The Level 4 Certificate recognises vocational and personal skills, as well as knowledge and understanding to specified standards. Successful students may take up introductory vocational employment or go on to do a Level 5 Certificate. The Level 4 Certificate is awarded by QQI Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). It is on the same NFQ level as the initial section of the Leaving Cert programme.
By contrast, the Leaving Certificate Examination is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior Certificate Examination. These years are referred to collectively as "The Senior Cycle." This curriculum is at Levels 4 and 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
