Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 1 February 2021 at 5:15pm if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date or added to your application using the Change of Course Choices facility for a fee of €10 before 1 March at 5:15pm.

Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment. Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3)” on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 13 for more information about interviews and assessments.

Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1 February 2021, you may be permitted to introduce it on a Change of Mind. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.

It costs nothing to view scripts.

There are pros and cons to the Leaving Cert appeals process.

On the minus side, it means an additional cost at what can be a very expensive time for any family. It may be disheartening and bring additional stress to the young person to go through an extended period of reassessment, without any positive change in the outcome.

On the plus side, the appeals process can help eliminate any doubts or recriminations about the exam result and help the young person move forward to the next stage of their lives. It also gives an opportunity to view good independent grading and feedback on their work which is helpful.

Also, if upgraded, you will be refunded. If it means the difference of getting a college course or not, it is worth a shot

The possibility of a downgrade (though rare enough) should also be born in mind.

Full details from the SEC are available here

Just as in other years, you can request to view your scripts and, if you feel there are discrepancies, you can opt to send them to an appeal examiner for re-marking.  Some of these scripts will be available to view online while for others it will be the actual physical script that you answered.  The subjects marked online this year, which you can view in the self-service portal from 9.00am Tuesday September 7^th.   

The timeline allocated for viewing scripts and for appeals is very short this year and as yet there is no timeline for the issuing of appeal results.  

Application to view written scripts opens - Tuesday 7th September
Application to view written scripts closes - Wednesday 8th September

The candidate is awarded a viewing time by the school which they will need to attend as they can only view their Leaving Cert scripts in person.

Where it is not possible for a subject teacher to attend young people often invite a parent or older sibling along to view their scripts with them.

Remember, the viewing is a process whereby you take a look at your marked script(s) to check if the marking scheme has been applied correctly. There is no charge for viewing.

Scripts marked online are viewed online.  

You can apply for an appeal without carrying out a viewing of your script. However, it is highly recommended that you view your script before you apply for an appeal.

To apply to view your script, you must submit an application through the Candidate Self-Service Portal. The application for viewing scripts will open at 5pm on Tuesday 7th September and you must submit your application by 8pm on Wednesday 8th of September.

Script viewings will take place on Saturday 11th September.

You must apply to appeal your grade on the Candidate Self Service Portal. The deadline for submitting appeals for  is 12:00 pm on Monday 13th September. 

They must apply to view their scripts through the Candidate Self-Service Portal. See Key Dates

Scripts may be viewed at the school, during set hours on Saturday 11th September. 

The Organising Superintendent appointed by the SEC to your student's school will assign them to a viewing session. The student may bring one additional person along with them, ideally their subject teacher, where possible. 

The first thing to check is that your marks have been added up correctly on the results sheet.

In the event that you find an error, this can be appealed, on the day, with form AP1 and means that a grade can be corrected without reassessment of the paper or the marking scheme.

However, the SEC (State Examination Commission) advises candidates to also lodge a formal appeal on the paper to cover all eventualities.

The formal appeal will look at the calculation of marks within questions, any disallowed questions and any dispute regarding the full marking of a particular question.

Students may still be offered a course in Round 2 or in subsequent rounds. 

Alternatively they can check CAO for Available places. These are courses which have not yet filled all of their places. When checking through available places on the CAO site, it’s important to note that private colleges charge full tuition fees. 

A number of colleges offer direct entry courses. Students can contact the individual college for details of these courses. 

Use the CourseFinder to search for Direct Entry Courses.

• Which course matches their career interests the best?
• Is there a progression link, such as an add-on year, available from the Level 7 course onto the Level 8 course? Check this out here or with the individual college. It is often better to do a Level 7 course that progresses onto a Level 8 course of a similar career choice than to do a Level 8 course that is of less interest and career value.
• Location - is one course offered in a location which suits better than the other?
• Costs - in Private colleges, costs can run to several thousand euro more than the standard college registration fee. It is recommended that you compare the costs and check if you are eligible for tax relief on private tuition.

When an offer arrives, students should read through the offer and instructions carefully first.

Yes. If after having accepted the course, the student is upgraded on appeal they can acept their upgraded course through CAO.

No.

No. It does not mean that they can never be offered their first choice. It simply means in Round One the student was not entitled to a place on the basis of their points but they may become entitled to an offer in Round Two.

If they become entitled to a place in Round Two then they will be offered it regardless of what they did or did not accept in Round One.

Students are not obliged to accept any offers or start any course, but accepting it would give some breathing space to think this through. You also have the option of contacting the college directly to look for a deferral. (Admissions Officers Contacts list)

If a student who has started the first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it for the current academic year, they will remain eligible for free fees and Susi funding as appropriate. You have certain time limit to withdraw from a course before you are liable for first year fees.

Remember - the Government will only pay for you to do first year once. Making a wrong choice can prove to be expensive.

You can explore your other options here.

Points may drop, increase or remain steady, based on supply and demand for courses.

Every year, different factors contribute to the increase in points across certain high demand courses. This year, the calculated grades means that it is even more difficult to know the points may change from previous years.

The Department of Education has stated that points will be stronger this year compared to previous years due to the final decision regarding how the grades were to be calculated.

Trends in CAO applications can also give some indication and you can read more about the 2020 trends here. Overall, there appears to have been an increased interest in courses which lead to a professional qualification (such as Physiotherapist and Secondary teacher) and less interest in courses in areas such as Arts and Humanities. Health-related courses are also increasingly popular first preference choice and many course subject areas which usually demand high points have increased in popularity in 2020.

But remember that nobody will know the points for each course until the offers are released!

SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the single grant awarding authority for all PLC and Undergraduate Higher Education courses. Eligibility for a SUSI grant is calculated on the basis of family income. Several other factors are taken into account and the system is designed to be as fair as possible. 

Students can check if they are eligible for a grant using the SUSI ready reckoner available here. If eligible, application for the grant is through SUSI. 

Apply through www.susi.ie as soon as possible (**students do not need to have an offer to apply!**)

It is worth noting that SUSI offer a sliding scale of grant and financial support. This scale can range from a special rate grant and full Student Contribution Fees down to 50% of the Student Contribution Fees depending on individual circumstances.

Watch out for college scholarships, funding programmes, student assistant funds and a range of additional financial supports in college. You will also find information about these on college websites and from Student Finance for example.

Some banks offer a 'Student Loan' to parents or guardians of students.

Unfortunately if a student fails a year, they are liable for the full cost of tuition fees for the year they must repeat. Full tuition fees are significantly higher than the standard registration fee.

This is ultimately up to the individual student. Many college courses involve intensive programmes of lectures, practicals, study and assignments, leaving just about enough time for sports and leisure activities and some socialising.

The additional income from a part time job is always welcome in a student pocket but the longer term focus will be on achieving a good degree and drawing the maximum benefit from college life. However, building up employability skills through part time work will no doubt be beneficial for a student’s future career path.

If the student can access relevant internship or paid work that directly links into their career plans or gives them the chance to put learning into practice, this can be a valuable asset in their CV and job applications in the future.

Apprenticeships

An Apprenticeship is a programme of formal education and training. It combines learning in your place of work, with learning in an education or training centre. On successful completion of a number of phases of training, apprentices become recognised craftspeople or professionals.

The traditional craft apprenticeships include those in the Construction, Electrical, Engineering, and Motor sectors. Since 2017 many new occupational apprenticeships have also been developed.  These can be found in most sectors of the economy including in Computer & ICT, MedTech, Pharma, Insurance, Finance, Accountancy, Logistics, Retail, Sales, HR, Hairdressing and within the Hospitality sectors.

Details including entry requirements, training structure, where to find apprenticeship vacancies and a range of related videos are available here. 

How do I apply for an Apprenticeship? 
The key point to note in relation to securing an apprenticeship is that you must first have an employer that is willing to take you on as an apprentice.  Explore our Live apprenticeship area to find out what other employers are actively looking for apprentices.  When you have secured an employer, contact your local Education and Training Board (ETB).

What is a Traineeship? 

A Traineeship is a programme of structured training which combines learning in an education/training setting as well in the workplace.  The aim of a traineeship is give participants the opportunity to develop cutting edge skills and on-the-job knowledge.  Traineeships help make participants more skilled and more employable, thus enhancing their career options. 

Traineeships have a number of key features which are listed below-

New traineeships are developed on an ongoing basis across a range of industries and sectors in response to identified skill needs.

Who is eligible?

Traineeships are open to all potential participants, of all ages and backgrounds, and are free of charge to participants. Trainees may include school leavers, older learners, those in employment and those who are unemployed.

How do I apply for a Traineeship? 

Online: You can apply directly for a Traineeship via www.fetchcourses.ie

Jobseeker support: You can also be referred via your employment case officer or client support Intreo or Local Employment services. 

Where can I get more information?

Details of traineeship programmes currently open for registration are available on www.fetchcourses.ie and from your local Education and Training Board (ETB).

Prospective trainees may wish to access the guidance services in their local ETB, at second level or in higher education. Contact details of the Adult Education Guidance Service in your area is available on www.fetchcourses.ie/courses/support.

Hopefully, you will be offered your first choice in the first round of offers but, if not, there are a number of additional CAO options available. These include:

• Offer of another course choice further down the CAO list
• Offer of a similar course at a lower level
• Offer of your preferred course choice in ROUND 2 or subsequent rounds
• The offer of your preferred course choice on the successful appeal of Leaving Cert Results. For information on this process click here XX
• CAO Available Places which will be notified on CAO website. click here
• Other options outside the CAO, click here

There are a number of courses run by Higher Education providers that take on students each year outside of the CAO system.

These are fee paying courses, but in many cases, the fees are not that much more than the registration fees paid by CAO students and it is worth remembering that you can claim some of the cost back in tax.

These courses are accredited by a number of different bodies, sometimes in the UK, so it is important that you check out and understand who is the qualifying authority.

UCAS is the British system for undergraduate University entry. Clearing is a service available for colleges in the UK and Northern Ireland between July and September. It is similar to the Available places system in the CAO process.

UCAS Clearing can be used after the Leaving Certificate results are published to find a suitable course.

If you have the flexibility and reasonable exam results, there is always a good chance that you will find another course option through UCAS Clearing. For full details click here. 

Fees are generally paid at the point of enrolment or registration. This may be paid in installments. Some colleges may offer flexible late registration and fee options, whereas in others, late payment of fees can result in a penalty charge. Incoming students are informed of the dates and deadlines. 

All colleges have a Fees section on their websites.

Some Modules can be core elements of a course and are therefore classified as Compulsory or Mandatory Modules and have to be done.  Others offer an element of choice for the students when registering, these are known as Elective Modules.

For these, it is down to the individual student to choose what's right for them. A little strategic thinking can help with the selection process.
Some students may wish to choose a module out of personal interest and a desire to be informed, or simply to engage with a topic that offers a break from intensive course and study work. Others may see the module as a way to develop key Employability Skills outside the mainstream course.

Colleges may offer help and guidelines to undergraduates when picking modules and subjects but here are a few points to bear in mind:

What is the relevance of the module to final degree and career prospects? Professional exemptions - e.g. on successful completion of degree to a specified level, some business modules provide exemptions into Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), Association of Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACCA) Irish Taxation Institute, Chartered Insurance Institute. Some degree programmes are approved by the Teachers' Registration Council for the purposes of registering as a secondary teacher.

What is the genuine level of interest in the subject?

Some modules (e.g. Maths) will require a certain level of competency. 

Is the time-table compatible, how intensive is the workload? 

What modes of teaching are used? 

How does the assessment work? Assignment/Presentation/Exam

How is the assessment load distributed across the semester? 

Does the module offer an opportunity to develop solid employability skills? e.g. through placement, research, team or project work.

In some colleges, students are allocated a particular registration start time. This is when they can register for modules including electives and this will generally be done online.

College websites provide comprehensive information on registration and enrolment. In addition, some colleges now run parents' Information Sessions.

Keep up to date on the Events Calendar here 

No. You can only use the points from your best six subjects in one sitting of the Leaving Cert.

If you are happy with your points but need a particular subject for matriculation purposes you can just repeat that subject. It is not necessary to re-sit all your exams, unless you want to.Your final points must come from only one sitting of the Leaving Cert, however, minimum entry requirements and specific subject requirements can be combined from any number of sittings.  

You can take up an entirely new subject for the first time when repeating - this can be a popular option. Although the workload of Leaving Cert courses are set out as two-year programmes, students will sometimes find that subject content can overlap. For example, if your strengths lie in Biology you can see how this coincides with chapters in the Home-Economics syllabus, therefore, lessening your workload.

Go to Menu Item 'Second Chance Maths Exam' to find all the updated information.

25 bonus points for Maths are currently awarded to all students who sit and pass the Higher Level paper e.g.

• H1 (100 points) + bonus (25 points) = 125 points
• H3 (77 points) + bonus (25 points) = 102 points
• H7 (37 points) + zero bonus points = 37

Bonus Points for Maths and Entry to Medicine

The maximum possible adjusted points score for applicants into Medicine is 565. For all scores over 550, each 5 point band equals one extra point.

The baseline score of 480 points can include the bonus points if HL mathematics (cumulative points) is among the best six subjects. In other words:

• All students presenting H6 or above in HL mathematics will have 25 points added to their score for mathematics
• The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice.

The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.

25 bonus points for Maths are currently awarded to all students who sit and pass the Higher Level paper e.g.

• H1 (100 points) + bonus (25 points) = 125 points
• H3 (77 points) + bonus (25 points) = 102 points
• H7 (37 points) + zero bonus points = 37

Bonus Points for Maths and Entry to Medicine

The maximum possible adjusted points score for applicants into Medicine is 565. For all scores over 550, each 5 point band equals one extra point.

The baseline score of 480 points can include the bonus points if HL mathematics (cumulative points) is among the best six subjects. In other words:

• All students presenting H6 or above in HL mathematics will have 25 points added to their score for mathematics
• The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice.

The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.

Click here to see the relationship between grades awarded and CAO points.

Our points calculators for both Leaving Cert students and QQI - FET students will assist them in calculating their points.

Students may still be offered a course in Round 2 or in subsequent rounds. 

Alternatively they can check CAO for Available places. These are courses which have not yet filled all of their places. When checking through available places on the CAO site, it’s important to note that private colleges charge full tuition fees. 

A number of colleges offer direct entry courses. Students can contact the individual college for details of these courses. 

Use the CourseFinder to search for Direct Entry Courses.

Yes, they can. Available college places can be found online here.

Yes. Students may be offered their first choice in round two if points come down.

If a student wants to defer a place they should contact the admissions office of the college that offered a place and request permission to postpone until next year. (Admissions Officers Contacts list) They must outline their reason for seeking a deferral and the college will then contact CAO on behalf of the student.

If a student is not offered their first choice and wish to pursue their second choice (which they previously deferred), they must reapply through CAO next year, listing just that one course in their application. If they list other courses other than the deferred place, they are then back in open competition with next year's applicants.

So far, the (DES) Department of Education & Skills has allowed students to attend college in the intervening year before taking up their deferred course, without the student being liable for full fees the following year.

This situation is outside the control of colleges and there is no guarantee that the situation won’t change at some point in the future.

Colleges offer a variety of supports to incoming students as they make the transition into third level education. These include:

• Orientation programmes - including social events
• Study Skills Seminars
• Examination, Project & Assignment support
• Student Advisors
• Counselling Support & Pastoral Care
• Health care advice and support
• Clubs & Societies

Students may still be offered a course in Round 2 or in subsequent rounds. 

Alternatively they can check CAO for Available places. These are courses which have not yet filled all of their places. When checking through available places on the CAO site, it’s important to note that private colleges charge full tuition fees. 

A number of colleges offer direct entry courses. Students can contact the individual college for details of these courses. 

Use the CourseFinder to search for Direct Entry Courses.

This can vary from course to course and from year to year.  It essentially depends on how many people do not take up their initial offer that year and how many places are on each course.

Students are not obliged to accept any offers, but accepting it would give some breathing space to think this through. They also have the option of contacting the college directly to look for a deferral.

Students could also explore other options.

If a student who has started the first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it for the 2022/2023 academic year, they will remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding as appropriate.

Remember - the Government will only pay for you to do first year once. Making a wrong choice can prove to be expensive.

A number of colleges offer students the MCT = Maths Competency Test or equivalent. 

This gives the student a chance to boost the Maths results and secure their college place. Students that have studied the Leaving Cert Higher Level Maths programme are invited to sit the MCT.

Read more here on dealing with a fail in maths.

This year, you can also opt to sit the LC Maths exam in November, and the results can be used for entry in 2021. Read more here.

Registration Fee

Colleges charge an annual student contribution commonly known as a Registration Fee or Student Contribution Charge, which all students must pay*. It covers student services and exam fee costs.

The amount of the student contribution varies from one institution to another. The standard rate is currently €3,000.

Tuition Fees

Most undergraduate students attending publicly funded third-level courses do not have to pay tuition fees, as these come under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative. The tuition fees are paid directly to the college concerned by the Department of Education and Skills. 


PLC Courses

Charges for Post-Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs) operate under slightly different rules. Registration fees apply, but there are no fees for tuition. Fees are often between €200 and €700, but some student are exempt from paying the contribution (typically if a medical card holder or on a specific social welfare payment).

Students must also cover the cost of the various student services - examination fees, insurance, registration charges, books, and where required - uniforms and specialised equipment. 

Accommodation Costs For students who are likely to be living away from home, on-campus accommodation, student villages or halls of residence are often the best choice for 1st year, as these offer a comfortable bridge between home and the independence of living in a flat or apartment. Check individual college websites for details.

This year, it is expected that more students will commute long distances to go to college, compared to other years, as they will expect to do much of their studies online/remotely. See more here.

Living Expenses

Students will also need to budget for weekly living expenses for an academic year (a nine-month period from September to May).  Things to consider: rent, supermarket shopping, meals on campus, electricity/heating bills, refuse bills, parking fees, mobile phone costs, travel, clothing, snacks on campus, socialising, health, books and materials, laptop, course related travel and field trips, Erasmus year or internship abroad.  **Parents that have been through the process suggest it’s a good idea to be prepared for a few unexpected expenses along the way.**

Student Loans

Some colleges and some banks are offering student loan systems which are designed to ease the burden of payment for the student contribution charge. Note: *If you are getting the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) you may qualify for exemption from the student contribution. 

This is ultimately up to the individual student. Many college courses involve intensive programmes of lectures, practicals, study and assignments, leaving just about enough time for sports and leisure activities and some socialising. 

The additional income from a part time job is always welcome in a student pocket but the longer term focus will be on achieving a good degree and drawing the maximum benefit from college life. Building up employability skills through part time work will no doubt be beneficial for a student’s future career path and so will always be worthwhile.  

If the student can access relevant internship or paid work that directly links into their career plans or gives them the chance to put learning into practice, this can be a valuable asset in CV and job application terms further down the line. 

Colleges offer a variety of supports to incoming students as they make the transition into third level education. These include:

• Orientation programmes - including social events
• Study Skills Seminars
• Examination, Project & Assignment support
• Student Advisors
• Counselling Support & Pastoral Care
• Health care advice and support
• Clubs & Societies

Hopefully, you will be offered your first choice in the first round of offers but, if not, there are a number of additional CAO options available. These include:

• Offer of another course choice further down the CAO list
• Offer of a similar course at a lower level
• Offer of your preferred course choice in ROUND 2 or subsequent rounds
• The offer of your preferred course choice on the successful appeal of Leaving Cert Results. For information on this process click here XX
• CAO Available Places which will be notified on CAO website. click here
• Other options outside the CAO, click here

Go to Menu Item 'Second Chance Maths Exam' to find all the updated information.

Points may drop, increase or remain steady, based on supply and demand for courses.

Every year, different factors contribute to the increase in points across certain high demand courses.

Trends in CAO applications can also give some indication and you can read more about the 2021 trends here.

Search our historical Leaving Cert data here to find out what the trends in subject grades results have been over the past 10 years. See what subjects get the highest grades and which subjects get the lowest grades - makes for interesting reading!

But remember that nobody will know the points for each course until the offers are released!

When an offer arrives, students should read through the offer and instructions carefully.

The answer is yes. Your level 6/7 will have no effect on your level 8 list.

Students would have to contact the colleges involved as each college has its own transfer policies.

No, students can only accept one offer at a time.

If a student is having difficulty deciding, they have a few days from the date of offer to make up their mind [See CAO 2022 Key Dates]. This gives them time to weigh up the options including which course is most suited to their interests and career plans down the line.

They can discuss the issue with their Guidance Counsellor, or call the NPC / IGC helpline. Students can also check out the course content, modules and progression routes here or by going directly to the college websites.

Students are not obliged to accept any offers, but accepting it would give some breathing space to think this through. They also have the option of contacting the college directly to look for a deferral.

Students could also explore other options.

If a student who has started the first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept it for the 2022/2023 academic year, they will remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding as appropriate.

Remember - the Government will only pay for you to do first year once. Making a wrong choice can prove to be expensive.

You can explore your other options here.

Students can accept the Round 2 offer which will automatically cancel out the Round 1 offer – since only one acceptance from any candidate can remain in the CAO system at any given time.