I want to be a vet, but I’ll never get 600 points. Are there other options?Veterinary medicine courses on offer in eastern Europe are more expensive, but accommodation is much cheaperTue Dec 13 2022 - 00:00
I want my students to be active citizens and learn about the EU. What resources are there for teachers?Ask Brian: Knowledge about the EU tends to be an elusive hobby rather a core part of our schools’ academic programmesTue Dec 06 2022 - 00:00
Why are so many of my daughter’s teachers changing all the time?Ask Brian: There is currently a huge crisis in the recruitment and retention of teachersTue Nov 29 2022 - 00:00
‘Are Junior Cert results of significance any more?’Ask Brian: Delays in issuing grades are frustrating for many, but they can inform subject choices for senior cycleSun Nov 20 2022 - 12:45
Why are there so few mixed sex secondary schools in Dublin?For historical reasons single sex secondary schools predominate in Dublin – and that looks set to continue for years to comeTue Nov 15 2022 - 00:00
Can my daughter secure a CAO course on lower points through Hear or Dare access routes?Ask Brian: Places are set aside for access routes but entry requirements vary every year due to a number of factorsTue Nov 08 2022 - 12:00
How can I help my son make the right CAO choices?College applications open this week. It is vital that students are familiar with how the system worksTue Nov 01 2022 - 00:01
Attending an open day? Do your homework firstOpen days let you gauge how good a fit your course and college choice will beTue Oct 25 2022 - 01:05
CAO countdown: The dos and don’ts of supporting your child’s course choicesThird-level education is not the only route and having an open mind is keyTue Oct 25 2022 - 01:00
‘I missed out on place in general nursing through the CAO. Are there other options available?’Ask Brian: There are a number of routes into general nursing, including a new blended learning course which starts in 2023Tue Oct 25 2022 - 00:00
My daughter wants to work in the EU. What options are there?Ask Brian: There are large number of opportunities for careers in Brussels, Luxembourg and StrasbourgTue Oct 18 2022 - 00:00
My daughter just got her first choice CAO course - but is three weeks into another degree. Should she switch?My daughter got a late call for her first choice CAO course, should she switch courses?Tue Oct 11 2022 - 00:00
My teenage son is refusing to go to school. What can I do?Ask Brian: School refusal is a growing problem facing parents and schools - but support is availableTue Oct 04 2022 - 00:00
Are Ukrainian pupils entitled to exemptions from learning Irish?Ask Brian: Irish is compulsory in school but students can opt out in exceptional circumstancesTue Sept 27 2022 - 00:01
Higher Options: a starting point for your career pathExpo can help you make the right choice before deciding on what course to pursue after the Leaving CertTue Sept 20 2022 - 08:35
‘My daughter has no idea what to do after the Leaving Cert’Ask Brian: Don’t fret — there is no pressure on your daughter to choose a course or career pathway at this stageTue Sept 20 2022 - 00:00
My son isn’t sure about accepting his CAO offer. Can you help?There are lots of options ranging a gap-year to Post Leaving Cert courses and apprenticeshipsTue Sept 13 2022 - 00:00
CAO offers: Colleges make concerted effort to minimise random selection for coursesColleges make concerted effort to minimise courses where random selection occursFri Sept 09 2022 - 01:00
CAO 2022: Six takeaways from this year’s college offersPoints remain high this year - but more than half secured their first choiceThu Sept 08 2022 - 18:13
Your CAO offer and how to respond to itMoment of truth arrives for thousands of applicants as first college offers are issuedThu Sept 08 2022 - 01:00
Other opportunities beckon beyond the CAO - here’s some alternativesThere are alternatives to the traditional route to further your educationTue Sept 06 2022 - 01:00
Opportunity knocks at the business end of further educationApplying for a further education course can be a first step towards a higher level qualificationTue Sept 06 2022 - 00:38
My son cannot find college accommodation. Can he switch his top CAO choice?Applicants are well advised to check accommodation options prior to deciding on a courseTue Sept 06 2022 - 00:00
Should I defer my college place? Your Leaving Cert and CAO questions answeredBrian Mooney on students’ queries to The Irish Times Leaving Cert Results 2022 helpdeskFri Sept 02 2022 - 20:46
Leaving Cert 2022: Grades adjusted upwards in effort to tackle grade inflationLeveling the playing field for the class of 2022 creates an identical problem for next year’s studentsFri Sept 02 2022 - 06:00
Five takeaways from Leaving Cert 2022Inflated grades, CAO points pressure and concerns over the integrity of grades are key talking pointsFri Sept 02 2022 - 06:00
CAO: What to expect from the application process in 2022Will acceptances return to pre-pandemic levels this year?Fri Sept 02 2022 - 01:00
Leaving Cert results: Your first task will be to turn the grades into pointsNo matter what the outcome, it is worth remembering that success comes in many formsFri Sept 02 2022 - 01:00
I’m worried my son will miss out on CAO points. What options does he have?The best support parents can offer is to remain calm and be aware of various timelines around offers and rechecksTue Aug 30 2022 - 00:00
Who should consider an FE course?Education for life is about so much more than progressing exclusively through third-level educationTue Jun 28 2022 - 00:55
Further education: a five-point checklistTailor your questions to suit your interests and needsTue Jun 28 2022 - 00:45
Why are fewer teachers signing up to mark the State exams?State Examinations Commissions is under pressure to find enough examinersTue May 31 2022 - 00:00
Two weeks to go: the do’s and don’ts of the run-up to the Leaving CertIf managed properly, you can still boost your potential grade performanceTue May 24 2022 - 00:00
My daughter wants to be a pilot. How can I help her dreams take flight?Journey to becoming an airline pilot is demanding and expensiveTue May 24 2022 - 00:00
I want to do my bit to save the planet. Is there a college course for me?Interest in environment-related courses has grown hugely in recent timesTue May 17 2022 - 00:00
Important dates for 2022 CAO applicationsTimeline for this year’s college application processTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
Thinking of changing your CAO course selection?Time to review your selection in order to get them right by the July 1st deadlineTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
It’s time to decide on your college course choicesShould you change your choice? Review your courses now and reap the rewards laterTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
There have never been more options for school leaversMany programmes are designed with local employers and are attuned to their needsTue May 10 2022 - 01:00
My daughter wants to go to a grind school – I’m not so sure it’s a good ideaThe older age profile of today’s Leaving Cert students means more want to make decisions for themselvesTue May 10 2022 - 00:00
Could my daughter lose out on a college place by not checking her CAO emails?Ask Brian: It is crucial to ensure there are no errors in students’ college applicationsTue May 03 2022 - 00:00
Should I organise work experience for my daughter in transition year?Offering too much support can detract from the benefits of securing work experienceTue Apr 26 2022 - 00:00
Technological universities to build on strengths of sectorFocus on science and tech programmes that are vocationally and professionally orientedTue Apr 26 2022 - 00:00
My daughter is worried about high CAO points for nursing. Are there other options?Ask Brian: Even if she misses out on points, there are alternative entry routes availableThu Apr 21 2022 - 12:00
My son has listed just four CAO courses in UCD and Trinity. Is this risky?My advice to all CAO applicants is to use all available slots on your formTue Apr 12 2022 - 00:00
I’m inspired by how science fought Covid-19. Can you recommend a college course?There are a range of excellent programmes in areas from biology to biotechnologyTue Apr 05 2022 - 00:00
Leaving Cert changes: Teacher assessment to trigger most resistanceAnalysis: Examination reforms aim to modernise how children engage with senior cycleTue Mar 29 2022 - 15:19
I work in a private school. Is my job secure?Ask Brian: Debate over funding for fee-charging sector casts spotlight on who pays teachersTue Mar 29 2022 - 00:00
My son is anxious about the Leaving Cert Irish orals. Any last minute advice?It is essential to know the structure and marking scheme of the test in advanceTue Mar 22 2022 - 00:00
My daughter has Asperger’s. Is she entitled to reduced CAO points?Ask Brian: Access routes don’t guarantee lower points but can be hugely advantageousTue Mar 15 2022 - 00:00
