Beyond Portumna Community School-Options after the Leaving Certificate

Ms Denise Lyons Guidance Counsellor16th September 2010

Career Planning and Research

Wealth of choices for young people.

Very important to plan ahead for future career as someone once said “to fail to plan is a plan failed”.

Career Planning and Research can be broken up into two areas:

Self Assessment Pathways to Qualifications

Self Assessment

Honest and realistic Must acknowledge

strengths and weakness

Skills, qualities and personality Interests and Hobbies Aptitudes Values Work environment Family influence Health considerations Talents- academic and non

academic Goals Career interests

Pathways to Qualification

Must consider:1. The National

Framework of Qualifications

2. Appropriate Level on N.F.Q.:

• Third Level (6-10)• PLC (5-6)• Teagasc (5-8)• Failte Ireland (4-8)• Fas (5-6)

Available sources of information:

College websites Open days/ Career

Exhibitions The internet- Eg Qualifax Past and current students/

trainees Parents Career professionals Prospectuses Guidance Counsellor Work Experience/Shadow Taster programmes

Third Level EducationUK- UCASIRELAND- CAO

UCAS: Universities Colleges Application System Why study in the UK? Popular choice for Irish students- 2010 almost 9,000

students applied Hugh variety of courses/ colleges to choose from 300 + institutions Back up to CAO application Lower entry requirements in many areas of study Applications admitted to courses on the basis of

academic and non academic achievements Specialist courses that are not available in Ireland

UCAS continued

Fees for UK courses  o £3,290/year for most UK colleges and Universities in

England and N. Irelando Fees for courses in Scotland are around £1800/ year

however this may varyo Welsh colleges offer a non- means tested grant to

EU students which reduces fees to approx. £1600/ year.

o Must carefully check with each college for actual fee amount www.ucas.com.

UCAS continued

Student financeThe following options are available for student support/ fee

payment. All info can be found on www.ucas.com- student finance

o Loan- student finance directo Wales- non means tested granto England- DFES( Education Authority for EU studentso Scotland- SASS( Student loans, financial assistance schemes)o Higher Education Grant Scheme: grants can be obtained for

study in the UK by applying to Local County Council in IrelandOther useful websites detailing the aboveo       www.qualifax.ie/ukcourses/ul%20fees.htmlo       www.studentfinance.ieo       www.direct.gov.uk

UCAS continued

Application dates: 1st Sept 2010: Opening Date for receiving applications 27th Sept 2010: UKCAT Deadline for test registration 30th Sept 2010: BMAT Deadline for test registration 8th October 2010: UKCAT Final date for test 15th Oct 2010: Deadline for applications to medicine,

dentistryveterinary, veterinary science, Oxford and

Cambridge. 3rd Nov 2010: BMAT test date 4th Oct 2010: HPAT Ulster registration date 15th Jan 2011: Deadline for applicants from UK/ EU 29th Jan 2011: HPAT Ulster test date. 24th Mar 2011: Deadline for those Art & Design applications

not using 15th Jan deadline. 3oth June 2011: Deadline for “late applications”

UCAS continued

Application Process:Apply on- line www.ucas.com/apply Max of 5 course choices can be made unless you are applying

for the following medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science in which instance you can apply up to a max of 4 courses.

Some courses require you complete an interview or admissions test as part of the application procedure eg UKCAT for Medicine

Personal Statement: This must be submitted with course choices. This gives the applicant the opportunity to convince the Admissions Officer that they deserve a place.

Students must also complete a section on work experience. A reference from your school must also be supplied to

complete application.  

UCAS continued

COST OF APPLICATION: £11 for single choice application

£21 2-5 choice applicationFor more information:

www.ucas.com www.ukcat.com www.bmat.com

Third Level Educationin Ireland

Third level Institutions in Ireland: Universities, Colleges, Institutes of Technology, Independent CollegesApplication to Third Level: Through CAO

Steps to applying to CAO:1. Before application2. Actual Application 3. Acknowledgement4. Change of mind5. Offer6. Deferred Entry

Steps to CAO application

1. Before application: Do lots of research on course, college Entry requirements( Min., specific, points,

restricted) Restricted entry- aptitude test, interview,

performance test Length of course Content of course Work Experience Study abroad Qualification Opportunities to Post graduate level Employment opportunities

HPAT Ireland: Health Professionals Admission Test Used for entry to Medicine courses in Ireland

Timeline for HPAT

CAO application From 3 November 2010 - 1 February 2011 at 17:15 hours

(NB: All medical programmes have the restricted entry final closing date of 1 February)

HPAT-Ireland registrations open 4 November 2010(You will require a 2011 CAO application number to register for HPAT-Ireland)

20 January 2011

Late registrations close (late fee payable)

3 February 2011 at 17:15 hours (No further registrations accepted after this date)

HPAT-Ireland test date Saturday 26 February 2011

HPAT-Ireland results released to candidates 27 June 2011

Collation of scores 17 - 21 August 2011 (provisional)

Round 1 CAO offers Monday 22 August 2011 (provisional)

HPAT continued

Fee: 95 euroCenters: Cork, Dublin, Galway, Sligo, Waterford.Test: 2 ½ hours Sample tests can be viewed

on- lineResults: Issued in Late June after Leaving CertificateValidity: Two years

For more informationwww.hpatireland.com

Steps to CAO application

2. Actual applicationApply on-line www.cao.ie Cost: 30 euro before 20th Jan 2011

40 euro if made between 20th Jan/ 1st Feb 2011

Closing Date for application 1st Feb 2011. Apply for up to 20 courses

10 Level 6/7 Higher Certificates/ Ordinary Degree10 Level 8 Honours Degree

Choose courses in order of preference Restricted application courses: must apply by 1st

Feb 2011

CAO continued

3. Statement of course choices:Feb 5th 2011: On-line facility to amend course choicesMarch 1st: Closing Date for amending course choicesApril 2011: Interviews, admission tests conducted on

restricted application courses4. Change of mind:May 1st 2011- July 1st 2011

No fee for facility5. Offers:22nd August 2011: Round 1 offer

CAO will calculate best six grades for points

Allocate places in the basis of highest choice on list of courses- this is why order of preference is so important as all other choices will be eliminated

31st August 2011: Proposed 2nd round offer19th Oct 2011: Offer stage ends

CAO continued

6. Deferred entry: Not guaranteed Contact Admissions officer of respective Higher

Education Institute with offer notice citing reasons for deferral.

For more information:www.cao.iewww.qualifax.iewww.careersportal.ie

College websites and prospectuses

Further Education coursesPLC/ FETAC

What is a PLC course: Usually one year in duration Preparation for employment Are specific to a discipline and give vocational, personal,

and general skills Include work placement (2-4 weeks) Provide access to third levelCost: No tuition fees Grant available by “The Higher Education Grants

Scheme”

PLC

Application: Direct to college: check entry requirements and

closing dates InterviewCertification: Awarding body: FETAC (NFQ 1/6) www.fetac.ieAccess to Third Level:Progression from Fetac L5/L6 can be made through:1. Higher Education Links Scheme2. The Pilot Scheme

PLC

Higher Education Links Scheme: Provision of reserved places on certain education

courses( mainly L8) www.fetac.ie Links to Nursing programmes are via the Higher

Education Links 17 colleges/ universities Apply to CAO Places are issued in July of application Best 8 components are scored/ ranked

PLC

The Pilot Scheme: Progression to Higher Certificate, Ordinary Degrees, and Honours

Degrees Under this initiative, most college courses are open to FETAC applicants

along with Leaving Cert students Courses can be taken at all the Institutes of Technology, Independent

Colleges, NCI, and St Patrick’s College, Thurles. FETAC applicant can score a maximum of 400 points with award Best 8 components are counted:

50 points Distinction 35 points Merit 20 points

More information can be accessed on www.cao.ie www.fetac.ie

FAS Apprenticeships/ Training Courses

Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship is a method by which a person works for

an employer in a chosen occupation and learns the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to become a qualified craftsperson

Follow a specific course of training and undergo a series of assessments

Entry requirements: aged 16 and 5 passes in JC. Sponsorship: must be obtained with a registered employer Training: 4yrs duration, 7 phases of training Training allowances paid for duration of training FAS currently offer 23 standard based apprenticeships Qualification: Level 6 (NFQ)

FAS

Training Courses: Many Fas Training Centres offer full time / part time

courses which prepare people for entry into the working world.

Register with local Fas office after Leaving Certificate. Interview is required if demand is high for places. Training allowances are given for duration of course. Range in length(10 wks –1yr) FETAC accredited. Contact local Fas centre for lists of available courses.For more information:www.fas.ie

TeagascAgriculture, Horticulture, Equine, Forestry

Offers various education and training courses within the NFQFurther Education Training courses: FETAC Level 5/6 Entry through 8 Ag Colleges and at Local Teagasc Centres

Nationwide Courses can be taken fulltime/ part-timeHigher Education Links Scheme: Holders of FETAC awards can apply for a quota number of higher

education courses Apply through CAOThird Level courses: Entry through CAO Courses taken at Institutes of Technologies and UCDFurther information:www.teagasc.ie

Failte IrelandNational Tourism Development Authority

There are 4 main categories of education:1. Skills Training Courses

Failte Ireland Training centres nationwide 13/16 week courses Uniform, weekly allowance, training grant FETAC L4

2. Craft courses Full- time:• Institutes of Technology nationwide• 1/ 2 years training• Training Grant• FETAC L6

Failte Ireland

Advanced and Higher Certificate Courses Institutes of Technology Advanced Certificate: 1year day release or 10 week

Block: FETAC L6 Higher Certificate: 2 years HETAC L6 Training grant based on attendanceDegree courses: Institutes of Technology 3 yr full- time study Bachelor of Business (Culinary Arts or Bar Management) L7 HETAC Grants awarded by Local Authorities and Dept.of Ed-

means tested

Student Support Schemes

In Ireland, there are two main support schemes. These include: Higher Education Grants Scheme Maintenance Grants Scheme for students attending Post Leaving

Cert coursesThese schemes provide means tested grants for students who wish to pursue

full-time course.There are three other student support funds in addition to the above: Fund for students with Disabilites Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage The Student Assistance FundRules apply and application are made through Local Authority andLocal VEC. There is a dedicated website which gives all of the information necessary on financial for further and higher Education www.studentfinance.ie

Scholarships and Award

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of Scholarships available to students. Scholarships are awarded for high academic achievement, sporting excellence, etc.

There are some scholarships that must apply to but there are others that are awarded to students who fulfill certain criteria;

DES: 7 Easter Week Commemoration Scholarships (awarded with Leaving Cert)

Entrance Scholarships to Third Level: 500+ points (check college prospectus)

Sport Scholarships: check college prospectus Women in Technology: check www.intel.ie

Access to College www.accesscollege.ie

Two new schemes introduced to promote equality of access to

Third Level. The two schemes are

HEAR (Higher Education Access Route)

DARE (Disabilities Access Route Education)

HEAR

What is the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places at reduced points to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. HEAR has been set up by a number of colleges and universities as evidence shows that socio-economic disadvantage can have a negative effect on how well a student does at school and whether they go on to college.

Who is it for? School leavers who have the ability to benefit from and

succeed in higher education and who come from socio economic groups in Irish society that are under-represented in third level education.

Applicant Requirements

You must give satisfactory evidence of your socio-economic circumstances (family income, schools attended, medical card etc) and meet the minimum entry (matriculation) and subject requirements of the colleges or university to which you are applying..

You will then compete for one of a quota of places based on your Leaving Certificate results.

Participating Colleges and Universities:

Dublin City University Dublin Institute of Technolo

gy NUI Galway NUI Maynooth Trinity College Dublin University College Cork University College Dublin University of Limerick

Church of Ireland College of Education

Froebel College of Education

Colaiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

Mater Dei Institute of Education

National College of Ireland Pontifical University,

Maynooth St. Angela's College, Sligo St. Patrick's College,

Drumcondra

Supports for HEAR Students

As well as receiving a reduced points place, HEAR Students may also receive a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying at third level.

Each college and university will decide what supports it can offer depending on its policies, practices and the resources available to it.

Examples of the type of supports available include: Orientation programmes to introduce students to university or

college Extra tuition if needed Help with study skills and exam preparation One-to-one meetings with student advisors, Social gatherings, Mentoring Advice about grants and scholarships Bursaries when available. You can find more information about the supports available for HEAR

students on the access website of each college or university.

Procedure for application

If you are a school leaver and you wish to be considered for the HEAR scheme, you must:

apply online at www.cao.ie as part of the CAO application process by 1 February 2011.

say you want to be considered for HEAR in the appropriate section of the application form. Applicants will then be directed to a separate online HEAR application form.

complete a number of additional questions relating to: his/her family’s financial situation; employment status of parents; school(s) attended. submit supporting documentation (e.g. P21, Notice of

Assessment etc) by 1 April 2011.

Closing Dates for HEAR

HEAR has strict closing dates so that the CAO and the colleges that take part in the scheme have enough time to process applications.

By 1 February 2011:Apply online to CAO and indicate that you wish to apply to the HEAR Scheme.

By 1 March 2011:Finalise all elements of your online HEAR Application

By 1 April 2011:Submit supporting documentation to the CAO.

Next Steps in the Application Process

As soon as all applications have been processed to see if they are eligible for the HEAR scheme, you will get a letter telling you if your application has been successful

If you are not eligible for HEAR, you will be told why. You can ask for a review of your application if you

believe that a mistake was made during the screening of your application.

How will I know if I'm eligible?

Financial Indicators1. Income:The total gross income of your parent(s) or

guardian(s) for the year ending 31 December 2010 is within the income limits that would make you eligible for a Higher Education Grant.

2. Medical Card: You or your parent(s) or Guardian(s) had a Medical Card or GP Visit Card on 31 December 2010.

3. Social Welfare Payment: In the year ending 31 December 2010, your parent(s) or guardian(s) received a means-tested social assistance payment(s) from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in a row..

How will I know if I'm eligible? Social and Cultural Indicators:1. Socio-economic Group: You belong to a group that is under-

represented in higher education based on the occupation and employment status of your parent(s) or guardian(s). At the moment the group includes non-manual workers; semi & unskilled manual workers and agricultural workers.

2. School: You completed five years in a secondary school that takes part in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme run by the Department of Education & Skills.

3. Area: You live in an area (urban or rural) in which there is concentrated disadvantage and social exclusion - in other words, an area where, for example, there is high unemployment and poverty and very few facilities for the community.  

To be eligible for the HEAR SCHEME you must meet the Low Income indicator (no. 1) plus a combination of two other indicators.

HEAR 2011 Application Guide

ONLINE The Guide and Flyer for 2011 can be downloaded

www.accesscollege.ie (September 2010): HEAR 2010 Information Brochure

HEAR 2010 Student Flyer

HEAR 2010 Application Guide and Workbook

DARE

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and

university admissions scheme which offers places on a reduced

points basis to school leavers with disabilities. DARE has been set

up by a number of colleges and universities as evidence shows that

disability can have a negative effect on how well a student does at

school and whether they go on to college.

What are the benefits of DARE?

Students who are eligible for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) may secure a place on a reduced points basis.

All students with a disability, irrespective of whether they come through DARE or not, are offered a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying at third level. Individual institutions will determine the nature and delivery of such supports in accordance with their own policies and practices and subject to the availability of resources.

The following are examples of the types of supports available: An orientation programme to introduce students to

university/college Study skills, extra tuition if required and exam support Access to assistive technology and training One-to-one meetings with support staff, social gatherings and

mentoring

How do I apply to DARE?

Step 1 You must apply to the CAO at www.cao.ie by 1st February 2011 and indicate

that you have a disability/specific learning difficulty on your CAO application form by 1st March 2011.  You will then be directed to a separate online Supplementary Information Form which asks for additional information about your disability or specific learning difficulty.

Step 2 You must complete Section A (Questions1-4) of the Supplementary

Information Form by 1st March 2011.  Step 3 You must indicate your wish to be considered for DARE by ticking ‘Yes’

to Question 5 by 1st March 2011. Step 4 You must return the Second Level Academic Reference (Section B) and

Evidence of Disability (Section C) to the CAO by 1st April 2011.

Supplementary Information Form There are four sections to the Supplementary Information

Form which you, your school and an acceptable medical consultant or specialist must complete.

Section A – you must complete a Personal Statement which gives your opinion on the academic impact of your disability or specific learning difficulty.

Section B – you must return a Second Level Academic Reference completed by your school. This form provides background information on your educational experience and helps to determine appropriate supports at third level.

Section C – you must return the Evidence of Disability Form completed by the accepted Medical Consultant/Specialist. This form provides verification of your disability and helps to determine appropriate supports at third level.

How will I know if I'm eligible?

Applications to DARE are assessed by professionals in participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) who have expertise and an in-depth knowledge of the impact of disability on educational attainment.

To assess an applicant’s eligibility for DARE, specific criteria have been developed to determine the significance of each disability and the impact on educational attainment.

The criteria used for assessing the impact of disability were developed by HEI Assessment Boards, which included HEI professionals and representatives from expert external organisations.

Disabilities that are assessedScreening criteria are applied for each disability

Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism Attention Deficit Disorder/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Blind/ Vision Impaired Deaf/Hearing Impaired Dyspraxia Mental Health Condition Neurological Conditions

- Neurological Conditions- Speech and Language Disabilities

Significant Ongoing Illness Physical Disability Specific Learning Difficulties

- Dyslexia- Dyscalculia

DARE 2011 Application Guide

The Guide & Flyer for 2011 can be downloaded from www.accesscollege.com

DARE 2010 Information Brochure DARE 2010 Application Guide www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie