The clearing system of the British version of the CAO - UCAS - is stilloffering many interesting and varied third-level options that could be theanswer to those facing disappointing second round offers today.Janet Stafford reports

The second round offers mean the final reckoning has come. You'll now know if the drop in points you needed to get on your course has happened.

If it hasn't, you may be disappointed. Now, however, is the time to be smart. You have choices. If third-level is for you, then consider the choices in Northern Ireland and Britain which remain through the UCAS clearing system.

Angela Crean, education information officer for the British Council, says that requests for forms to enter the UCAS clearing process in recent weeks have been busy. "If you're starting now, some courses have obviously filled but there are still plenty of opportunities - clearing runs until September 13th," she says.

Those courses which aren't available are the ever-popular medicine and veterinary medicine. But there are still a few places remaining on pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography, and medical sciences courses, and plenty in diploma and degree nursing.

Means-tested college fees are applicable in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, but fees do not apply for any medical-based course which is NHS-affiliated.

If you are interested in the above courses, check their status regarding fees. In addition to the medical-related courses, there are many spaces still available for arts, engineering, sciences, business and media studies.

For the next 10 days you can log on to the universities and colleges admissions service (UCAS) website at www.ucas.com. Click on the clearing option and you canl then see which courses are available through choosing a subject area and a university from the options available.

Within the past few days available options have ranged from countryside management in the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) to law with accounting and finance at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth to events management at London Metropolitan University.

In addition to the UCAS website, you can check out courses in the London Independent newspaper or on the BBC's ceefax service.

Queens University, Belfast or the University of Ulster campuses at Jordanstown, Coleraine, or Magee along with other third-level institutions in the North offer study opportunities not too far from home.

If you go to Britain, many colleges have Irish societies and a tradition of welcoming students from here. When you've found a course and college of interest, phone up and talk to someone there as soon as possible.

You will probably get a good idea from talking to the admissions staff or tutors, but you should also try to put the time aside to arrange a visit to the particular university and meet a relevant tutor. Cheap fares and day returns to airports in England, Scotland and Wales mean it's easier now.

"Many students coming to study here may have family members who studied in England or who are currently working in London. That can be a relief in making them feel like they have support away from home," says Nichole Carpenter, northern Europe international officer at London Metropolitan University.

"The added security of first year accommodation and the opportunity that gives to make new friends quickly makes leaving home to go to college is an attractive option for students and parents," she says.

The type of courses and requirements which London Metropolitan University offers include a BSc in mass communications with a requirement of a pass Leaving Cert with at least four honours subjects at grades A to C, or a BA in international business with a requirement of a pass with at least four grades from A to C which must include English.

"There have been a lot of enquiries about nursing in Britain, although points here may drop," says Crean.

Teaching is a popular area. "Despite the official closing date of August 13th for clearing, even beyond that there may be opportunities from colleges who haven't filled their quota, advertising in Irish and British newspapers," says Crean.

THERE is no point doing a third-level course just because you can't think of what else to do but, if a subject area interests you, then don't let the loss of the college place you were hoping for put you off. Check out the UCAS website and call up the college admissions offices.

Angela Crean is helpful to people looking for guidance about studying in Britain and you can contact her on 01-6764088 or e-mail Angela.Crean@ie.britishcouncil.org.

Messages left on the answer machine and e-mail queries will be answered as soon as possible. At the time of writing, there are still UCAS clearing entry forms available from the British Council.