QUALIFICATIONS DETAILS Back to list
Ireland
Name of the qualification in original language
Scrúdú Cruthaithe na hArdteistiméireachta
Translation in English
Leaving Certificate
Awarding body
Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit / State Examinations Commission
Total number of years of schooling
12
General requirements for access to higher education
Students who have taken the Leaving Certificate examination are allocated points for the results they get in their 6 best subjects at a single sitting of the Leaving Certificate. The points awarded depend on the level of achievement in the subject. The number of entry-level points needed for any course depends on the number of places and the number of applicants for those places so the entry level varies from year to year. Higher points are awarded for Higher-Level papers than for Ordinary-Level papers. A student must also have the particular academic entry requirements (matriculation requirements) for a specific course.
EQF level
EQF 3/4
NQF level
NFQ 4/5
Expiry date
not applicable
Verification information
An individual may seek a statement of results - outlined below.
Useful links
State Examinations Commission The State Examinations Commission was established by statutory order in March 2003. The Commission assumed responsibility for the operation of the State Certificate Examinations from the Department of Education and Skills from 2003. The organisation is staffed by civil servants and there are five Commissioners appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills. The Commission deals with the provision and quality of the Irish State Examinations.
Comments/Additional Information
The Leaving Certificate (Established) programme offers students a broad and balanced education while allowing for some specialisation. The certificate is used for the purposes of selection into further education, employment, training and higher education.The examination is the terminal examination of post-primary education. It is held at the end of the Senior Cycle in post-primary schools. The Senior Cycle caters for students in the 15 to 18 year old age group. The majority of candidates who sit for the examinations are recognised students in post-primary schools, are 17 or 18 years of age and have completed 5 or 6 years of post-primary education. The examination is offered in a wide range of subjects and levels.
A Certificate of Results is an official certificate issued by the State Examinations Commission on completion of a certificate examination. This certificate can only be issued once and is an important official document that cannot be replaced under any circumstances. A Statement of Results is a certified transcript of your examination results. If you have lost or misplaced your official certificate of results you may apply for a statement of your results.
A new grading system was introduced for all of Leaving Certificate subjects in 2017. The new grading system reduced the number of grades from 14 in the old system to 8 under the revised arrangements. Details at the following link