The class of 2025 will pay the price of reversing Leaving Cert grade inflation. Is there a fairer approach?A candidate who secured 550 points last year can expect to get about 538 points in the 2025 exams due to efforts to gradually return exam results to pre-Covid levelsTue May 27 2025 - 06:00
‘I worry that my anxious son will buckle under pressure during the Leaving Cert’ Simple steps can help students navigate stress and promote greater resilience Sun May 25 2025 - 09:13
Decision time nears for final CAO course selection – here’s what you need to know Final list of course choices must be submitted to the CAO by 5pm on July 1st Tue May 20 2025 - 06:00
Everything you need to know about the CAO change-of-mind deadlineYou can still revise your CAO application before the July 1st deadline – here’s what to considerTue May 20 2025 - 05:00
Beyond the CAO: Exploring the bright pathways of further education and apprenticeshipsFor many students, the combination of small class sizes, hands-on projects and local work placements makes further education courses a strong choiceTue May 20 2025 - 05:00
CAO 2025 calendar: Important dates for college applicationsTimeline for this year’s college application process Tue May 20 2025 - 04:00
Does my daughter need a postgrad to get a decent job in engineering?Degrees with integrated work placements help students can gain essential industry skills and personal attributes which employers look for Sun May 18 2025 - 09:12
My son wants to be a pilot. Is there any way of learning without breaking the bank?It is very expensive, but joining the Air Corps can provide a route into civilian aviationSun May 11 2025 - 09:08
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 placesSun May 04 2025 - 09:21
Q&A: 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 applicationsSun Apr 27 2025 - 09:36
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 consideringSun Apr 20 2025 - 09:12
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 costSun Apr 13 2025 - 09:15
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 Sun Apr 06 2025 - 09:15
My daughter loves science but can’t decide what to study at third levelMany new science degrees incorporate training that addresses skills gaps employers have identified Sun Mar 30 2025 - 09:22
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 NorthSun Mar 23 2025 - 09:15
What employment opportunities are available in the current economic climate? Further engagement with education can open doors for diversification into other areas of economic activityTue Mar 18 2025 - 04:30
What type of postgraduate courses can you take?Considering a return to education? We look at the types of courses available and where you can look for further informationTue Mar 18 2025 - 01:30
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 assessmentSun Mar 16 2025 - 09:17
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 Sun Mar 09 2025 - 09:26
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 droppingSun Mar 02 2025 - 09:41
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 Sun Feb 23 2025 - 09:30
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 studentsSun Feb 16 2025 - 09:24
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 monthsSun Feb 09 2025 - 09:30
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 agesSun Feb 02 2025 - 09:30
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 applicationSun Jan 26 2025 - 09:30
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 keySun Jan 19 2025 - 09:30
Key dates for 2025 CAO applications: from early-bird applications to Leaving Cert appealsThe essential calendar for this year’s Leaving Cert students and CAO applicantsTue Jan 14 2025 - 01:30
Seven factors to consider when making your college applicationApplying for college this year? Whether applying for a course at home or abroad, here’s all you need to knowTue Jan 14 2025 - 00:31
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 choicesSun Jan 12 2025 - 09:00
My son is stressed about the February 1st CAO deadline. Is this really the cut-off point?There is no need to fret: in most cases, students have until July 1st to finalise their course choicesSun Jan 05 2025 - 09:00
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 opportunitiesSun Dec 15 2024 - 09:00
Six takeaways from Feeder Schools data: Education gaps remain despite progress Feeder Schools data shows how Ireland’s children progress after completing second-level education.Tue Dec 10 2024 - 06:15
Quirks and questions on third-level progression ratesBrian Mooney outlines key aspects of third-level progression analysis and some common issues that ariseTue Dec 10 2024 - 01:50
Feeder Schools: Making sense of school progression chartsThe State Exams commission reported to the Irish Times that 54,260 students in registered schools sat the Leaving Cert in 2024.Tue Dec 10 2024 - 01:30
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 prohibitiveSun Dec 08 2024 - 09:00
Crises, reforms and funding challenges: six key issues facing the next minster for educationThe manifestos of the main political parties put an emphasis on boosting funding for the sector, but what will the new government be able to deliver?Mon Dec 02 2024 - 19:00
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 coursesSun Dec 01 2024 - 09:15
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 amountSun Nov 24 2024 - 09:15
My daughter wants to study engineering at college. I’m not sure it’s right for herA degree in this area opens a vast array of career pathways and is highly valued around the worldSun Nov 17 2024 - 09:15
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 summerSun Nov 10 2024 - 09:00
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 instructionsSun Nov 03 2024 - 09:00
What to focus on during college Open DaysDo your homework first. Open days offer prospective students a valuable opportunity to get a flavour of college lifeTue Oct 29 2024 - 01:30
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 nursingSun Oct 27 2024 - 09:00
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 courseSun Oct 20 2024 - 09:00
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 coursesSun Oct 13 2024 - 09:00
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.Sun Oct 06 2024 - 09:00
‘I don’t want to give my child a smartphone but worry he will feel left out if I don’t’Parents have felt powerless in the face of advances in technology - that, hopefully, is changingSun Sept 29 2024 - 09:00
Mapping your career path: How to engage with Higher Options Expo can help you make the right choice before deciding on what career option to pursue after the Leaving CertTue Sept 24 2024 - 04:46
One of best-kept secrets for access to college is a new route that does not require CAO pointsOne of best-kept secrets for access to third level is a new route that does not require Leaving Cert pointsSun Sept 22 2024 - 09:00
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 approachSun Sept 15 2024 - 09:00
