2. Content
• What to consider?
• CAO
• HEAR / DARE, SUSI
• PLCs
• Apprenticeships
• Support
3. ‘While the economy cannot be ignored students are always
encouraged to follow a third-level and career path that suits
their abilities’ – Mc Grath
It is highly competitive. Employers are looking for individuals that are
brighter, ambitious and have a proven track record.
(Mark Byrne, IT Manager at Brightwater Recruitment Agency)
Despite the difficulties in the job market, Byrne and Mc Grath agree that a
third-level qualification is crucial for job seekers. ‘It’s almost a standard’
say’s Byrne...
It shows an aptitude for learning and dedication.
Even if you do get a role straight out of school there’s a marked difference
in salary in the long term.
The Sunday Times – 20-09-2009 –
Supplement – University Guide 2010
4. Employers View of Third Level Qualifications
• Self-motivated – work on one’s own initiative
• Responsibility
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to source information / check details
• Prioritise what requires immediate attention
• The era of on-going learning / training...
7. Languages / Literature
“Over 70% of the world’s population do not speak English, and only
9% speak English as their first language.”
“If we neglect to ensure adequate availability of foreign language
skills in Ireland, the opportunities of the global market-place will
not be realised.” – Tony Donohoe (IBEC), [Irish Examiner, Oct. 23, 2014]
French (HC3)
8. CAO - (Central Applications Office)
47 Participating Higher Education Institutes (HEIs)
• Institutes of Technology
• Universities
• Teacher Training Colleges
• Private Colleges
www.cao.ie
9.
10.
11.
12. • Age 17 on year of entry
• EU citizen
• Institution Requirements
Level 6/7 = 5 subject Leaving Cert
Level 8= 6 subject Leaving Cert 2HC+4OD3
(note: TCD – 3HC+3OD3)
And Other
• Faculty Requirements
Specific subjects at specific grades
• Points (final selection criteria)
The 5 Selection Criteria
15. • 2 lists of 10 choices
(alike to two applications in one form)
• Level 8 and Level 6/7
• Restricted Application courses
(1st Feb. Deadline. E.g. auditions – music/
drama, portfolio – Art, HPAT – Medicine)
• Place in order of preference
• Study ALL preferences carefully
CAO Application
16. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
So – what is the best way to fill in the courses?
Dream Courses
Realistic Courses
Banker Courses
A WORD OF CAUTION:
WHEN FILLING IN ALL 10
CHOICES, ONLY CHOOSE
COURSES THAT YOU
WOULD BE HAPPY WITH –
DON’T ‘THROW IN’ A
COURSE!
17. Students Choices – Influencing Factors
• Ability / Interests - KNOW YOURSELF
• Subjects (in the course) - Look at college calendar or book of
modules for each course to see WHAT will be studied in each year of course
• Style of learning – How is course taught
(Theory/Practical/Combination of both)
• Geographical location - support systems
• Finance - Costs and grants (Student Contribution for 2015-16 is €3,000)
• Specific v broad courses - personal value system
• Career Implications
• Research and talk to people, open days, email course
directors (information is power..)
• FRIENDS’ DECISIONS…
• Back up Plan
18. www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie (courses)
www.careersportal.ie (very comprehensive courses/careers)
www.careersnews.ie (daily news feed on career selection)
www.postgradireland.com
www.eunicas.ie (European University Central Application Support Service -
Info on courses taught in Continental European Universities exclusively through
the English language)
www.ucas.com (UK equivalent to CAO, closing date for general application
15th January 2015)
College Prospectus
College web sites
CAO handbook
Professional Bodies Websites
(e.g. Engineers Ireland...)
Research
21. Points for Simon’s L8 Courses
What he will get offered
Level 8
DC200 490
DC195 485
DT025 480
DN077 460
DN078 480
GY401 320
GY405 315
GY413 300
LM073 480
Simon may be offered
either of these if the
points drop in round 2
OFFER
All
Of
These
Choices
Are
Now
Gone
The same system operates for
Simon’s level 6/7 choices. He
gets the two offers but can
only accept one. By accepting
one he automatically loses the
other.
Whether Simon accepts or
rejects either offer if he
becomes eligible for a higher
up choice he will be offered it.
Simon can then decide to
accept the second offer or
keep the first one he was
offered.
22. Important Dates
• 5th Nov. On-line application process opens
• 20th Jan. discounted closing (€25)
• 31st Jan. closing date for free change of course choices
• 1st Feb. application closing date (€40)
• Mar/April tests, interviews, portfolios etc for restricted
courses
• 5th May online change of mind available
• 1st July CAO closes
23. HEAR/DARE/HPAT
• HEAR The Higher Education Access Route
This is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from
socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds
• DARE Disability Access Route to Education
This is an access route for students who have
a disability/specific learning difficulty
• HPAT Health Professionals Aptitude Test
Must be sat by anyone considering a career in medicine
Registration Oct/Nov Testing Feb
Register early on HPAT Website and order practice test
• CHECK DEADLINES AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ALL OF
THE ABOVE IF APPLICABLE TO YOU
Remember to tick the
SUSI box on the CAO
application form if
you intend applying
for student funding.
24. Statement of Application Record
You will be sent this as a final acknowledgement
and to verify that all information has been recorded
accurately.
(Have you an official exemption from Irish and have
they a record of this)
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS BY 1ST JUNE
CONTACT TO CAO IMMEDIATELY!
25. Offer of Places
• Round 1 - One week after LC results (18th August)
• Round 2 - Late Aug/early Sept (25th August approx)
• After offers will be issued as necessary to fill
remaining places
Reminder:
• Regardless if you accept or reject a round one offer
if you become eligible for a higher up offer you will
be made an offer.
• You may get the chance to receive a higher up
course than your first offer but you will never receive
an offer on a lower course choice
26. Deferred Entry
This can only be dealt with by the institution involved.
Procedure
• Confirm that the HEI operates deferred entry
• On receipt of an offer notice Do not accept in the usual way
• Write/email IMMEDIATELY the Admissions office stating the
reasons for deferral
• Mark “DEFERRED ENTRY” clearly on the envelope
• Attach your offer notice to the letter
• This must arrive in the admissions office at least two days before
the reply date
• The HEI will communicate the decision to you
• Deferrals are dealt with by the Admissions Office NOT CAO
27. Vacant Places
Advertised on www.cao.ie under the heading
Available/Vacant Places.
These are courses that have not been filled
through the round of offers.
28. Random Number
• Is only used when a number of applicants with the exact
same points are competing for the last few places on a
course
• The applicants with the highest Random number will be
offered the places.
• It is very rarely used!
31. Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLCs)
PLC’s courses offer an alternative route to a
third level qualification. PLC courses are
available through Further Education Centres
nationwide. They meet the needs of a large
amount of Leaving Certificate students who
are not catered for within the CAO system.
32. Why?
May be considered for the following reasons:
• Students who are more practical than academic
• Students who don’t want to commit themselves to 3 or 4 years of
third level study
• Students who want to improve their skills in preparation for
further study e.g. portfolio preparation pre-engineering
• Students who can only find the course they want within the PLC
system
• Students who wish to confirm that this is the area of
study they wish to pursue
• Financial circumstances - give more time
33. PLCs – Progression Route
The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) provides
progression opportunities for learners achieving QQI-
Fetac Level 5 and Level 6 major awards and who are
interested in applying for Higher Education programmes
through the CAO (Central Applications Office).
For more details see www.qqi.ie
search ‘Higher Education Links Scheme’
34. Rules for Eligibility to the
Higher Education Links Scheme
• Progression requires a Level 5 or Level 6 major award, with at
least 120 credits
• Component awards, or achievement of less than 120 credits, will
not suffice
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring their provider applies to
QQI for a Major Award prior to application to CAO
Applicants MUST check both the individual Higher
Education Institution and CAO websites to ensure they
meet any special requirements
35. PLCs – Application
• Application forms are available on-line
• Application should be made as early as possible in the
new year
• Further applications can be made in August but places
in the more popular courses tend to be filled.
• Application forms take less than 10 minutes to fill out.
• There may be an application fee.
• Interviews are normally held in May or after the
Leaving Cert.
36. PLCs – Learning Style
• Continuous assessment as well as final exams.
• Usually a work experience module.
• Tutors who teach also mark assessments and set and
correct exams under the guidance of FETAC (QQI).
38. What it involves:
• Currently a seven stage on-and-off-the-job training
programme over three years before becoming a fully
qualified trade-person
• The employer meets the cost of on-the-job training for
170 of the 201 weeks of all apprenticeship
programmes, and pays the apprentice a wage during
that period
• The State bears the cost of the forty weeks of off-the-
job training and the cost of the apprentice’s wages for
this period
39. Potential developments:
If recommendations on the review of apprenticeships are
implemented, new models will be developed for technical
roles in areas of growth in the economy such as:
ICT
Medical Devices
Pharmaceuticals
Biotechnology
Food and Drink
Engineering
Financial Services
Business and Marketing
The new model if developed
will incorporate
qualifications from
Level 5-9,
i.e. intermediate and
advanced apprenticeships
40. Apprenticeships in the Craft Industry
There are three primary providers of craft education
outside of higher education institutes:
- ETBs (Education Training Boards formally VECs)
- City & Guilds
- Crafts Council of Ireland
A full list of course providers across all
disciplines is available on the Craft
Council website (www.ccoi.ie)
Wood – Metal – Glass – Clay - Textiles
42. DARE
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and
university admissions scheme which offers places on reduced
points 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 impact on how well a student does at
school and whether they go on to college.
Who should apply to DARE?
School leavers under the age of 23 as of 1 January, 2015, who have
completed an Irish Leaving Certificate and have the ability to
benefit from and succeed in higher education, but who may not be
able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact
of a disability or ongoing illness.
www.accesscollege.ie
43. HEAR
www.accesscollege.ie
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university
admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra
college support 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. HEAR Applicants must meet
a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a
reduced points place and extra college support.
Who is it for?
HEAR is for school leavers under the age of 23 as of January 1st 2015,
who have completed an Irish Leaving Certificate.
Applications to HEAR can only be made online through the CAO.
44. HEAR – Eligibility Indicators
For more details go to
www.accesscollege.ie
48. NB
1. Tick the SUSI option on your CAO form NOW
- so CAO can confirm your college place offer to SUSI
2. Check out your grant eligibility at www.susi.ie
All you need to know about grants.
Information for 2015-16 will be updated closer to May
3. Apply online – Applications open in early May
(early application receive priority processing)
49. Income Limits for 2014 applications
Income Limits for 2015 SUSI Applications still to be confirmed. Check www.susi.ie in the
coming months for the most up to date information.
Note: The Student Contribution fee for 2015-16 is €3,000
57. So for now...
• Good night’s sleep
• Healthy Diet & Fresh Air
• Monitor their study habits
• Calm
• Ensure your son is ready for school and attending
• Help them manage their time effectively
• Support the school’s initiatives that are put in place so
that all student’s can reach their potential.
