Ask Brian

There are still options to secure the course of your dreams – even if you didn’t get a CAO offer

Fly in ointment for many potential third-level students is finding a place to live

The rules of the CAO are explicit: applicants can move up, not down, their course preference list

There are lots of options available, but there is a financial cost to repeating or starting a new degree course

Grades will begin to return towards more normal patterns from next year

There is time after the exams to finalise choices which do not necessarily rely on Leaving Cert points

Grants are now available for undergraduate students where household income is under €100,000

Make sure your child’s correct Leaving Cert number is recorded when the CAO email arrives

Norma Foley is planning new supports to help schools. Whether it will be enough is another matter

Third-level institutions welcome people at all stages of life; they add to the richness and diversity of the college experience

Grants for postgraduate courses were axed during the recession, but have been restored in recent years

The points race is no longer the be-all and end-all thanks to the growth of alternative routes

It is likely to be some time before we see a second veterinary faculty on the island of Ireland

The best approach is to immerse yourself in the language and understand how marks are awarded

Many State companies are obliged to provide better public services in Irish and are recruiting accordingly

There’s no point selecting a subject you don’t enjoy in the hope it might increase your CAO points

Those in favour and against Irish as core Leaving Cert subject generally agree that overhaul is needed

More and more subjects nowadays have practical or second components of assessment

Simple process of familiarising yourself with exam papers and setting during mocks can help ease sense of panic

It is a relatively simple process, but a word of caution: do not use a Yahoo email address to register

Many universities now offer opportunities to learners where prior learning is recognised

There are plenty of options in further and higher education with different cut-off dates

There is strong demand for graduates in fit-out, furniture and woodworking industries

Staging tests during term time may be preferable for some, but would be highly disruptive for schools

Thresholds for financial support have increased, so it is well worth checking online to see if you are eligible

Rules can differ across individual colleges when it comes to transferring from one course to another

Teachers who qualified outside Ireland are eligible to apply for registration, even if they have not completed their induction

As the oral is now worth 40%, a good performance is key to getting a decent grade

There are two main programmes available. If applying, now is the time to get your records in order

There is a growing need for marine scientists working in conservation, offshore renewables, aquaculture and shipping

Think of what your child’s strongest aptitudes are and help them identify education or training options in tune with them

Ask Brian: There is no great urgency in selecting courses, but it is very important to read up on all-important instructions

For any well-motivated Leaving Cert student there is a range of alternative entry pathways into nursing

Parents, schools and tech companies all have a role to play in shielding young people from harmful content

I suspect bullying may be an issue, but he refuses to discuss it

The transition from primary to second level is a huge one in any child’s life

There has never been a better time for those proficient in languages, including Irish, to advance their careers

Interest profilers are a good way to identify where a student’s strengths lie

There are still options to secure the course of your dreams – even if you didn’t get an offer

Points fell for many health courses and climbed for those linked to strong employment prospects