After the Leaving Cert…After the Leaving Cert…20142014

Applying to collegeApplying to college

CAOCAO

PLCPLC

HEAR (Access Programme)HEAR (Access Programme)

Changes in Grants due to BudgetChanges in Grants due to Budget

Choosing CoursesChoosing Courses Check the websites e.g.., qualifax.ie, Check the websites e.g.., qualifax.ie,

careersportal.ie, careerdirections.ie, careersportal.ie, careerdirections.ie, cao.ie, accesscollege.ie, studentfinance.ie, cao.ie, accesscollege.ie, studentfinance.ie, postgradireland etc..postgradireland etc..

Check prospectuses for detailsCheck prospectuses for details Go to open daysGo to open days Discuss your options withDiscuss your options with

Family and friendsFamily and friends Guidance counsellorGuidance counsellor Subject teachersSubject teachers

Overview Overview Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), established in 2012 is now responsible for established in 2012 is now responsible for the following:the following:

NQAI – establishes and maintains National NQAI – establishes and maintains National Framework of QualificationsFramework of Qualifications

HETAC - HEIs (Higher Education HETAC - HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) comprise of the Institutes of Institutions) comprise of the Institutes of Technology and the Universities/CollegesTechnology and the Universities/Colleges

FETAC - PLCs (Post Leaving Certificate FETAC - PLCs (Post Leaving Certificate Courses/Colleges) include all the Colleges Courses/Colleges) include all the Colleges of Further Education and similar types of of Further Education and similar types of institutionsinstitutions

IUQB – responsible for quality assurance in IUQB – responsible for quality assurance in the university sectorthe university sector

HEIs unite under the CAO system covering HEIs unite under the CAO system covering levels 6 to 8levels 6 to 8

PLCs have individual application systems PLCs have individual application systems and consist of levels 5/6and consist of levels 5/6

There is a bridge between the 2 systems, There is a bridge between the 2 systems, commonly known as the commonly known as the FETAC LinksFETAC Links

There are many differences between the There are many differences between the two types of institutions involved and two types of institutions involved and therefore careful consideration must be therefore careful consideration must be taken when applyingtaken when applying

Financially, there is no difference in grant Financially, there is no difference in grant amount issuedamount issued

QQI LevelsQQI Levels Level 6 – Advanced/Higher Certificate (HC)Level 6 – Advanced/Higher Certificate (HC)

2 years in duration2 years in duration Mainly in the IT’sMainly in the IT’s

• Level 7 – Ordinary Bachelor Degree (DG)Level 7 – Ordinary Bachelor Degree (DG)• 3 years in duration3 years in duration• IT’s and some universitiesIT’s and some universities

• Level 8 – Honours/Higher Bachelor Degree Level 8 – Honours/Higher Bachelor Degree (HD)(HD)• 3-4 years in duration3-4 years in duration• IT’s and UniversitiesIT’s and Universities• Must be doing 2 higher level subjects in the Must be doing 2 higher level subjects in the

Leaving CertLeaving Cert

Requirements for CollegeRequirements for College ResidenceResidence Basic entry requirements or matriculationBasic entry requirements or matriculation Course/Faculty requirementsCourse/Faculty requirements Final selection systemFinal selection system

InterviewInterview Suitability testSuitability test AuditionAudition PortfolioPortfolio

Points – 6 best grades. Points – 6 best grades. The points level The points level published for any course in any year published for any course in any year will be the points level achieved by will be the points level achieved by the last entrant onto that course for the last entrant onto that course for that yearthat year

Minimum EntryMinimum Entry RequirementsRequirements

InstitutionInstitution Minimum gradesMinimum grades Required subjectsRequired subjects

NUI Colleges:NUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC. (RCSI, Shannon, NUIG, UCC. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown)Miltown)

2HC3 + 4OD32HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in English, Irish & OD3 in English, Irish & Modern Language*.Modern Language*.

Trinity College DublinTrinity College Dublin 3HC3 + 3OD33HC3 + 3OD3 OD3 in Maths, English OD3 in Maths, English & another Language& another Language

Dublin City UniversityDublin City University 2HC3 + 4OD32HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English OD3 in Maths, English or Irishor Irish

University of LimerickUniversity of Limerick 2HC3 + 4OD32HC3 + 4OD3 OD3 in Maths, English OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang.& Irish or another Lang.

Dublin Institute of Dublin Institute of Technology Technology

2HC3 + 4OD3 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)(H.D.)

5OD3 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)(O.D. or H.C.)

OD3 in Maths, English OD3 in Maths, English or Irishor Irish

Institutes of Technology Institutes of Technology (DK*)(DK*)

2HC3 + 4OD3 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)(H.D.)

5OD3 5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)(O.D. or H.C.)

OD3 in Maths, English OD3 in Maths, English or Irishor Irish

Points SystemPoints SystemAll subjects count equally for entry to All subjects count equally for entry to

college or universitycollege or universityPoints are calculated from the student’s Points are calculated from the student’s

six best results in one sitting of the six best results in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate, maximum 600/625 Leaving Certificate, maximum 600/625 pointspoints

Entry given to those with the highest Entry given to those with the highest points for competitive coursespoints for competitive courses

Points SystemPoints SystemGrade Hons OrdinaryGrade Hons OrdinaryA1A1 100 100 6060A2A2 90 90 5050

B1B1 85 85 4545B2B2 80 80 4040B3B3 75 75 3535C1C1 70 70 3030C2C2 65 65 2525C3C3 60 60 2020

D1D1 55 55 1515D2D2 50 50 1010D3D3 45 45 5 5

Bonus pointsBonus points

HD3 or above in MathsHD3 or above in Maths

Extra 25 pointsExtra 25 points

LCVP points

Distinction 70

Merit 50

Pass 30

Sample CalculationSample Calculation

PaulPaulSubjectSubject LevelLevel GradeGrade ScoreScore

IrishIrish HH C2C2 6565

EnglishEnglish OO A1A1 6060

MathsMaths HH C3C3 60+25=60+25=8585

GeographyGeography HH B2B2 8080

BiologyBiology HH C1C1 7070

PhysicsPhysics OO A1A1 6060

FrenchFrench HH B3B3 7575

LCVPLCVP CC MeritMerit 5050

Add the 6 best scores shown in Add the 6 best scores shown in REDRED Points = 435Points = 435

ExamplesExamplesBachelor of Commerce UCDBachelor of Commerce UCD

Course InformationCourse Information

CAO Code: CAO Code: DN650DN650CAO Points Range 2012CAO Points Range 2012: : 465 - 605465 - 605Length of Course: Length of Course: 3 Years3 YearsPlaces: Places: 275275

Leaving CertificateLeaving Certificate:: Passes in six Passes in six subjects including English, Irish, a third subjects including English, Irish, a third language, Mathematics (Min OB3/HD3) & language, Mathematics (Min OB3/HD3) & two other recognised subjects. Two of the two other recognised subjects. Two of the six subjects must be minimum HC3.six subjects must be minimum HC3.

Bachelor of Business WITBachelor of Business WITCode - WD048Code - WD048Level 8Level 8Duration - 4 yearsDuration - 4 yearsPrevious PointsPrevious Points

2011 - 3002011 - 3002012 – 3002012 – 300Leaving CertificateLeaving Certificate:: Passes in six Passes in six

subjects including Maths (Min subjects including Maths (Min OC3/HD3), English or Irish, (Min OC3/HD3), English or Irish, (Min OD3/HD3) & two other recognised OD3/HD3) & two other recognised subjects. Two of the six subjects must subjects. Two of the six subjects must be minimum HC3.be minimum HC3.

Making an CAO Making an CAO ApplicationApplication Applicants are encouraged to apply online.Applicants are encouraged to apply online.

The website address is The website address is www.cao.iewww.cao.ie Applying online is cheaper Applying online is cheaper andand it prevents many of it prevents many of

the errors commonly associated with completing a the errors commonly associated with completing a paper application form.paper application form.

There are 2 parts to the form, A & BThere are 2 parts to the form, A & B Part A (pages 1&2) of the Application Form is Part A (pages 1&2) of the Application Form is

mostly self explanatory. mostly self explanatory. Information which identifies you is of the utmost Information which identifies you is of the utmost

importance.importance. Carefully enter details such as your name, address, date Carefully enter details such as your name, address, date

of birth, schools attended etc..of birth, schools attended etc.. Your examination details must be entered with great care.Your examination details must be entered with great care. Make sure you inform CAO about all relevant Make sure you inform CAO about all relevant

qualifications.qualifications. HEARHEAR DAREDARE

Timely ActionTimely Action In order to be fair to all applicants, closing In order to be fair to all applicants, closing

dates are strict and therefore action dates are strict and therefore action should be taken in good time. should be taken in good time.

Do not leave everything to the last Do not leave everything to the last minuteminute..

The closing date for paper applications is The closing date for paper applications is 5:15pm February 15:15pm February 1stst, 2014; although if the , 2014; although if the application is admitted application is admitted onlineonline on or on or before before January 20January 20thth, 2014 there is a 10 , 2014 there is a 10 euro discount. (25 Euro per application)euro discount. (25 Euro per application)

Two Applications on One Two Applications on One FormForm There are two course choice lists and applicants may make There are two course choice lists and applicants may make

up to ten course choices on each list.up to ten course choices on each list. 10 choices may be made on the Level 8 list10 choices may be made on the Level 8 list 10 choices may be made on the Level 7/6 list10 choices may be made on the Level 7/6 list

Your choices on one list do not in any way affect your Your choices on one list do not in any way affect your choices on the other list.choices on the other list.

They may be considered two separate applications on one They may be considered two separate applications on one form.form.

It is possible to receive an offer on both listsIt is possible to receive an offer on both lists

You may then decide to accept You may then decide to accept eithereither your Level 7/6 your Level 7/6 oror your Level 8 offer. your Level 8 offer.

Alternatively, you might not wish to accept either offer.Alternatively, you might not wish to accept either offer.

Your offer notice may contain an offerYour offer notice may contain an offer for a Level 8 coursefor a Level 8 course or a Level 7/6 course or a Level 7/6 course or bothor both

If you receive two offers at the same time you If you receive two offers at the same time you may only accept one of them.may only accept one of them.

If you wish to accept an offer of a place you must If you wish to accept an offer of a place you must carry out the instructions on the offer notice carry out the instructions on the offer notice before 5.15pm on the closing date for acceptance before 5.15pm on the closing date for acceptance printed on the offer notice. printed on the offer notice.

There can be no delays at the offer/acceptance There can be no delays at the offer/acceptance stage.stage.

Any offer not accepted by the closing date for Any offer not accepted by the closing date for receipt of acceptance of offers in CAO will be receipt of acceptance of offers in CAO will be offered to another applicant in the next round of offered to another applicant in the next round of offers.offers.

Genuine Order of Genuine Order of PreferencePreference

You can not guess what the points are You can not guess what the points are going to be for the courses you are going to be for the courses you are interested in.interested in.

Simply list your courses in genuine Simply list your courses in genuine order of preference from the highest order of preference from the highest preference 1, to the lowest preference preference 1, to the lowest preference 10.10.

If you are entitled to an offer, you will If you are entitled to an offer, you will be offered the highest preference that be offered the highest preference that you are entitled to.you are entitled to.

Your Application NumberYour Application Number If you apply online your If you apply online your application application

numbernumber will appear on your will appear on your Receipt of Receipt of Online Application Online Application which you must save or which you must save or print outprint out This number is private and it will be used in This number is private and it will be used in

every correspondence between you and the CAO every correspondence between you and the CAO for the rest of the year.for the rest of the year.

Always quote your CAO application number in Always quote your CAO application number in any communication with CAO.any communication with CAO.

If you apply online you may change your course If you apply online you may change your course choices choices free of chargefree of charge until January 31st. until January 31st.

How Places are AllocatedHow Places are Allocated When examination results are released in When examination results are released in

August they are entered into the CAO August they are entered into the CAO computer. computer.

The computer checks each applicant’s The computer checks each applicant’s results. For each course the applicant has results. For each course the applicant has applied for, the computer first determines if applied for, the computer first determines if the applicant has the minimum entry the applicant has the minimum entry requirements for the course.requirements for the course.

If the applicant meets the minimum entry If the applicant meets the minimum entry requirements for the course, the applicant’s requirements for the course, the applicant’s points are calculated for this course choice.points are calculated for this course choice.

All eligible applicants are then placed in a All eligible applicants are then placed in a list, in order of academic merit, for each list, in order of academic merit, for each course that they applied for. course that they applied for.

The admissions officers of the Higher The admissions officers of the Higher Education Institutions tell CAO how many Education Institutions tell CAO how many places are to be offered on each courseplaces are to be offered on each course

CAO then makes offers to the required CAO then makes offers to the required number of applicants on each course starting number of applicants on each course starting with the applicant with the highest points and with the applicant with the highest points and working down until enough places have been working down until enough places have been offered.offered.

Should some applicants decline to accept Should some applicants decline to accept their offers these places become available in their offers these places become available in the next round of offers. They will be offered the next round of offers. They will be offered to the next applicants on the order of merit to the next applicants on the order of merit list.list.

This process continues until all the places on This process continues until all the places on the course are filled or until all the eligible the course are filled or until all the eligible applicants on the order of merit list have applicants on the order of merit list have been offered places.been offered places.

The Offer ProcessThe Offer Process In the week following the release of the Leaving In the week following the release of the Leaving

Certificate results CAO will post a communication to Certificate results CAO will post a communication to all applicants.all applicants.

If you have not yet become entitled to an offer you If you have not yet become entitled to an offer you will be sent a Statement of Application Record which will be sent a Statement of Application Record which you should check carefully as important information you should check carefully as important information may be incorrect or missing.may be incorrect or missing.

If you are entitled to an offer, you will be sent an If you are entitled to an offer, you will be sent an offer notice. You should check that all of the details offer notice. You should check that all of the details on the offer notice are correct and that there are no on the offer notice are correct and that there are no omissions.omissions.

Offers will also be available on the CAO website.Offers will also be available on the CAO website. You may check for and accept offers on the website. You may check for and accept offers on the website.

In fact, most applicants now record acceptances In fact, most applicants now record acceptances online.online.

Statement of Application Statement of Application RecordRecord..

Before the end of May, you will receive a Before the end of May, you will receive a Statement Statement of Application Recordof Application Record as a final as a final acknowledgement and to enable you to verify that acknowledgement and to enable you to verify that all the information is correctall the information is correct

Check the following carefully, if there is any error or Check the following carefully, if there is any error or omission, amend the Statement and return it to omission, amend the Statement and return it to CAO.CAO.

Are all the courses shown and in the correct order?Are all the courses shown and in the correct order? Are all the codes correct?Are all the codes correct? Are the exam numbers correct?Are the exam numbers correct? Are all exams mentioned?Are all exams mentioned? If you do not receive a Statement by 1st June If you do not receive a Statement by 1st June

contact CAO immediatelycontact CAO immediately

Change of Mind FacilityChange of Mind Facility• Included with the Statement of Application Record will be a Included with the Statement of Application Record will be a

Change of Mind form. Change of Mind form. You may use this to change the order of your course You may use this to change the order of your course choices and/or to introduce new courses, subject to the choices and/or to introduce new courses, subject to the restrictions detailed in the Handbook. restrictions detailed in the Handbook.

• It is safer to use the Change of Mind Facility on the It is safer to use the Change of Mind Facility on the website website than to use a paper Change of Mind form.than to use a paper Change of Mind form.

• You may use the online Change Courses facility from You may use the online Change Courses facility from February 5th until March 1st. A fee of 10 euro must be February 5th until March 1st. A fee of 10 euro must be paid for this service.paid for this service.

• After 1After 1stst May, you may register a change of course May, you may register a change of course choice online free of charge. The closing date for this choice online free of charge. The closing date for this facility is 5:15pm July 1facility is 5:15pm July 1stst, 2014. , 2014.

Order of PreferenceOrder of Preference

If you learn nothing else from this If you learn nothing else from this presentation let it be this...presentation let it be this...

Place your course choices in Place your course choices in genuine order of preference!genuine order of preference!

To do otherwise is a grave mistake. To do otherwise is a grave mistake.

FinallyFinally

Remember to Remember to carefully read all of carefully read all of the documents and the documents and instructions from instructions from CAO.CAO.

Most applicants Most applicants follow the simple follow the simple instructions from instructions from CAO and get along CAO and get along just fine.just fine.

PLC systemPLC system

Post Leaving Certificate courses Post Leaving Certificate courses (Level 5/6)(Level 5/6)

Why choose a PLC course?Why choose a PLC course?Not enough pointsNot enough pointsNot sure about what course to doNot sure about what course to doWant to find out more about a careerWant to find out more about a careerNeed to repeat a subjectNeed to repeat a subjectPersonal/Financial reasonsPersonal/Financial reasonsCourse only available through PLC routeCourse only available through PLC route

Where are they available?Where are they available?

RCS!RCS!Waterford College of Further EducationWaterford College of Further EducationWexford Vocational CollegeWexford Vocational CollegeEnniscorthy Vocational CollegeEnniscorthy Vocational CollegeDublin - Crumlin, Ballyfermot, Dun Dublin - Crumlin, Ballyfermot, Dun

Laoghaire, Colaiste dhulaigh, Colaiste Laoghaire, Colaiste dhulaigh, Colaiste Ide,Ide,

And many many more And many many more

Qualifications & Application Qualifications & Application SystemSystem

Mostly Level 5Mostly Level 5 Some Level 6 in the bigger collegesSome Level 6 in the bigger colleges Technical qualifications such as City and GuildsTechnical qualifications such as City and Guilds Beauty/Complementary Therapy – CIBTAC, Beauty/Complementary Therapy – CIBTAC,

CIDESCOCIDESCO Sports Coaching/Therapy QualificationsSports Coaching/Therapy Qualifications And again, many moreAnd again, many more Each college has their own application form which Each college has their own application form which

is usually filled out in late January / Februaryis usually filled out in late January / February Points in the Leaving do not determine entrance Points in the Leaving do not determine entrance

onto the courseonto the course Applicants are called for an interview in April/MayApplicants are called for an interview in April/May A place in the course may be offered before the A place in the course may be offered before the

applicant sits the Leaving Cert pending resultsapplicant sits the Leaving Cert pending results

After the PLC. . .After the PLC. . .

Full/Part time employmentFull/Part time employmentFurther education through links with Further education through links with

HEI’sHEI’sApplicants re-apply through CAOApplicants re-apply through CAOPlaces are reserved in the HEI’sPlaces are reserved in the HEI’sPoints are allocated based on PLC results or Points are allocated based on PLC results or

in some cases added to Leaving Cert resultsin some cases added to Leaving Cert resultsLinks with UK institutionsLinks with UK institutionsWork experienceWork experience