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
My daughter in fifth class wants a mobile phone, but I don’t think she’s readyAsk Brian: Giving in to your child can buy short-term peace and quiet – but at what cost?Tue Mar 10 2020 - 00:00
Business degrees among the most popular choicesA qualification in business is a great investment in your future career and there is a huge selection to choose fromTue Mar 10 2020 - 00:00
Will I lose my saved data on course choices under changes to Qualifax?Ask Brian: Users’ accounts will be deleted soon – but it is possible to protect your dataTue Mar 03 2020 - 00:00
I want to go back to college. Do I qualify for any grants or financial supports?Ask Brian: There are a range of funding schemes available for mature studentsTue Feb 25 2020 - 00:00
My son has a disability. Will he get reduced CAO points for his course?Ask Brian: There is a common misconception around how admission rules for school-leavers with disabilities operatesTue Feb 18 2020 - 00:00
My son says he’s got a college place and is now slacking off. Can this be true?Ask Brian: Most EU colleges offer places based on meeting minimum requirementsTue Feb 11 2020 - 00:00
My eldest child started secondary recently. Could you explain the Junior Cycle changes?Ask Brian: The reforms are built around eight key skills deemed crucial to prepare young people for the modern worldTue Feb 04 2020 - 00:00
My son still has no idea what course he wants. Should he still apply to the CAO?Ask Brian: College one of a range of options – and by no means the only oneTue Jan 28 2020 - 00:00
Can I use the Trinity matriculation exam for CAO points?Ask Brian: TCD hosts two matriculation exams in April in geology and biblical studiesTue Jan 21 2020 - 00:00
CAO countdown: Last-minute tips before the college applicationLooming deadline for discounted online registration expires on Monday at 5.15pmMon Jan 20 2020 - 00:01
CAO Countdown: Focus on your interests, not high-point coursesIt is wrong to view third-level options totally through prism of points requirementsFri Jan 17 2020 - 01:00
CAO countdown: Can you afford to go to college? Here’s what it costsMake sure to do your financial calculations before choosing a courseThu Jan 16 2020 - 01:00
How CAO applications are processedA reduction in the artificially inflated range of choices would lead to lower drop-out ratesTue Jan 14 2020 - 00:00
My daughter has to register with the CAO but doesn’t know what to studyNo need to panic - there is plenty of time to decide exactly what you want to doTue Jan 14 2020 - 00:00
Key dates for 2020 CAO applicationsTimeline for this year’s college application processTue Jan 14 2020 - 00:00
CAO Countdown: What to consider when selecting the next move after the Leaving CertCan you put the facts about yourself together to see what picture may emerge?Tue Jan 14 2020 - 00:00
CAO Countdown: Six steps to applying for college in 2020College application process can seem intimidating and complex – here’s how to do itTue Jan 14 2020 - 00:00
CAO countdown: The dos and donts of supporting your child’s course choicesParents’ perception of the education options for their children are often outdatedMon Jan 13 2020 - 00:01
I’m 35 and feel ready to start a new career. Where should I start?Ask Brian: Reflect on what you think are your key strengths and competenciesTue Jan 07 2020 - 00:00
What changes could improve education in 2020?Ask Brian: For a change, here’s my wish list for the education sector in the coming yearMon Dec 23 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: My son is struggling with primary school maths. How can I help?There are some new online resources available linked to the curriculumTue Dec 17 2019 - 00:00
I teach in a Catholic primary school but I’m not a believer. Must I teach the sacraments?Ask Brian: This is a dilemma shared by many teachers because faith formation is part of the school day in most schoolsTue Dec 10 2019 - 00:00
Feeder schools: Six take-aways from this year’s figuresGrind schools may be drawing students away from some fee-paying secondary schoolsTue Dec 03 2019 - 01:00
My daughter’s school doesn’t offer transition year. Why not?Ask Brian: Some schools still seem to think TY does not fully engage pupilsTue Dec 03 2019 - 00:00
Feeder Schools: Ironing out statistical quirksHow is it mathematically possible for schools to show a progression rate of more than 100%?Tue Dec 03 2019 - 00:00
My son has dyspraxia. How can I ensure he’s supported in school?Ask Brian: Sharing personal data on children has become more complex due to GDPRTue Nov 26 2019 - 00:00
My son stays up late on his phone and is missing school. What can I do?Ask Brian: Secure family and school supports and prepare to take away treatsTue Nov 19 2019 - 00:00
Why are so many Leaving Cert students being upgraded?Ask Brian: Clerical errors can often be to blame – but there may also be a hidden factorTue Nov 12 2019 - 00:00
Does new core status for history in Junior Cycle mean other subjects will lose out?Much depends on how much teaching time is allocated to history under new changesTue Nov 05 2019 - 00:00
My daughter wants to drop out of college. Will it cost more to start a new course?Ask Brian: Repeat students who leave courses after October 31st pay a penaltyTue Oct 29 2019 - 00:00
Is it difficult to secure a college place in Ireland from abroad?Ask Brian: Students from other jurisdictions can apply through the CAO systemTue Oct 22 2019 - 00:00
Planning on attending an open day? Do your homework firstOpen days give you a great chance to gauge how good a fit your course and college choice will beTue Oct 15 2019 - 09:13
My son wants to go to a Dutch university. I’m worried he’s too young.Ask Brian: Courses abroad can pose a major challenge for ‘spoon-fed’ studentsTue Oct 15 2019 - 00:00