Thousands of NI students get ready to get grade

Robbie Meredith and Catherine Moore

BBC News Ni

Pupils in schools across Northern Ireland are later achieving their GCSE results

Getty Images Three School Students A4 Examination Results Paits. The student on the right wear a pink top and pointing on the paper held by the student in the middle, which wears a white top and gray cardigan. The student on the left wear a dark pink top. There are grass and shrubs in the background. — Pupils in schools across Northern Ireland are later achieving their GCSE results

More than 32,000 students in Northern Ireland are ready to achieve GCSE and some commercial qualification results on Thursday.

Against of A-level resultStudents cannot get their GCSE results online and will go to school to get their grade.

Under a third of GCSE entries in northern Ireland Grade A and above in 2024And there is no expectation of major changes in 2025.

Some? BTEC Results It will also be honored on Thursday.

The vast majority of GCSE in Northern Ireland – more than 95% – is taken by students through the Northern Ireland Examination Board, Council for the course, examination and evaluation (CCEA).

The balance is taken through English and Welsh examination boards, so some students in Northern Ireland will also get results in numbers as well as letters.

This is because there are GCSE in England Classified numerically from 9 to 1Whereas in Northern Ireland they are classified from* from J..

‘A long wait’

Matthew with brown hair sees a boy and a brown t -shirt camera. — Matthew said it was a “long wait” because he finished his exam

Matthew, who goes to Lake Tinnity Grammar School in Downpatric, said he was feeling nervous, but positive even ahead of the results.

He told BBC News Ni that it seems like a long time since his examination is over.

“I think I finished them in mid -June and it’s just a long wait.

“It was behind the brain, but recently, like the beginning of August, it is really back to my mind.”

Matthew expected to return to school next year to study history, politics, BTEC sports and professional business studies.

Theo said that the result day has recently felt like a “far-off day”

Theo wearing glasses in a black colored t -shirt. There is a red wall behind it. — Theo said that the result day has recently felt like a “far-off day”

Theo, who goes to Sulivan Upper School in Hollywood, said he was nervous but “carefully optimistic”.

“This will definitely depend on the person-to-person, but at least for me, I am looking forward in a nervous way,” he said.

“Obviously how much part of our life has been taken [exams] In the past, while it has actually become a very important event. ,

For Theo, the result day has recently felt like a “far-flung day”.

He thinks that there will later be a “discussion and enthusiasm” about the school, as well as with unavoidable veins.

He expects to return to school to study the moving image art, computer science, politics and mathematics with the scene of going into future computer game design.

What are the most popular GCSE themes?

Outside the English language and mathematics, all students need to sit, other subjects with relatively high number include English literature, double award science, religious study, geography and history.

Students studying GCSE subjects like construction and health and social care have also increased.

While the number of students studying GCSE French has fallen, Spanish and Irish popularity have increased in recent years.

In 2025 there were about 2,000 entries for GCSE Irish and about 4,100 for GCSE Spanish, both were both 2023 and more than in 2024.

What are the options of students after GCSE?

Pupils use their GCSE, and progress in courses in other qualifications such as BTECS, A-Lavers, further education, training or employment.

Education Minister Paul Givan has planned to make it mandatory for young people Stay in education or training till the age of 18 yearsHowever they will have the option to combine work with part -time education or training.

According to the Education Department, about 2,000 schools in Northern Ireland do not obtain liver A-level or equivalent qualifications.

About 700 reactions were received in a consultation on the proposals, which could become laws by the end of the current assembly mandate in March 2027.

Most of those who responded to the counsel were in favor of the move.

Before the result day, the principal of six forward education colleges in Northern Ireland called for a change in perception around 16.

He said that further education colleges provide many qualifications including A-level, BTEC and Trainee.

Principal and Chief Executive of South West College, Seleen McCarton said that “there has been a notable change in further education as the first choice among young people”.

“Our students go to the top universities to study, secure competitive trainees, and enter industries that are in the real need of skilled workers,” he said.

CCEA is operating a result for students via email at 028 9026 1260 by 27 August or on [email protected].

The department is providing advice and assistance on 0300 200 7820 or online for the career service of the economy.