The new Leaving Cert changes explained: ‘The most significant reforms in a century’
Updates are causing division and concern among educators - but what can students and parents expect in the classroom?
Classroom to College
Sign up to Classroom to College newsletter from The Irish Times. Led by Education Editor Carl O'Brien, the essential newsletter to navigating the Leaving Cert for parents, guardians and students
‘We started looking in early January’: Southern students search for lower rents in Belfast
Estate agents are taking more calls from the South as number of students heading north rises in search of lower cost of living
Student money: An A-Z of college saving and spending
Tips on how to budget as a student and make the most of deals, offers and discounts at college
I missed out on my first choice in Trinity. Will CAO points drop in round two?
Entry points tend not to drop for very high-demand courses, but there are alternative pathways
‘Inhumane’: Student who got maximum Leaving Cert points loses course in random selection
‘Nobody’s future should be decided by a lottery,’ says student
Blow the dust off your study notebooks and take note of these important dates
If you want to accept a round one offer and haven’t done so yet, make sure you do in the next few days
CAO helpdesk: The key questions students had after this week’s college offers
We answered a variety of questions as grade deflation kicked in for the 2025 Leaving Cert class
Meet Trinity College’s lifelong learner in his 70s: ‘I’ve made lots of new friends, young and old’
The early school-leaver is now pursuing a full time undergraduate degree in history
Why students drop out and how you can avoid it
There are many sources of support that can lessen your chance of dropping out
CAO points 2025: Which courses were up or down in requirements?
Random selection for some courses applies again, but some universities have increased places to try to meet demand
CAO offers 2025: Waiting on an offer? Here’s how to respond to it
Whether you want to accept or defer, take time to think clearly and do your research before you act
CAO offers and third level education: Key dates for next steps
The dates for third level education next steps after Leaving Cert results day
Going to college? How to find student accommodation and what to watch out for
How to maximise chances of finding a student place to live and figuring out costs
Didn’t get the course you wanted? Here are some of your options
All you need to know about taking an alternative route into higher education
On CAO Round One offer day, remember, comparison is the thief of joy
My college offer came while I was sitting in the back of my family’s car, and I screamed so loud that I almost caused a collision
Study abroad in the Netherlands and Italy: ‘It all started with a leap of faith’
Even if the international experiences don’t tempt you, the cheaper tuition fees and sunshine just might
It’s not too late to apply for one of the many tertiary degrees on offer in Ireland
A pathway for applicants of all ages and backgrounds to achieve the degree of their dreams
Education abroad: ‘Moving from Limerick to Dublin as it used to be is now like moving from Ireland to the Netherlands’
Most universities on the Continent pay little heed to points a student has accrued in the Leaving Cert
CAO points requirements see ‘volatile’ change for majority of courses at several colleges
All UCD programmes surpass 400 points, while more than 89,000 lodge CAO applications this year
How can new students get the best from their college experience?
Societies are a great source of community which is important when coping with the big changes of being away from home
Why are so many students and parents oblivious to the opportunities in the Further Education system?
There’s a big rise in school leavers choosing Further Education and Training courses and apprenticeships as a first destination after the Leaving Cert
Taking the road less travelled can make all the difference
Students across the country are set for another nail-biting day as they gear up for the first round of CAO offers, which will be released from 2pm tomorrow
A to Z: what you need to know about further education and training
From apprenticeships to national tertiary degrees and work experience, here’s a quick guide to the many available routes outside CAO
Should you be considering further education and training as an attractive pathway?
‘The message to learners is that it’s never too late to learn ... we should all rethink what success looks like’
‘I took a non-traditional route through further education that helped me decide what I wanted’
Starting fast and traditionally is not for everyone; Lee O’Connor is one such late developer
‘I fell 11 points short of the course I wanted and went down the PLC route’
Amy Moore on going down the route of a PLC course
What is an apprenticeship - and what are the benefits?
A student is not contracted to an employer and is not paid, whereas an apprentice is, but a student has more time to socialise and join clubs
‘You have to like people’ – why should you study physiotherapy?
To qualify as a physiotherapist in Ireland, 1,000 hours of clinical placements need to be completed
‘A great option’: The rise of FET courses – and whether they’re right for you
More students are choosing alternative routes such as PLCs, apprenticeships and new tertiary degree programmes
College applicants set for a life in limbo for the next few days
The reality of third level is often quite different from how it’s portrayed on screen
Leaving Cert results: ‘Painful’ random selection expected to be used again for several top courses
This year marked the first stage of a gradual reduction in post-marking upward adjustment
Should you repeat the Leaving Certificate?
Repeating the Leaving Cert is not a path to be taken lightly and it is not suitable for everyone
On Leaving Cert results day, it’s important to remember the road to adult life is not linear
Leaving Cert 2025: Take a moment to be proud of your accomplishments
Disappointed with your Leaving Cert results? Here are nine options to consider, including how to appeal
Leaving Cert appeals process 'can be cathartic', says one guidance counsellor
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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