Your education questions answered by Brian Mooney.

I am the sixth form study supervisor, at a mixed ability integrated college for 11 to 18 year-olds in Newcastle, Co Down. I am thinking about studying in Europe. Can you recommend any websites or books with information on universities in Europe - courses, fees, application processes etc? This year we have become a specialist language school, and won an international award, and I am very keen to promote languages, and set up university links within the sixth form.

Ireland and Britain are behind the rest of Europe when it comes to proficiency in a range of European languages, so it is great to hear that your school recognises how valuable language skills are in today's world and how many doors they can open to students.

The European Commission runs a special website called Ploteus - ec.europa.eu/ ploteus - for anyone looking for information about studying at European, national and regional level across the European Union. It is helpful to students looking to study abroad, guidance counsellors researching options with their pupils and job seekers who would like to do some training in another EU country.

The site is available in 24 languages and provides access to more than 7,000 links to existing information resources in 31 countries. It works like a search engine. You simply input the level of education you are looking for - which goes from primary school to postgraduate studies - the language it should be offered in, your preferred location and your desired subject. For example, a search for an undergraduate law degree taught in French in France brings up options in Paris, Lille, Rennes, Strasbourg and many more. Click on the links provided and they will bring you to the universities' websites.

Ploteus also features information about how the different EU education systems operate, including tuition fees and how they recognise qualifications from other countries. It provides links to education ministries and useful contacts in each member state's education systems, as well as details of all the special school and university programmes and grants provided by the EU.

The website also contains links to lots of useful information about moving to another country to study or work. It includes details of the cost of living in 31 countries, social security and tax obligations and links regarding accommodation and part-time work.

Of course, not every student has the linguistic ability or resources to study in another country for their entire third-level course. That is why the European Commission's Erasmus student exchange programme is so popular - and just about to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

More than a million students, and more than 20,000 Irish students, have studied in another EU country for part of their degree course since 1987. Some 31 countries and 2,199 universities and higher education institutes take part in the programme, which is supported by the European Commission to the tune of almost 200 million a year.

It is a great opportunity for students to improve their language skills, get a taste of life in another country, and make friends from all over Europe. Find out more at http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/erasmus/erasmus_en.html

The European Commission Representation in Ireland runs a network of EU information points in public libraries across the State. These Europe Direct centres have specially trained staff, reading material and free access to EU websites. You can find their addresses at www.euireland.ie. The European Commission Representation is also on hand to help with any EU-related questions. You can e-mail Martin Territt, the director, and his staff at eu-ie-info-request@ec.europa.eu or tel: 01-6341111.

Brian Mooney is the former president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.

E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie