The Leaving Cert may seem like a long time ago, but over the course of a week we have the results, CAO Round 1 offers and all the decisions that go with them.
There are many ways to end up in the career you want and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have shared some great options for further education and training with us.
So, take a breath and whenever you are ready read on...
CAO Options
When you log onto the CAO website, you will see further education choices, apprenticeship choices as well as higher education choices.
This year, students can explore a wide range of FET courses, including Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses via the CAO portal, which is accessible at: cao.ie/options.
The Leaving Cert can be a pathway to your next step in life, but there is a place for you in tertiary education if you want it – whether it be higher education, further education or apprenticeships.
There are so many ways for you to get to where you want to. So, for example; if you've put down science in a University through the CAO, and if you don't get the points, for whatever reason, there are pre-science courses you can do in your local Education and Training Board (ETB) that can help you progress to a career in the area of science.
There are so many avenues open to you, education is about opening doors, not closing them. Log onto cao.ie/options to find out more.
You can watch some explainer videos from the CAO here.
So what is…Further Education?
Further Education and Training or FET offers a wide variety of life-long education options to anyone over the age of 16 at Levels One to Six on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
FET includes traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community education and adult education as well as literacy services. Press play on the image above to see how a PLC Course helped artist Carl Hickey.
There are lots of different courses available for school leavers, available at Levels 5 and 6 of the NFQ including:
- Animal Care (NFQ Level 5)
- Beauty Therapy (NFQ Level 5)
- Bio-pharma (NFQ Level 6)
- Business Studies (NFQ Level 5)
- Carpentry (NFQ Level 5)
- Culinary Arts (NFQ Level 5)
- Early Childhood Care (NFQ Level 5)
- Dance (NFQ Level 5)
- Pre-University Engineering (NFQ Level 5)
- Fashion Design (NFQ Level 5)
- Filmmaking (NFQ Level 5)
- Healthcare Assistant (NFQ Level 5)
- Hospitality (NFQ Level 5)
- Outdoor Activities Instructor (NFQ Level 5)
- Science (NFQ Level 6)
Some of them qualify you for a wide range of specific careers and designed to prepare you for entry to the world of work, while other courses can be useful for progression into higher education. With a course duration of 1-2 years, PLC programmes can also offer students the opportunity to set their own pace to explore a subject or interest before making a commitment to applying to a four-year degree.
For example, you can do a course in business, law, nursing, or art portfolio as preparation courses.
FET courses and programmes are provided through 16 ETBs across Ireland which means FET programmes are available in every county and local communities. Contact your local ETB to find FET programmes on offer near you.
Can I start in FET and move on to a university?
About 86% of higher education programmes have an entry route for students who hold a FET qualification - 69% have a quota of places reserved, and 17% allow FET applicants compete directly with school leavers. The entry requirements for each course with a further education entry route are outlined at cao.ie.
You can also undertake a Tertiary Degree programme. Launched in July 2023, this new kind of programme allows students to begin a degree in further education before seamlessly transitioning to complete it in higher education, with no fees charged for the FET stage. The number of Tertiary programmes has grown from 13 in 2023 to 39 this year, with new programmes in occupational therapy, nursing, social care, and the creative arts, among others. Work is already underway to develop new courses for 2026 and beyond.
Importantly, applications for tertiary programmes remain open until late September, and admission is based on suitability and passion rather than CAO points. Information on these tertiary degree courses can be found on the website of the National Tertiary Office - www.nto.ie.
There you can find information about the courses offered, details on course content, entry requirements, course qualifications and awarding body, location and transport links. Contact details for the course coordinator will be on the course details page if you would like to get more information.
You can also speak with your local ETB Adult Guidance Counsellor, and you can access further information HERE.
You can also access FET courses nationally, on the Fetchcourses.ie website, where over 6,000 FET courses are open throughout the year.
Additionally, you can find more information on FET courses, stories from learners on FET courses and their careers / learning journey and general news about the sector on www.thisisfet.ie.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning. It incorporates a minimum of 50% on-the-job training with off-the-job training. The off-the-job learning ranges from remote or online learning to one day per week or longer duration, typically from 10-20 weeks, in a third level institutions. It varies depending on what apprenticeship you are doing and there is lots of choice.
Apprenticeships last between 2 and 4 years, and lead to qualifications up to PhD level. There are currently 77 different types of apprenticeship programmes. One of the great things about apprenticeship is you can earn money while you learn.
You can become an apprentice in areas such as engineering, agriculture, sport turf management, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, hairdressing, finance, IT, insurance, sales, healthcare, property, recruitment, science and many others once you find an approved apprenticeship employer.
Recent programmes added include:
- Digital Marketing L6
- Horticulture L6
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineering L8
- Farm Technician L6
- Farm Manager L7
- Social Work L9
- Software Solutions Architect L9
Apprenticeships are for everyone, school-leavers, jobseekers, career changers and those upskilling. You can find out more at apprenticeship.ie and see the full list of options here.
How do I apply for an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is offered on the basis of a contract of employment between the apprentice and their employer.
Apprenticeships are 'demand-led'. This means that the number of places is determined by how many apprentices' employers need.
For example, in the case of craft apprenticeships, this employment may start at any time of year, with subsequent off-the-job training scheduled accordingly throughout the year.
For the consortia-led apprenticeships, this often happens in January and in September/ October of each year, but this can vary from programme to programme, and the application process is usually open all year round.
Check apprenticeship.ie to see what apprenticeship jobs are open for application.
You can also find the contact details of the consortia leads for the newer consortia led apprenticeships who will have details of course structure and may have details of potential interested employers, by clicking on the FAQ-> Find out More section under each listing in the Apprenticeship Directory on the website.
What about student grants?
Student Grants are available to eligible applicants for PLC, Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses.
The Government made changes to the Student Grant Scheme in the last Budget which has expanded the eligibility criteria to qualify for a grant by increasing all income thresholds. This means students who were not previously eligible for a grant may now be eligible.
For the coming academic year, the income threshold to avail of a maintenance grant will increase from €50,840 to €58,470 and the income threshold for the 100% Student Contribution Grant will increase from €55,924 to €64,315.
The threshold for the Special Rate of maintenance will also increase from €26,200 to €27,400.
The increase in deduction for student earnings outside of term time from €7,925 to €8,424 will also come into effect for the 2025/ 26 academic year.
Significantly, undergraduate students whose household income is under €115,000 may now qualify for a grant towards their student contribution.
SUSI is open for applications and students can check out SUSI's website www.susi.ie to see if they may be eligible for a grant.
Can part-time students now get grants too?
On the 1 August 2024, a new Part Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was launched which provided fee grant support for 62 approved part-time courses.
This year the scheme has been expanded and there are now over 100 courses approved.
All approved courses lead to an undergraduate major award, and both in-person and blended courses are included. Eligible students who are undertaking one of the approved part-time courses under this scheme can now apply for fee support.
To be eligible for this scheme, you must satisfy various criteria including residency, nationality, and progression, and the income threshold for the scheme has increased to €64,315.
Students who are on a Social Welfare payment should contact their local Intreo Centre in advance to discuss their individual circumstances if they plan to take up one of these part-time courses.
SUSI are administering the Scheme which is now open for applications for funding for the 2025/ 26 academic year. For more information on approved courses, and to find out if you what you might be eligible for, go to www.susi.ie.
What other financial supports may assist students?
Other financial supports may also be available for students attending Higher Education and students can check out www.studentfinance.ie for more details.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of certain tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. More information on the tax credit and the tax treatment of students generally is available from the Revenue Commissioners (revenue.ie) or from your local Tax Office.
A Rent Tax Credit may be available to students or their families. Payments made by parents in respect of "digs" or rent-a-room arrangements for their children to attend an approved course now qualify for the Rent Tax Credit, provided the claimant and their child are not related to the landlord. This change applies for claims for the years 2022 to 2025. More information on the rent tax credit is available on the revenue website. Rent Tax Credit where rent is paid on behalf of third level students;
Students may also be eligible for reduced travel costs, more information can be found on Young Adult and Student Card - Leap Card.
Students who are concerned about financial supports are encouraged to contact the access office of the institution they wish to attend who may be in a position to advise them of further support available within the institution.
For more help and information visit RTÉ Learn!
