Junior Cycle lies within the compulsory period of education and is usually taken by students between the ages of 12 and 15. The aims and intended outcomes of Junior Cycle emphasise the importance of students experiencing a broad, balanced and coherent programme of study across a wide range of curriculum areas in order to prepare them for transition to Senior Cycle education. This is achieved by ensuring that students encounter an educational programme that covers a number of areas of experience.
Students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and those viewed as at risk of leaving school early may follow the Junior Certificate School Programme.
Note: [SC] indicates that the course is one of the recently introduced Short Courses
The subjects are arranged into subject groups as follows: