Further Education sector growing in popularity with school leaversWith thousands of places on offer annually in Round Zero, in the vast majority of degrees on offer by our universities – why are so many students and their parents oblivious to Further Education routes into the college and degree of their choice? Photograph: Getty Tue Aug 25 2026 - 05:31 • 4 MIN READThe fear on the part of young students of not securing sufficient CAO points in their Leaving Cert is driving the growth of an ever-expanding grind school industry now worth tens of millions of euro annually.Yet, in early August, the CAO made offers to 6,792 individuals in Round Zero. The vast majority of these successful applicants had completed a level 5 Post Leaving Cert (PLC) programme in the past academic year, having completed the Leaving Cert in June 2025. They will now commence their studies on their highly sought-after courses in universities throughout the country in September.Many school-leavers and their parents are blind to the existence of the Further Education (FE) system and the availability of reserved Round Zero places for those holding one- and two-year PLC awards through the CAO application process.Unaware of the FE option to gain entry to their dream course, and in an effort to secure the elusive grades they believe to be the only way to secure the high CAO points required in Round One, they are moving in growing numbers into private grind schools for the duration of their two-year Leaving Cert programme. Alternatively, while remaining in their existing schools, they take on extra subjects in grind schools to give themselves a better chance of getting a higher points score. Many students in their final two years preparing for the Leaving Cert live in dread of missing their CAO points target. They often abandon involvement in sport and other non-exam-focused school-based activities amid a laser-like focus on points.[ How a PLC course can forge your path in education after the Leaving CertOpens in new window ]They are oblivious to the fact that Round One of the CAO is the third round of offers, following on from Round A in early June offering places to those over 23 years of age and Round Zero in early August for PLC graduates. All of these Round A and Round Zero offers concerned applicants who are not competing with those awaiting 2026 Leaving Certificate examination grades, or who are assessed on other criteria.The applicants who fall into this category include graduate entry medicine applicants, additional mature applicants, deferred and Access applicants, and applicants presenting QQI FET/Fetac qualifications for consideration for entry to courses with a quota for QQI FET applicants.In early August 2026, there were 5,831 level 8 offers and 3,149 level 7/6 offers issued in Round Zero, the majority of which were for QQI FET/Fetac applicants who applied for a course with a quota for QQI FET applicants.With thousands of places on offer annually in Round Zero, in the vast majority of degrees on offer by our universities – why are so many students and their parents oblivious to this route into the college and degree of their choice? Since 2019, there has been an almost 12 per cent increase in those choosing PLC, apprenticeship and new tertiary degree programmes.[ ‘I fell 11 points short of the course I wanted and went down the PLC route’Opens in new window ]We are now at a place where there is a significant increase in the number of school leavers choosing Further Education and Training (FET) courses and apprenticeships as a first destination, where there are clear, accessible pathways between FET and higher education, and where FET is becoming the go-to place for upskilling and reskilling, and a resource that can respond to critical skills needs in Ireland.New entrantsIn 2025, 30,508 learners started on PLC programmes for the 2025/2026 academic year, up from 29,517 new entrants in 2025. Accredited in Levels 5 and 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), PLCs are a valuable and recognised post-secondary education pathway to take learners as far as they want to go after school. FET courses are for everyone, with PLCs on offer in every county through local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). School leavers don’t have to go far to get started through local PLCs, available at little or no cost.Offering school leavers flexibility and so many ways to move forward, PLCs can provide pathways into work, further study, or figuring out where their interests lie. Many PLCs are directly linked to jobs in demand right now, to suit learners who are looking for direct entry into employment with work-ready skills. Taking the PLC route provides a great opportunity for learners to take a year or two after school to follow their passion, and for those unsure of their next steps after school to discover what sparks their interest.[ Beyond the CAO: Exploring the other educational pathways now open to school leaversOpens in new window ]There is endless choice, from PLCs in beauty therapy, science, personal training & nutrition, journalism, podcasting & radio, carpentry, software development and beyond – there’s something to suit everyone. Operating outside the points system, many PLCs offer a crucial stepping stone between the Leaving Certificate and university for a lot of school leavers.Throughout PLC courses, learners build confidence, academic skills and the experience that can prepare them for studying at university. Research by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) suggests that studying a PLC course first can prepare students better for entering university. We know this research also points to the fact that FET graduates are less likely to drop out of higher education, and that the extra year helps with development of their skills in research, presentations, writing and communication skills.All the information you need is on www.thisisfet.ie or through contacting your local ETB. Below is an example of the places awarded in UCD in Round Zero this year to graduates of FET level 5 awards. CAO CodeTitleQQI-FET places 2026Minimum QQI-FETpoints 2026 DN120Landscape Architecture3All qualified applicantsDN200Science20390* FET points (* It was not possible to offer to all with 390 points so random selection applied)DN201Computer Science6374 FET pointsDN240Sustainability5All qualified applicantsDN250Agricultural Science28All qualified applicantsDN261Food Science5All qualified applicantsDN310Veterinary Nursing9390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN425Sport, Health and Exercise Science2390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN430Sport and Exercise Management2All qualified applicantsDN450General Nursing25390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN451Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated)4390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN452 Midwifery6390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN453Mental Health Nursing9374 FET points.DN520Arts25341 FET points.DN530Humanities18358* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN541Modern Languages2All qualified applicantsDN600Law7390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN610Business and Law7390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN620Criminology with Psychology 3 390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN650Commerce25390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN700Social Sciences55358* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN710Economics3390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN720Psychology15390* FET points (* random selection was applied)DN750Social Policy and Sociology19All qualified applicantsDN760Education with Gaeilge & Modern Languages2All qualified applicantsIN THIS SECTION