‘I think my daughter would be suited to a job with a strong hands-on element or apprenticeship’A three‑year OEM engineering apprenticeship opens doors internationally and provides access to further study in higher educationMon Mar 23 2026 - 06:01
‘My son is anxious about the Irish orals. How can we help him prepare?’ Immersion in the language is key – as is understanding the structure of the assessment Mon Mar 16 2026 - 06:01
Fifty years of the CAO: adapting to meet changing needs of students and institutionsThe CAO has stood the test of time, providing a transparent, trustworthy, fair and efficient service for studentsTue Mar 10 2026 - 05:31
‘My four children are all using AI in various ways in their studies’Spending hours doing traditional academic work that can be generated by AI in seconds just seems wastefulMon Mar 09 2026 - 06:01
‘Are there paths into careers in technology other than through the university route?’As tech evolves at an unprecedented pace, employers increasingly value what you can do today and how quickly you can learn Mon Mar 02 2026 - 06:01
‘I’m in my 50s and would like to learn something new. What options are there?’Re-engaging with education later in life is about curiosity, confidence and enjoymentMon Feb 23 2026 - 06:01
‘I think my daughter would prosper in a more practical degree course’‘She finds the school environment a little stifling but really enjoys organising events’Mon Feb 16 2026 - 06:01
‘How does education need to evolve to support children?’: Convention invites public to speak up Public invited to have their say into how education system needs to evolveWed Feb 11 2026 - 06:01
‘The Leaving Cert mocks were a wake-up call for my son’For a student who has focused more on sport than study, realising they are not match fit in an academic sense can be soberingTue Feb 10 2026 - 06:01
Post-Leaving Certificate courses play growing role as routes to work and higher educationExploring PLC options is now considerably more straightforward in Co Dublin, thanks to a clearer, unified application systemTue Feb 03 2026 - 06:01
What are the key factors to be aware of when filling out a CAO application form? Every year some students miss out on round-one offers due to errors, omissions or failure to spot an important messageMon Jan 26 2026 - 06:01
Key dates for 2026 CAO applications: from early-bird applications to Leaving Cert appealsHere is every important date in the CAO calendar along with important links, reminders and information about feesTue Jan 20 2026 - 06:01
Six things you need to consider before making your third-level and further education choicesCAO applicants for 2026 will need to register before February 1st at 5pmTue Jan 20 2026 - 06:01
‘My daughter, along with most of her classmates, seem laser-focused on going to UCD or Trinity’She could sit down with her guidance counsellor in school and explore how her interests and learning style align with the available options Mon Jan 19 2026 - 06:01
Feeder Schools: Six take-aways from this year’s listingsDeis has improved progression prospects of students in disadvantaged areas but Ireland is still not an equal-opportunity society for childrenWed Jan 14 2026 - 07:01
Feeder Schools: How to make sense of school progression charts14,000 of the 2025 Leaving Cert class decided that applying to the CAO was not right for themWed Jan 14 2026 - 05:01
Third-level progression rates: Why do some schools score more than 100%?It seems mathematically impossible, but the percentage number accounts for several different elementsWed Jan 14 2026 - 05:01
‘My son has no idea what he wants to do after college, so how real is the CAO cut-off point?’The February 1st initial deadline is in many ways an administrative carryover from a bygone eraMon Jan 12 2026 - 15:09
Education matters: Places on medical and paramedical degrees in Ulster UniversityAsk Brian: There are places open to Republic of Ireland students, but applications must be submitted to UCAS by January 14thWed Jan 07 2026 - 06:01
Which CAO programmes must be listed due to portfolio, interview or performance criteria?Ask Brian: All you need to know about the restricted application courses for 2026Tue Dec 30 2025 - 06:01
‘My son is considering a trade or apprenticeship option, but should he make a CAO application too?’Ask Brian: Now is the peak season for conversations among sixth years about their next stepsSun Dec 14 2025 - 06:01
Where CAO points are likely to settle in 2026 Ask Brian: Gradual reduction in grade enhancement begun this year will continue for the next four or five yearsMon Dec 08 2025 - 06:01
Education matters: ‘My son is overwhelmed by college and is considering dropping out’Ask Brian: Combination of new environment and a course that does not fit can leave even the most capable young people adriftTue Dec 02 2025 - 06:01
Nursing and midwifery offer careers for those with aptitude, curiosity and compassionA degree in nursing or midwifery is a foundation for lifelong learning, with job opportunities across diverse settingsTue Nov 25 2025 - 06:01
‘What funding support is available if I secure a place in university?’Budget changes to Susi funding include an increase in income threshold for the €500 student contribution grantTue Nov 18 2025 - 06:01
Should I consider allowing my child to study abroad?About 90% of programmes in the Netherlands do not have a selection procedure and require only minimum entry requirementsTue Nov 11 2025 - 06:01
Leaving Cert 2026: What do grading changes mean for students?Points required for competitive courses are likely to remain high despite overall drop in gradesWed Nov 05 2025 - 15:21
CAO applications: How can I help my son complete the process properly? Any correspondence from the Central Applications Office must be dealt with promptly Tue Nov 04 2025 - 06:01
‘We are considering encouraging our son to skip transition year’Ask Brian: This programme shakes up the traditional, formal education system and introduces students to new ways of learningTue Oct 28 2025 - 06:01
‘I was horrified that any parent would give a nine-year-old a smartphone’Ask Brian: More than a quarter of primary schoolchildren and a third of secondary school students are now using artificial intelligence Tue Oct 21 2025 - 06:01
What to focus on at college open daysKey to moving to higher or further education is to concentrate on curriculum content, college facilities and accommodation or public transportTue Oct 14 2025 - 06:01
My daughter got her top CAO choice after a recheck. I’m not sure she should take itThere are financial implications parents should be aware of in these circumstancesSun Oct 12 2025 - 09:34
My son plans to drop higher-level Irish for the Leaving Cert. Is this a good idea?Many students mistakenly believe they can score more CAO points by dropping ‘difficult’ subjects Sun Oct 05 2025 - 09:14
I’m a second-level teacher but want to be a guidance counsellor. Is this possible?Postgraduate course are an option in what is a demanding career where stresses among teens are on the riseSun Sept 28 2025 - 09:25
New primary school curriculum includes emphasis on language skills and Stem subjectsUpdated specifications include fresh guidance on arts, social and environmental and health learningMon Sept 22 2025 - 00:01
How will Hpat changes affect my chances of securing medicine?Reforms come into effect in 2027 which look set to raise CAO entry pointsSun Sept 21 2025 - 09:15
Is it too late to apply for a college grant? Thousands of students with household incomes of up to €100,000 are missing out on college grants Sun Sept 14 2025 - 09:27
Higher Options Expo can help you map your career pathHigher Options will have many people to help you decide what to pursue after the Leaving CertWed Sept 10 2025 - 06:01
CAO: Reprieve for some students who lost out on favoured courseSome applicants have been offered preferred courses after initially losing out on random selectionTue Sept 09 2025 - 06:30
My Leaving Cert daughter cannot decide what she wants to study. Can you help?An education expert says: There is no rush - she has until the end of June to finalise her choices in most casesSun Sept 07 2025 - 09:08
I missed out on my first choice in Trinity. Will CAO points drop in round two?Entry points tend not to drop for very high-demand courses, but there are alternative pathwaysSun Aug 31 2025 - 09:08
CAO helpdesk: The key questions students had after this week’s college offersWe answered a variety of questions as grade deflation kicked in for the 2025 Leaving Cert classFri Aug 29 2025 - 13:41
CAO points 2025: Which courses were up or down in requirements?Random selection for some courses applies again, but some universities have increased places to try to meet demandThu Aug 28 2025 - 06:01
CAO offers 2025: Waiting on an offer? Here’s how to respond to itWhether you want to accept or defer, take time to think clearly and do your research before you actWed Aug 27 2025 - 17:38
CAO offers and third level education: Key dates for next stepsThe dates for third level education next steps after Leaving Cert results dayWed Aug 27 2025 - 16:42
Why CAO points rose for many courses, and other key takeaways from this year’s processWill the Leaving Cert class of 2025 challenge the reduced enhancement process, and is the Dare scheme fit for purpose?Wed Aug 27 2025 - 15:22
It’s not too late to apply for one of the many tertiary degrees on offer in IrelandA pathway for applicants of all ages and backgrounds to achieve the degree of their dreams Wed Aug 27 2025 - 06:01
CAO points requirements see ‘volatile’ change for majority of courses at several collegesAll UCD programmes surpass 400 points, while more than 89,000 lodge CAO applications this year Wed Aug 27 2025 - 06:00
Why are so many students and parents oblivious to the opportunities in the Further Education system?There’s a big rise in school leavers choosing Further Education and Training courses and apprenticeships as a first destination after the Leaving CertTue Aug 26 2025 - 17:01
What is an apprenticeship - and what are the benefits?A student is not contracted to an employer and is not paid, whereas an apprentice is, but a student has more time to socialise and join clubsMon Aug 25 2025 - 06:01
