My son no longer wants to take a gap year. Is it too late to apply to the CAO?The application deadline is May 1st – but applicants can change courses up to July 1stTue Apr 30 2019 - 00:00
Why business degrees are such a popular third-level choiceOne in every eight 2019 CAO applicants for a level 8 degree lists a business course as their first optionFri Apr 26 2019 - 00:00
How long must schools stay open in light of changes to Leaving Cert timetable?Ask Brian: Principals will face more demands on their time on foot of reformsTue Apr 23 2019 - 00:00
Will CAO points for law rise or fall this year?Ask Brian: More students are applying to study law this year so points are likely to riseTue Apr 16 2019 - 00:00
It it lawful to put my five-year-old on a reduced-hours timetable?Ask Brian: Limiting a child’s access to schooling is a failure by the education systemTue Apr 09 2019 - 00:00
My marriage break-up is affecting my son’s school work. Who can help?Ask Brian: Guidance counsellors are qualified to provide one-on-one supportTue Apr 02 2019 - 00:00
Does my Leaving Cert daughter need to be in the country for her results?Ask Brian: Students who wish to view their exams scripts will need to be presentTue Mar 26 2019 - 00:00
My son was born in the UK. Does he have to study Leaving Certificate Irish?Ask Brian: Exemptions depend on how long a pupil has been out of Irish education systemTue Mar 19 2019 - 00:00
Booming economy means more options for graduatesWhy would a graduate consider starting a postgraduate programme when employment prospects are looking so good?Tue Mar 12 2019 - 06:44
Matching skills with labour market demandPostgraduate programme will add set of cross-sectoral skills to enhance employabilityTue Mar 12 2019 - 00:01
My daughter has no guidance counsellor. Where can she get expert career advice?Ask Brian: Schools have a legal obligation to ensure pupils have access to guidanceTue Mar 12 2019 - 00:00
How to select the right postgraduate course for youAsk yourself what type of programme you wish to follow: research or taughtTue Mar 12 2019 - 00:00
Choosing the right conversion course for graduatesIf you wish to alter your career path, a conversion course might be the right optionMon Mar 11 2019 - 16:00
Ask Brian: Can I qualify abroad to become a primary teacher?There are lots of options but graduates will need to pass an Irish language testTue Mar 05 2019 - 00:00
My daughter says her CAO deadline is in March. Is she right?Ask Brian: Some courses have early deadlines, but most options stay open until July 1stTue Feb 26 2019 - 00:00
What happens if my daughter’s dream of being a pilot doesn’t take off?Ask Brian: It may be highly competitive but there are a number of training routesTue Feb 19 2019 - 00:00
‘I want to work in the fitness sector. What’s the best course to do?’Ask Brian: It makes sense to invest extra time for professional quality trainingTue Feb 12 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: My daughter wants to teach. What’s the best entry route?There are lots of options - just be sure your degree meets Teaching Council requirementsTue Feb 05 2019 - 00:00
My son is exempted from languages. Can he still go to third level?Ask Brian: Rules vary across colleges and individual programmesTue Jan 29 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: Is a PLC course a good option for studying science?Many colleges set aside places for students who have completed Post-Leaving Cert coursesTue Jan 22 2019 - 00:00
CAO applications: Eight things you need to knowCAO countdown: Research your options thoroughly – and then trust your instinctsWed Jan 16 2019 - 01:01
Thinking about college? Follow our six-step guide to navigating the CAO processRegister your details now – you can determine your final course preferences laterTue Jan 15 2019 - 00:00
Key dates for CAO applicationsTimeline for the 2019 college application processTue Jan 15 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: ‘My daughter wants a year out. Should she still apply to the CAO?’College is just one of many options but It’s worth registering in case of a change of mindTue Jan 15 2019 - 00:00
CAO countdown: It's time to prepare for life after schoolThe first significant career choice you make will not necessarily be life-determiningTue Jan 15 2019 - 00:00
CAO: The dos and don'ts to help guide your child's choiceAvoid the traps: Parents can offer vital support, but their knowledge is often outdatedMon Jan 14 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: Can I teach in an Irish classroom even though I qualified abroad?The Teaching Council assesses the qualifications of out-of-State teachersTue Jan 08 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: Can my son in Northern Ireland apply through the CAO system?NI residents may apply – though how these rights will be affected by Brexit is unclearTue Dec 18 2018 - 00:00
Ask Brian: Is my son too bright for an apprenticeship?Modern apprenticeships offer a valuable alternative route to higher level qualificationsTue Dec 11 2018 - 00:00
Ruling out statistical aberrationsSchools with dramatically falling numbers can have grossly inflated progression ratesTue Dec 04 2018 - 00:02
Explaining the progression charts of Irish secondary schoolsSchool figures also account for all students who sat the Leaving Cert in previous yearsTue Dec 04 2018 - 00:01
Feeder schools: Five take-aways from this year’s figuresState’s exceptionally high college-going rates vary dramatically depending on social classTue Dec 04 2018 - 00:00
A course by any other nameAsk Brian: I can’t find a third-level course in the area I’m interested in. Can you help?Tue Dec 04 2018 - 00:00
Ask Brian: ‘I am 18. Why should parents get my exam results?’Schools are ignoring obligation to seek students’ consent before sharing dataTue Nov 27 2018 - 00:00
My daughter isn’t sure what course to apply for. How can I help?Ask Brian: Students don’t have to choose careers – just courses that match their interests, aptitudes and abilitiesTue Nov 20 2018 - 00:00
Is it worth doing a year abroad in college?Ask Brian: Erasmus placements boost language skills and job opportunitiesTue Nov 13 2018 - 00:00
Does my son’s exam upgrade mean he can switch college?Ask Brian: He can move to a higher preference after an upgrade – if there are spacesTue Nov 06 2018 - 00:00
My son has dyslexia. Should he drop subjects?Ask Brian: The move from first to second year can be a big step up for some studentsTue Oct 23 2018 - 00:00
Ask Brian: My child’s teacher is performing poorly. How do I complain?Legislation for grievance procedures was never enacted – but new law should helpTue Oct 23 2018 - 00:00
Choosing a course? Do your homework firstOpen days give you a great chance to gauge how good a fit your course and college choice will beTue Oct 16 2018 - 07:07
Brian Mooney’s 10 things to consider about college open daysWhat you need to know to make sure you take full advantage of your open day opportunityTue Oct 16 2018 - 07:07
My daughter wants to study physiotherapy abroad, but I’m not so sureAsk Brian: Several thousand Irish students are studying at EU universitiesTue Oct 16 2018 - 00:00
Will Brexit affect my fees if I study in the UK next year?Ask Brian: Existing fees are set to remain in place for the 2019-20 academic yearTue Oct 09 2018 - 00:00
My smartphone-addicted son refuses to go to school. What can we do?Ask Brian: Parents face daily battles to protect their children from compulsive gamingTue Oct 02 2018 - 00:00
Leaving Cert appeals process must enter the 21st-centuryExams body should implement changes and not appeal Rebecca Carter judgmentFri Sept 28 2018 - 01:00
Brian Mooney: How do I go about doing a postgrad course at a US university?There are lots of options – but costs are steep, so be sure to do your researchTue Sept 25 2018 - 00:00
Ask Brian: I’m not so sure about my college course. Should I quit?The first month of college can be challenging for anyone starting third-levelTue Sept 18 2018 - 00:00
Ask Brian: My daughter wants to study arts. Is she wasting her time?Arts graduates have excellent skills to meet needs of changing workplacesTue Sept 11 2018 - 00:00
Plan ahead to get aheadValue of Higher Options to school-leavers depends entirely on level of preparation ahead of RDS eventMon Sept 10 2018 - 09:34
Ask Brian: I got enough CAO points for medicine but no offer. What did I do wrong?The offers of places in medicine is different to all other CAO programmesTue Sept 04 2018 - 00:00
