By the end of last October, around 46,500 college places had been taken up in more than 40 colleges.

With the right planning, finances should not be an obstacle to getting a higher education.

With the pressures of Leaving Certificate year keeping most college applicants’ minds busy, it is important that they give close consideration, around now, to the courses for which they plan to apply.

More than a dozen colleges have set aside hundreds of places for new entrants from poorer backgrounds again next year.