Classroom to College

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Don’t miss these speakers at Higher Options 2025

Don’t miss these speakers at Higher Options 2025

From Abigail Ruth Freeman on science and IT to Artur Banaszkiewicz on studying in Poland, there are many to choose from, so plan ahead

By Kate ByrneWed Sept 10 2025 - 05:01

How to make the most of your time at Higher Options

How to make the most of your time at Higher Options

There’s a right and a not-so-right way to approach your visit to the RDS

By Peter McGuireTue Sept 09 2025 - 07:05

Why fifth and sixth year students need to know what Higher Options is

Why fifth and sixth year students need to know what Higher Options is

Higher Options, Ireland’s largest education expo, is back in Dublin from Wednesday to Friday, September 17th to 19th.

By Kate ByrneTue Sept 09 2025 - 07:01

Studying in Asia: ‘I was excited and also a bit scared, but I love to challenge myself’

Studying in Asia: ‘I was excited and also a bit scared, but I love to challenge myself’

Rodhan Harris (20) from Co Clare is on a placement in Singapore – an experience he says has been the opportunity of a lifetime

By Rodhan HarrisTue Sept 09 2025 - 06:31

CAO: Reprieve for some students who lost out on favoured course

CAO: Reprieve for some students who lost out on favoured course

Some applicants have been offered preferred courses after initially losing out on random selection

By Brian MooneyTue Sept 09 2025 - 06:30

Your questions answered: but first, is the Higher Options event for you?

Your questions answered: but first, is the Higher Options event for you?

For those considering further and higher education, the expo has information that could shape the path ahead

By Damian CullenTue Sept 09 2025 - 06:01

Life after school: Next stage options from those who have chosen different paths

Life after school: Next stage options from those who have chosen different paths

Whether you choose a PLC, an apprenticeship or the straight-to-college route, there’s more than one way to take the next step

By Jen HoganTue Sept 09 2025 - 05:31

The guidance counsellor: ‘I think we’re overly educated, but perhaps not skilled enough’

The guidance counsellor: ‘I think we’re overly educated, but perhaps not skilled enough’

Remaining focused on CAO points means overlooking ‘wonderful’ alternatives such as apprenticeships and tertiary degrees

By Jen HoganTue Sept 09 2025 - 05:31

CAO issues second round offers to more than 3,000 students

CAO issues second round offers to more than 3,000 students

Those who have received an offer today will have until Wednesday, September 10th at 3pm to accept it

By Cian O'ConnellMon Sept 08 2025 - 14:00

Flying the nest: advice for students (and parents) on heading to college

Flying the nest: advice for students (and parents) on heading to college

Heading to college is a big step, and while most of the young adults preparing to fly the nest will be excited at the prospect of independence, parents might have some concerns about what this will mean

By Kate ByrneMon Sept 08 2025 - 12:01

Una Mullally: Welcome to college, kids: long commutes, couch-surfing and four bunks to a room

Una Mullally: Welcome to college, kids: long commutes, couch-surfing and four bunks to a room

Students have passed their exams, but Government has failed to act on housing them

By Una MullallyMon Sept 08 2025 - 06:05

Advice for parents, from parents, when a child heads off to college

Advice for parents, from parents, when a child heads off to college

‘Flying the nest is the natural next step ... we weren’t going to be all maudlin and upset around them’

By Arlene HarrisMon Sept 08 2025 - 06:01

I've been teaching at university for 25 years - here's my advice for prospective students

I've been teaching at university for 25 years - here's my advice for prospective students

You can have your own reason for doing what you’re doing - just know what it is

By Sarah MossMon Sept 08 2025 - 06:00

Home or away? How Irish and EU colleges compare

Home or away? How Irish and EU colleges compare

While studying in Ireland has its appeals, going abroad offers the experience of a different culture or language and fees are often lower

By Peter McGuireMon Sept 08 2025 - 05:31

Ten universities around Europe that offer courses through English

Ten universities around Europe that offer courses through English

Irish students are entitled to study at any university in the EU under the same conditions as nationals

By Colin GleesonMon Sept 08 2025 - 05:31

My Leaving Cert daughter cannot decide what she wants to study. Can you help?

My Leaving Cert daughter cannot decide what she wants to study. Can you help?

An education expert says: There is no rush - she has until the end of June to finalise her choices in most cases

By Brian MooneySun Sept 07 2025 - 09:08

The reality for students in Ireland: A house with ‘two broken windows’ for €600 a month

The reality for students in Ireland: A house with ‘two broken windows’ for €600 a month

One Galway student has dropped out due to expense; a Trinity student says she ‘broke down crying’

By Kate Byrne and Hosanna BoulterThu Sept 04 2025 - 17:00

Units for thousands of campus student beds unbuilt despite having planning permission

Units for thousands of campus student beds unbuilt despite having planning permission

Planning permission granted as far back as 2018 for 2,853 units in UCD, DCU and Trinity

By Niamh ToweyThu Sept 04 2025 - 10:00

A is for Audit, B is for Budgeting: Managing your finances as a student

A is for Audit, B is for Budgeting: Managing your finances as a student

The period between Leaving Cert results and the first week of college goes by in an instant

By Kate ByrneTue Sept 02 2025 - 15:00

‘We started looking in early January’: Southern students search for lower rents in Belfast

‘We started looking in early January’: Southern students search for lower rents in Belfast

Estate agents are taking more calls from the South as number of students heading north rises in search of lower cost of living

By Seanín GrahamTue Sept 02 2025 - 06:00

The new Leaving Cert changes explained: ‘The most significant reforms in a century’

The new Leaving Cert changes explained: ‘The most significant reforms in a century’

Updates are causing division and concern among educators - but what can students and parents expect in the classroom?

By Peter McGuireTue Sept 02 2025 - 06:00

Student money: An A-Z of college saving and spending

Student money: An A-Z of college saving and spending

Tips on how to budget as a student and make the most of deals, offers and discounts at college

By Conor PopeMon Sept 01 2025 - 06:00

I missed out on my first choice in Trinity. Will CAO points drop in round two?

I missed out on my first choice in Trinity. Will CAO points drop in round two?

Entry points tend not to drop for very high-demand courses, but there are alternative pathways

By Brian MooneySun Aug 31 2025 - 09:08

‘Inhumane’: Student who got maximum Leaving Cert points loses course in random selection

‘Inhumane’: Student who got maximum Leaving Cert points loses course in random selection

‘Nobody’s future should be decided by a lottery,’ says student

By Jack WhiteSun Aug 31 2025 - 06:00

Blow the dust off your study notebooks and take note of these important dates

Blow the dust off your study notebooks and take note of these important dates

If you want to accept a round one offer and haven’t done so yet, make sure you do in the next few days

By Kate ByrneFri Aug 29 2025 - 15:57

CAO helpdesk: The key questions students had after this week’s college offers

CAO helpdesk: The key questions students had after this week’s college offers

We answered a variety of questions as grade deflation kicked in for the 2025 Leaving Cert class

By Brian MooneyFri Aug 29 2025 - 13:41

Why students drop out and how you can avoid it

Why students drop out and how you can avoid it

There are many sources of support that can lessen your chance of dropping out

By Peter McGuireThu Aug 28 2025 - 06:01

CAO points 2025: Which courses were up or down in requirements?

CAO points 2025: Which courses were up or down in requirements?

Random selection for some courses applies again, but some universities have increased places to try to meet demand

By Brian MooneyThu Aug 28 2025 - 06:01

Meet Trinity College’s lifelong learner in his 70s: ‘I’ve made lots of new friends, young and old’

Meet Trinity College’s lifelong learner in his 70s: ‘I’ve made lots of new friends, young and old’

The early school-leaver is now pursuing a full time undergraduate degree in history

By Kate ByrneThu Aug 28 2025 - 06:01

CAO offers 2025: Waiting on an offer? Here’s how to respond to it

CAO offers 2025: Waiting on an offer? Here’s how to respond to it

Whether you want to accept or defer, take time to think clearly and do your research before you act

By Brian MooneyWed Aug 27 2025 - 17:38

CAO offers and third level education: Key dates for next steps

CAO offers and third level education: Key dates for next steps

The dates for third level education next steps after Leaving Cert results day

By Brian MooneyWed Aug 27 2025 - 16:42

Going to college? How to find student accommodation and what to watch out for

Going to college? How to find student accommodation and what to watch out for

How to maximise chances of finding a student place to live and figuring out costs

By Niamh ToweyWed Aug 27 2025 - 16:42

Didn’t get the course you wanted? Here are some of your options

Didn’t get the course you wanted? Here are some of your options

All you need to know about taking an alternative route into higher education

By Cian O'ConnellWed Aug 27 2025 - 16:28

On CAO Round One offer day, remember, comparison is the thief of joy

On CAO Round One offer day, remember, comparison is the thief of joy

My college offer came while I was sitting in the back of my family’s car, and I screamed so loud that I almost caused a collision

By Kate ByrneWed Aug 27 2025 - 13:04

Education abroad: ‘Moving from Limerick to Dublin as it used to be is now like moving from Ireland to the Netherlands’

Education abroad: ‘Moving from Limerick to Dublin as it used to be is now like moving from Ireland to the Netherlands’

Most universities on the Continent pay little heed to points a student has accrued in the Leaving Cert

By Colin GleesonWed Aug 27 2025 - 06:01

Study abroad in the Netherlands and Italy: ‘It all started with a leap of faith’

Study abroad in the Netherlands and Italy: ‘It all started with a leap of faith’

Even if the international experiences don’t tempt you, the cheaper tuition fees and sunshine just might

By Ruth CulliganWed Aug 27 2025 - 06:01

It’s not too late to apply for one of the many tertiary degrees on offer in Ireland

It’s not too late to apply for one of the many tertiary degrees on offer in Ireland

A pathway for applicants of all ages and backgrounds to achieve the degree of their dreams

By Brian MooneyWed Aug 27 2025 - 06:01

CAO points requirements see ‘volatile’ change for majority of courses at several colleges

CAO points requirements see ‘volatile’ change for majority of courses at several colleges

All UCD programmes surpass 400 points, while more than 89,000 lodge CAO applications this year

By Brian Mooney and Jack WhiteWed Aug 27 2025 - 06:00

How can new students get the best from their college experience?

How can new students get the best from their college experience?

Societies are a great source of community which is important when coping with the big changes of being away from home

By Jen HoganTue Aug 26 2025 - 17:01

Why are so many students and parents oblivious to the opportunities in the Further Education system?

Why are so many students and parents oblivious to the opportunities in the Further Education system?

There’s a big rise in school leavers choosing Further Education and Training courses and apprenticeships as a first destination after the Leaving Cert

By Brian MooneyTue Aug 26 2025 - 17:01

Taking the road less travelled can make all the difference

Taking the road less travelled can make all the difference

Students across the country are set for another nail-biting day as they gear up for the first round of CAO offers, which will be released from 2pm tomorrow

By Kate ByrneTue Aug 26 2025 - 11:01

A to Z: what you need to know about further education and training

A to Z: what you need to know about further education and training

From apprenticeships to national tertiary degrees and work experience, here’s a quick guide to the many available routes outside CAO

By Peter McGuireTue Aug 26 2025 - 06:01

Should you be considering further education and training as an attractive pathway?

Should you be considering further education and training as an attractive pathway?

‘The message to learners is that it’s never too late to learn ... we should all rethink what success looks like’

By Cian O'ConnellTue Aug 26 2025 - 06:01

‘I took a non-traditional route through further education that helped me decide what I wanted’

‘I took a non-traditional route through further education that helped me decide what I wanted’

Starting fast and traditionally is not for everyone; Lee O’Connor is one such late developer

By Colin GleesonTue Aug 26 2025 - 05:01

‘I fell 11 points short of the course I wanted and went down the PLC route’

‘I fell 11 points short of the course I wanted and went down the PLC route’

Amy Moore on going down the route of a PLC course

By Cian O'ConnellMon Aug 25 2025 - 17:01

‘You have to like people’ – why should you study physiotherapy?

‘You have to like people’ – why should you study physiotherapy?

To qualify as a physiotherapist in Ireland, 1,000 hours of clinical placements need to be completed

By Cian O'ConnellMon Aug 25 2025 - 06:01

What is an apprenticeship - and what are the benefits?

What is an apprenticeship - and what are the benefits?

A student is not contracted to an employer and is not paid, whereas an apprentice is, but a student has more time to socialise and join clubs

By Brian MooneyMon Aug 25 2025 - 06:01

‘A great option’: The rise of FET courses – and whether they’re right for you

‘A great option’: The rise of FET courses – and whether they’re right for you

More students are choosing alternative routes such as PLCs, apprenticeships and new tertiary degree programmes

By Colin GleesonMon Aug 25 2025 - 05:01

College applicants set for a life in limbo for the next few days

College applicants set for a life in limbo for the next few days

The reality of third level is often quite different from how it’s portrayed on screen

By Kate ByrneSat Aug 23 2025 - 09:01

Leaving Cert results: ‘Painful’ random selection expected to be used again for several top courses

Leaving Cert results: ‘Painful’ random selection expected to be used again for several top courses

This year marked the first stage of a gradual reduction in post-marking upward adjustment

By Jack WhiteFri Aug 22 2025 - 19:38

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