Qualifications Reform
A review of qualifications is a core action in the TransformED Strategy and Delivery Plan. This page provides information about the reform of Qualifications in Northern Ireland.
A public consultation took place (18 September – 13 November 2025) on proposed reforms to CCEA GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels. The proposals aim to modernise qualifications, maintain high‑quality teaching and learning while reducing unnecessary exam pressure and ensuring Northern Ireland’s qualifications remain recognised nationally and internationally. They also focus on keeping qualifications relevant to the needs of learners, employers and society.
CCEA has a legal duty to regularly review its qualifications to ensure they remain current, fair and portable for students, schools and employers. Subject specifications are normally reviewed every five years. CCEA’s GCSE and A level subject specifications were last reviewed in 2015/16, so a review is overdue.
The first step in the review process is for the Department to set out the overarching qualifications policy framework which will guide the review of CCEA specifications. This framework sets the rules and principles on which qualifications should be developed, including structure, content, assessment and grading.
Key Proposals
- Reduce qualification content to support deeper learning.
- Reduce the number of exams students must take.
- Move most GCSEs and A levels to a linear structure, with exams taken at the end of a two‑year course, allowing more time for teaching and learning.
- Remove AS levels, creating a single two‑year A level qualification.
- Remove or reduce internal/controlled assessments where possible to ease workload for teachers and students.
- Align CCEA GCSE grading with England’s 9–1 scale to improve clarity and comparability.
Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the consultation on qualifications reform. Over 8,000 responses were received to the consultation along with feedback from further face to face engagement sessions. A report detailing the feedback from the consultation and engagement process is now available.
The Minister has confirmed his preferred policy framework for future CCEA qualifications.
Policy Framework for General Qualifications in Northern Ireland
Now that the policy framework is confirmed, CCEA will begin work to first develop the regulatory framework and to review and revise CCEA’s suite of qualifications. Engagement with subject teachers will be an important part of this process.
Changes will then be rolled out on a phased basis