The Leaving Certificate Applied is a full two-year Leaving Certificate which aims to prepare students for adult and working life. It meets very well the needs of pupils who are not adequately served by the more traditional Leaving Certificate. There is a final Leaving Certificate examination at the end of the two years. A substantial part of the final certification is gained by continuous assessment throughout the programme.
Students gaining the Leaving Certificate Applied will have access to a variety of post-Leaving Certificate training courses, many of which are certified by QQI as part of the national framework of qualifications. It will be possible for students, through this route, to gain access to third level education in the institutes of technology, colleges and the universities.
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a suitable option for those who aspire to further study through post- Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs) or other specialist vocational courses. It is also a suitable option for those hoping for direct transition to employment afterwards.
It is not a suitable option for those who wish to transfer to third level education directly. A maximum of eighteen places are available on the Leaving Certificate Applied programme. In certain circumstances, however, it may be necessary to reduce the number of places to below that limit.