C.A.O. Application
Procedures 2010
Introduction
• Read the Handbook carefully and
have the prospectus of Colleges
studied from your career
investigation
Sections
• 1. Rules.
• 2. List of Courses.
• 3. Paper/On line
application www.cao.ie
Introduction
• Important that research of the course
content, basic entry requirements plus any
additional faculty requirements that may
be required by the College is done prior to
application
• Be familiar with the career opportunities
available from the course.
• Ask how suitable are the subjects
for you and your career plans.
Requirements summary.
• Age 17 on/before 15th Jan year following
entry.
• NUI colleges require Irish, English, Maths,
and a third Language except Nursing,
Engineering, Science
• www. ireland.com/education or qualifax.ie
• Requirements can be on combined LC
results.
• Points calculated on 1 sitting only and the 6
highest scoring subjects.
Six ways to help choose the
course
• Assess yourself and your interests
i.e. SDS, CII (interests), DATS
(abilities), learning style,(educational)
• Research, prospectus, career
directions, Library, www.qualifax.ie
• What careers appeal to you?
i.e. people, technical, practical,
office, science, enterprise.
Six ways to help choose the
course
• Realistically evaluate options, i.e. to
be a doctor you need to like science,
apprenticeships –practical, action.
• Select on basis of research and selfevaluation.
• What do you hope to gain from going
to college, are you going for the right
reasons and making informed choices?
Points System
%
90 – 100
85 – 89
80 – 84
75 – 79
70 – 74
65 – 69
60 – 64
55 – 59
50 – 54
45 – 49
40 – 44
Grade Higher Ordinary Foundation
Maths
A1
A2
B1
B2
B3
C1
C2
C3
D1
D2
D3
100
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
60
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
20
15
10
5
Some institutions offer bonus points for maths
and some will award points for foundation level.
Check the college prospectus for details
L.C.V.P. Points
Result
I.T. Points
Distinction
Merit
70
50
Pass
30
University/
D.I.T Points
70
50
30
All HEI’s award points for LCVP in place of a
sixth subject but not all HEI’s count LCVP as
meeting eligibility requirements in regard to
passing subjects.
Filling the form page 1
• Use block letters and black ink.
• Surname and Christian names should
be identical with those on your birth
certificate. No need for birth cert.
• Title ….option. State male or female.
• Date of birth is essential.
i.e. 09/07/1993.
Page 1 - continued
•
•
•
•
Home Address….Tel No.
Address for correspondence ….same.
Country of birth .. Ireland.
Nationality -- Irish ….Irish
exemption if outside Ireland.
• Mobile phone and email.
Page 1 - continued
• School or schools attended. Latest
first if more than 1.
• Signed and date I.E. 17th Jan 2010.
• If first time Leaving Certificate tick
box of ’10’.
• If repeat give year plus examination
number.
• If taking/have taken Fetac level 5/6
tick box and enter your PPS No.
Dare Application
• For individuals with Specific learning
difficulties, certain HEIs have a
reserved number of places at lower
points entry provided minimum course
requirements met.
• Apply online, 1st Feb, 11 Colleges,
• Indicate learning difficulty online,
• Access college with lesser points with
some assistance in mentoring and
study skills, etc.
• A Supplementary Information Form
must be completed.
Dare Application
• Section A – completed online which
indicates nature of your disability,
supports received at 2nd level, supports
likely to be needed at 3rd level and a
personal statement indicating how you
perceive your disability impacts on your
education.
• Section B - Academic Reference (download
it and give it to Special Needs Teacher,
Guidance Counsellor or Principal)
Dare Application
Section C – (a) Evidence of physical
disability, give Consultant’s report,
(b) Evidence of learning
difficulty, Give Psycho-educational
assessment from a qualified
Psychologist within the past 3 years.
If outdated must pay for current one.
Note: ensure your name and CAO
number is on all documents, keep
photocopies and proof of postage.
Dare Application
• Disability/Specific Learning Difficulty
(Medical, Physical or SLI Learning requiring
reader, audio etc) Tick box
• Must then complete a Supplementary
Information Form (SIF)
Section A – complete online yourself
Section B – completed by Principal &
Guidance Counsellor
Section C – a completed psycho-educational
assessment from a qualified
Psychologist in place of section C
• Section A completed online by the 1st February
and Sections B & C submitted to CAO by 1st April
Hear Applications
• Higher Education Access Route,
• To support applicants from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds,
certain HEIs have a reserved number of
places at lower points entry provided
minimum course requirements met.
• Financial/academic/personal support given.
• Apply online 1st Feb, 15 Colleges participate
• Indicate if you want to be considered for
the HEAR scheme on page 1 of CAO form
and complete the section providing
information re family income, employment,
number of children and schools attended.
Hear Applications
• Assessment is based on meeting the
following criteria:
• Total family income below HEAR threshold
and any two of the following:
• Possession of a medical card
• Receiving means tested social assistance
• From socio-economic group underrepresented in higher education
• Attending a 2nd level DEIS school for >5yrs
• Living in area of rural/urban disadvantage
Hear Applications
• In order to be considered for the HEAR
scheme applicants must:
• Complete relevant section online by Feb 1st
• Submit relevant evidence of family
financial circumstances by April 1st
• All documentation submitted must have
your CAO and PPS number
• No late documents accepted
• Assessment results in late June
• Accept CAO & HEAR offers in August
• Attend mandatory Orientation Programme
in August
• Further details on www.accesscollege.ie
New Award System
The National Qualifications
Framework
Irish Awarding Bodies
• The Further Education and Training
Awards Council (FETAC)
• FETAC makes awards for learning in
programmes in training centres, in further
education colleges, in the community and in
the workplace.
• The Higher Education and Training Awards
Council (HETAC)
• HETAC is the qualifications awarding body
for higher education and training in Ireland
outside the university sector, making
awards for learning in a wide range of
institutions, including the Institutes of
Technology.
Irish Awarding Bodies
• The State Examinations Commission (SEC)
SEC makes awards for Junior Certificate
and Leaving Certificate.
• The Irish universities and the Dublin
Institute of Technology make awards for
programmes provided under their own
aegis, and for some programmes provided
in other institutions. The universities are:
UL, DCU, TCD, UCD, UCC, NUIG & NUIM
Professional Awarding Bodies -Ireland
• An Bord Altranais
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Law Society of Ireland
Council of the Honourable Society of King’s
Inns
Institute of Chartered Accountants in
Ireland
National Social Work Qualifications Board
Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland
Minister for Communications, Marine and
Natural Resources
Director of Telecommunications Regulation
Irish Aviation Authority
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
New Award System
Levels relevant to CAO
• Level 6 = Higher Certificate
• Level 7 = Pass Degree
• Level 8 = Honours Degree.
Level Choices
• Choose Max 10 Level 8 courses plus
10 level 7/6 courses.
• State your course choices in order of
genuine preference and career plans
and not on points.
• Courses are awarded in order of
preference provided you have the
points necessary.
Ladder System
Level 8
Pr
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Course Code
Level 7 & Level 6
Pr
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Course Code
Codes and levels
• Make sure you have correct course
code and course reference. (Research
Handbook).
• Do not mix level of courses
• Fill in the course you most want as
No. 1, your genuine preference, and
2nd preference as No. 2 and so on to
choice No. 10
• Do not base you choices on points.
Ladder
• Do not include any course you have
not researched thoroughly. It is a
common mistake and may cause upset
in August when offers are issued.
• If you are given your 5th choice then
all preferences below that are no
longer considered.
Moving up the ladder
• In the 2nd or 3rd round offers it is
possible you may be offered a course
of a higher preference.
• If no special category applies write
‘No’ in box.
Closing Dates
• The closing date is 5.15pm Feb 1st.
• Non-standard applications before Dec 15th of 2010
• Online discount up to January 20th €35
• Essential that all restricted courses (R)
are included at this time as they cannot be
introduced later with the “change of mind
forms” i.e. Portfolios in Art Music Design.
• The closing date for “change of mind
forms” is 1st July.
Late Applications
• Late applications accepted up to 1st
May 2010 subject to restrictions i.e
restricted courses, research page 4
of handbook
• Exceptional closing date 22nd July
only for undergraduates and in paper
form only
Fees
Online application
Normal online
Late online
Fee Euro
Closing Date
45 (35, Jan 20) 1st Feb 2010 5.15pm
st May 2010 5.15pm
1
70
Paper Application
Normal application
Late application
Change of mind
45
90
1st Feb 2010 5.15pm
Nil
1st July 2010 5.15pm
1st May 2010 5.15pm
Paper or online only
No Application by Fax.
• No Change of mind application by Fax.
• C.A.O. only accept a single application.
• You cannot apply on line and on paper.
Payment
• Pay the application fee by using the
application fee payment form part
one stamped by Bank or by credit
card/debit card(Laser) online
• Attach part one of the fee payment
form to your application.
• Enclose the acknowledgement card
(stamped) and address card in block
letters.
Register and photocopy
• Register posted applications
for proof of postage. Certificate of
postage at back of handbook.
• Photocopy page 2 as record of
courses applied for or enter choices
on back page of handbook.
• Sign and Date applications.
Acknowledgement
• By Feb 15th you will be notified of
your CAO application number and a
statement of courses. Keep record of
this number.
• If not received by Feb 15th write to
C.A.O before Feb 19th at latest.
• By the end of May you will be sent a
statement of the Application Record
as final acknowledgement.
• If you have not received the
Statement by June 1st contact the
CAO immediately by letter
Confirmation of application
record
• NB. Check this record against your
retained photocopy. Online use ‘My
Application’ facility
• With record statement you will
receive a “change of mind form” to
register a change of course choice.
Change of mind
• Courses maybe changed from May 3rd
up to the 1st July of exam year.
• If changes are being made on one or
both lists then the full list must be
completed.
• With change of mind form you cancel
previous choices.
Amend application
• If you made an error in restricted
courses
• If you are a mature student with
error or omission on courses.
• Must be before 1st March 2010
• Incorrect application costs €10 to
amend online
Acceptance
• After Leaving Certificate Results on
August 18th the First Round Offers
will be made on August 23rd
• If you are given an offer on both lists
you can accept 1 offer only online or
by post – closing date August 30th
• Each applicant will be offered a place
in the highest of his/her course
preferences, in respect to each of
the two lists of courses.
Acceptance
• This offer will expire unless accepted
by offer closing date- Usually 7 Days
• If you do not receive notification
within 3 days of the ‘Reply Date’ then
contact the CAO immediately. You can
also check if your acceptance
received online.
2nd Round offers
A second round of offers will be
issued on Sept. 1st with closing date
of Sept 8th
• The process of offers continues until
all available places offered
• Whether you applied/accepted or not
you can still apply for Available or
Vacant places that HEIs offer
through the CAO later in the process
Cancellations
• With cancellations you may be offered one
of your higher preference choices.
• On offer of your higher preference choice,
your lower preferences are no longer
considered.
• However if you already accepted an offer
and don’t want a higher preference then
you can keep your original offer
Deferred Entry
• If an applicant is offered a place it maybe
possible to defer entry to the course for
one year.
• Do not accept the offer in the manner
shown on the offer notice.
• Write to the admissions office, within the
allowed timeframe, of the College with
your request and conditions.
• Write DEFERRED ENTRY on the envelope.
• Attach part C of the offer notice to the
letter.
Letter to admissions office
• The letter must arrive in the
admissions office at least 2 days
before the reply date shown on the
offer notice.
• Write to the admissions office of
college not to the C.A.O.
• Short time given so be diligent.
• Enquiries at offer time by email to
help@cao.ie
Taking up a deferral
• You must re-apply in the succeeding
year through CAO
• Pay appropriate fee
• State deferred course as the only
preference on application
• If the deferral is not granted then
you may accept the offer for the
current year
Colleges offering Deferred
Entry
• The following allow deferred entry.
• U.C.C. U.C.D. T.C.D. D.C.U. N.U.I.G.
U.L. D.I.T. NUI Maynooth,
• Institutes of Technology. It is
strongly recommended that at the
time of offer you write seeking
deferral rather than telephone.
• The Institute will communicate the
result.
Vacant Places
• If after all offers have been made, and
Vacant places exist, they will be advertised
on the CAO website, persons who have not
applied already may make a vacant place
application on payment of a fee - €45
online.
• Address C.A.O. Tower House,
Eglington Street,
Galway. Tel 091 509800.
Fax 091 562344.
www.cao.ie Vacant places advertised
Grants
• Tuition fees of eligible first time
undergraduate students is free
• Registration fee - €1,500
• Grants based on Family Income, dependent
children (or parents) in full time education
and distance from college
• Full maintenance grant allowed - 100%, or
partial allowances of 75%, 50% 0r 25%
depending on circumstances.
• Additional rates of maintenance may apply
for very low income earners or recipients
of social welfare
Grants
• 3 different grant schemes for higher
education – all pay the same levels of
grants and cooperate with each other
• HEG – administered by Local
Authorities, covers courses in
universities in IRL, NI, most courses
in UK and EU, some courses in Its and
other certain colleges in IRL and NI
• VEC – scheme covers courses in Its,
certain courses in NCAD, UL and DCU
Grants
• TLT – Third Level grants for trainees
for most level 6 & 7 courses in ITs
• PLC-ESF aided maintenance grant
scheme covers eligible PLC/FE
courses usually in the VEC sector
• Students should fill out grant
application for course they will most
likely to uptake – only do it once and
authorities will co-operate on
administering grant on course entry
• Application closing date is end August
• All details at www.studentfinance.ie
Medicine
• Entry changed, undergraduate entry from
2009
• NUIG, UCD, UCC,TCD, RCSI.
• Applicants with a min of 480 pts and up to
a max of 560 pts in 1 LC plus a max of 300
HPAT points added will determine entry
• HPAT points in 2009 varied from 153 – 225
with the combined range for successful
candidates being 713 - 779
• Complete HPAT aptitude tests in 2 yrs
prior to entry to medicine,
Medicine
• NUIG, 2HC’s 1 science, 3rd language in
6 yrs and 2 sciences in 5 yrs.
• Max LC pts adjusted is 560 pts, Max
HPAT score is 300, Total 860pts,
• Min HPAT = 170 pts, Test 2.30 hrs,
• Apply online for HPAT, cost €95,
• www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au
Medicine
• HPAT tests on Saturday 27th Feb only
• HPAT results can be used for 2 yrs
• Test centres Dublin, Cork, Galway,
Sligo and Waterford
• HPAT registration Mid Nov to
January, apply directly to ACER at
www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au to sit
the HPAT as well as applying to CAO
• HPAT results in June.
• HPAT + LC in Aug.
Nursing
•
•
•
•
•
•
Requirements Irish or English
Maths
Lab Science
3 other subjects.
Grade C3 in 2 higher level
Grade D3 in in 4 ordinary level.
Private Colleges
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Require Fees, approx €4,500 - €6000
American College,
Galway Business School
Griffith College,
National Counselling College
Portobello College,
St Pats Thurles
Dublin Business School
IBAT Swords Institute
Grafton college of Mgt
Independent colleges Dublin
Private Colleges
• Points will be lower in the Colleges due to
fee payment.
• Courses accredited by HETAC & FETAC
are in the CAO handbook but these
colleges also offer many other options
validated by Universities in the UK for
which you apply directly to the college.
• Most are located in Dublin City centre
• They offer flexibility by providing
progression routes for students who
initially sign up for a level 6 or 7 and they
can then progress to a level 8 honours
degree in Ireland or the UK.
The UK Option
• Log on to the UCAS (Universities and
Colleges Admissions Service) website
www.ucas.co.uk and use the ‘Apply’
application service
• Closing date is January 15th (except for
Medicine, Veterinary Science/Medicine and
Dentistry, which have the earlier closing
date of October 15th)
• Apply through your school and include a
Reference from a teacher and a Personal
Statement
• Widest Choice/Best Value -Fees Payable
but bursaries/scholarships/grants /loans
The UK Option
• You can apply for up to 5 different
courses/institutions (only 4 for Med., Vet.,
Dent., etc)
• UCAS forwards each application to the
various institutions to make a decision on it
• Decisions forwarded to UCAS who then
forward them to applicants
• Can be: (a) Unconditional Offer (already
has results to satisfy course demands),
(b) a Conditional Offer (pending results),
or (c) a Rejection, usually at end of March.
• If more than 2 conditional offers are
received you can make 1 firm acceptance
and 1 insurance acceptance
The UK Option
• Offers based on number of UCAS Points
HIGHER
ORDINARY
UCAS Points
A1
90
A2
77
B1
71
B2
64
B3
58
C1
52
C2
45
C3
A1
D1
39
33
D2
A2
26
D3
B1
20
B2
14
B3
7
The UK Option
• Irish students get same treatment as UK
students
• England, N.I. & Wales – Fees €3,300 p.a
approx. Tuition Fee Loan available which is
payable when earning > €15k
• Scotland – No fees for Irish students
instead pay Endowment of circa €2,400
after graduation
• Same grants available from Irish
government if studying in UK
• Most UK institutions offer Bursaries based
on income or Scholarships which can be
based on any criteria.
Personal Statement
• Explain experience and life in relation
to application
• Final secondary level results
• Post secondary qualifications
• Current Studies
• Non- certificate courses, Voluntary
work,
• Employment, hobbies/interests
Sports Scholarships
• A wide variety of sports are recognised
across the various institutions for the
awarding of scholarships.
• Students benefit from funding, access to
top-class facilities, nutrition advice,
coaching and other supports.
• Apply to CAO in normal way and make a
separate, direct application to the
college(s) of choice for a scholarship.
• Deadlines for application vary from the
UCD Elite Academy which is Feb 1st to
other colleges which only allow applications
to be made after entry to the college.
The PLC Option
• PLC courses are a flexible option
– Prepare students for the world of work
– Stepping stone to transfer to 3rd level
• Interview based and not CAO points
• More than 1000 courses through local
VECs – 30,000 places and very broad
selection from acting to zoology etc
• Usually 1 year in duration, sometimes
2 years, offered at FETAC level 5 & 6
• More than 14% of 2009 applicants to
CAO were based on FETAC awards
The PLC Option
• Progression from Further to Higher
operates in 2 main ways;
– (1) HELS- Higher Education Links
Scheme links specific courses to
reserved higher education places, e.g.
Nursing, childcare, engineering
– (2) ITs and some HEIs award LC points
up to a max of 400 on an open
competition basis. ‘Distinctions to Points’
• Research preferred course, check
colleges for links/reserved places and
then decide on which PLC suits you.
NuiG Entry Requirements
6 subjects, Min 2 HCs, OD in English,
Irish and a 3rd language,
• Exception 3rd language not required
for nursing, engineering, science.
• Maths essential for all courses
except for Arts degrees.
• Science essential for medicine,
science, engineering,
Entry For U L
• 6 subjects, 2 HCs,
• OD in Maths, English, Irish or a third
language,
• FETAC entry separate
• Mary Immaculate
• 6 subjects,3HCs HC Irish, 500 pts
• Both colleges and DIT offer bonus
points for Maths HL for some courses
Entry for Gmit/Ait
•
•
•
•
Level 8, 6 subjects, 2 HCs,
OD including Maths, English or Irish,
Level 6/7, 5 subjects,
OD Maths except for art and design,
English or Irish, but 6 subjects
counted for pts.
• Foundation maths accepted for most
courses, e.g. Al052, Al 054.
You can apply again next
year if not successful this
time
• You can apply as a mature student at
age 23
• You can apply to The Open University
and still work
• Take evening qualifications
• Take a PLC course
Mature Application
• Over 23 on 1st Jan 2010
• Must apply before 1st Feb 2010
• Some accept late applications but not
nursing and midwifery
• Direct application to some HEI’S
listed on page 6 of handbook
Mature Application
•
•
•
•
•
Contact HEI admissions office,
Tick special category,
Tick mature student,
Include PPS no D.O.B.
Wait for interview call
Useful Websites
• www.cao.ie & www.ucas.co.uk
- Appplication Services
• www.qualifax.ie
– Comprehensive info. on all CAO courses
– Points Calculator/Grants Calculator etc
• www.cereersportal.ie
• Self-assessment, explore careers, video
interviews in the workplace, labour market
trends, career matching/planning
• www.accesscollege.ie
• HEAR and DARE programmes
• www.studentfinances.ie
– Grants
Student Activities 2009/10
• Career Investigations LCVP
• Ability West Careers Exhibition
• 6th October, Galway Bay Hotel
• Large number of Colleges/ Study Skills Talk
• AIT & NUIG School Visits
• SDS, CII, DATs assessments/testing
• Qualifax Accounts set up for career
exploration & planning
• Student Yearbook Career Directories
• Individual consultations by
appointment and weekly careers class
Other Non CAO Opportunities
• Apply directly to the Following:
• Gardai, Defense Forces, Montessori
Training, Music Drama & Performing
Arts, Hairdressing & Beauty, Failte
Ireland, Childcare Colleges, Royal
Irish Academy, Law Society of
Ireland, Irish Management Institute,
Art Craft & Design, Accounting
Business Law & Journalism,
Alternative Medicine, Independent
Colleges and FAS.
The World is your Oyster