Will CAO points drop due to efforts to tackle grade inflation this year?
Why students on bumper grades from recent years will have an advantage in race for college places
Ask Brian
The latest education advice from The Irish Times Education analyst Brian Mooney
Could my son really lose a college offer if his CAO details are incorrect?
Many students are left devastated each year due to errors or omissions in their applications
My son wants to study sustainability but has no idea what course to choose. Can you help?
There are lots to choose from at university, with new options well worth considering
My son is struggling with his college course. Should he drop out ahead of his final year?
There are lots of options – but some can carry a heavy financial cost
I want to do a master’s degree but they’re so expensive. Are there grants available?
Grants for postgraduate courses were axed during the recession but have been restored in recent years
My daughter loves science but can’t decide what to study at third level
Many new science degrees incorporate training that addresses skills gaps employers have identified
My daughter wants to be a therapist but CAO points are high. Are there other options?
The Government is funding places for students from the Republic on healthcare courses in the North
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
My son’s teachers have expressed alarm at new Leaving Cert reforms. How will they affect him?
Research projects worth 40% will roll out across a number of subjects for students starting fifth year in September
My daughter wants to drop a foreign language in the Leaving Cert. Should she?
It is worrying that continental language take-up at Leaving Cert level is dropping
My job is at risk but I can’t afford to go back to college. What other options are there?
The further education and training sector offers a wealth of upskilling or reskilling opportunities
My son is worried about getting into college. Can he avail of reduced CAO points?
Access routes provide a pathway into college for more vulnerable students
My son did poorly in the mocks and is now very worried. How can I get him on the right track?
It’s much better to make mistakes now rather than in June. There’s plenty of time to use the experience positively over the coming months
Can you really get on a college degree course without CAO points?
Yes, tertiary degrees are an exciting new option which are opening doors for students of all ages
How can I make sure my son has filled out his CAO form correctly?
Watch out for a piece of correspondence which lands in May. It is crucial to a successful application
My daughter is in a panic over CAO course selections. How can I guide her in the right direction?
Researching options, planning for challenges and having passion for the subject are key
I worry that if my son doesn’t apply to the CAO he will limit his options
Parental expectations can – unintentionally – distract students and distort course choices
My daughter struggles with school but loves fixing things. Would an apprenticeship suit her?
CAO points are not a requirement for the thriving engineering sector which provides excellent career opportunities
My daughter wants to go away to college but I worry about the cost. Is she entitled to a grant?
Eligibility rules for grants are more generous - but the cost of student accommodation can still be prohibitive
With extra college places, will CAO points fall for high-points courses like medicine and dentistry?
There are signs that the points race may be coming to an end for many courses
Will CAO points for veterinary medicine drop as a result of additional course places?
The move to almost double the number of graduates in this area means points should fall, but not by a huge amount
My daughter wants to study engineering at college. I’m not sure it’s right for her
A degree in this area opens a vast array of career pathways and is highly valued around the world
I want to upskill but can’t do a full-time course. Are there grants for part-time study?
Funding for eligible part-time undergraduate students was introduced for the first time last summer
I’m not sure my son will be organised enough to meet upcoming CAO deadlines. Can you help?
There is no great urgency in selecting courses, but it is very important to read up on all-important instructions
My daughter wants to study nursing but I worry that CAO points are too high. Are there other options?
For well-motivated Leaving Cert students, there are several alternative entry pathways into nursing
My son in thinking of going to college abroad due to high CAO points at home. Is this wise?
Courses can be demanding but are an excellent pathway for a student to study their dream course
Will CAO points fall next year due to reduction in Leaving Cert grade inflation?
Supply and demand of places, as well as applicants’ grades, determine CAO entry points for individual courses
I worry my daughter will drift during a ‘doss’ transition year. Should she skip it?
This can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive in interactive and collaborative learning environments.
One of best-kept secrets for access to college is a new route that does not require CAO points
One of best-kept secrets for access to third level is a new route that does not require Leaving Cert points
My daughter wants to drop to ordinary level Irish so she can focus on a top grade in other subjects. Should she?
It is common for students to be strategic in order to target high CAO points, but it is a misguided approach
My son in sixth year still has no idea what to do after he leaves school. Can you help?
No matter what option he eventually chooses, he has until the end of sixth year to make his choices
I narrowly missed out on my first-choice CAO course. Is there another route to university?
There are still options to secure the course of your dreams – even if you didn’t get a CAO offer
Five takeaways from CAO offers, from drop in points for medicine to why students are following the economy
Fly in ointment for many potential third-level students is finding a place to live
My son can’t find student accommodation in Dublin. Is it too late to change his CAO choice?
The rules of the CAO are explicit: applicants can move up, not down, their course preference list
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