Literal question
[Questions 15-24 were asked of persons 15 years and over]
Q.15 Education
What is the highest level of education (full-time or part-time) actually completed to date?
Insert check mark in the appropriate box.
[] 1 No formal education
[] 2 Primary Education
[] 3 Lower secondary (Junior/Inter/Group Cert., "O" levels)
Upper secondary:
[] 4 Technical or vocational
[] 5 Leaving Certificate
[] 6 Both technical/vocational course and Leaving Certificate
Third Level:
[] 7 Non-degree qualification
[] 8 Primary university degree
[] 9 Professional qualification (of degree status at least)
[] 10 Both a degree and a professional qualification
[] 11 Post-graduate degree (excluding post-graduate diplomas)
Explanatory notes
[Questions 15-24 relate only to persons aged 15 years and over]
Question 15 - Education received (highest level of education completed)
Persons who received their education when institutional arrangements were different to those currently in place or who were not educated in Ireland should select an equivalent option.
A person who has attended Primary level only should select Box 2. Moreover, a person who attended a second level school but dropped out without sitting for the Junior Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Group Certificate, '0' Levels or GCSE should select Box 2.
A person who sat for the Junior Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Group Certificate, '0' Levels or GCSE (but no higher level) should select Box 3 irrespective of the results achieved.
Completing an apprenticeship should be regarded as equivalent to completing technical or vocational education at second level and Box 4 should be selected. However, if the apprenticeship was completed in addition to the Leaving Certificate then Box 6 should be selected.
A person who sat for the Leaving Certificate (but who completed no further course) should select Box 5 irrespective of the results achieved.
A person who successfully completed a Post Leaving Certificate programme (VPT2) or a secretarial or commercial course lasting a year or more in addition to a Leaving Certificate should select Box 6.
A person who attempted a third level course but without obtaining the certificate, diploma or degree in question should select the appropriate Box at Upper Secondary level.
A non-degree qualification at Third level (i.e. Box 7) should be selected for a person who has obtained a certificate/diploma (not equivalent to a university degree) from a course for which the entry requirement was the completion of the Upper Secondary level to a certain minimum standard.
A post-graduate degree refers to a degree at Master or higher level. A person with a post-graduate diploma such as the Higher Diploma in Education (but without a degree to Master or higher level) should for Census purposes select Box 8.
