Thousands of NI students get ready to receive grades | UK News

More than 32,000 students in Northern Ireland are set to receive GCSE and some vocational qualification results on Thursday.

In contrast to A-Level results, students cannot get their GCSE results online and will go to school to get their grades.

Just under a third of GCSE entries in Northern Ireland achieved grade A and above in 2024, and there are not expected to be big changes in 2025.

Some BTEC results will also be awarded on Thursday.

The vast majority of GCSEs in Northern Ireland – more than 95% – are taken by pupils through the Northern Ireland exam board, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

The remainder are taken through English and Welsh exam boards, so some pupils in Northern Ireland will receive results in the form of numbers as well as letters.

That is because GCSEs in England are graded numerically from 9 to 1, whereas in Northern Ireland they are graded from A* to G.

Matthew, who goes to Lecale Trinity Grammar School in Downpatrick, said he was feeling nervous but also positive ahead of the results.

He told News NI that it feels like a long time since his exams ended.

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

“It was in the back of mind but recently, like the start of August, it’s really come back into my mind.”

Matthew hopes to return to school next year to study History, Politics, BTEC Sport and Professional Business Studies.

Theo, who goes to Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, said he was nervous but “cautiously optimistic”.

“It would definitely depend person-to-person but, at least for me, I’m looking forward in a nervous way,” he said.

“Obviously how much of our lives have been taken up by [exams] in the past while has really caused it to be a very important event.”

For Theo, results day has felt like a “far-off day” until more recently.

He thinks there will be a “buzz and excitement” about school later, along with the inevitable nerves.

He hopes to return to school to study Moving Image Arts, Computer Science, Politics and Maths – with a view to going into computer game design in the future.

Outside of English Language and Maths, which all pupils are required to sit, other subjects with relatively high numbers of students include English Literature, Double Award Science, Religious Studies, Geography and History.

There has also been a rise in pupils studying GCSE subjects like Construction and Health and Social Care.

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

There were almost 2,000 entries for GCSE Irish in 2025 and almost 4,100 for GCSE Spanish, both higher than in 2023 and 2024.

Pupils use their GCSEs, and results of other qualifications like BTECs, to progress to A-Levels, courses in further education, training or employment.

Education Minister Paul Givan plans to make it compulsory for young people to stay in education or training until they are 18, although they would have the option to combine work with part-time education or training.

According to the Department of Education, about 2,000 school leavers in Northern Ireland do not achieve an A-Level or equivalent qualification.

Almost 700 responses were received in a consultation on the proposals, which could become law by the end of the current assembly mandate in March 2027.

The majority of those who responded to the consultation were in favour of the move.

Ahead of results day, the principals of the six further education colleges in Northern Ireland called for a shift in perception around post-16 education.

They said further education colleges offer a range of qualifications, including A-levels, BTECs and apprenticeships.

Principal and chief executive of South West College, Celine McCartan, said there had been “a notable shift in further education as a growing first choice among young people today”.

“Our students go on to study at top universities, secure competitive apprenticeships, and enter industries that are in real need of skilled workers,” she said.

CCEA is operating a results helpline for students until 27 August on 028 9026 1260 or via email on helpline@ccea.org.uk.

The Department for the Economy’s careers service is also providing advice and support on 0300 200 7820 or online.