Number of students using artificial intelligence for Leaving Cert project work 'alarming'

Survey also found students are factoring housing availability into their plans for third-level education, with 34% reporting rent and the cost-of-living were major factors in where they choose to attend university.

Almost 20% of sixth-year students have used artificial intelligence tools for projects that contribute to their overall Leaving Certificate grades.

Of the 1,300 students who took part in this year’s Studyclix Student Survey, 71% reported trying ChatGPT or other AI tools, while the number who said they used AI for school-related tasks stood at almost 60%.

This was more than double the figure recorded in the 2022 survey.

The 2025 survey gives an insight into the challenges faced by Leaving Cert students, highlighting a pessimism when it comes to the prospects of owning a property, emigration and a lack of engagement with apprenticeships.

It also found 60% of the students who took part in the online survey reported having only one meeting with their guidance counsellor since beginning sixth year — 18% said they have either had no meeting with a counsellor or met them only in a group setting.

At the same time, 40% reported feeling unsure if they were making the right choice on their CAO form.

A further 15% said they had worked with a private guidance counsellor outside of school to help them decide on their choices on the CAO form.

The survey also found students are factoring housing availability into their plans for third-level education, with 34% reporting rent and the cost-of-living were major factors in where they choose to attend university.

These concerns were more acute for students from rural counties like Waterford (56%) and Clare (52%).

More than half (54%) of sixth-year students surveyed said they were likely or highly likely to emigrate after finishing university.

Meanwhile, 55% said they planned to live at home while attending third-level education.

The figure is higher in counties like Dublin (84%), Cork (67%) and Limerick (56%).

The survey also found a collective disinterest among sixth-year students in apprenticeships or trades.

Just 5% said they were considering those avenues.

Despite a massive Government push in recent years to promote alternatives to university, 44% of students said they had not been given enough information.

Luke Saunders, a former secondary school teacher and co-founder of Studyclix, believes the survey results showing a level of uncertainty in young people are “no surprise” given cuts to guidance counsellor hours in recent years.

“The fallout of the 2008 economic recession saw dramatic cuts to guidance counsellor hours in many small schools, with guidance counsellors also forced to take on a certain number of subject teaching hours," Mr Saunders said.

“It’s no surprise that most students feel they do not have enough time with their guidance counsellor."

On the use of artificial intelligence, he said: “As a former teacher of agricultural science and geography, both subjects requiring Leaving Cert project work, I am aware of the potential impact of using AI to write student projects.

“The finding that almost one in five (18%) have already used ChatGPT for project work is, in my view, alarming. It means it is impossible to guarantee the academic legitimacy of project work done at home.”