New Guide Helps Irish Students Navigate Life After Secondary School

The Citizens Information Board has released its 2025 edition of the comprehensive "Leaving School" guide, designed to support students making the transition from secondary education to adult life.

The annual publication addresses crucial decisions facing school leavers, covering everything from further education options and career paths to practical concerns like finding accommodation and managing finances. The guide is particularly timely, with over 60,000 students having sat their Leaving Certificate examinations in 2024, and similar numbers expected this year.

The resource covers a wide range of topics essential for young adults, including information about apprenticeships and training programmes, Post Leaving Certificate courses, various routes to college, and details about student grants and financial supports. It also addresses disability supports, studying abroad opportunities, gap year options, job searching, and important health and wellbeing guidance.

"CIB is happy to provide clear, up-to-date information about life after school in this booklet and on the Citizens Information website," said Cathy Gerrard, Digital Content Manager at the Citizens Information Board. "Leaving School is designed to give students all the information they need as they enter the adult world for the first time, whether they are going on to further or higher education, are entering the workforce, or are taking a year out after finishing school."

The guide's relevance is demonstrated by strong online engagement with related content. In 2025, the Education and Training category on the Citizens Information website has already attracted over 290,000 users and generated more than 500,000 page views. The most popular sections include information about the Student Grant Scheme, apprenticeships, and third-level student fees and charges.

The "Leaving School" guide is available in both Irish and English, reflecting the organisation's commitment to accessibility. Students, parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors can access the resource through multiple channels: it's distributed in secondary schools nationwide, available at all Citizens Information Centres, and can be downloaded directly from the Citizens Information Board website.

This comprehensive approach ensures that crucial information about adult life reaches students regardless of their preferred format or location. The guide serves as both a practical handbook and a reassuring companion for young people facing significant life decisions.

The resource is freely available online at citizensinformationboard.ie, with detailed information about many topics also accessible through the main Citizens Information website at citizensinformation.ie.