240 Year 8 places. Methodist foundation, non-denominational admissions. One of the most competitive schools with a TSAS threshold of approximately 212. Founded in 1868, located on the Malone Road in South Belfast.
One of the oldest schools in Ireland, founded in 1785. Co-educational voluntary grammar with approximately 200 Year 8 places. Non-denominational, located on the Cliftonville Road in North Belfast.
Founded in 1810, known locally as "Inst." A prestigious boys' voluntary grammar with approximately 150 Year 8 places. Non-denominational, located at College Square East in Belfast city centre.
A boys' voluntary grammar with boarding provision — one of very few NI grammar schools offering boarding. Approximately 130 Year 8 places. Non-denominational, located on the Belmont Road in East Belfast.
A highly-ranked girls' voluntary grammar with approximately 120 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Ranked among the top-performing schools in Northern Ireland in recent years. Located in East Belfast.
A co-educational controlled grammar with approximately 175 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 205. Located in South Belfast. Non-denominational.
A large Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 190 Year 8 places. One of the highest TSAS thresholds in NI at approximately 223. Located in East Belfast. Catholic maintained.
A Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 180 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 200. Located in Dunmurry, South Belfast.
A Catholic boys' grammar with approximately 175 Year 8 places. Located on the Glen Road in West Belfast. Catholic maintained, strong sporting tradition.
A Catholic girls' grammar with approximately 141 Year 8 places. Located on the Falls Road, West Belfast. Catholic maintained.
A voluntary grammar with Quaker foundation and approximately 165 Year 8 places. One of the most competitive schools in NI with a TSAS threshold of approximately 214–216. Non-denominational admissions. Located in Lisburn.
A co-educational voluntary grammar with approximately 170 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 203–204. Non-denominational. Located in Lisburn.
A co-educational voluntary grammar founded in 1828 with approximately 176 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Ballymena, one of the largest grammar schools in County Antrim.
A large co-educational controlled grammar with approximately 186 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Ballyclare.
A co-educational voluntary grammar with approximately 125 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 197. Non-denominational. Located in Ballymoney.
A Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 139 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 196. Catholic maintained. Located in Ballymena.
A co-educational voluntary grammar with approximately 150 Year 8 places. Very competitive with a TSAS threshold of approximately 212. Non-denominational. Located in Holywood.
One of the largest grammar schools in NI with approximately 210 Year 8 places. Co-educational controlled grammar. Non-denominational. Located in Newtownards.
A boys' voluntary grammar with approximately 135 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Bangor, County Down.
A co-educational controlled grammar with approximately 192 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 204. Non-denominational. Located in Banbridge.
A Catholic boys' grammar with approximately 125 Year 8 places. Catholic maintained. Located in Newry, County Down.
A Catholic girls' grammar with approximately 130 Year 8 places. Catholic maintained. Located in Ballynahinch, County Down.
A co-educational voluntary grammar and one of the historic Royal Schools, with approximately 100 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 203. Non-denominational. Located in Armagh city.
A Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 130 Year 8 places. Catholic maintained. Located in Armagh city.
A co-educational voluntary grammar and one of the historic Royal Schools, with boarding provision and approximately 100 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Dungannon.
A large Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 189 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 181 — one of the more accessible grammar schools. Catholic maintained. Located in Dungannon.
A co-educational controlled grammar with approximately 96 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Omagh.
A Catholic boys' grammar with approximately 135 Year 8 places. Catholic maintained. Located in Omagh.
A Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 120 Year 8 places. One of the top-performing schools in NI with a very high TSAS threshold of approximately 211. Catholic maintained. Located in Derry city.
A co-educational voluntary grammar with approximately 126 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 197. Non-denominational. Located in Derry city.
A co-educational voluntary grammar formed in 2015 from the merger of Coleraine Academical Institution and Coleraine High School. Approximately 156 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Coleraine.
A Catholic co-educational grammar with approximately 153 Year 8 places. TSAS threshold approximately 200. Catholic maintained. Located in Magherafelt.
Formed in 2016 from the merger of Portora Royal School and Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar. A co-educational voluntary grammar with approximately 131 Year 8 places. Non-denominational. Located in Enniskillen.
A Catholic girls' grammar with approximately 96 Year 8 places. Catholic maintained. Located in Enniskillen.
A Catholic boys' grammar with approximately 100 Year 8 places. Catholic maintained. Located in Enniskillen.
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