th
6
Year
Options
Presentation available on school website
www.presbandon.ie
Look under “Latest News”
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Possible options after Leaving
Certificate
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University/Institute of Technology (CAO)
Post Leaving Certificate Courses
Training Courses/ Apprenticeships
Private College (Griffith…)
University abroad (U.K., Hungary…)
Gap Year
Employment
Unemployment
Repeat!
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
How a student chooses a course
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Interests
Aptitude/Ability
Geography
Cost
Entry Requirements
Duration
Other influences
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
National Framework of Qualifications
The single, nationally and internationally accepted entity, through which all learning achievements may be measured and
related to each other in a coherent way and which defines the relationship between all education and training awards
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Purpose of National Framework
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Standardise existing qualifications
Allow greater movement from one level to the
next – LADDER SYSTEM
Recognise that not all students will progress
through the points system
Provide a fair and consistent and transparent
system for students
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Getting a place on a course
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If Number Applying = Number of Places
every applicant gets a place
If Number Applying < Number of Places
every applicant gets a place
If Number Applying > Number of Places
not every applicant gets a place
SOME FORM OF SELECTION MUST BE USED
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Selection
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Most PLC’s (Post Leaving Certificate Colleges)
and training programmes select applicants on
the basis of an interview, and portfolio where
appropriate
HEI’s (Higher Education Institutes, e.g.
Universities and Institutes of Technology)
process their applications through a central body
called the CAO (Central Applications Office)
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Application to CAO
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Applications to all courses in the CAO system
are made through a single application form,
either online or paper
Students can chose up to 10 level 8 courses
(higher degrees) and up to 10 level 6/7 courses
(higher certificate/ordinary degree)
Places are allocated on the basis of merit –
results counted from best 6 subjects
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Some Exceptions
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Most Art and Music based courses use an additional
form of selection such as portfolio or practical exam.
Usually combined with Leaving Certificate results.
Entry to Medicine: Students applying for Medicine
must register for HPAT from early November to mid
January (€115), and complete HPAT on 28/2/15.
Results of this test are combined with Leaving
Certificate points (must be at least 480). Entry to
Medicine will be based on combined score. Students
will be informed of results late June.
Check www.cao.ie and www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au
for further details. Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
CAO
All fees are
Non-refundable
Normal application
(online or paper)
Fee
Closing Date
€40
1 Feb 2015
Online discounted rate
€25
20 Jan 2015
Late online application
(no restricted courses)
€50
1 May 2015
Late paper application
(no restricted courses)
Change of mind
(no restricted courses)
€80
1 May 2015
Nil
From 5th May to 1st
July 2015
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Calculating Points
Leaving Certificate Grade
Points for Higher Level
subject
Points for Ordinary Level
subject
A1
100
60
A2
90
50
B1
85
45
B2
80
40
B3
75
35
C1
70
30
C2
65
25
C3
60
20
D1
55
15
D2
50
10
D3
45
5
25 Bonus Points for Higher Level Maths if Maths being counted for points purposes
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
How many points?
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CAO lists all applicants in order of merit (based
on how many points they achieve)
If there are 60 places on a course, the CAO will
offer a place to the first 60 who have chosen the
course on their CAO form
The points of the 60th applicant will be the cut
off points of the course
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Random numbers
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CAO give each applicant a random number
when they send in their application
If there are students with the same points
then they are put in order based on their
random number
This is used when not everyone with a certain
number of points gets onto a course
Students with highest random numbers get
offered the place
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Order of Preference
Level 8
Pref
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Course Code
1
2
3
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4
5
6
7
8
9
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Important to place courses
in genuine order of
preference
What you want – not what
you think you may get
If offered your 1st choice
you will never get offered
any other choices
10
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Before Applying
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Read college literature on chosen courses
Check
 Course
content
 General entry requirements
 Specific entry requirements
 Fees covered by Free Fees initiative
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Read CAO handbook
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Online Application
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www.cao.ie
Preferred method of application
Enables you to avoid errors
Cost €25 by 20th January, €40 by 1st February
Payment
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Credit/Debit Card
Acknowledgement by email and/or printing Receipt of
online Application option
RESPONSIBILITY – applicants tick box to state
their legal and moral responsibility for application
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Paper Application – Avoid if Possible
Block capitals
 Accurate codes – much more difficult to get this wrong
online
 CAO recommends applicants photocopy application
form as evidence of choices prior to posting
 Application form
 Obtain certificate of postage
 Cost €40 by 1st February
 RESPONSIBILITY – Signature of Candidate –
they are morally and legally responsible for the
information given
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Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
HEAR - Higher Education Access Route
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For under represented groups in society, universities
have HEAR scheme. Students tick box online on CAO
form and need to fill an additional form online by 1st
February 2015 and post required financial details to
CAO office by 1st April 2015
www.accesscollege.ie provides detailed information and
support
Each Institute of Technology has its own ACCESS
scheme, contact IT directly.
CIT Access Officer: Deirdre Creedon
Tel: 021 4335140 Email: deirdre.creedon@cit.ie
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
DARE – Disability Access Route to
Education
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DARE is for school leavers who have the ability to
succeed in higher education but who may not meet the
points for their course due to the impact of their
disability. Students tick box online on CAO form and
need to fill an additional form online by 1st March 2015
and post academic reference and evidence of disability
to CAO office by 1st April 2015
www.accesscollege.ie provides information and support
Most IT’s operate their own Disability Support Service,
so a student should make direct contact with the college
if hoping to avail of that support
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
After Submitting Application
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Confirmation email sent if applying online
Statement of Course Choices is sent to paper
applicants by 15th February
Check Codes carefully – particularly for
restricted application courses (courses with
additional forms of selection)
Other errors may wait until May for Change of
Mind
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Change of Mind
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Change of course choices between 5th
November and 31st January if applying online
All applicants can use Change of Mind facility
between 5th May and 1st July
Submission of Change of Mind form either
online or paper cancels and supersedes
previous course choices
Record new course choices
CAUTION
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Offer of Places
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Sent by Post or available online at www.cao.ie expected
to be available 17th August
Be at Correspondence Address – failure to deal with an
offer properly and on time may result in a loss of place
Offers made to successful applicants, notices sent to
others
Level 8 and Level 6/7 offers issued independently and
simultaneously
Follow instructions on Offer Notice
Offer lapses unless received by 5.15p.m. on Reply Date
on Offer Notice
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Offer Procedures
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Successive acceptances cancel and supersede previous
ones
Offered a place in the highest course preference to
which she is entitled
May be made an offer on a higher preference course (if
one becomes available) but not for a lower preference
course than that already offered
Not necessary to accept an offer to be considered for a
higher preference
NO GUARANTEE that a higher offer will be made
Not obliged to accept subsequent offers. Retain
original offer by ignoring subsequent offers.
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
After the Offer Notice
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Always contact the CAO if in doubt
Ph 091 509800
Email help@cao.ie
Website www.cao.ie
Or make an appointment with Guidance Counsellor in
immediate days after offers
Acknowledgement of Acceptances are sent within five
days of Reply Date. If not, contact the CAO
immediately
Registration – expect to hear from HEI within 10 days
of reply date for acceptance of offer
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Vacant Places
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Advertised on CAO website
Non CAO applicants may apply
Existing CAO applicants quote CAO
application number
Minimum entry requirements must be met
Acceptance of Vacant Place offer cancels and
supersedes previous acceptances
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Points to Consider
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Work out GENUINE order of preference based
on what you want and not on what you think
you’ll get
Carefully consider First Preference – if you get it
no further offers will be made
Remember the change of mind facility exists up
to the 1st of July – take care that changes are not
an overreaction to perceived underperformance
in the Leaving Certificate Exams
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Other options after Leaving
Certificate
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Post Leaving Cert
Courses
UCAS
Defence Forces
Gardaí
Failte Ireland
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SOLAS – Courses
and Apprenticeships
Civil Service
Teagasc
Direct Employment –
National Press,
recruitment agencies
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Post Leaving Certificate Courses
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Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, mostly accredited by
FETAC, are designed to prepare students for Direct
Employment or act as a pathway to Higher Education
Each college has its own application system and closing dates
Students need 5 passes in LC, sometimes specific subjects
needed
Students are expected to have an understanding of the area
possibly from work experience
Contact colleges for up-to-date prospectus and application
forms
Apply early to avoid disappointment – before Christmas for
St. Johns College and Colaiste Stiofan Naofa
Some courses (e.g. Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Animal
Care, Nursing Studies) are very competitive
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Colleges offering PLC courses
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College of Commerce, Morrisions Island, Cork
Tel: (021) 422 2100
Colaiste Stiofan Naofa, Tramore Road, Cork
Tel: (021) 496 1020
St. Johns Central College, Sawmill St., Cork
Tel: (021) 427 6410
Griffith College, 9/11 St. Patricks Hill, Cork
Tel: (021) 450 7027
(Independent College – tax relief available on fees)
Rossa College, Skibbereen (Art, Sport & Rec.)
Tel: (028) 216 44
Kinsale Further Education Centre, Kinsale
(Art, Hotel& Catering, Outdoor Education, Theatre)
Tel: (021) 477 2275
St. Brogans College, Bandon (Business Studies, Computers, Childcare)
Tel: (023) 884 1120
Clonakilty Community College, Clonakilty (Business Studies,
Computers, Hairdressing, Hotel&Catering, Teleservices) Tel: (023) 883 3877
Cobh community College (Business Studies, Computers) Tel: (021) 481 1325
Maria Immaculata College, Dunmanway (Computers)
Tel: (023) 884 5232
Kinsale Community School (Businesss Studies, Computers)
Tel: (021) 477 3174
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
UCAS – UK Colleges
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UCAS Application to include Personal
Statement and School Academic Reference
Closing date 15th October for Dentistry,
Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine and for
Oxford and Cambridge Universities
Students applying for Medicine or Dentistry
must complete an aptitude test. Register on
www.ukcat.ac.uk
Closing date 15th January for all other courses
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Fees in UK colleges
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Scotland: Students can currently apply to Student
AA Scotland for their tuition fees to be paid
England & Northern Ireland: Students pay
academic fees (approx €10,000) each year of their
course, but can apply for student loans
Wales: Students pay academic fees (approx
€10,000) but can claim grant of approx €5,000
from Welsh Assembly
Students can apply to NHS for means tested fees
bursary for most healthcare courses
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Defence & Security
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Public Sector Recruitment Embargo has affected this
sector
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Defence Forces – Offer Cadetships (Army, Air Corps,
Navy, Equitation) and Apprenticeships. See
www.military.ie
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Gardaí – See www.garda.ie for information on selection
criteria. Students must have their leaving certificate
results to apply. Need 5 passes in LC and pass
written, physical and medical examinations.
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Failte Ireland (CERT)
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Failte Ireland (www.failteireland.ie) is the National
Tourism Development Authority
Courses with internationally recognised qualifications
are available including Professional Cookery, Tourism
Skills, Hospitality Skills, Bar Skills, Hotel Reception and
Travel Agency
Craft Level – run in Post Leaving Cert Colleges
Management Level – apply through CAO, Private
College or Hotel offering in-house programme
Apply preferably before the 1st February
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
SOLAS Apprentice
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How to become an Apprentice
Obtain a job as an apprentice with a suitable
employer who can offer an apprenticeship in the
chosen occupation
The employer must register you with SOLAS
within two weeks of the start of your
apprenticeship
Check www.fas.ie for further details
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
TEAGASC
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Some courses through the CAO including
Horticulture and Agri-Business
Most courses are applied for directly to the
college in question e.g. Darrara, Clonakilty,
including the Vocational Certificate in
Agriculture
Closing Date 1st June for direct application
courses
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Education Grants - Eligibility
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Age – applicants should be at least 17 by Jan 1st 2014,
with the exception of PLC grant where applicants
should be at least 16
Residence – applicants should to the awarding body for
the area in which her parents were resident on October
1st 2013
Nationality – must hold EU nationality or have official
refugee status
Means – Grants are subject to a means test based on
the reckonable income (year ended 31st Dec 2013)
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Grant Applications
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www.studentfinance.ie provides good information
All grant applications are now through a central
online system called SUSI
This can be accessed from the student finance
website or by going to www.grantsonline.ie
The student finance website has information about
the grants scheme, and also information about
other financial support which may be available
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Income Limits for Standard Grant 2013
Please check www.studentfinance.ie for eligibility
Number of
Dependent Children
Full Maintenance
and Full Fees
Part Maintenance
(75%) and Full
Fees
Part Maintenance
(50%) and Full
Fees
Part Maintenance
(25%) and Full
Fees
Less than 4
€39,874
€40,970
€43,380
€45,790
4-7
€43,810
€45,025
€47,670
€50,325
8 or more
€47,575
€48,890
€51,760
€54,630
Where 2 children are in college limits go up by €4,815, and limits
increase in €4,815 increments for each successive child in college.
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Value of Grants
Non-Adjacent
Rate
Adjacent Rate (less
than 15miles)
Full Maintenance
€3,025
€1,215
Part Maintenance
(75%)
€2,270
€910
Part Maintenance
(50%)
€1,515
€605
Part Maintenance
(25%)
€755
€305
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Financial Considerations
Monthly Cost of Living Away from HomeEuro €
Books
€70
Accommodation
€480
Light/Heat/Power
€60
Food
€240
Clothes, laundry, etc…
€45
Local Travel
€80
Social Life, other travel, miscellaneous
€140
Total per month
€1,115
Yearly Total (8 months)
€8,920
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
Source: DCU Student Affairs
Good Sources of Information
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www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie
This is an excellent source of information for all
college course
www.careersportal.ie
Good general information, especially on Labour
Market
www.saoloibre.ie
An Irish version of careers portal – a way of
combining career research and improve Irish
vocabulary
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
What we can do to help
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Allow/Encourage the dream
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Facilitate Research
Informed Choice
Discourage Paid work
Help and Support in their studies
Encourage short breaks from study to improve concentration
Leaving Certificate is similar to marathon – very important
that students pace themselves to be at peak in June
Ultimately decisions made are students own and they need to
take responsibility for their future
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Coláiste Na Toirbhirte
To get a copy of the presentation
www.presbandon.ie
Look
under “latest news”
Coláiste Na Toirbhirte