Colleges approved by the NUJ: Dublin City University, NUI Galway, Dublin Institute of Technology, Griffith College, Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Colaiste Dhulaigh.

Cut-off points for undergraduate courses 2000/2001 (second round): DCU - 465; DIT - 455; Griffith College - 280.

Job opportunities: very buoyant although many people will begin their career by freelancing.

NUJ members in the Republic: 3,134 of whom 993 are women; 699 in Northern Ireland, of whom 219 are women.