There are multiple private schools in Northern Ireland, taking both day and boarding students. Many have extremely long histories. There are boys only, girls only and coeducational schools. Many are what are known as Voluntary Grammar Schools. These operate under the state school model but charge a lower 'capital' fee which is capped by the state, and then 'voluntary' fees, also quite low, thus creating a hybrid system.

Prep schools in Northern Ireland are not state funded and charge fees akin to the rest of the UK. Boarding fees in voluntary grammars schools are also charged more akin to the rest of the UK fees.

Campbell College: Located in Belfast, this is a prominent boys' day and boarding school (with a co-ed nursery and prep school) established in 1894, offering both GCSEs and A-Levels.

Rockport School: Situated in Holywood, County Down, it is a co-educational day and boarding school in Northern Ireland for ages 2.5 to 18. This is the premier fully independent school mainstream school in Northern Ireland (not a voluntary grammar and not a niche religious or alternative curriculum school).

The Royal School Armagh: Is a historic co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18.

The Royal School Dungannon: This mixed-gender day and boarding school has roots dating back to the 17th century.

Other examples are the Belfast Royal Academy, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) and Victoria College

There are 3 independent boys schools in Northern Ireland, Bangor Grammar School, Campbell College and Royal Belfast Academical Institution. These schools offer standard UK examinations i.e. GCSE / A-Level.

Technically, these are Voluntary Grammar Schools and as such have significantly lower fees than other independent schools elsewhere in the UK, for day pupils, owing to Government rules. They operate a hybrid model and receive state funding in addition to 'capped' capital project contributions which can be charged to parents. The schools can request additional contributions, and these are set as voluntary, and are usually also paid, although technically not mandatory.

The Royal Belfast Academical Institution has the ability, because of its historic charter, to mandate a larger compulsory fee.

Campbell College, for day pupils functions as a voluntary grammar, but for boarders functions identically to other UK independent schools, with a significantly more expensive price to reflect this.

Prep departments and nurseries do not receive state funding and are more expensive.

There is 1 independent girls school in Northern Ireland, Victoria College (Belfast). Victoria College (Belfast) follows the standard UK examination system (i.e. GCSE / A-Level). It is a voluntary grammar and therefore has less expensive fees than some independent schools at senior level, although its Prep and Nursery are fully fee-paying, as they have no government funding. The school is girls only all through.

There are 13 mainstream independent co-ed schools in Northern Ireland. Where the main senior school operates as a voluntary grammar with capped capital fee, and voluntary supplementary fees - the Prep Schools will be fully independent fee-paying as there is no government funding. Some of these schools are faith based or alternative curriculum schools.

Located in Holywood, County Down, Rockport School is Northern Ireland's premier fully independent, co-educational day and boarding school covering ages 2 to 18.