Q: I'd like to work as a primary teacher when I finish school next year. The problem is that I'm not Catholic - I have no religion. Are there any primary school training colleges where no religion is required for entry? - Cork student

A: You may apply for a bachelor of education degree course in any of the following national school teacher training colleges irrespective of religion: St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin; Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; Colaiste Mhuire, Marino, Dublin; and Froebel College, Blackrock, Dublin. These colleges admit students on the basis of points in the Leaving Cert only.

The Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin, admits only Protestant students. Students are ranked as are all other students on their points. However, applicants must complete an application form and attend a qualifying interview. Because this is a restricted application course, you must apply to CAO by February 1st of the year of entry.

So, if you have the academic ability and will be 16 years old on January 15th of the year of entry to a college of education, you will get a place in any of the above four colleges for which your points qualify you. Later on, however, when you apply to various schools for an appointment as a teacher, you may have problems getting a job if you do not wish to teach religion.

Q: What kind of material is needed for a portfolio for NCAD or Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design? What are the colleges looking for? Do you have to have different things for different courses? - Wicklow student

A: Different colleges and indeed different courses seek to establish your various talents from your portfolio. Generally, it should include work done in school or, if you are in a PLC college, work done there. The idea is that you should maximise on your surroundings both in terms of what's available in tuition and guidance in the school, as well as the materials and facilities.

NCAD looks for a range of personal interests through drawing and collecting. Drawing forms an important part of most portfolios, so the NCAD expects work in areas such as figure/life drawing, studies of man-made, organic and living structures. Research from the environment is also welcomed such as school, home, city, landscape etc.

It's useful to know if you have been involved in any design decisions or handling materials and processes such as jewellery, fashion, textiles, stage sets, costumes, prints, murals, interior design, ceramics, poster, magazine or book illustrations, design and technology. Obviously work is not expected from every category. If you wish to present film/video, you should use a storyboard. Photographs can be use in their own right or as part of general research. in sketchbooks/worksheets or as reference to three dimensional studies.

Try to show some continuity of ideas, rather than a purposeless collection of random pieces. The NCAD encourages use of a source in your everyday environment and the development of ideas in any medium such as collage, drawing, painting, print-making, three dimensional. Visual research leading to finished work is as important as finished work.

It's important to have a range of ideas and to explore themes under broad headings such as inside/outside, mechanisms, movements and then to look at them more specifically in terms of form, colour, scale and function. When selecting final items, talk to your art teacher and perhaps somebody whose artistic opinion you value. Make a systematic decision on what to include, avoiding repetition.

Dun Laoghaire RTC/ College of Art and Design asks students to compile a selective portfolio, excluding earlier work unless it is exceptional. A well edited range of work should be presented. The college has a list of items for the various course. For example, for commercial photography it requires between 20 and 30 pieces of work (mainly photographic) to show level of interest, experience, technical competence, published work, understanding of composition, light, texture and form, monochrome and colour shots.

The national diploma in art course requires drawing from observation, painting, a range of media, sketch books and photographs of sculpture and 3D craft are acceptable.

For the national diploma in design/communication you need life and observational drawings to include various media and painting, collage, photographic work if you like and sketch and note books. Film and tv requires black and white and/or colour prints showing good composition, research and interesting view points, scripts/stories, and any video/film work, drawings.

Animation concentrates on observational and life drawing and art work, any supportive photographic work, any personal work involving illustration or comic art work. The national cert in modelmaking requires the usual drawings and project work, colour work, photographic and sketch books. For the national cert in make-up, again you need selected work from drawing where observational and life drawing is essential, and art, photographic and personal work involving make up or hair design.

Q: I'd like to train as an art therapist. Is there a course here? What do I need for entry? How long will it take? What areas will be covered? - Waterford reader

A: There is a three-year part-time postgraduate course in art therapy at the Crawford College of Art and Design which is part of Cork Institute of Technology. You must have a primary degree in art, design or psychology or another relevant field but you would also need a foundation course in art therapy and/or appropriate experience in a therapeutic/caring environment.

The course prepares students for clinical practice as an art therapist. The diploma comes from the University of Hertfordshire and it's hoped it will be recognised by the British Association of Art Therapists and by the Department of Health. The course provides a good grounding in theoretical concepts and art-based processes and aims to increase self-awareness and creativity.

After the course you could work in private practice or in one of the caring institutions. The course covers the theory of art therapy, core professional studies, clinical seminars, art therapy training groups or workshops and studio practice. A clinical placement is also involved.

Questions can be answered only through this column and not by phone or post. Write to Sile Sheehy, Education & Living, The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 - or by email to education@irish-times.ie