CAO

For well-motivated Leaving Cert students, there are several alternative entry pathways into nursing

Courses can be demanding but are an excellent pathway for a student to study their dream course

Galway and Limerick universities to offer medicine courses next year to ease CAO points pressure

A-level conversion rates, the career guidance culture and cost of living are among reasons why just 1% of CAO applicants are from the North

Supply and demand of places, as well as applicants’ grades, determine CAO entry points for individual courses

Thirty-one students who did not appeal results get upgrades following quality assurance checks

European and UK universities seeking to attract Irish college applicants amid rising rental costs at home

With so many educational options available to school-leavers, we looked at the different entry routes in one key sector in the Irish economy

How we did it: From landing their first job to finding purpose in their careers, we spoke to three graduates to see how they navigated life after college.

Higher Options offers students the opportunity to attend talks or talk directly with representatives of third level institutions

What parents need to know about the course selection process and how to support your children when choosing their next steps

There have never been so many courses, so many options for college and life

One of best-kept secrets for access to third level is a new route that does not require Leaving Cert points

New places at South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University may ease CAO pressure

It is common for students to be strategic in order to target high CAO points, but it is a misguided approach

Drama and film studies to be introduced to schools on ‘phased basis’ from 2025 onwards

Up to half of places on dental sciences courses are set aside for international trainees who pay €45,000 per year

Following criticisms from secondary school principals we would like to hear your views on the Central Applications Office system

There are alternative college admission models, such as university entrance exams and interviews, but none is perfect

A narrow approach to measuring students’ aptitudes may contribute to high dropout rates

University of Galway president says top students may end up going overseas

North Dublin student asks Minister to expand places for students affected by random selection

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

Our experts answer questions about results, appeals, deferrals, CAO points and more.

Yugo accuses Government of ‘unseemly haste’ over fast-tracked July legislation

We would like to hear from third-level students about their experience of sourcing somewhere to live for this academic year

Father says his daughter is inconsolable after not being accepted for UCD course

Further Education and Training courses are on offer across the country, providing alternative pathways to the traditional CAO route

‘We have been given no options at all, we’ll just have to take what we can get or pay through the nose for it’

Many universities have expanded the number of places available on first year courses

Whatever your concern about entering third level, there is help, advice and support available

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced in April that there will be no change from last year, with grades to stay at the same level

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

Just over half of this year’s college applicants secure their first choice in CAO offers

Trinity vice-provost says random selection a cruel arbiter as 23 courses nationwide allocated places that way

Taisiia Korenska, from Castlecomer Community College, says she has a good work ethic and ‘likes studying’

What are your options if the course you chose is no longer an option

Dentistry, health, veterinary medicine, business and management courses among those most in demand

Over 80,000 applicants have registered their aspiration for a place on one of more than a thousand courses on offer at Ireland’s third-level institutions.

All is not lost if you don’t get the course you hoped for, as these three students have learned