More than 32,000 students in Northern Ireland received their GCSEs on Thursday morning and some vocational qualification results like BTEC's.
The pass rate in Northern Ireland (C grade and above) has gone up from 82.7% to 83.5%, while 31.8% of GCSE entries were awarded A* or A. That compares to 31% in 2024.
Results have returned to levels similar to those before the Coronavirus pandemic when exams were cancelled.
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Pacemaker Press 21-08-2025: Pupils at Methodist College in Belfast celebrate getting GCSE results. Photo: pacemaker
22. PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/8/2025: Delighted pupils at Belfast Royal Academical Institution as the GCSE results were announced on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON
PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/8/2025: Delighted pupils at Belfast Royal Academical Institution as the GCSE results were announced on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker
23. PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 21/8/2025: Delighted pupils at Belfast Royal Academical Institution as the GCSE results were announced on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON
Delighted pupils at Belfast Royal Academical Institution as the GCSE results were announced on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker
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Victoria College school friends Chloe Young and Poppy Chinamara care all smiles after receiving their GCSE results on Thursday morning. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON Photo: pacemaker