My son has listed just four CAO courses in UCD and Trinity. Is this risky?My advice to all CAO applicants is to use all available slots on your formTue Apr 12 2022 - 00:00
I’m inspired by how science fought Covid-19. Can you recommend a college course?There are a range of excellent programmes in areas from biology to biotechnologyTue Apr 05 2022 - 00:00
Leaving Cert changes: Teacher assessment to trigger most resistanceAnalysis: Examination reforms aim to modernise how children engage with senior cycleTue Mar 29 2022 - 15:19
I work in a private school. Is my job secure?Ask Brian: Debate over funding for fee-charging sector casts spotlight on who pays teachersTue Mar 29 2022 - 00:00
My son is anxious about the Leaving Cert Irish orals. Any last minute advice?It is essential to know the structure and marking scheme of the test in advanceTue Mar 22 2022 - 00:00
My daughter has Asperger’s. Is she entitled to reduced CAO points?Ask Brian: Access routes don’t guarantee lower points but can be hugely advantageousTue Mar 15 2022 - 00:00
‘I worry that high CAO points will end my dreams of becoming a doctor’Ask Brian: If it’s the right occupation for you, there are ways of achieving your goalTue Mar 08 2022 - 00:00
What skills are needed in the current economic climate?A postgrad may help you gain in-demand skills to match the needs of employersMon Mar 07 2022 - 16:38
How to differentiate between postgrad coursesA specialised qualification can help you change career direction or gain new skillsSat Mar 05 2022 - 01:00
I’ve no idea what course to choose. What can I do?Making important life decisions is never easy - but there are tools to helpTue Mar 01 2022 - 00:00
How can I teach my students more about how the EU shapes their lives?Ask Brian: New programmes and grants targeted at schools are now availableTue Feb 22 2022 - 00:00
How will grade inflation affect the class of 2022?The fairness of some aspects of the college application system is open to questionTue Feb 15 2022 - 06:30
My son wants to do transition year – but is a ‘doss year’ a good idea?Ask Brian: TY can be transformative in the development of a wide range of skillsTue Feb 08 2022 - 00:00
Q&A: What should students do to take full advantage of Leaving Cert changes?Written exams from 2021 offer a good template for what to expect next JuneTue Feb 01 2022 - 19:06
My son says he’ll lose his PUP payment if he takes up a further education courseAsk Brian: This is a dilemma being played out in many homes up and down the countryTue Feb 01 2022 - 10:47
Why aren’t we teaching pupils more about the EU?Ask Brian: Neglect in schools could prove costly if we fail to address itTue Jan 25 2022 - 00:00
My daughter is very environmentally aware, are there viable careers in this area?Ask Brian: Horticulture graduates are in demand and employed across many areasTue Jan 18 2022 - 00:00
What will you do after completing the Leaving Cert?Options to consider – and reasons to be cheerful – when selecting your move after the examTue Jan 11 2022 - 07:34
What will CAO points requirements look like in 2022?CAO 2022: Most applicants get an outcome which enables them to successfully progress to the next stage of their educational journeyTue Jan 11 2022 - 01:01
Step-by-step guide to applying for a college place in 2022You need to register now to apply for college through the CAO, but you have until July 1st to make a final decision on your course choiceTue Jan 11 2022 - 01:00
Key dates for 2022 CAO applicationsTimeline for this year’s college application processTue Jan 11 2022 - 01:00
My son isn’t interested in going to college. How can we change his mind?Ask Brian: Step back and give him space and time to figure out his own pathwayTue Jan 11 2022 - 00:00
Feeder schools: Five take-away points from the latest dataMore students from Deis schools secured places on high-points courses than from fee-paying schools but disparity remainsFri Jan 07 2022 - 01:01
Feeder Schools: Explaining the dataIroning out statistical quirks in the school league tablesFri Jan 07 2022 - 01:00
Explaining the progression charts of Irish secondary schoolsIt is important to understand the component parts: there are two key numbers associated with each school listedFri Jan 07 2022 - 01:00
My son is keen on studying English but I’m worried he’ll struggle to find workAsk Brian: Arts students are very employable and equipped for a range of career optionsTue Dec 21 2021 - 00:00
My daughter wants to study medicine. Are grinds for the Hpat worth it?Ask Brian: Practising sample tests and questions is highly effective preparationTue Dec 14 2021 - 00:00
My daughter’s third-level experience is pretty dismal. Is this normal?Ask Brian: Covid and rising costs have changed the face of college life for today’s studentsTue Dec 07 2021 - 00:00
I want to be a vet, but I’ll never get 600 CAO points. Are there other options?Ask Brian: There are programmes abroad where graduate demand is strongTue Nov 30 2021 - 00:00
My daughter worries she will not get the points for teaching. Are there other options?Ask Brian: There are affordable degree options in the EU taught through EnglishTue Nov 23 2021 - 00:00
My son’s teachers are not qualified to teach their subjects. Is this allowed?Ask Brian: Teacher supply crisis drives acute shortages in certain subjectsTue Nov 16 2021 - 00:00
I’ve no idea if my son will select the right CAO courseReading the CAO handbook carefully to identify relevant deadlines is crucialTue Nov 09 2021 - 00:00
My 17-year-old is refusing to return to school. What are our options?Ask Brian: Many young people are struggling due to anxiety and school closuresTue Nov 02 2021 - 00:00
College open days: Ten tips to help you prepareWhat you need to do to make a well-informed decision about your futureTue Oct 26 2021 - 11:09
Planning on attending an open day? Do your homework firstOpen days let you gauge how good a fit your course and college choice will beTue Oct 26 2021 - 02:00
I’m worried my son isn’t suited to his course. Must we pay fees if he drops out?Ask Brian: Most colleges have a late October date to withdraw without penaltiesFri Oct 22 2021 - 00:00
Will my son lose out in next year’s Leaving Cert due to return to ‘normal’ exams?Ask Brian: It seems likely next year’s grades will be lower than 2021’s record highsTue Oct 19 2021 - 00:00
Higher Options: Prepare in advance and use your time wiselyEvent has the potential to be the most valuable six hours you will spend this yearTue Oct 12 2021 - 01:00
‘My son still can’t make his mind up over what college course to choose’Ask Brian: Engaging directly with individual colleges is a good startTue Oct 12 2021 - 00:00
My daughter is overwhelmed with homework. What can we do?Ask Brian: Parents often complain children don’t get enough written workTue Oct 05 2021 - 00:00
‘My son is being bullied but won’t let me contact the school about it’Ask Brian: Parents are entitled to question schools about anti-bullying policiesTue Sept 28 2021 - 00:00
My son accepted a college course but is now unsure of it. What should he do?Ask Brian: I’m worried about the cost of fees and accommodation if he drops outTue Sept 21 2021 - 00:00
I’m in my 30s and want to go to college. What are my options?Ask Brian: Access to education is lifelong and there are lots of ways to re-engageTue Sept 14 2021 - 00:24
Some students who achieved maximum points not offered preferred coursesGovernment signed off on system which left students with a 100 per cent score without a place on their first-choice programme.Wed Sept 08 2021 - 01:00
What are your options if you are disappointed with your CAO offer?There are alternatives to the traditional route to further your educationWed Sept 08 2021 - 01:00
Barrier of 600 points breached: Five takeaways from CAO offersBrian Mooney: Maximum Leaving Cert points no longer secure that college placeTue Sept 07 2021 - 20:36
Evolving career routes boost options for school leaversFurther education programmes, apprenticeships and traineeships offer career progression and skills enhancement outside the traditional CAO systemTue Sept 07 2021 - 06:45
Your CAO offer and how to respond to itMoment of truth for thousands of applicants as first college offers are issuedTue Sept 07 2021 - 01:00
Should we expect Catholic schools to transmit faith?Ask Brian: The place to nurture faith is within the community, not in schoolsTue Sept 07 2021 - 00:00
Leaving Cert 2021: Grade inflation could lead to CAO points increaseAverage grades across all subjects and levels increased by 2.6 percentage pointsFri Sept 03 2021 - 07:02
