SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed changes to the application process for students from the North who wish to study in the South.

Irish Further Education Minister Simon Harris has announced a criteria change to the way A-Level results from students in Northern Ireland are evaluated.

The SDLP has previously pressed Mr Harris to create equivalence between A-Level and Leaving Cert results in the application process so that students from the North are not disadvantaged.

Foyle MLA Ms McLaughlin said:

“A lot of work has gone into highlighting the impact of the current evaluation process from universities in the South that makes it harder for students from the North who wish to study there. The SDLP has engaged extensively with the Irish Government on this issue and I’m delighted that Minister Harris has taken steps to address this.

“This will open up a wide range of opportunities from students in the North whose applications will now be treated on a more equal basis with students from the South. There has been great frustration for some time that the only way pupils here could maximise their chances were through extra A-Levels and this decision will remove a significant amount of pressure from our young people, while allowing them to pursue attending the university of their choice.

“Greater cooperation on these issues is to everyone’s benefit and I believe that we need to see more of this approach across our island to maximise our resources and help grow universities like Magee on a cross-border basis. This decision will help us provide our young people with the best education possible and I pay tribute to all of the campaigners and students’ groups who worked hard to secure this much needed change.”