Senior Cycle Redevelopment

Senior Cycle Redevelopment

Senior Cycle ( The Leaving Certificate) is changing. The changes are informed by, and built upon the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s Advisory Report on the review of Senior Cycle as well as the experiences of Leaving Certificate students. 

The changes are intended to empower students to meet the challenges of the 21st century, enrich the student experience, embed wellbeing and reduce student stress levels. As part of the programme for Senior Cycle Redevelopment, the Minister for Education and Youth also announced the development of a revised Transition Year Programme statement, which was introduced in September 2025.

Over the coming years, the curriculum in every subject at Senior Cycle will change, these are being managed in Tranches. In the 2025/2026 school year, Tranche 1 subjects: Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Business were introduced.

The remaining groups or tranches of subjects will be introduced on a phased basis. There will be five annual tranches in total. By 2029 all subjects will be revised. 

Each of the new and revised subject specifications will incorporate additional assessment components ( called AACs) The AACs will be worth at least 40% of the overall available mark for each subject and will be accessed by the State Examinations Commission.