Citizens Information Board publishes 2026 edition of Leaving School guide for secondary school students
The Citizens Information Board (CIB) is proud to announce the publication of the 2026 edition of Leaving School, a booklet covering important things to know about life after secondary school.
Leaving School is published annually and covers things that students should know before they finish school, including:
- Information about different career paths
- Apprenticeships and other further education options
- Post Leaving Certificate courses and other routes to college
- College fees, student grants and other financial supports
- How to manage money
- Disability supports in college
- Finding a place to live
- Studying abroad
- Taking a year out
- Getting a job and paying tax for the first time
- Looking after your mental health
- Health services and sexual health services
- Other things about Adulting, like getting a Public Services Card and learning to drive
You can also find information about these topics on citizensinformation.ie.
Last year, the Education and Training category on the website reached more than 715,000 users and was viewed over a million times.
Some of the most visited pages include those about the Student Grant Scheme, Third-level student fees and charges, and Apprenticeships.
Students can get a copy of the Leaving School booklet, in both English and Irish, from:
- Our network of Citizens Information Centres nationwide
- Our website
- Their secondary school
Ends
Leaving School (pdf) is available online in Irish and English and through the network of Citizens Information Centres nationwide.