'My mum was more nervous': Pupils across NI celebrate GCSE results

"I'm very, very happy," says Precious Olukanni after opening her GCSE results at Integrated College Glengormley.

The envelope she'd been handed revealed two A*s, six As and one B.

Precious was among the 32,000 students across Northern Ireland who received their GCSE results on Thursday.

Almost a third of entries in Northern Ireland have again been awarded the top A* and A grades. That is much higher than in England or Wales.

Pupils in Northern Ireland cannot get their GCSE results online so went to school to get their grades.

"I was really nervous last night but my mum was more nervous," Precious says.

But her mother says she knew her daughter "was going to smash it", adding she's "so super proud".

Precious hopes to go on to do her A-levels and is considering studying software engineering or cyber security at university.

Her classmate Oliver Montgomery was also happy with the contents of his envelope.

"It's been a nervous wait, but I'm really happy to have gotten my results.

"It's not completely what I expected - I've exceeded my expectations."

With five A*s and five As, he's hoping to do A-levels in maths, chemistry, biology and geography.

Aideen McDonnell was at Mount Lourdes Grammar School in Enniskillen to collect her results with her mum Laura and Dad Killian. She received 10 A*s.

"I was very nervous, but very definitely so happy when I got my results."

Also "really happy" is Christine Farry, who found out she was awarded 9A*s and an A.

Showing some understandable nerves at Lourdes Grammar on Thursday morning was Izzy, but the worries were soon put behind her.

She's now looking forward to studying English Literature, History and business studies at A-Level.

Ellen Clearly sums up how many were feeling: "It's a very big deal for me, I was very nervous, I'm just glad that all my work paid off."

Students from Abbey Community College in Newtownabbey were also getting their results.

Some of them are part of part of the In Your Corner programme run by Monkstown Boxing Club. It helps young people who are in danger of leaving school without any qualifications.

Zoe told the Nolan show she passed all 10 of her GCSEs.

"It was a really big day for me because I used to struggle.

"This year proves that I've passed."

Zoe now plans to study health and social care and hopes to become a community care worker.

Maisy also achieved 10 GCSEs, saying she was "feeling good" about her success.

"I didn't really feel nervous when I woke up. I have faith in myself that I done really well."

She also wants to study health and social care and hopes to become a youth worker.

Principal of St Patrick's and St Brigid's College in Claudy Phillip McCullagh says while most students "are quite cool about the results", it can be an anxious time for parents and staff.

But he tells BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that the focus is always on "ensuring the pupils get to the next step, whatever that may be in education, training or employment".

It will be a busy day for the staff at North West Regional College, as students consider their next steps.

Dr Catherine O'Mullan, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards, says some pupils getting their GCSE results might not be sure what to do next.

"It's a big choice at 16, 17 years of age.

"We will have those who have maybe applied for a couple of courses and would like a bit of advice."

Overall results in Northern Ireland in 2026 were relatively similar to those in 2025, which had been predicted.

In Northern Ireland, 31.7% of GCSE entries were awarded A* or A. That compares to 31.6% in 2025.

In English Language and Maths, which are compulsory subjects, over a quarter of entries were awarded grade A or A*.

The most popular other subjects at GCSE were Double Award Science, Religious Studies, English Literature and History.

The vast majority of GCSEs in Northern Ireland are taken through the Northern Ireland exams board CCEA and are graded from A* to G.

But some pupils in Northern Ireland received their results in numbers, where 9 is the top grade and 1 the lowest, as they took GCSEs through English or Welsh exam boards.

CCEA's chief executive Gerry Campbell says the results reflect students hard work, resilience and determination.

The Education Minister Paul Givan congratulated all those who received their results adding the outcomes show how capable young people are.

"For anyone who is feeling unsure after today's results, remember that this is only one step on your journey. There are many options for you to explore."

CCEA is operating a results helpline for students until 26 August on 028 9026 1260 or via email on helpline@ccea.org.uk

The Department for the Economy's careers service is also providing advice and support on 0300 200 7820 or online.