Thinking about studying in Britain? Although applications from students in the Republic of Ireland to British colleges peaked back in 1995, a considerable number of young Irish people continue to seek third-level places in Britain. In 1995 a record 13,402 students from the Republic applied for places through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) which is the central applications office for all British and Northern Ireland universities, colleges and institutes of higher education. In 1996 the figure fell to a little over 12,000 and this year the number is expected to be around 11,000. The most recent figures show that there are almost 10,000 Irish undergraduates currently studying in the UK, one quarter of whom are attending colleges in Northern Ireland. For many students going to a British university makes sense. Students from the border counties for example, preferring to remain closer to home, often opt for colleges in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile in Britain you have a much wider choice than here in Ireland, in terms of both the number of colleges - there are over 100 universities to chose from - and the wide variety of courses and subject combinations on offer, some of which are unavailable in this country. In some instances - some arts, engineering and science courses and a number of paramedical courses for example - it may even be easier to obtain a place on a UK course than on a similar course at home. However, the high-prestige courses including medicine, dentistry, veterinary and law are as difficult to get into as they are in Ireland. Although maintenance grants have been payable to Irish students studying in the North for a number of years, it was only last year for the first time that Irish students attending British universities were eligible to avail of grants. These grants are similar to those awarded to students attending Irish universities. They are awarded by the local authorities and are means-tested in the normal way. But be warned, if you opt to study a course in Britain that has a set quota of places in Ireland - medicine, vetinary, physiotherapy or teacher training for example - you will be ineligible for a maintenance grant, since this would undermine the quota system. Traditionally Irish students attending undergraduate courses in UCAS colleges have not had to pay fees. Their fees are paid by the relevant local authority in Britain or Northern Ireland. Students apply directly to those local authorities for the fees grant. However, the British government has recently announced the introduction of third-level tuition fees in 1998. Students who are already in the British college system or who enter in 1997 will complete their courses under the old system - that is, their fees will continue to be paid by the relevant local authorities. Students who have already received an offer of a deferred place for 1998 will also be exempt from the tuition fees.

The new fees have been set at £1,000 per annum, which represents 25 per cent of the average annual cost of third-level tuition. The British government has said that the fees will be means tested. However it remains uncertain whether EU and therefore Irish students will be able to avail of this means-testing. According to a spokesperson for the Department of Education and Employment in London, the issue of how EU students will be affected from 1998 onwards has yet to be determined. Under the new system, British and Northern Irish students from low-income families earning less than £16,000 per year will be exempt, while students from families earning more than £30,000 annually will pay the full £1,000. Although most Irish students who wish to study in Britain or Northern Ireland have already applied for places and have received either a firm or a conditional offer, it is still possible to make a late application. Every year during August and September, UCAS offers a clearing system to fill late vacancies in British universities and colleges. The good news is that if you failed to receive an offer earlier, if you have declined all offers made to you, if you have failed to meet the standards of a conditional offer or if you have not yet made any application for a British place, you can do so now. Irish applicants who have not received a UCAS offer will by now have received a "clearing" form in the post, but other students are also eligible to apply. Lists of college vacancies are published regularly in the British papers. They started the day the A Level results were published (August 14th) and will continue until September 15th. Anne Byrne, Careers and Guidance Correspondent, in her Points Race column in The Irish Times, will also keep you up to date on vacant places in the UCAS system. If you have access to the INTERNET you can also check for vacancies on the UCAS Website www.ucas.ac.uk.

Places in the clearing system tend to be snapped up quickly and this year, because of the imposition of fees in 1998, you will be competing with more late entrants than ever. If you are looking for a place you must act immediately. Check out the list of vacancies and then ring the relevant college and speak to the admissions tutor for the particular course. You will have to fill out a full UCAS application clearing form (or a clearing form if you have already applied), but don't wait to do this first. Talk to the college, accept a place if offered and then deal with the paperwork. Similarly, if you have received a conditional offer but have failed to make the grade by a small margin, it's well worth ringing the college to check whether a place will be offered on the basis of the points you have achieved. Again ask to speak to the admissions tutor on the particular course. Sometimes a place can be offered on a related course in the same department either on a similar degree course or on an HND course. But don't delay - act now.