Parents Hub
For Parents & Guardians
Your Teen’s Future
Starts with Your Support
The career landscape has changed since we were in school. Whether your teen is choosing Leaving Cert subjects, figuring out CAO, or exploring apprenticeships and European universities, we’re here to help you help them — with clear, practical, Irish-specific guidance.
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Jump straight to the area that matters most to you right now. Every section is written specifically for Irish parents navigating the senior cycle.
Year-by-Year Guide
What Happens When?
Secondary school is a six-year journey and every year matters — not just the exam ones. Here’s what your child should be doing at each stage, and how you can help without hovering.
Junior Cycle
The Big Transition
Moving from primary to secondary school is one of the biggest changes in your child’s life. They’re going from being the oldest in a small school to the youngest in a much larger, more complex environment. New subjects, new teachers for every class, lockers, timetables, homework journals, and a social landscape that feels completely unfamiliar. It’s a lot — even for confident kids.
The academic adjustment is significant too. In primary school, one teacher covered everything. Now they might have twelve different teachers with twelve different expectations. Subjects like Science, Business Studies, and modern languages appear for the first time. The homework load increases, and for the first time they need to manage their own time across multiple subjects every evening.
Key actions this year:
Establish routines early: A consistent homework time, a place to study, and a bag-packing routine the night before. These habits, built now, carry through to Leaving Cert. Don’t assume the school will teach them organisation — most don’t.
Get to know the school: Attend the parent-teacher meeting, read the school journal, and make sure you know who their year head and guidance counsellor are. These are the people who’ll support your child for the next six years.
Encourage extracurriculars: Sports teams, debating, drama, music, coding clubs — anything that helps them find their people. The social transition is often harder than the academic one, and belonging to a group makes all the difference.
Watch for settling-in struggles: Some dipping in confidence or mood is normal. Persistent reluctance to go to school, withdrawal, or unexplained physical complaints (headaches, stomach aches) may signal something deeper. Don’t wait it out — contact the year head early.
Subject sampling: Most schools let 1st years try a range of optional subjects before choosing in 2nd year. Encourage them to approach everything with an open mind — the subject they think they’ll hate might become their favourite.
Parent tip: The car journey home is your best window. They’re more likely to talk when they’re not facing you directly. Ask “what was the best part of today?” rather than “how was school?” — the second question always gets “fine.”
Junior Cycle
Finding Their Feet
Second year is often called the “forgotten year” — no big transition, no exams, and relatively little attention from the school system. But it’s actually a crucial year for development. Your child is settling into their identity within the school, friendships are solidifying (and sometimes shifting), and they’re starting to discover which subjects genuinely interest them versus which ones they tolerate.
This is also the year when subject choices are finalised for Junior Cycle. If your school offers options — and most do — these choices matter more than people realise, because they can influence what’s available at Leaving Certificate level.
Key actions this year:
Subject choices for JC: Help them think about what they enjoy and what they’re good at — not what their friends are choosing. If they’re unsure, broader is better. Dropping a subject now can close doors later if it’s a prerequisite for LC options.
Reading and literacy: Second year is the perfect time to build reading habits that will pay dividends in senior cycle. Comprehension, vocabulary, and the ability to write clearly are skills that cross every subject. Encourage reading for pleasure — even graphic novels and non-fiction count.
Stay engaged with the school: Attend parent-teacher meetings. Ask about Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) — these are now a formal part of the Junior Cycle and your child needs to understand what’s expected.
Digital wellbeing: By 2nd year, most teens have smartphones and active social media accounts. This is the year to establish family norms around screen time, device-free zones, and online safety — before the pressures of exam years make the conversation harder.
Parent tip: Don’t write off 2nd year as unimportant. The study habits, friendships, and interests that form here are the foundation for everything that follows. Low pressure doesn’t mean low value.
Junior Cycle
First Exam Year
Third year is your child’s first experience of a state examination. The Junior Cycle exams in June, combined with Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) throughout the year, create a level of academic pressure they haven’t faced before. This is both a challenge and an opportunity — it’s a rehearsal for the Leaving Cert, but with far lower stakes.
The Junior Cycle grading system uses descriptors rather than the old A/B/C grades. These results don’t affect CAO points, but they do influence Leaving Certificate subject levels and give your child (and their teachers) a realistic picture of where their strengths lie.
| Grade | Descriptor | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | Exceptional achievement | 90 – 100% |
| Higher Merit | Very high achievement | 75 – 89% |
| Merit | High achievement | 55 – 74% |
| Achieved | Acceptable level of achievement | 40 – 54% |
| Partially Achieved | Below acceptable level | 20 – 39% |
| Not Graded | Not meeting criteria | 0 – 19% |
Key actions this year:
Revision skills: This is where they learn how to study. Help them create a revision timetable, understand active recall versus passive reading, and practise with past papers. These skills transfer directly to Leaving Certificate preparation.
CBAs and Assessment Tasks: These count. Make sure your child understands when their CBAs are scheduled and what’s required. CBAs are assessed by their own teachers and the results appear on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA).
Leaving Cert subject selection: This decision usually happens in spring of 3rd year or early in TY/5th year. It’s one of the most important decisions of their school career. Research which subjects are required for courses they might consider, and make sure they’re keeping options open rather than narrowing too early.
TY decision: Not every school offers Transition Year, and not every student should do it. If your school offers the choice, discuss it honestly — considering their maturity, academic readiness, and what the school’s TY programme actually involves. A strong TY is transformative; a weak one is a wasted year.
Parent tip: Keep Junior Cycle results in perspective. They matter for building confidence and study skills, but they don’t determine anyone’s future. A student who struggled here can absolutely thrive in senior cycle with the right support and mindset.
Bridge Year
The Exploration Year
TY is the most underrated year in Irish education. It’s not a “doss year” — it’s the single best opportunity your teen has to explore careers, develop skills, and mature as a person without exam pressure hanging over them. Students who engage with TY properly enter 5th year with more focus, better motivation, and a clearer sense of direction.
The quality of TY varies hugely between schools. Some offer rich programmes with work experience, guest speakers, mini-companies, and personal development modules. Others are essentially a repeat of 3rd year content with a few field trips. Find out what your school’s programme looks like and encourage your teen to actively engage with every opportunity offered.
Key actions this year:
Work experience: Two or three different placements across different sectors. Not just “wherever dad knows someone.” Variety is the point. A week in an office, a week in healthcare, a week in retail — each teaches them something about what they do and don’t want.
Take our career assessments: The Holland Interest Profiler and Values Quiz help teens understand what drives them — before they pick Leaving Cert subjects. These are free, take about 15 minutes each, and the results are genuinely illuminating.
Open days: Visit at least two colleges or training centres, even if they “already know” what they want. Seeing a campus, talking to current students, and sitting in on a sample lecture can completely change their perspective.
Mini-company & projects: Programmes like the Student Enterprise Programme, Young Scientist, and Junk Kouture develop real-world skills in teamwork, presentation, and problem-solving. They also look excellent on UCAS personal statements and scholarship applications.
Life skills: Encourage them to get a part-time job, learn to cook a few meals, manage a budget, and start taking ownership of their own schedule. These skills matter far more than any extra revision.
Parent tip: Resist the urge to steer them toward “practical” choices. TY is for exploration, not decision-making. Let them try things that surprise you — and surprise themselves. The student who discovers a passion for engineering through a robotics project wasn’t going to find that in a textbook.
Senior Cycle
It Gets Real
Fifth year is when it gets serious. Subject choices are locked in, the workload ramps up considerably, and the first conversations about “what do you want to do after school?” start carrying real weight. The jump from Junior Cycle (or TY) to senior cycle catches many students off guard — the volume of material, the pace of teaching, and the expectation of independent study are all significantly higher.
This is the year to research, not to panic. Your teen doesn’t need to have everything figured out. But they do need to be building study habits, exploring options, and starting to understand the landscape of what comes after school.
Key actions this year:
Subject alignment: Check that their LC subjects match the requirements for courses they’re considering. Some college courses have specific subject or grade prerequisites — for example, many engineering courses require Higher Level Maths, and some science degrees require LC Chemistry or Physics.
Research pathways: Start exploring courses and career routes on MyCareerVerse.ie. Don’t fixate on points yet — focus on course content, work placement opportunities, and graduate career outcomes.
DARE/HEAR preparation: If your teen may qualify for the DARE (disability) or HEAR (socioeconomic) access routes, start gathering documentation now. Don’t wait for 6th year — some evidence takes time to obtain, and the deadlines are unforgiving.
Study habits: The jump from JC to LC is significant. Consistent study routines — even 60–90 minutes of focused work each evening — established in 5th year will pay enormous dividends in 6th year. Help them find a system that works: timetables, apps, study groups, whatever sticks. If they’re struggling to get started or don’t know how to study effectively, book a study skills session at MyCareerVerse.ie — we’ll work with them one-to-one on techniques that actually work for their learning style.
Open days and taster sessions: Autumn is open day season. Go together. Visit universities, ITs, and ETB colleges. Try a campus you haven’t considered. Ask current students the questions that matter: “Would you choose this course again?”
Summer schools — try before you commit: Both UCD and Maynooth University run summer school programmes where secondary school students can experience real lectures, labs, and campus life in subjects they’re considering. This is one of the best ways to test whether a course is right before committing on the CAO. UCD’s programme requires you to register as a prospective student in advance through their portal — don’t leave this to the last minute. Maynooth’s offering is also popular and fills up quickly. Both typically open registration in spring, so keep an eye out from February onwards and sign up as soon as places become available.
Parent tip: Attend open days together, but let your teen lead. Ask questions, take notes, and talk about it on the drive home — not during dinner in front of siblings. They need space to form their own impressions.
Senior Cycle
The Final Stretch
This is the year everything converges — exams, applications, decisions, and more emotional pressure than at any other point in their school career. Your teen is managing Leaving Certificate preparation alongside CAO applications, potential UCAS submissions, SUSI grants, DARE/HEAR documentation, mock exams, and the social and emotional weight of feeling like their entire future hangs on six weeks in June.
It doesn’t, of course. But it feels that way when you’re 17 or 18. The best thing you can do this year is be organised, be calm, and make absolutely sure no deadline is missed. Your teen’s job is to study. Your job is everything else.
Key actions this year:
CAO application (Nov–Feb): Opens in November, normal deadline is 1 February. Late applications accepted until 1 March with an additional fee. Help them list all 10 Level 8 and 10 Level 6/7 choices — using every slot is important.
DARE/HEAR deadline (1 March): All supporting documentation must be submitted by this date. This is a hard deadline with no exceptions. If you’ve been gathering evidence since 5th year, this should be straightforward. If not, start immediately.
Mock exams (Feb–Mar): Treat these as a diagnostic tool, not a prediction. Mock results help identify weak areas and inform the Change of Mind process. Don’t catastrophise a bad mock — many students improve dramatically between February and June.
Change of Mind (1 July): After mocks and before results, they can reorder all 10 choices on each list free of charge. This is when points-based strategy matters — use realistic estimated grades to make smart adjustments.
SUSI grant application (April–June): Apply as early as possible. Processing can take months and you don’t want to be chasing documentation in September when they’re already at college. You can apply before a course is confirmed.
Parent tip: Don’t ask “how did the exam go?” after every paper. Ask “what do you need right now?” instead. Sometimes the answer is a cup of tea and silence. Sometimes it’s a lift to a friend’s house. Sometimes it’s just knowing you’re there. Results day is emotional for everyone — have a plan for every scenario, including the one where they don’t get what they hoped for. That plan should start with “it’s going to be okay.”
Understanding Pathways
University Isn’t the Only Route
There are multiple ways to build a successful career in Ireland. The “right” path is the one that fits your teen — not the one that looks best at the school reunion.
CAO & University
Level 6, 7 & 8
The Central Applications Office handles applications to almost all undergraduate courses in Ireland. Students rank up to 10 Level 8 and 10 Level 6/7 choices in order of genuine preference. Offers are made based on Leaving Certificate points after results come out in August.
There are over 1,500 courses across 45+ institutions. The key is to choose based on interest and course content, not on what “seems” like a high-status course. A motivated student on the right course will always outperform a bored student on a prestigious one.
Apprenticeships
Level 5 to Level 10
Apprenticeships in Ireland have expanded dramatically. There are now over 70 programmes across sectors including ICT, finance, biopharma, hospitality, engineering, and the traditional trades. Apprentices earn while they learn and graduate with nationally recognised qualifications — some at degree and even master’s level.
This is not a “backup plan.” Companies like Microsoft, Aon, and the ESB run apprenticeship programmes. Your teen gets paid from day one, graduates debt-free, and enters the workforce with real experience.
PLC Courses
Level 5 & 6
Post Leaving Certificate courses are one-year, full-time programmes offered in colleges of further education across Ireland. They provide practical, vocational training and are an excellent stepping stone to higher education through the QQI Links Scheme, which reserves places specifically for PLC graduates in many degree programmes.
PLCs suit students who want to try an area before committing to a four-year degree, who didn’t get the points they needed first time, or who simply learn better in a smaller, more hands-on environment. Fees are minimal compared to university.
Study in Europe
EU Rights
As EU citizens, Irish students can study at public universities across Europe — often with no tuition fees or very low fees. The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and Scandinavia all offer English-taught degree programmes. Some are highly competitive and internationally recognised.
This isn’t a niche option anymore. Thousands of Irish students study in Europe each year. It’s an outstanding choice for students who want international experience, can’t get the points for their preferred Irish course, or want to study a subject not widely available at home.
Things Parents Get Wrong (We Hear It Every Year)
“Apprenticeships are for students who can’t get into college”
Modern apprenticeships go up to Level 10 (Master’s). Entry is competitive. Many programmes require 300+ CAO points equivalent.
“They need to know what they want to be at 17”
They don’t. Most adults changed career paths at least once. Choosing a broad programme or a general entry course is absolutely fine.
“A PLC means they failed”
Many students choose PLCs strategically. They offer guaranteed progression routes, smaller classes, and practical skills that universities don’t provide.
“Studying abroad is only for wealthy families”
Many EU universities charge no tuition. SUSI grants can be used in other EU countries. Living costs in many European cities are lower than Dublin.
Feeling Overwhelmed by the Options?
A 45-minute session with a guidance counsellor can bring clarity to months of uncertainty. We’ll map out the options that genuinely fit your teen.
Not Sure Which Pathway Suits Your Teen?
Our free career assessments take 15 minutes and reveal interests, values, and personality-matched careers. Do them together at the kitchen table.
Funding & Costs
What Will It Actually Cost?
Third-level education in Ireland isn’t free — despite what people think. Here’s what you need to budget for and what financial support is available.
Student Contribution
Annual charge for most CAO courses. Payable to the college, not the government. Can be covered fully or partially by SUSI.
Living Costs (Annual)
Rent, food, transport, books, and day-to-day expenses. Dublin is the most expensive. Regional cities are significantly cheaper.
SUSI Grant
Means-tested maintenance grant covering fees and/or living costs. Apply early — processing can take months. Income thresholds updated annually.
PLC Course Fee
PLCs are far cheaper than degree programmes. Most charge a small registration fee. Some materials costs may apply depending on the course.
SUSI Grant — What You Need to Know
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the main financial support scheme for Irish students. It’s means-tested, based on family income from the previous tax year. The grant can cover part or all of the student contribution charge and provide a monthly maintenance payment.
Applications typically open in April each year. Apply as soon as it opens — even before your teen has confirmed their course or college. You don’t need a confirmed place to apply. Processing times vary, and late applications risk delays that leave students without funding at the start of term.
Key documents you’ll need include P21 balancing statements or tax returns, social welfare payment details, separation agreements (if applicable), and proof of address. Start gathering these in March.
Scholarships & Bursaries
Every Irish university and institute of technology offers scholarships — academic, sports, access, and subject-specific. Many go unclaimed each year simply because students don’t apply.
Entrance scholarships are typically awarded automatically based on Leaving Certificate results (e.g., UCD’s Ad Astra, Trinity’s Entrance Exhibition). Your teen doesn’t need to apply for these — they’re awarded based on results.
Access bursaries are available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities (often linked to DARE/HEAR), and mature students. Each institution administers these differently.
Industry scholarships are offered by companies like ESB, AIB, and Bank of Ireland. These are competitive but hugely valuable — covering fees, providing work experience, and sometimes guaranteeing graduate employment.
Did You Know? Tax Relief on Tuition Fees
Parents can claim tax relief on tuition fees paid for approved third-level courses. This applies to fees above the first €3,000 per student (or €1,500 for part-time courses) at a rate of 20%. If you’re paying fees for a child in a private college or studying abroad, this can represent a significant saving. Claim through Revenue’s myAccount — you have four years to make backdated claims.
Need help figuring out what you’re eligible for?
CAO Essentials
The CAO in Five Minutes
The CAO is not a university. It’s a processing centre — a central system that matches students to courses based on their preferences and their points. Understanding how it works removes a lot of the stress.
Your teen lists up to 10 Level 8 (Honours Degree) and 10 Level 6/7 (Ordinary Degree/Higher Certificate) choices in order of preference. After Leaving Certificate results, the system offers each student their highest preference for which they have enough points. That’s it.
The single most important thing to understand: preference order matters more than points. If they get enough points for their first choice, that’s what they’ll be offered — regardless of what’s on the rest of the list.
Leaving Certificate Grades & CAO Points
CAO points are calculated from a student’s best six subjects. Higher Level papers carry significantly more points. An additional 25 bonus points are awarded for achieving a H6 or above in Higher Level Maths.
HL Higher Level
| Grade | % | Points |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | 90 – 100% | 100 |
| H2 | 80 – 89% | 88 |
| H3 | 70 – 79% | 77 |
| H4 | 60 – 69% | 66 |
| H5 | 50 – 59% | 56 |
| H6 | 40 – 49% | 46 |
| H7 | 30 – 39% | 37 |
| H8 | 0 – 29% | 0 |
OL Ordinary Level
| Grade | % | Points |
|---|---|---|
| O1 | 90 – 100% | 56 |
| O2 | 80 – 89% | 46 |
| O3 | 70 – 79% | 37 |
| O4 | 60 – 69% | 28 |
| O5 | 50 – 59% | 20 |
| O6 | 40 – 49% | 12 |
| O7 | 30 – 39% | 0 |
| O8 | 0 – 29% | 0 |
Maths Bonus Points
An extra 25 points are awarded for Higher Level Maths at H6 or above. This is added on top of the subject points, making HL Maths worth up to 125 points at H1.
Best Six Subjects
Only a student’s best six results count toward their CAO points total. The maximum possible is 625 points (six H1s plus the 25-point Maths bonus).
Key CAO Dates
| Date | Event | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov | CAO Opens | Create account and begin application |
| 20 Jan | Early Application Deadline | Reduced fee applies — save €10 |
| 1 Feb | Normal Closing Date | All courses listed at standard fee |
| 1 Mar | DARE/HEAR & Late Deadline | Supplementary info and late apps close |
| 5 Feb | Restricted Courses | Portfolio, audition, and test deadlines vary |
| 1 Jul | Change of Mind | Re-order all choices — free of charge |
| Mid Aug | Results & Round 1 Offers | Accept, defer, or wait for Round 2 |
Practical Support
How to Help Without the Pressure
You don’t need to know the points for every course or understand CAO codes. You need to know how to show up for your teen in the way they actually need.
Listen More Than You Talk
The instinct to fix everything is strong. But when your teen says “I don’t know what I want to do,” the most helpful response isn’t a list of suggestions — it’s “that’s completely normal.” Most 17-year-olds don’t have it figured out, and that’s genuinely fine. Creating space for uncertainty is more valuable than forcing a decision. Ask open questions: “What subjects do you enjoy most?” “What kind of work environment appeals to you?” “If money didn’t matter, what would you try?” Then listen without steering.
Separate Your Dreams from Theirs
This is hard. If you’re a doctor and your child wants to study art, it stings. If you never went to college and you’re desperate for them to go, the pressure is enormous — for both of you. Research consistently shows that students who choose courses aligned with their own interests perform better academically, are less likely to drop out, and report higher career satisfaction. The best investment you can make is supporting their authentic path, even when it’s not the one you imagined.
Be the Admin Person
Your teen is managing exams, revision, friendships, and emotional development all at once. The most practical thing you can do is manage the logistics they’ll miss: track CAO and SUSI deadlines, ensure DARE/HEAR documentation is gathered on time, book open day visits, and make sure the registration fee is paid. Keep a shared calendar. Set phone reminders for key dates. This isn’t helicopter parenting — it’s project management, and 6th year is a project.
Watch for Warning Signs
Exam stress is normal. Persistent anxiety, withdrawal, sleep changes, appetite changes, or uncharacteristic behaviour is not. Senior cycle puts enormous pressure on teenagers, and it’s compounded by social media, comparison with peers, and the weight of feeling like every decision is permanent (it isn’t). If your teen is struggling, reach out to the school guidance counsellor, your GP, or contact Jigsaw (12–25 mental health support), SpunOut, or text 50808 for free crisis text support.
Conversation Starters That Actually Work
Talking about careers and college doesn’t have to feel like an interrogation. We’ve put together a downloadable guide with open-ended questions, prompts for different scenarios (TY, subject selection, results day, rejection), and advice on timing — because asking about the future at 10pm on a school night is never going to go well.
AI & Education
Your Teen Is Already Using AI
Over 70% of Irish secondary school students have used AI tools like ChatGPT for schoolwork. That number is growing. Meanwhile, most parents feel unsure about what AI is, how their teen is using it, and whether it’s helping or harming their education.
The reality is nuanced. Used well, AI is an extraordinary study tool — it can explain concepts, generate practice questions, and help with essay planning. Used badly, it replaces thinking rather than supporting it. The answer isn’t to ban it (they’ll use it anyway). The answer is to understand it.
We’ve created a comprehensive guide specifically for parents that covers what AI tools are, how teens use them, what the risks are (including privacy, academic integrity, and over-reliance), and how to have productive conversations about responsible AI use at home.
Quick Parent Checklist
Ask them to show you
Have your teen demonstrate how they use ChatGPT or similar tools. No judgment — just understanding. You’ll learn more in 10 minutes than from any article.
Know the school’s AI policy
Does their school have a policy? If not, ask why. If so, make sure your teen understands what’s permitted and what could be treated as academic dishonesty.
Check age requirements
ChatGPT requires users to be 13+ (18+ without parental consent in the EU under the AI Act). Most teens bypass this. Know what they’re using and what data they’re sharing.
Reframe “cheating” as “skill”
The ability to use AI effectively is becoming a genuine professional skill. The question isn’t whether they use it — it’s whether they’re using it to learn or to avoid learning.
Keep talking about it
This isn’t a one-time conversation. AI tools change rapidly. Check in regularly about what new tools they’re trying and how they’re being used in class.
Read the Full Parent’s AI Guide
Request AI Training for Your School
Frequently Asked
Questions Parents Ask Us
Still Have a Question We Haven’t Covered?
Every family’s situation is different. Book a one-to-one session and we’ll answer your specific questions — no generic advice, just practical guidance for your teen.
Resources
Everything in One Place
Guides, tools, and downloads specifically for parents.
Still Have Questions?
Book a one-to-one consultation with a practicing guidance counsellor. We’ll help you and your teen navigate the options — no jargon, no pressure, just clear answers.
Led by Angela Curran, practicing Guidance Counsellor & Educational Technologist