Grind school expansion in South Dublin sparks concern among school principals over loss of students
Dublin Academy of Education to admit transition year students at its expanded Blackrock campus
CAO
CAO and Leaving Cert news
Home economics is losing students who are learning little to no practical cookery. Why?
It is a make-or-break moment for reform of a Leaving Cert subject which teaches pupils vital life skills
Should bonus points for higher-level maths in the Leaving Cert be scrapped? An academic and a student debate
Students who achieve 40 per cent in higher level maths are entitled to 25 bonus points from the CAO. But while some teachers warn of unintended consequences, many students feel it’s a fair reflection of the extra work required
My daughter wants to drop a foreign language in the Leaving Cert. Should she?
It is worrying that continental language take-up at Leaving Cert level is dropping
My son is worried about getting into college. Can he avail of reduced CAO points?
Access routes provide a pathway into college for more vulnerable students
CAO 2025: College application numbers set to reach record high
Significant increase may place upward pressure on high-demand CAO points courses
Can you really get on a college degree course without CAO points?
Yes, tertiary degrees are an exciting new option which are opening doors for students of all ages
How can I make sure my son has filled out his CAO form correctly?
Watch out for a piece of correspondence which lands in May. It is crucial to a successful application
My daughter is in a panic over CAO course selections. How can I guide her in the right direction?
Researching options, planning for challenges and having passion for the subject are key
Leaving Cert 2.0: What to expect from the reformed senior cycle
Students starting fifth year in September will be the first to experience sweeping changes
CAO 2025: A guide to some lesser-known courses
From a bar management apprenticeship to a BA in content creation
Key dates for 2025 CAO applications: from early-bird applications to Leaving Cert appeals
The essential calendar for this year’s Leaving Cert students and CAO applicants
Seven factors to consider when making your college application
Applying for college this year? Whether applying for a course at home or abroad, here’s all you need to know
What should you consider when choosing a college course?
We asked two experts about what students should consider when choosing a college course
It’s time to get rid of the damaging Leaving Cert points race
Unrestricted access to third level education in Ireland would allow schools to educate holistically and give pupils a chance to flourish in the subjects they enjoy most
I worry that if my son doesn’t apply to the CAO he will limit his options
Parental expectations can – unintentionally – distract students and distort course choices
CAO system should be changed to match Leaving Cert reforms, education experts say
Apprenticeships and new tertiary degrees could be combined into a single applications system, says Department of Education advisory board
My son is stressed about the February 1st CAO deadline. Is this really the cut-off point?
There is no need to fret: in most cases, students have until July 1st to finalise their course choices
Six takeaways from Feeder Schools data: Education gaps remain despite progress
Feeder Schools data shows how Ireland’s children progress after completing second-level education.
With extra college places, will CAO points fall for high-points courses like medicine and dentistry?
There are signs that the points race may be coming to an end for many courses
Will CAO points for veterinary medicine drop as a result of additional course places?
The move to almost double the number of graduates in this area means points should fall, but not by a huge amount
Students deserve a reformed Leaving Cert that prepares them for the modern world
Plans to introduce more project work would reduce pressure and provide a broader assessment of candidates’ abilities over a longer time
My daughter wants to study engineering at college. I’m not sure it’s right for her
A degree in this area opens a vast array of career pathways and is highly valued around the world
‘We need extra time now’: Students with additional needs call for State exam changes
Many neurodiverse pupils are high achievers, but the education assessment system can present them with unique challenges
Leaving Cert students may face single English exam, with project in fifth year
New plans aimed at easing stress facing students in the traditional high stakes written exams
‘Some people just laugh’: Meet the students on Ireland’s first influencer degree
Despite eye-rolling over a college course for wannabe social media stars, infuencing is a serious business valued at around $250 billion
I’m not sure my son will be organised enough to meet upcoming CAO deadlines. Can you help?
There is no great urgency in selecting courses, but it is very important to read up on all-important instructions
Third-level open days: Questions Leaving Cert 2025 students should ask
Open Day visits provide prospective students with a valuable opportunity to investigate third-level facilities
Finding the perfect fit: What type of third level would best suit me?
There are multiple types of third-level institutions to be considered, but how do they differ?
Open days at technological universities and other higher education institutions: everything you need to know
Key details about 2024-2025 open days for National College of Ireland, St Patrick’s University, IADT, NCAD, Munster Technological University and more
‘Early mornings worked best. I was at my desk at 4.30am’: How I got 9H1s in the Leaving Cert
Robin Caren, who secured top grades in all nine of her end-of-school exams, shares the secrets of her success
A super-charged technology threatens to destroy the integrity of the Leaving Cert
Additional assessment components worth 40% are being introduced at a time when AI tools are developing rapidly and relentlessly
My daughter wants to study nursing but I worry that CAO points are too high. Are there other options?
For well-motivated Leaving Cert students, there are several alternative entry pathways into nursing
My son in thinking of going to college abroad due to high CAO points at home. Is this wise?
Courses can be demanding but are an excellent pathway for a student to study their dream course
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