Higher Options: Prepare in advance and use your time wiselyRepresentatives from the CAO, universities, colleges, further education institutions and educational bodies will be available in a virtual exhibition hallSun Nov 01 2020 - 01:00
Ask Brian: Will Leaving Cert exams take account of Covid?Next year’s papers will look similar to previous years, but with more choiceTue Oct 27 2020 - 00:34
I want to be a vet but CAO points are just too high. Are there any other options?Ask Brian: There are lots of other routes, mostly in mainland EuropeTue Oct 20 2020 - 00:00
I missed out on CAO points for nursing. Is there another route into it?Ask Brian: Cost-cutting means there are few options outside the CAO processTue Oct 13 2020 - 00:00
I plan to sit the Leaving Cert in November alongside college. Am I taking on too much?Ask Brian: It won’t be easy. But if you are genuinely dissatisfied, it is worth the effort to secure those extra CAO pointsTue Oct 06 2020 - 00:00
Is it a good idea for my daughter to study physiotherapy abroad?Ask Brian: Cheaper fees, prestigious courses and easier entry requirements are turning many students’ headsTue Sept 29 2020 - 00:00
Attention turns to final rounds of CAOBrian Mooney: The CAO’s Available Places facility has almost 200 courses advertisedWed Sept 23 2020 - 21:58
I find it hard to learn online. How will I survive in college this year?Ask Brian: Most teaching in third level will be online, but there are supports availableTue Sept 22 2020 - 00:00
Should my daughter defer her college place?Ask Brian: Many families are struggling to justify the cost of accommodation given so much material will be taught onlineTue Sept 15 2020 - 00:00
Brian Mooney: Student anger may deepen when teachers’ estimated grades are releasedFor some this data will be of mild interest, yet for others it will feel very significantSun Sept 13 2020 - 17:16
Brian Mooney: Anger that teachers' marking caused high-point courses to go upBy creating additional college places the Government has kept down the CAO point requirementsSat Sept 12 2020 - 08:28
CAO: Four things you need to know before accepting an offerGrades are up significantly this year, so expect increased points for many programmesFri Sept 11 2020 - 02:00
Your CAO offer and how to respond to itMoment of truth for thousands of applicants as first college offers are issued today.Fri Sept 11 2020 - 01:23
How much will CAO points increase? All bets off this yearGrade inflation will send points upwards – but more college places may ease pressureThu Sept 10 2020 - 02:53
Have private schools lost out in the calculated grades process?Discrepancies in the way grades were lowered raises some urgent questionsTue Sept 08 2020 - 20:45
Alternative career routes boost options for school-leaversPractical, hands-on courses offer career progression and skills enhancement outside the traditional CAO systemTue Sept 08 2020 - 07:51
Leaving Cert 2020: What you need to know about the appeals processThis year’s process for appealing grades is very different to the usual systemTue Sept 08 2020 - 03:58
I’m worried I won’t get the CAO points I need. Are there alternatives?Ask Brian: Further education is excellent alternative route into many degree coursesTue Sept 08 2020 - 00:00
CAO 2020: Think before hitting the ‘accept’ tab for unexpected offerBy Friday evening colleges throughout the country will be processing acceptancesMon Sept 07 2020 - 07:26
Leaving Cert 2020: The end of a remarkable journeyIf you are unhappy with the grade you received, you can appeal this assessment.Mon Sept 07 2020 - 07:06
CAO points likely to increase across many coursesBrian Mooney: Greater number of grades at higher level could lead to third-level points jumpMon Sept 07 2020 - 06:00
Everything you need to know about the CAO process in 2020Tens of thousands of CAO applicants will receive offers of places on courses in round oneMon Sept 07 2020 - 00:00
Leaving Cert 2020: How the CAO determines points allocationsCAO points requirements are determined by a combination of factorsMon Sept 07 2020 - 00:00
Irish exam system puts student at centre to avoid UK’s grades shambles79% will get grade proposed by teacher, 17% will be downgraded and 4% upgradedTue Sept 01 2020 - 16:17
How can I help my son’s Leaving Cert study get back on track?Ask Brian: There are simple ways to help students re-engage after losing focus during Covid-19 lockdownTue Sept 01 2020 - 00:00
Brian Mooney: An escape route from Leaving Cert results chaosAbandoning calculated grades will bring its own problemsTue Aug 18 2020 - 15:53
My daughter plumped for single course in CAO application. Is this risky?Ask Brian: I strongly encourage all applicants to have a wide list of possible coursesTue Jun 30 2020 - 01:00
My daughter thinks she won’t get the points for medicine. Should she reconsider?Ask Brian: Points for some high-demand courses could end up droping this yearTue Jun 23 2020 - 00:00
My fifth-year son has fallen behind. Should I be worried?Ask Brian: The coming year’s Leaving Cert students are, by and large, in the same boatTue Jun 16 2020 - 00:00
Tough decisions ahead over college options in coronavirus eraProspective students have a lot to consider before deciding on third-level choiceTue Jun 09 2020 - 00:00
Will I be able to pick and mix my predicted grades with Leaving Cert results?Ask Brian: The good news is the class of 2020 will have lots of options to make the gradeTue Jun 09 2020 - 00:00
Should I defer going to college this year due to Covid-19 chaos?Ask Brian: Most lectures will be online and campus may be only partially openTue Jun 02 2020 - 00:00
Is it too late to apply for a postgraduate course in teaching?Ask Brian: There are still options available for both primary and post-primaryTue May 26 2020 - 07:38
CAO Q&A: Everything you need to know about the change of mind processBrian Mooney on how to approach the CAO process and get your course choice rightTue May 26 2020 - 07:38
CAO decision time: What should you study at college?Students have until July 1st to submit their final third level course options to the CAOTue May 26 2020 - 06:39
Key dates for CAO applicationsTimeline for the 2020 college application processTue May 26 2020 - 00:00
Will Leaving Cert ‘calculated grades’ be accepted by universities abroad?Ask Brian: About 2,000 students have applied for college courses in the UK or EuropeTue May 19 2020 - 00:00
I want to apply for a grant but am not sure I’ll get my course. Can I still apply?Ask Brian: You do not need your Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to submit an applicationTue May 12 2020 - 00:00
Teachers up against the clock to decide on Leaving Cert gradeParochialism of Irish society suggests weeks ahead may be uncomfortable for educatorsFri May 08 2020 - 19:15
Will Junior Cycle exam cancellation scupper my son’s plans to do an apprenticeship?Ask Brian: Junior Cycle is minimum entry requirements for many apprenticeshipsTue May 05 2020 - 00:00
How will Leaving Cert delay affect students going on to further education?Ask Brian: There are still many unanswered questions on how academic year may changeTue Apr 28 2020 - 00:00
My kids have too much homework and I’m struggling to cope. What can I do?Ask Brian: Regular communication between home and school is more important than everTue Apr 21 2020 - 00:40
Leaving Cert students in a stronger position than they may realiseAsk Brian: Covid-19 is likely to lead a to drop in CAO points for college coursesTue Apr 14 2020 - 00:00
How can I motivate my children to study at home?Ask Brian: Try to make learning fun for younger children and help older ones focusTue Apr 07 2020 - 00:00
How can I motivate my children to study during the school closures?Ask Brian: The effort which students make today will stand to them over timeTue Mar 31 2020 - 00:00
I work in hospitality and fear losing my job. How do I upskill?Ask Brian: Many underestimate the wide range of skills they have acquiredTue Mar 24 2020 - 00:00
Q&A: Is the cancellation of Junior and Leaving Cert orals fair to students?Ask Brian: Students will not be able to move from ordinary to higher to benefit from changesThu Mar 19 2020 - 19:49
My daughter wants a job combating climate change. Is this possible?Ask Brian: Engineering is a very practical way to address issues such as sustainabilityTue Mar 17 2020 - 00:00
Matching skills with labour market demandIn an increasingly competitive jobs market it is always worth considering what will set you apartTue Mar 10 2020 - 10:29
How to select the right postgraduate course for youAsk yourself what type of programme you wish to follow: research or taughtTue Mar 10 2020 - 10:26
