My daughter suffers from exam anxiety. How will she cope during the Leaving Cert?Simple process of familiarising yourself with exam papers and setting during mocks can help ease sense of panicMon Feb 12 2024 - 08:00
I’m not sure my disorganised son has registered for the Leaving Cert exams. How can I double check?It is a relatively simple process, but a word of caution: do not use a Yahoo email address to registerThu Feb 01 2024 - 08:00
I’d like to get a new qualification, but don’t want to start from scratch. Are my years of workplace experience worth anything?Many universities now offer opportunities to learners where prior learning is recognisedSun Jan 28 2024 - 00:01
My son dropped out of his college course and wants to start a new one. Is there a deadline to apply?There are plenty of options in further and higher education with different cut-off datesSun Jan 21 2024 - 08:00
Applying for college this year? Here’s all you need to knowStudents planning to apply through the CAO will need to register now but have until July 1st to make a final decision on their course choiceTue Jan 16 2024 - 01:00
Key dates for 2024 Leaving Cert students and CAO applicantsTimeline for this year’s college application processTue Jan 16 2024 - 01:00
My son loves woodwork and furniture design. Are CAO options available?There is strong demand for graduates in fit-out, furniture and woodworking industriesSun Jan 14 2024 - 08:00
My daughter’s Leaving Cert oral exams will take place during the Easter holidays. Surely this is unfair?Staging tests during term time may be preferable for some, but would be highly disruptive for schoolsSun Jan 07 2024 - 08:00
My daughter wants to go to college, but I’m worried about the cost. Will she be entitled to a grant?Thresholds for financial support have increased, so it is well worth checking online to see if you are eligibleSun Dec 17 2023 - 08:00
Feeder schools: Evaluating third-level progression ratesWhy some institutions’ progression rates are over-reported while others’ are under-reportedTue Dec 12 2023 - 06:01
Six take-aways from this year’s Feeder Schools: further to go for equal opportunities for all childrenFeeder schools data shows how Ireland’s children progress after completing second-level educationTue Dec 12 2023 - 01:30
Feeder Schools: Explaining the progression charts of Irish secondary schools It is important to understand the component parts: there are two key numbers associated with each school listed.Tue Dec 12 2023 - 01:00
My son wants to drop out of his college degree. Can he switch course?Rules can differ across individual colleges when it comes to transferring from one course to anotherTue Dec 12 2023 - 00:01
I recently qualified as a maths teacher in the UK. Can I apply for a job in Ireland?Teachers who qualified outside Ireland are eligible to apply for registration, even if they have not completed their inductionMon Dec 04 2023 - 01:05
My daughter wants to teach, but her weakest subject is Irish. What options does she have?As the oral is now worth 40%, a good performance is key to getting a decent gradeSun Nov 26 2023 - 09:00
Does my son qualify for reduced CAO points under any access programmes?There are two main programmes available. If applying, now is the time to get your records in orderSun Nov 19 2023 - 08:00
My daughter wants to protect our oceans. Are there suitable third level courses?There is a growing need for marine scientists working in conservation, offshore renewables, aquaculture and shippingSun Nov 12 2023 - 08:00
My daughter worries she’ll make the wrong CAO choice. How can I help her?Think of what your child’s strongest aptitudes are and help them identify education or training options in tune with themTue Nov 07 2023 - 00:01
CAO applications open soon, but my son has no idea what to choose. Can you help?Ask Brian: There is no great urgency in selecting courses, but it is very important to read up on all-important instructionsSun Oct 29 2023 - 07:15
My daughter wants to study nursing but I worry that CAO points are too high. Are there other options?For any well-motivated Leaving Cert student there is a range of alternative entry pathways into nursingTue Oct 24 2023 - 05:20
Attending a third-level college open day? Do your homework firstOpen days offer prospective students a valuable opportunity to get a flavour of college lifeTue Oct 24 2023 - 01:00
College open days: 10 tips to help you prepareAdvice to help ensure you make a well-informed decision about where and what to studyTue Oct 24 2023 - 01:00
‘My son’s friends in sixth class are sharing inappropriate content online. How can I protect him?’Parents, schools and tech companies all have a role to play in shielding young people from harmful contentSun Oct 15 2023 - 08:00
My son stays up late gaming and refuses to go to school. What can I do?I suspect bullying may be an issue, but he refuses to discuss itTue Oct 10 2023 - 05:00
My son hasn’t settled into secondary school. I’m worried about himThe transition from primary to second level is a huge one in any child’s lifeMon Oct 02 2023 - 06:00
I’m hopelessly confused over study options for my son after the Leaving Cert. Can you help?The amount of choice can feel overwhelming, but there are some simple tips worth bearing in mindTue Sept 26 2023 - 00:00
My daughter loves learning languages. What are her best career options?There has never been a better time for those proficient in languages, including Irish, to advance their careersTue Sept 19 2023 - 05:00
Mapping your career path: how to engage with Higher OptionsExpo can help you make the right choice before deciding on what career option to pursue after the Leaving CertTue Sept 19 2023 - 00:15
Q&A: ‘My son in sixth year has no idea what to do after he leaves school. Can you help?’Interest profilers are a good way to identify where a student’s strengths lieMon Sept 11 2023 - 06:00
Q&A: I narrowly missed out on my first-choice CAO course. Is there another route to university?There are still options to secure the course of your dreams – even if you didn’t get an offerTue Sept 05 2023 - 05:00
CAO 2023: Five take-aways on this year’s points trendsPoints fell for many health courses and climbed for those linked to strong employment prospectsThu Aug 31 2023 - 09:00
Accepting a CAO place is now just one option of many, from further education to studying abroadFrom PLCs to apprenticeships and private colleges, there have never been so many choices for school-leavers seeking a career pathThu Aug 31 2023 - 01:00
CAO offers: Colleges make concerted effort to minimise random selection for coursesDecisions made in relation to marking and grading have had a big effect on points requirementWed Aug 30 2023 - 18:30
CAO 2023: Waiting on an offer today? Here’s how to respond to itMoment of truth arrives for thousands of CAO applicants as first college offers are issuedWed Aug 30 2023 - 00:30
My daughter can’t find college accommodation. Is it too late to change her CAO course choice?The rules of the CAO are explicit: applicants can move up, but not down, their course preference listTue Aug 29 2023 - 00:01
CAO 2023: Second-chance maths exams for those who fail to meet entry criteriaIf you didn’t achieve a high enough grade to gain entry to your chosen course, some colleges are offering a fresh chance to do soMon Aug 28 2023 - 13:05
Smart Choices: A rapidly changing landscape boosts options for all learnersNever before have scientific and technological advances changed the nature of work so rapidlyMon Aug 28 2023 - 13:00
Should I defer my college place? Your Leaving Cert and CAO questions answeredBrian Mooney on students’ queries to the Irish Times Leaving Cert Results 2022 helpdeskFri Aug 25 2023 - 19:00
Five key lessons from this year’s Leaving Cert, from inflated grades to mathematical traumaPoints are likely to remain at their 2022 levels ahead of CAO offers coming out next weekFri Aug 25 2023 - 07:00
Leaving Cert: 2023 grades remain largely unchangedHow slowly can grades fall back without negatively affecting current year students?Fri Aug 25 2023 - 06:00
What impact will the 2023 Leaving Cert results have on the CAO?Leaving Cert scripts were adjusted upwards in recent weeksFri Aug 25 2023 - 06:00
How the CAO system works: How do colleges decide the points needed for a Leaving Cert course? Widely-held belief that CAO points are determined by colleges in advance and remain relatively constant is incorrectThu Aug 24 2023 - 04:00
Key dates for Leaving Cert 2023: Results, script viewing, appeals and offersTimeline of this year’s Leaving Certificate results, with dates and deadlines for viewing exam scripts, appealing subjects and CAO offersWed Aug 23 2023 - 05:00
Unlocking the door to career advancementContinuous education and training essential for lifelong success in rapidly evolving societyTue Jun 27 2023 - 01:25
How to explore a career change: assessing strengths and opportunitiesSteps include conducting a self-assessment of strengths, skills and competencies, and researching additional training opportunitiesTue Jun 27 2023 - 00:30
Leaving Cert 2023: Exam survival guide for students – and parentsKnow the exam schedule, review subject requirements and get there on timeTue Jun 06 2023 - 10:17
Leaving Cert survival guide: ‘Get seated 30 minutes before the first paper’These are the first State exams for most students due to the Covid-era cancellation of the Junior CertTue Jun 06 2023 - 05:47
My son wants to study medicine but CAO points are very high. Are there other options?Polish universities offer courses through English where entry is based on their own tests and interviewsTue Jun 06 2023 - 00:00
My daughter narrowly missed out on her dream CAO course. Is there an alternative further education entry route?There are more and more routes into degree programmes via post-Leaving Cert courses in further education collegesTue May 23 2023 - 00:00
I retired recently. What education or training options are there for people of my age?There are a multitude of course and online education resources available for people of all agesTue May 23 2023 - 00:00
