It is now very possible and common for people (both young adults and more mature students) to study for their Leaving Certificate by taking an adult education nightcourse. A growing number of colleges (both VEC and private institutions) offer Leaving Cert programmes, giving many adults a chance to complete their second level education.

It is possible to take a full Leaving Certificate programme of seven or more subjects at a further education college, or students can decide to study one particular subject - for instance English, Irish or Mathematics. Students can also choose between the ordinary and higher level exams.

There have been a number of changes to the Leaving Certificate in recent years. The Leaving Cert Vocational and the Leaving Cert Applied programmes allow students who are maybe less academically minded to gain useful communications, vocational and technical skills. Adult students should discuss these options with their school or college before choosing the programme that suits them best.

Courses usually follow the school year, with enrolment starting in August each year, and classes taking place continually until the following May. There is often an interview before being accepted onto the course where potential students explain the reasons why they have decided to return to education. Adult learners usually cover the entire Leaving Cert syllabus of each subject over two years.

Leaving Certificate courses are held at institutions and locations all around Ireland. Vocational Education Committees in each county, and in the bigger towns and cities, all hold evening or daytime Leaving Cert classes. These courses tend to have a mixture of repeat and adult students. Teachers generally are aware of the pressures and strains of studying for the Leaving, and the learning takes place in a friendly and supportive environment.

Another option is to enrol in a private college, which also prepare both mature students and repeat students for the Leaving Certificate. These colleges are often very focused on achieving the highest possible CAO points for their student and can also offer students additional services, such as flexible timetables, examination techniques and study skills seminars.

It is also possible to study for the Leaving Certificate without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. Not everyone is free to travel to a school or college, or to attend classes on a regular basis. Many people decide the flexibility and ease of a distance learning course is right for them. The development of Internet and e-Learning technology has made distance learning programmes even more convenient and easy to follow.

Although there is apparently free second level education in Ireland, many adults taking the Leaving Certificate have to pay a number of different fees and costs. Courses at further education institutions average around €200 per subject, and private colleges can charge up to €6,000 for a full year's classes. The actual exam itself also has to be paid for - €96 for first time takers, €271 for repeat students. Books and study materials etc also have to be paid for.

There are however a number of ways for some adults to avoid paying these costs. Early school leavers who have been unemployed or receiving other social welfare entitlements can receive help from government schemes such as the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), which aim to help people develop their job prospects and prepare them to go into paid employment.

There is no fee for a VTOS Leaving Cert course and books and materials are provided free of charge. To be eligible for VTOS scheme you must be over 21 years of age and receiving a social welfare payment (e.g. unemployment benefit, disability allowance, one parent family allowance) for at least six months. You will continue to receive these payments during the course.

Whichever choice you make, it makes sense to give the idea a good deal of thought beforehand. If possible, talk to staff at the school or college and also to other people who have taken the Leaving Cert as an adult so you can find out what is involved.

Once students have completed their Leaving Cert there are, of course, a whole world of potential career options open to them. The benefits are huge - whether earning a place at college or university, qualifying for a PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) course, getting a better job, or just gaining a real sense of achievement by taking and passing the Leaving Certificate.