Make informed decisions
No matter what you decide to do after school, it is important that you make informed decisions. Career choice decision-making is an ongoing process from transition year onwards. Guidance Counsellors help you to recognise the range of options available to you. These options include Subject Choice for LC, Career Inventory Tests that determine your strengths and values, and Informed CAO advice.
Cao online Application Facility Opens on the 4th November at 12.00 am 2023
Before filling in the CAO application it is vital to research the various choices available. Some students will have a clear idea of the area in which they want to work, others will consider several options, and some will be undecided. In the latter case it may be best to opt for more general degrees. The CAO should be completed with a full range of options, allowing for both dream, realistic and safe courses. All CAO places are allocated based on the genuine order of applicants’ preferences, indicated in their course choices.
Each student will receive a CAO Handbook. The handbook will be an invaluable guide to the process of applying for courses in the HEI’s participating in the central application service. Read it carefully and keep it to hand for future reference. You will find the answers to most of your questions in it. In addition, the CAO website www.cao.ie contains a wealth of information for applicants as well as links to information pages on HEI websites, and other external websites. The CAO is an important process thus research your course choices carefully and use all of the resources available to keep yourself informed.
The minimum entry requirement for the universities that are part of the National University of Ireland (NUI) is six subjects, including English, Irish and (possibly) a third language. In two of these subjects, students must have achieved grade H5 and at least a grade H7 or O6 in four other subjects. Many courses also require a third language. There may be additional course requirements, such as maths, or a science subject for specific courses.
The minimum entry requirement for is six subjects. Students must have achieved at least a grade H5 in two of these subjects (in three for TCD and the B.Ed. in DCU). Subjects must include a grade O6 in English, Maths* and a language other than English.
*Foundation level maths is accepted for some courses.
Level 8 (Honours Degree) courses: students generally require a minimum of grade H5 in two subjects and grade O6/H7 in four other subjects, including maths and either Irish or English.
Levels 6 and 7 (Higher Certificate and Ordinary Degree): students require five grade O6/H7, including maths and Irish or English
Make sure you have the ENTRY REQUIREMENTS which must be satisfied before “points” are considered.
If all Entry Requirements are met an applicant is deemed ‘Qualified’ to apply.
Remember: Place your course choices in genuine order of preference. You should not put down courses on the basis of your predictions of next year’s cut off points or your own points scores.
Students can also apply for Post Leaving Certificate (Level 5/6 NFQ) courses. PLC courses are NOT on the CAO form.
Students interested in studying in the UK go to www.ucas.com. Applications are made in the online system. The application process takes time so do not leave it to the last minute. Applications should be sent to UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what course you apply for:
Students who are interested in European colleges can go to www.eunicas.ie and to study in the US www.collegeboard.org.
Go to www.accesscollege.ie to find out if you qualify for the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) and/or the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE).
Registrations for HPAT-Ireland will open in early November. Standard registrations will close at 5.15 pm GMT on Sunday 22 January 2023. Late registrations will be accepted until 5.15 pm GMT on Friday 3rd February 2023 on payment of a late fee.
Exceptional late registrations will be accepted until 5.15 pm on Sunday 5th February 2023. An exceptional late registration will only be accepted from candidates who have submitted their application to the CAO by 5.15 pm on Friday 3rd February.
It will NOT be possible to register for HPAT – Ireland after registrations close at 5.15 pm on Sunday 5th February 2023.
For more information go to www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au
Throughout the year attend college Open Days. Open days are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the colleges you are interested in and the educational opportunities they offer, to talk with staff and students and to get a real feel for life on the campus. There will be a lot to do on the day so get a guide to what is happening before you go, these can normally be downloaded from the college website, and you can then plan which talks to attend and which departments to visit. Make a note of any questions you have about the college, course, accommodation etc.
