Examine all the available options

Today's second round offers will be a cause of elation for some students and sadness for others. If you're in the unenviable position of either having no college place offer, or have little interest in the course you have been offered, cheer up. It's not the end of the line - you do, in fact, have a number of options open to you, assuming, that is, that you want to stay in the education system and achieve your qualifications' goal. In a nutshell, your options are to repeat your Leaving Certificate, to opt for a PLC course, or to look for third-level places either in the private colleges here or in colleges in Northern Ireland or Britain. The good news is that it may still not be too late to find a place on a repeat, PLC and even a third-level course. However, there are time constraints on all of these choices and you do need to move quickly.

In the past, repeating was the most favoured option for people who failed to achieve a third-level place. However, repeating is losing some of its attractions. Last year, just under 5,000 students repeated the Leaving Certificate, which was a drop of over 3,000 on the previous year. Much of this was due to the growing popularity of PLC courses. Most of those who now decide to repeat do so because they hope to achieve sufficient points for a particular third-level course. In fact, the advice of the experts is that you should consider repeating only if you are likely to improve, and are willing to work hard.

According to Charles McManus, principal of Ringsend Technical Institute, Dublin, which offers up to 300 repeat places, "we would only recommend repeating if we felt that a student had a good chance of increasing their options substantially". Indeed, most colleges interview repeat applicants to ascertain whether they will benefit from repeating. "We often arrive at a situation in which a student decides that it's best not repeat," McManus comments. Repeating, though, can have a number of benefits. Repeat students continually note the extent to which they mature during that extra year at second-level. They say that they hone their study skills, learn to stand on their own two feet and are often better prepared for going to college as a result. A number of students have, over the years, reported that the extra year has given them space to discover more about themselves and make clear decisions about future careers. During a repeat year many students undergo a complete change of mind about the third-level courses they want to pursue.

Once you have made up your mind to repeat, you then have to decide where to do so - back at school or in one of the repeat colleges in either the State-funded or private sector. For many students going back to the old school is an unattractive option - they prefer to attend specialist repeat colleges where they can make completely fresh starts. But be warned: the private repeat colleges are expensive, and it can cost you over £2,000 to repeat the year. In the state sector, though, fees are minimal - usually around £250, including the exam entry fee. If you want to repeat, the advice from the colleges is to contact them immediately. Many of them will welcome you if you simply drop in and will interview you on the spot. If you bring with you a passport photo, a copy of your birth certificate and your Leaving Certificate results, you could save yourself a lot of hassle, the colleges say.

Over the last five years PLCs have become an increasingly popular option for school-leavers, and they boast many attractions. Last year almost 18,000 students were enrolled in the sector. PLC courses are of one or two years' duration. Many of them are unique and are unavailable in the third-level sector. The majority of PLC courses lead to awards from the National Council of Vocational Awards (NCVA level 2 awards). It is possible for holders of level 2 certificates to progress to third-level - on to certificate and diploma courses in the regional technical colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology.

While a number of courses have been designed as pre-training or pre-third-level - pre-nursing courses and art portfolio preparation courses for example - many more are vocational and are geared to the needs of the job market. At the last count, over 80 per cent of those entering the labour market with Leaving Certificate and a vocational qualification were employed 12 months later. It's estimated that there are upwards of 300 centres across the State offering courses leading to NCVA level 2 awards. Enrolments are well under way, but it's not too late to apply - there are still places available. And even where courses appear to be full, it's worth making contact. Some students will inevitably take up other offers and will drop out. The message from the colleges is: "Don't delay. Get in touch with us immediately. We may even be able to interview you on the spot."

As in the case of repeat courses, you're advised to bring details of your Leaving Certificate results, a passport photo and a copy of your birth certificate with you. It's worth noting that, while the Government has promised to introduce a maintenance grant for students on PLC courses, it remains a promise. Until money is made available at Government level, you'd be wise to reckon on having to provide for yourself. Your hopes of being offered a third-level place in a State-funded institution may be dashed, but it's possible that you still may be able to enrol on a national certificate, diploma, or degree course in one of the private colleges that have sprung up around the State in recent times. These colleges argue that they offer young people who achieve the minimum third-level entry requirements, but who fail to obtain places in the public sector because of the shortage of places, the opportunity to pursue degree programmes. Initially, many of these colleges offered courses validated by universities in Britain, but now they provide a range of courses which have been approved by the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA).

The "big five" in the private sector are all Dublin-based - LSB College, Griffith College, Portobello College, the Dublin Business School and the American College. Over half the degree courses offered by this sector are in the field of business, tourism and accounting. The fact that fees have been removed in public sector colleges makes the private colleges look expensive - you can expect to pay up to £2,500 per year to study at a private college, and you will be ineligible for a maintenance grant. However, NCEA courses qualify for a 26 per cent tax remission. Bonding is a big issue in the private colleges at the moment. Some colleges say that they are fully bonded, but you need to check out the small print of this. A number of them - the "big five" say that they have set up trusts which will ensure that, in the event of their going broke, students will be able to complete their courses.

Colleges which are members of HECA - the Higher Education Colleges Association - are also promising an arrangement in which students will be able to transfer to other colleges within the association, should they wish to do so. However, if there is no similar course in another college, this would be difficult.

The fact that you don't have a suitable place in Ireland does not mean that you may not be able to obtain a third-level place in a Northern Irish or British college. Every year during August and September, UCAS - the British central admissions service - offers a clearing system to fill late vacancies in British universities and higher education colleges. This year the system will continue until September 15th. You can check out the UCAS vacancy listings in the London Independent on September 10th and 14th, or on the UCAS website (www.ucas.ac.uk.) Last week there were still many vacancies in colleges throughout Britain. For example, there were hundreds of vacancies on courses in accountancy, architecture, art and design, biology, business studies, and a range of other courses.

If you think you may be interested in taking up a British place, remember time is short and you must act immediately. Decide on which courses you are interested in and in which college. Then phone the relevant college and ask to speak to the admissions tutor on the particular course. Based on a discussion of your Leaving Certificate results, the tutor will be able to tell you whether you merit a place. The colleges say that you should not wait to send in an application form at this stage. Get your offer first and then get down to the paperwork.

Even if you don't get on to a degree programme, the tutor may direct you to a HND (Higher National Diploma) course from which you could, if you do well enough, later transfer to a degree programme. Next year Britain is introducing third-level fees. However, if you accept a place this year, you will not have to pay fees for the duration of your course.