Breifne College

 1977, 5 Colleges with 69 courses.
 2009, 43 colleges with 581 degree and 350 cert/ordinary degree courses.

 Course Choice
 Think about:
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Skills
Interest
 Career l
Informed decisions ensure right results

 CAO Handbook warning.
 Publications.
 Guidance Counsellors/teachers.
 Current students/graduates/people doing that job.
 Open days - College visits.
 Parents/older siblings.
 Internet & General Media.

 Realistic Expectations
 (8% > 500 points, average = 310 points)

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CAO Application Timetable
EU Closing Date - 1st February (paper or on-line).
Demo on CAO web site - www.cao.ie
2 lists of 10 choices - level 8 and level 6/7
Restricted Application courses
Strict order of preference
Study ALL preferences carefully
Late Closing Date - 1st May
Check Application Record
Change-of-Mind 1st July (on-line)

 Select in order of preference not points.
 Once you have the points for a particular course all courses below are deleted.
 You then have to pick between your level 8 or
6 and 7 courses.
 You may move up your list if points drop in round two or your points increase on a recheck of papers

 Research course choices well
 Attendance and follow-up work
 Active in clubs and/or societies - meet new friends
 Seek support and advice early if necessary
 Try to get the BALANCE right
 Approx 5,000 re-applications to CAO

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UCAS
PLC’s
 Apprenticeships

 The UK version of the CAO
 Closing Dates: 1 st October for Medical
Courses and 1 st January for all other courses.
 Differences from the CAO
 Personal Statement
 Subjects
 Apply for 6 courses and then choose from successful applications.


Irish Colleges that don’t fall under the CAO umbrella.
 You have to apply to each college directly.
 Offer some very artistic courses:
 Ballyfermot or Dun Laoghaire
 Allows re-entry into the CAO system.
 Courses vary in quality.

 What does the average student do after they finish the course.
 Does it have links in order to get me to degree level.
 Does this take course me to where I want to go.

Types of Post Leaving Cert
Courses
 Media/Drama
 Outdoor & Animals
 Performing Arts
 Social Care &
Childcare
 Travel & Tourism
 Science &
Technology
 Art and Design
 Adventure Sports
 Beauty Therapy
 Business
 Computing
 Engineering
 Leisure and
Recreation

National Qualifications Framework

National Qualifications Framework
1: Primary Certificate
2: Primary Certificate
3: Junior Certificate
4: Leaving Certificate
5: Leaving Certificate and FETAC Qualifications
6: Higher Certificate: ( HETAC , FETAC and I.T.’s)
7: Ordinary Batchelor Degree
8: Higher Batchelor Degree and H. Dip’s
9: Masters Degree
10: Doctoral Degree

5
4
3
2
6+
THE ‘LADDER’ SYSTEM
THIRD LEVEL EDUCATION IN IRELAND
1
Degree
FETAC
6
FETAC
5
Post Grad
Honours Degree
Ordinary Degree
Higher
Certificate
No. of
Years
Further
Education
Institutes of
Technology
Post Grad
Degree 3 -6 years
University

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Many Apprenticeships Offered.
Seven Phases: Four “on the job” phases and three college phases.
 The key to getting an apprenticeship is getting a contact.

 Choose courses that accommodate:
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Skills
Interest
Career
 Research is the key to good course selection.