Leaving Certificate

A social media post planted the idea of an accounting technician’s apprenticeship in Lauren Hickey’s head

Specialised disability support services are improving, but stigma still exists and transition to third level can be a challenge

Students typically apply for restricted courses earlier in the CAO process

Further Education sector growing in popularity with school leavers

Good luck on Wednesday, and please do get in touch if you have any questions

Irish Times Help desk team continue to respond to readers’ questions

Entry to these programmes is not based on Leaving Cert points but instead looks at student drive, suitability, skills and ability

Our system of admissions to higher education is designed to sort students into colleges and courses starkly divided by class

Continuing enhancement of Leaving Cert results, even at a reduced level, means an ongoing distorting effect

Many school leavers are concerned about points requirements for courses. But there are also career pathways beyond the traditional route

Leaving Cert results have been delivered to more than 730 second-level schools, and are available online now

Being rejected from NCAD at 17 felt devastating, but more than two decades later Rachel knows one letter did not determine her future

She studied the Leaving Cert course through online grinds, which she worked to pay for, and through the use of free online teaching videos on YouTube

Timelines for fully removing pandemic-related post-marking adjustment will continue to be informed by the 2026 experience

First round college offers will be out on August 30th

Students from the class of 2026 have more options than ever

Stay calm and ensure you are clear on how to interpret your grades as they relate to your college requirements

Physics and chemistry are often perceived as difficult subjects, but they tend to have a high H1 rate

Whatever results you have just received are a mark of your resilience over six uniquely challenging years

Friday’s results, in the aggregate, are close to those awarded in 2020

People possess distinct intelligences, not just one or two that can be captured by an IQ test or examination

Percentage of H1 grades falls from 12.1% to 10.1% as State continues unwinding of measure

Record expansion to be announced of third-level healthcare places to meet growing demand for services

There is a case to be made for rethinking priorities in education and training

Bel Aghedo has completed her first year of a law degree at University of Galway

On-campus housing can be both expensive and difficult to secure

The Irish Times will publish a special supplement for those navigating one of the most important milestones in Irish education

From the initial release of results through to the appeals process and on to rounds of college offers

Thousands of disappointed students have always found a way forward

Alex Griu is a second-year psychology student at Trinity College Dublin

Lecturer Keith Murphy, who left school at 14 and was diagnosed with dyslexia years later, says better supports needed at second level

Department of Education begins review on back-to-school costs after Minister raised concerns with schools over devices

Students should realise that many people who suffered exam setbacks have gone on to leave big marks on Ireland and the wider world

First round offers, for those awaiting 2026 Leaving Cert exam grades, will be issued on August 26th

State Exams Commission says correspondence from candidates and parents is ‘considered in the refinement of the draft marking scheme’

Ireland boasts second-highest student retention rate in EU, next only to Croatia

Former schoolmates let off some steam in Albufeira’s lively pub and club scene

Beauty treatments, fake tan and last-minute outfit buys are part of the pre-holiday frenzy

There are now 87 apprenticeship programmes available in Ireland across 17 sectors, with many more in development

Making your CAO decision is just the starting point for a working life that will involve not only multiple jobs but multiple careers