CAO Presentation to Parents & Students2024

CAO Presentation

1. Information for students & Parents Leaving Certificate and Beyond

2. Student Options 1. Apply to University through CAO / UCAS 2. Apply for a PLC Course (Post leaving Cert Course) 3. Apprenticeship

3. National Framework of Qualifications

4. 1. The CAO System Central Applications Office Deals with applications to universities in Ireland. We apply to university in Ireland through the CAO website . PARENTS SECTION

5. General Information All courses in Universities and IT’s are listed in the CAO handbook. Available on the CAO website and also uploaded to the 6 th year careers Teams page CAO HANDBOOK

6. Before Applying Students needs to research thoroughly –Matriculation and Course Requirements –Course Contents –Qualification/Learning outcomes –Progression - The college itself / location / size / extra-curricular

7. Before Applying How can students research? Guidance Counsellor and careers classes College Websites/Prospectus’ /Email colleges directly Attend Open days Talk to current students / professionals. Is work placement an option?

8. Course Choices 2 Course Choice lists: Level 8 and Level 7 10 selections can be made in each list Choices are made using a Code: Arts in NUI Maynooth = MH 101 Level 8 choices do not affect Level 7 Choices It is possible to receive an offer on both lists Only one offer can be accepted

9. Course Choices – Level 7s and Level 8s

10. Place your course choices in genuine order of preference!

11. Genuine Order of Preference Dream Courses Realistic Courses Banker Safety Net 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

12. The Offer Process CAO checks Matriculation and Minimum Entry Requirements Calculates points (best 6 subjects) Receive offer if you meet Entry Requirements and Points Places are allocated and offered on line 

13. 5. Students may accept, reject or defer offered places (NB accept what you get offered – may not be offered in further rounds) 6. Further rounds/offers are made

14. Demand Based Points system Entry to college courses is points based A students best 6 subjects are used to calculate their LC points Example: Accounting and Finance DCU Year Points 2024 523 2023 509 2022 529

15. New Points System Note : 25 bonus points for grade H6 or above on higher level Maths paper

16. How to Apply Apply online CAO Website – opens Nov 5 th Must have registered before 1 Feb 2025 (NB Restricted courses must be applied before this date. E.g. Medicine/NCAD)  Change of Mind facility opens in May Final application by 1 July 2025

17. Making an Application  Applicants apply online at www.cao.ie/apply  Carefully enter details such as your name, address, date of birth, schools attended, examination information, etc.  Make sure you inform CAO about all relevant qualifications and exemptions – select the relevant section(s) on the application form.

18. CAO Application Number When you apply online your application number will appear on screen. You will also receive an email containing your CAO application number and an email verification code. You will require your CAO application number, date of birth and password when you log in to your account via the ‘My Application’ facility to update your application.

19. Statement of Application Record Are your exam numbers correct? (do not assume that they are) Are all exams mentioned? Are all exemptions listed? Are all the courses shown and in the correct order?  Before the end of May you will be sent a Statement of Application Record. The purpose of this e-mail is to instruct you to log in and verify that all of your information has been recorded completely and correctly on your CAO account. There may be very serious consequences for your application if you do not follow these instructions immediately. Check the following carefully, and if there is any error or omission amend the Statement and return it to CAO.  If you do not receive a Statement by contact CAO immediately .

20. Check for emails from CAO Please make sure to regularly check the e-mail account that you used when registering with CAO for new emails from CAO containing important information and instructions. You should periodically check your spam, bulk, promotional or junk mail folders, etc. You should also check the Correspondence section of your account which contains a log of all emails sent to you by CAO, and any online queries that you have submitted to CAO whilst logged in to your application.

21. Access Routes to 3 rd Level HEAR and DARE Schemes Both of these schemes have been established to encourage further engagement at 3 rd level from students with learning difficulties and students from lower socio economic backgrounds where it is deemed that these circumstances have had a negative impact on their performance at second level.

22. HEAR Higher Education Access Route is a third level admission scheme for school leavers from lower socio-economic backgrounds Each college has a quota of places on a reduced points basis for HEAR students Information from www.cao.ie and www.accesscollege.ie You must have an active email address to apply and you will have to send on documentary proof of entitlement (statement of liability)

23. DARE Disability Access Route to Education is a supplementary admission scheme for school leavers with disabilities or specific learning difficulties and can mean reduced points For those with academic ability but who may not be able to meet points due to impact of the disability You will require proof of disability including consultant’s report and school reference Information on www.cao.ie and www.accesscollege.ie

24. DARE Considerations Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Autistic Spectrum Dusorder Vision impairment Hard of Hearing Developmental Co-ordination Disorder Mental Health Condition Physical Disability Neurological Condition Significant ongoing illness Speech and Language Communication Disorder Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)

25. HEAR/DARE Advice Clinics HEAR DARE Nationwide Application Advice Clinics take place in January For location and times visit: www.accesscollege.ie

26. Important Dates for HEAR and DARE Tick the box on the CAO form to indicate you are applying for HEAR/DARE by 1 st Feb All documentation sent to CAO by 1 st March

27. Language Exemptions If a student has exemption from Irish and/or third language they must complete an NUI Exemption Form to ensure you meet the entry requirements of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and Galway and other NUI Colleges. A student with no language at all must also apply for the Trinity College language Exemption The school Guidance Counsellors will speak to these students directly over the coming weeks. Application is done online (NUI website)

28. Student Grant SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students in approved full-time third-level education in Ireland and also, in some cases, funding for students studying outside the State www.susi.ie

29. Thinking of Going Abroad? UK and NI – Ucas system Europe: Unicas Earlier closing dates Should make an appointment with guidance counsellor asap Should begin to research asap

30. OPTION 2 The PLC Route

31. 2. PLC Route PLC courses are a flexible option Stepping stone to transfer to 3 rd level Excellent route of accessing HEI’s Level 5 and 6 courses on NFQ Apply directly to the college itself . Application forms can be found on the college’s website.

32. PLC Route Applications open as early as December but PLC colleges have different open dates. First come first served basis Not based on LC point. Must pass 5 subjects* Late applications after LC results (if places still available)

33. PLC Colleges Dublin DIFE (Drogheda Institute Further Ed) Colaiste Dhulaigh College (Coolock) Colaiste Ide (Finglas) Kylemore College of further Ed Killester College of Further Ed Liberties College Marino College of Further Ed Plunket College (Whitehall) Whitehall College of further Ed

34. FETAC Link Scheme HEI’s reserve places for QQI Students Eg . TU Dublin: 330 places on 65 courses

35. FETAC Link Scheme Science 1.Pre University Science Colaiste Dhulaigh Gain an overall Merit (65%) Places reserved on the following (examples): DCU - Dublin City University BSc. in Analytical Science (DC161) BSc. in Bio-Technology (DC181) BSC. in Common Entry into Science (DC201) DIT - Dublin Institute of Technology BSc. in Forensic and Environmental Science (DT213) BSc. in Clinical Measurement (DT229) BSc. in Physics Technology (DT222)

36. Summary of CAO and PLC Begin the research courses now! CAO Opens 5th November – register and begin process.  Rank in order of preference (include a range of points) Are you eligible for HEAR / DARE?  Be aware of closing dates and deadlines Attend college open days PLC’s: apply directly to the college itself.

37. Option 3 Apprenticeships

38. Apprenticeships An apprenticeship is a paid job where you benefit from structured training whilst gaining valuable workplace experience. There are thousands of top-quality options out there now, with many apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships in leading companies Last 2 to 4 years, depending on trade and level of qualification (Level 6 to Level 9). There are currently 86 different areas of Apprenticeships. Apart from the traditional craft apprenticeships, other examples in property auctioneering, IT, hospitality, Agriculture, Equine Studies, Engineering, Finance, Law, Software Solution Architect, pharmaceuticals.

39. Information on Apprenticeships www.apprenticeship.ie

40. Supports in Ardgillan Higher options / World Skills Apprenticeship Expo (Feb/March) Career / College talks Careers class weekly Access to Guidance Counsellor Check and Connect system Careers fair – save the date Oct 24 th 6.15pm

41. Useful Websites www.cao.ie www.careersportal.ie www.accesscollege.ie www.plccourses.ie www.susi.ie www.qualifax.ie www.solas.ie www.apprenticeship.ie

42. Thank you for listening! Any questions?