How to make the most of your time at Higher Options
There’s a right and a not-so-right way to approach your visit to the RDS
CAO
CAO and Leaving Cert news
Why fifth and sixth year students need to know what Higher Options is
Higher Options, Ireland’s largest education expo, is back in Dublin from Wednesday to Friday, September 17th to 19th.
CAO: Reprieve for some students who lost out on favoured course
Some applicants have been offered preferred courses after initially losing out on random selection
Your questions answered: but first, is the Higher Options event for you?
For those considering further and higher education, the expo has information that could shape the path ahead
The guidance counsellor: ‘I think we’re overly educated, but perhaps not skilled enough’
Remaining focused on CAO points means overlooking ‘wonderful’ alternatives such as apprenticeships and tertiary degrees
Life after school: Next stage options from those who have chosen different paths
Whether you choose a PLC, an apprenticeship or the straight-to-college route, there’s more than one way to take the next step
CAO issues second round offers to more than 3,000 students
Those who have received an offer today will have until Wednesday, September 10th at 3pm to accept it
Flying the nest: advice for students (and parents) on heading to college
Heading to college is a big step, and while most of the young adults preparing to fly the nest will be excited at the prospect of independence, parents might have some concerns about what this will mean
Advice for parents, from parents, when a child heads off to college
‘Flying the nest is the natural next step ... we weren’t going to be all maudlin and upset around them’
Home or away? How Irish and EU colleges compare
While studying in Ireland has its appeals, going abroad offers the experience of a different culture or language and fees are often lower
Ten universities around Europe that offer courses through English
Irish students are entitled to study at any university in the EU under the same conditions as nationals
My Leaving Cert daughter cannot decide what she wants to study. Can you help?
An education expert says: There is no rush - she has until the end of June to finalise her choices in most cases
A is for Audit, B is for Budgeting: Managing your finances as a student
The period between Leaving Cert results and the first week of college goes by in an instant
‘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
CAO offers helpdesk 2025: How do I appeal my Leaving Cert results? Our experts answer your questions
Do have questions about CAO offers, appeals or deferrals? Our experts are here to help
International students in Ireland: ‘People here are genuinely warm and open, making adapting easier’
More than a dozen international students share how they find life and study in Ireland
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
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 offers 2025: Students angry as some lose out on places due to ‘cruel’ random selection
The majority of CAO applicants were offered one of their top three preferences
The Irish Times view on funding higher education: a vital long-term investment
Funding levels were slashed after the financial crash and have never recovered
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
Have your say: Are you disappointed with your CAO offer due to a points rise or random selection?
The number of CAO applications this year is 7% higher than in 2024 leading to additional pressure on college places
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
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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