Literal question
[Questions 20-26 apply to people aged 15 and over]
21 What is the highest level of education (full-time or part-time) which you have completed to date?
Check one box only.
[] 1 No formal education
[] 2 Primary education
Second level
[] 3 Lower secondary: Junior/Intermediate/Group Certificate, "O" Levels/GCSEs, NCVA Foundation Certificate, Basic Skills Training Certificate, or equivalent
[] 4 Upper secondary:
Leaving certificate (including Applied and Vocational Programmes), "A" Levels, NCVA Level 1 Certificate or equivalent
[] 5 Technical or vocational qualification: completed apprenticeship, NCVA Level 2/3 Certificate, NCEA Foundation Certificate, Teagasc certificate/diploma or equivalent
[] 6 Both upper secondary and technical or vocational qualification
Third level
[] 7 Non degree: National Certificate, Diploma NCEA/Institute of Technology, or equivalent
[] 8 Primary degree (Third level Bachelor degree)
[] 9 Professional qualification (of degree status at least)
[] 10 Both degree and a professional qualification
[] 11 Postgraduate certificate or diploma
[] 12 Postgraduate degree (Masters)
[] 13 Doctorate (PhD)
Interviewer instructions
21. What is the highest level of education (full-time or part-time) which you have completed to date?
[] 1 No formal education
[] 2 Primary education
Secondary level
[] 3 Lower secondary: Junior/Intermediate/Group Certificate, "O" Levels/GCSEs, NCVA Foundation Certificate, Basic Skills Training Certificate or equivalent
[] 4 Upper Secondary: Leaving certificate (including Applied and Vocational Progammes), "A" Levels, NCVA Level 1 Certificate or equivalent
[] 5 Technical or vocational qualification: Completed apprenticeship, NCVA Level 2/3 Certificate, NCEA Foundation Certificate, Teagasc certificate/diploma or equivalent
[] 6 Both upper secondary and technical or vocational qualification
Third level
[] 7 Non degree: National Certificate, diploma NCEA/Institute of Technology or equivalent
[] 8 Primary degree (third level Bachelor degree)
[] 9 Professional qualification (of degree status at least)
[] 10 Both degree and a professional qualification
[] 11 Postgraduate certificate or diploma
[] 12 Postgraduate Degree (Masters)
[] 13 Doctorate (Ph.D.)
Some guidelines on answering question 21:
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 attended primary level only should select 2- Primary education. A person who attended a second level school but left without sitting for the Junior Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Group Certificate, etc. should also select this option.
A person who has sat for the examinations listed under options 3 (Lower secondary) and 4 (Upper secondary), should select the appropriate level of education completed 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 the Leaving Certificate should select 6 - Both Upper secondary or Technical?.
A person who attempted a third level course but without obtaining the certificate, diploma or degree in question should select the appropriate option at Second Level.
