Non-progression - Student Characteristics 2 - Prior Educational Attainment

Previous progression analyses suggested a relationship between academic preparedness and non-progression. Therefore this section looks at non-progression rates by prior education, both in terms of entry basis and then for leaving certificate attainment for the relevant cohort. Since 2018/2019, the HEA has collected the entry basis of students as part of the SRS returns process. Entry basis in this context is the primary basis on which students are accepted onto their courses, for example, school leaving exams (leaving cert) or on the basis of a Further Education award.

In addition, Leaving Cert data is submitted to the HEA as part of the SRS returns and we have a separate section for this cohort. The majority of students (73% in 2022/2023) enter higher education on the basis of leaving certificate points. Additionally, 6% enter through the DARE scheme while 4% enter via HEAR (both 2022/2023) (see this page for further information on the HEAR and DARE schemes).

Please note, in the interactive tables on this and the previous section, non-progression rates are not shown in cells where the numbers of students are less than 25. In the case of socio-economic breakdown (DIS) and SUSI Grant holders (previous page), as well as all entry basis the threshold is 100. This is in line with our statistical disclosure policy.

Non-progression by Entry Basis

Non-progression by Leaving Certificate Points

There is a particular focus on Leaving Certificate points in the progression analysis as the data allows this more granular analysis of prior educational attainment than is available with other entry routes. Both previous years headline rates, and the findings of regression analyses suggested a relationship between Leaving Cert points and non-progression:

• In general, students with higher-than-average leaving cert points have lower rates of non-progression than those with lower points. For example, in two of the lower ranges (200-249 and 250-299), entrants have non progression rates of 45% and 36% respectively
• By contrast, those in the highest LC points ranges (550-599, 600-625) both have a non-progression rate of 3% and 2% respectively
• The mean LC points of those who progressed was 479.3 in 2022/23, while those who did not progress had mean leaving cert points of 381.3

The majority of students do progress, regardless of entry route or prior educational attainment. While, in general, those with higher leaving cert points tend to have higher rates of progression, nearly 50% of entrants with the lowest level of points progress to the following year.

Average Leaving Cert Points on Entry

Average LC Points Attained on entry by students who progressed  or did not progress (Second level school exams entry basis only)

There is an average of about 88.1 points difference overall between those who progressed and those who didn’t. However, this difference will vary by level, field of study and other factors.
For example, the following is the breakdown of average LC points attained by entrants to courses at Levels 6,7 or 8 over the years 2018/19 to 2022/23:

There is an average of about 88 points difference overall between those who progressed and those who didn’t. However, this difference will vary by level, field of study and other factors.

For example, the following is the breakdown of average LC points attained by entrants to courses at Levels 6,7 or 8 over the years 2018/19 to 2022/23:

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