Once the new A-level is introduced in 2029, CCEA will no longer offer a separate AS-level qualification.

The changes are part of wider reform of education, called TransformED, introduced by the Education Minister Paul Givan.

According to the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), there has been a slight fall in the proportion of young people in Northern Ireland who have applied to go to university in recent years.

In 2022, for instance, 52.8% of 18-year-olds applied to go to university but that had fallen to 49.1% in 2026.

Universities operate a system called clearing, which enables students who have not been able to get into their first choice to find another university place or course.

Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA), which combine paid work with learning, have become a more popular option in recent years.

According to the Department of Economy, more than 2,100 students were enrolled on an HLA course in an FE College in Northern Ireland in 2024/25.

CCEA will operate a results helpline from Thursday 13 August until Wednesday 26 August on 028 9026 1260.

The Department for the Economy's careers service is also operating an online advice service or by telephoning 0300 200 7820.

GCSE results will be released on Thursday 20 August.