There are many options, both within the CAO system and outside the CAO system. There are always options; never forget that. College is not for everyone, and it is not necessary to feel that you must attend college straight after completing your Leaving Certificate.
Let us look at different pathways:
The post Leaving Cert courses (PLC )
They do not require points, which relieves a lot of the pressure on students. However, having completed a PLC course, you will obtain a level 5 QQI qualification, and this will enable you to apply to many courses at universities and technological universities. PLC courses are of one year duration, with a number offering a second year.
The PLC route is an excellent option if you are not ready to commit to a three- or four-year degree programme or if you are not sure exactly what the course at 3rd level will entail. A one-year PLC course will give you a far deeper understanding of the course. It is also worth noting that if you are someone who will be required to pay full registration fees, and you drop out of your 3rd level course, it is going to be a very expensive mistake. If you decide on a PLC course, you are avoiding the very high registration fees. You will gain skills through work experience, which is a bonus when you take a PLC course.
Websites where you can find more information include www.qualifax.ie and www.careersportal.ie These are excellent for gaining information on PLC courses.
Apprenticeships
They are another very important option to consider, where after four years you will receive a qualification called the National Craft Certificate, which is recognised all over the world.
You learn by doing, and they are very practically based. An added advantage is that you are earning while you are studying.
There are up to 20 craft apprenticeships, for example, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, etc. The apprenticeship is a four-year qualification where you obtain the equivalent of a level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications. This qualification can be used by you if you decide that following a career in your chosen apprenticeship that you would like to return to college to further progress your education you can do so.
However, apprenticeships are not just confined to craft; there are many other apprenticeships now on offer, for example, manufacturing engineering, quantity surveying, cyber security, digital marketing, software development, and finance, to mention but a few.
The websites which will give you information are: www.solas.ie, www.apprenticeships.ie, and an important phone number which will give you more information is 1800 794 487.
CAO
Routes through the CAO system start with a level 6 award and go up to a level 8. Level 6 is two years, level 7 is three years, and level 8 can be of three-, four-, five- or six-year duration. Levels 6 and 7 are offered by the technological universities, formally institutes of technology. ATU, which is the Atlantic Technology University, was originally GMIT and Letterkenny Institute of Technology. If you apply for a course in ATU, you may study in Galway, Mayo, Sligo or Letterkenny. TUS, Technology University Shannon: Midlands Midwest, was formed by the merger of Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT ) and Limerick Institute of Technology, formerly LIT.
How does the CAO system work?
Students have the option of applying for 20 courses in total, 10 from the technological universities, which are at levels 6 and 7, and 10 from level 8. Levels 6 and 7 offer pathways to level 8 courses and are available at lower points. It is always good practice to give yourself every option available when applying for a course through the CAO system.
When you are looking at points for various courses, it does not mean that the course is of any less value because the points are lower; it just means the more demand there is for a particular course, the higher the points tend to be. It is all about supply and demand.
February 1 –Restricted courses
It is important to be mindful that February 1, 2026, is fast approaching, and for any students who are considering restricted courses, they need to ensure that they apply by then. Those are courses which require more than the Leaving Certificate. For example, you may be required to produce a portfolio of work, attend an interview, have applied for the Health Professional Admissions Test (HPAT ) in the case of medicine, or similar additional requirements. Please check in with your school guidance counsellor if you need clarification on restricted courses.
