Law Degrees:First some words of warning: for many solicitors and barristers, earnings can be modest and carving out a good reputation and establishing a client base takes many years of hard work, writes Brian Mooney.
Entry requirements:In 2008, the points for the main law programmes increased by 10 over 2007, with Law at Trinity (TR004) moving up to 545 points and UCD's Law programme (DN009) increasing to 505 points. There are about 800 places on offer in level eight degree programmes, with 250 at ordinary degree/certificate level.
Becoming a solicitor:Those interested in becoming a solicitor, must take eight three-hour exams, open to all graduates, set by the Law Society of Ireland. Students are examined in Company, Constitutional, Criminal, Equity, EU, Contract, Tort, and Property Law. The subject matter of these exams is covered in law degree programmes offered at undergraduate level through the CAO. Once you have passed these exams, you have to secure a commitment from a practising solicitor, of at least five years' standing, who is prepared to offer you a two-year training contract. Prior to entering into this process, prospective solicitors have to successfully complete a written and oral examination in Irish, although this requirement is currently under review. The numbers in training have increased substantially recently, currently standing at about 700 annually. Details from www.lawsociety.ie
Becoming a barrister:The King's Inns website www.kingsinns.ielists 37 law degree programmes, approved for direct entry to their one-year full-time, or two-year modularised degree course, following successful completion of their entrance exam.
Prospective candidates, who hold an approved non-law degree or are mature applicants, may take a two-year, part-time King's Inns diploma in legal studies, prior to taking their degree programme. On completion of the degree, students are conferred with the degree of barrister at law. For more information visit www.barcouncil.ie.
Recent developments:NUI Maynooth is introducing two new Law degrees, which are geared towards aspiring barristers and solicitors. The first programme is Law and Arts (BCL), whereby students take Law and two Arts subjects in first year and one other in second and third year.
Their second new degree is Business and Law (MH406). The University of Limerick is introducing (LM029) Law Plus, which combines a traditional law degree with study in courses such as politics, history, criminal justice and languages.
Law at level 7/6:Letterkenny IT offers a three-year ordinary degree programme (LY207) which required 110 points in 2007, which provides training in the management of law offices and the production of legal executives, solicitors' assistants and law clerks. Waterford IT and Griffith College also offer programmes at these levels.
Psychology
Psychology is one of the most popular subjects in arts degree programmes, as well as in specialised psychology degrees available at NUI Maynooth, UCD, NUI Galway, TCD, UCC, and newly in 2008 Waterford IT, which require over 500 points in many cases.
In UCD, NUI Galway and NUI Cork, arts students can take psychology as a minor subject only. In UCD, all students have the opportunity to take modules in psychology through the Horizons curriculum, which allows students choose two out of 12 modules per year across the university.
NUI Maynooth offers first year arts students the option of taking psychology, with 30 students progressing to second year, based on results. Trinity offers psychology in its two-subject moderatorship.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick offers psychology as part of an arts degree, along with other arts subjects. They also offer a four-year degree in education and psychology, which qualifies students as primary school teachers. Graduates can pursue psychology at postgraduate level, leading to a qualification as an education psychologist or other branches of psychology. There are other variations; for example, UL offers psychology and sociology. Other variations include theology and psychology in All Hallows, psychology applied to information technology in Dún Laoghaire and psychology through science at NUI Maynooth.
Sports Management
UCD offers 40 places in Sports Management (DN024) a level eight degree, which required 395 points in 2007.
It recently introduced Health and Performance Science (DN096), delivered in conjunction with the National Institute of Sport and Health. IT Blanchardstown is introducing at level eight, Sport Management and Coaching (BN111) in 2008. For those interested in health awareness, physical activity and wellbeing, Dundalk IT offers 30 places on a four-year programme, health promotion and physical activity.
Every weekday, until the deadline at the end of the month, careers expert Brian Mooney will guide you through the CAO process and outline the best possible options.
ADVICE PODCAST: Listen or download the podcast for advice on how to complete the application form, and for an overview of the current CAO process at: www.ireland.com/education/
Tomorrow: Financial supports for students