Leaving Certificate

Unrestricted access to third level education in Ireland would allow schools to educate holistically and give pupils a chance to flourish in the subjects they enjoy most

Parental expectations can – unintentionally – distract students and distort course choices

Apprenticeships and new tertiary degrees could be combined into a single applications system, says Department of Education advisory board

The biggest reforms to the exam in a century are due to roll out later this year. Are schools ready for the challenge?

Broadening the range of learning and assessment at senior cycle has the potential to provide pathways for all students to realise their full potential

CAO points are not a requirement for the thriving engineering sector which provides excellent career opportunities

State Examinations Commission advised Minister for Education Norma Foley Easter is least disruptive period for students

Brian Mooney outlines key aspects of third-level progression analysis and some common issues that arise

Leaving Cert candidates must reference any use of AI tools or risk forfeiting their marks

There are signs that the points race may be coming to an end for many courses

The move to almost double the number of graduates in this area means points should fall, but not by a huge amount

Plans to introduce more project work would reduce pressure and provide a broader assessment of candidates’ abilities over a longer time

Unions want Leaving Cert reforms to be delayed, but Norma Foley says millions is being invested to support changes

ASTI and TUI say school day will not be disrupted by planned demonstrations

Many neurodiverse pupils are high achievers, but the education assessment system can present them with unique challenges

New plans aimed at easing stress facing students in the traditional high stakes written exams

There is no great urgency in selecting courses, but it is very important to read up on all-important instructions

Open Day visits provide prospective students with a valuable opportunity to investigate third-level facilities

Robin Caren, who secured top grades in all nine of her end-of-school exams, shares the secrets of her success

Additional assessment components worth 40% are being introduced at a time when AI tools are developing rapidly and relentlessly

Everyone wants senior cycle reform to succeed, but if junior cycle is an indication, there are real grounds for concern

Courses can be demanding but are an excellent pathway for a student to study their dream course

Rugby stars such as Brian O’Driscoll and Caelan Doris are among the investors in a booming private tuition sector which promises top grades in the Leaving Cert points race. But is it piling too much pressure on students?

Supply and demand of places, as well as applicants’ grades, determine CAO entry points for individual courses

Same students facing frustration at mediocre marks in the Junior Cycle are about to be the guinea pigs for the new Senior Cycle. This is doubly unfair

What Aldous Huxley feared has come to pass: we are drowning in a sea of irrelevance

Most agree phones can distract from learning. But is the Budget 2025 allocation of €9m for pouches the best use of funds?

Labour says budget was ‘all glitter and full of shiny gimmicks’; Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said she ‘wants to see a full restoration’ of barristers fees

The final cost of living package will now come in at just shy of €2 billion, well in excess of the €1.5bn expected

Daniel Murphy told Workplace Relations Commission that he risked getting stuck behind silage traffic while travelling cross-country from Co Monaghan to Co Meath

I regarded university as a resource to be used, not a place to be told what to do

Thirty-one students who did not appeal results get upgrades following quality assurance checks

European and UK universities seeking to attract Irish college applicants amid rising rental costs at home

With so many educational options available to school-leavers, we looked at the different entry routes in one key sector in the Irish economy

How we did it: From landing their first job to finding purpose in their careers, we spoke to three graduates to see how they navigated life after college.

Higher Options offers students the opportunity to attend talks or talk directly with representatives of third level institutions

What parents need to know about the course selection process and how to support your children when choosing their next steps

One of best-kept secrets for access to third level is a new route that does not require Leaving Cert points

Use of technology in schools has increased exponentially since the Covid-19 pandemic but why is there so little discussion around it, apart from the continuing debate about smartphones?

New places at South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University may ease CAO pressure