Consultation on future of GCSEs, AS and A Levels launched in Northern Ireland
- Love Ballymena
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
Education Minister Paul Givan has launched a public consultation on proposals to reform the GCSE, AS and A level qualifications delivered by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
The consultation, which opened today (18 September) and runs until 13 November 2025, sets out a series of reforms aimed at modernising qualifications, reducing exam pressure, and improving clarity for students, teachers and employers.
Key proposals
The Department of Education’s consultation highlights several significant changes under consideration, including:
Reducing content in qualifications to support deeper learning.
Reducing the number of exams that students are required to sit.
Moving most qualifications to a linear structure, with exams taken at the end of a two-year course to allow more time for teaching and learning.
Removing AS levels and introducing a two-year A level structure.
Removing controlled/internal assessments where possible, to ease workload for students and teachers.
Aligning GCSE grading with England’s 9–1 scale for improved recognition and clarity.
Minister’s statement
Launching the consultation, Education Minister Paul Givan said:
“I am committed to ensuring that qualifications in Northern Ireland remain relevant and aligned to the needs of our students, as they progress into further study, employment or training.
“The changes that I am proposing aim to ensure qualifications developed in Northern Ireland support high-quality teaching and learning. They will remove unnecessary pressure by reducing the number of exams that students sit and reduce the workload burden on teachers whilst maintaining standards that are recognised nationally and internationally.”
He added:
“Education is the cornerstone of opportunity, aspiration and progress and it is essential that the qualifications available to young people reflect the evolving needs of learners, the economy and society. It is therefore crucial that they remain fit for purpose and responsive to the demands of the modern world.
“I am grateful to our school leaders who have helped shape these proposals and I would encourage all those with an interest in education to now respond to the consultation.”
Background
CCEA, a non-departmental public body funded by and accountable to the Department of Education, is legally required to review its qualifications regularly. These reviews are guided by the Department’s Qualifications Policy Framework.
The consultation document and response forms are available on the Department of Education’s website:
