1. Guidance Counsellor:Ms.Geraldine Mulvey
St Francis College
Rochestown
St Francis College, Rochestown Co. Cork.
Tel: Fax:
CAO Information Night
Tuesday 6th December 2012
Guidance Counsellor:Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

2. Presentation Career Guidance The CAO System Leaving Cert Points Grid
National Framework of Qualifications
The CAO Application Process
Points for popular courses in UCC
HPAT - Medicine
Useful Websites –
So where are the Jobs?
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3. Career Guidance Take stock of their present circumstances
Understand the factors influencing their decision making
Appreciate more realistically what they have to offer
Review & evaluate options
Identify preferred options
Formulate an action plan
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4. The CAO
Organisation founded in 1976 by the higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Republic of Ireland.
Purpose is to process applications centrally and to deal with them in an efficient and fair manner.
It is the applicants own responsibility to ensure that the application is submitted accurately and in time.
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5. Irish Leaving Certificate Examination Points Calculation Grid
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6. Core Subjects - MATHS
Fewer than 20% of Leaving Certificate students take this subject at higher level (nationally)
If you are capable of studying this subject at higher level, there are tremendous career opportunities
Higher Level Maths (C3) is a requirement for Level 8 Engineering Degree Courses and Mathematical Science in CIT and NUI’s
2012: BONUS points (25 pts for achieving D3 in HL maths) where students have an honour in higher level maths – now awarded in all the NUI’s, UL, DIT, teacher training colleges plus WIT

7. Accompanying conditions:
The six best results, in recognised subjects, in one Leaving Certificate Examination will be counted for points computation.
One sitting only of the Leaving Certificate Examination will be counted for points purposes.
In the case of Foundation Level Mathematics or Foundation Level Irish, some HEIs may not award the points shown above. If in any doubt, check with the Admissions Office of the appropriate HEIs.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

8. National Framework of Qualifications
Level 3 Junior Certificate
Level 5 Leaving Certificate/PLC
Level 6 Higher Certificate
Level 7 Ordinary Degree
Level 8 Honours Degree
Level 9 /10 Masters/ PhD
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10. The Application Process
Information on courses is available from each HEI and the prospectus should be consulted before making an application
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11. CAO distributes to schools and individuals an application pack containing an Application Form and a Handbook containing instructions and information about the application process.
Every applicant should be familiar with the contents of the CAO Handbook
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12. Timely Action
In order to be fair to all applicants, closing dates are strict and therefore action should be taken in good time. Do not leave everything to the last minute.
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13. Choosing Courses Consult your Guidance Counsellor
Discuss your options with family and friends
Details about courses may be found in HEI prospectuses and by consulting HEI websites.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

14. Making an application Applicants are encouraged to apply online.
The website address is
Applying online is cheaper and it prevents many of the errors commonly associated with completing a paper application form.
Normal online application €40 (1st Feb )
Discounted rate €30 (20th Jan 2012)
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

15. Application Form: Part A
Part A of the Application Form is mostly self explanatory.
Information which identifies you is of the utmost importance.
Carefully enter details such as your name, address, date of birth, schools attended etc.
Ms.Geraldine Mulvey
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17. Two Applications on One Form
There are two course choice lists and applicants may make up to ten course choices on each list.
10 choices may be made on the Level 8 list
10 choices may be made on the Level 7/6 list
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19. Two Applications on One Form
It is possible to receive an offer on both lists
You may then decide to accept either your Level 7/6 or your Level 8 offer.
Alternatively, you might not wish to accept either offer.
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20. Order of Preference
If you learn nothing else from this presentation let it be this...
Place your course choices in genuine order of preference!
To do otherwise is a grave mistake.
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21. Application Form: Part B
Most applicants will not be required to complete Part B of the application form.
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22. Supplementary Application Form (SIF)
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR):
A 3rd level admissions scheme for school leavers from socially economic disadvantaged backgrounds. (see pg. 8 of CAO Handbook)
Must provide additional info/documentation (income revenue forms, social welfare benefits by 1st of April 2012
DARE: Disability Access Route to Education
Asperger’s, Autism, ADD. Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Physical Disability ....
Submit evidence of Disability and second level Academic Reference to CAO by 1st April 2012
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

23. Your Application Number
If you apply online your application number will appear on your Receipt of Online Application.
This number is private and it will be used in every correspondence between you and the CAO for the rest of the year.
If you apply online you may change your course choices free of charge until January 31st.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

24. Statement of Course Choices
The Statement is important for two reasons:
1. The Statement of Course Choices includes notification of your CAO application number.
2. The Statement of Course Choices lists the courses that you have applied for. If you have made any mistake or omission in your course choices then now is the time to rectify your error.
Pay particular attention to restricted courses.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

25. Communicating With CAO
The easiest and most efficient way to communicate with CAO is by using the 'Contact Us' facility on the CAO website.
Always quote your CAO application number in any communication with CAO.
If you post something to CAO, always obtain a certificate of posting at the post office. This is a free service and it offers you peace of mind.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

26. Statement of Application Record.
Check the following carefully, if there is any error or omission, amend the Statement and return it to CAO.
Are all the courses shown and in the correct order?
Are all the codes correct?
Are the exam numbers correct?
Are all exams mentioned?
If you do not receive a Statement by 1st June contact CAO immediately.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

27. Change of mind
It is safer to use the Change of Mind Facility on the website than to use a paper Change of Mind form.
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28. Change of Mind 1st Nov to 1st Feb (17:15) – no fee
5th of Feb (12:00) to 1st March - €10 charge
5th of May (12:00) to 1st July (17:15) – no fee
Late application to CAO not later then 5pm, 22nd July – extra fee
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29. The Offer Process
In the week following the release of the Leaving Certificate results CAO will post a communication to all applicants.
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30. The Offer Process
If you are entitled to an offer, you will be sent an offer notice. You should check that all of the details on the offer notice are correct and that there are no omissions.
Offers will also be available on the CAO website.
You may check for and accept offers on the website. In fact, most applicants now record acceptances online.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

31. The Offer Process Your offer notice may contain an offer
for a Level 8 course
or a Level 7/6 course
or both
If you receive two offers at the same time you may only accept one of them.
If you wish to accept an offer of a place you must carry out the instructions on the offer notice before 5.15pm on the closing date for acceptance printed on the offer notice.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

32. The Offer Process
There can be no delays at the offer/acceptance stage.
Any offer not accepted by the closing date for receipt of acceptance of offers in CAO will be offered to another applicant in the next round of offers.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

33. How Places are Allocated
We will look just at Level 8 courses, but exactly the same process will take place with Level 7/6 courses, and at the same time.
The importance of you, the applicant, placing courses in genuine order of preference will become apparent in the following slides.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

34. How Places are Allocated
When examination results are released in August they are entered into the CAO computer.
The computer checks each applicant’s results. For each course the applicant has applied for, the computer first determines if the applicant has the minimum entry requirements for the course.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

35. How Places are Allocated
If the applicant meets the minimum entry requirements for the course, the applicant’s points are calculated for this course choice.
All eligible applicants are then placed in a list, in order of academic merit, for each course that they applied for.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

36. How Places are Allocated
The admissions officers of the Higher Education Institutions tell CAO how many places are to be offered on each course
CAO then makes offers to the required number of applicants on each course starting with the applicant with the highest points and working down until enough places have been offered.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

37. How Places are Allocated
Should some applicants decline to accept their offers these places become available in the next round of offers. They will be offered to the next applicants on the order of merit list.
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38. These are the applicants for CK101 Arts in UCC.
The examination results have not yet been released, so these applicants are in no particular order.
We are going to trace the progress of the applicant marked in red.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

39. Applicants are placed in a queue for each course they applied for, their position in the queue is determined by their points. The applicant with the highest points is placed at the top of the queue. The points achieved by the applicant in red determines his position in the queue for each course he applied to.
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40. The applicants marked in green have enough points to be offered places.
The applicant marked in red has enough points for his second preference.
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41. The applicant in red is offered his second preference, the highest preference course that he has enough points for, and he will now disappear from the queue in all his lower choices. Placing DN201 as his second preference meant that he would prefer to receive an offer on DN201 than on any other course except CK101 - which is his first preference.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

42. Having been offered his second preference he must now decide to accept it or to do nothing. If he does not accept the offer the place will be offered to another applicant in the next round of offers.
Regardless of whether he accepts or not he will still be considered for an offer on his first preference if a place becomes available. In the second round, one more offer was made on CK101 and our applicant is now at the top of the queue.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

43. In the third round of offers two more offers are made on CK101 and our applicant, who was at the top of the queue, now receives an offer.
He may do nothing and remain in DN201 or he may accept the offer and begin in CK101.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

44. Genuine Order of Preference
You do not need to guess what the points are going to be for the courses you are interested in.
Simply list your courses in genuine order of preference from the highest preference 1, to the lowest preference 10.
If you are entitled to an offer, you will be offered the highest preference that you are entitled to.
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

45. College Courses (UCC) Required points 2011 2010
Arts
BIS (Business Information Systems)
Sports Studies and Physical
Education * 470
Commerce
Law * 485
Law and French
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Energy Engineering
Architecture/CIT
Science (Biological and Chemical)
Medicine # #725
Dentistry * 570*
Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

46. HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test)
Registration deadline – Mon 18th Jan 2012
Test Date – Sat 25 Feb 2012 (2 ½ hr exam)
Results issued in late June 2012
3 sections assessed (aptitude test) (total: 300 marks)
1 Logical reasoning and problem solving skills
2 Interpersonal Understanding
Verbal Reasoning
Leaving Cert Pts plus HPAT combined = max score 860pts
Min LC pts = 480 to max 560 (moderated thereafter up to 560)
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

47. Scoring LC + HPat
If you achieve 600 points in the LCE this will become 560 adjusted LCE points and if you achieve a score of 155 in the
HPAT-Ireland test, your overall score will be 715.
• Similarly if you achieve 540 points in the LCE, and then get a HPAT-Ireland score of 175, your overall score will be 715.
• Or if you achieve 480 points in the LCE and then 235 in HPAT-Ireland, your overall score will be 715.
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48. Useful Websites www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie Careersportal.ie
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

49. Info CAO Presentation available on school website:
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Ms.Geraldine Mulvey

50. Where are the jobs in Ireland?
Thriving sectors presently in Ireland,
‐ ICT
‐ Pharmaceuticals
‐ Food & Drink
Your footnote

51. Future Jobs ? Expert group on future skills needs Forfas report 2010
Sectoral skills – shortages identified by sector
ICT
Green economy
Bio-pharma / pharmachem sector
Food and beverage sector
International financial services
Medical devices
Wholesale and retail
Cross sectoral enterprise/generic skill
Mathematical proficiency, foreign language and foreign market understanding, business acumen and enterprise
Current Occupational skills shortages
ICT programmers, science professionals, engineering, sales and marketing, transport and supply chain specialists, financial service

52. Let’s look at the industries in Ireland:
8 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.
9 out of the top 10 global ICT companies.
5 of the top global software companies.
15 out of the top 25 medical devices companies.
More than 50% of the worlds leading financial services
Your footnote

53. ICT Companies based in Ireland
Pretty much all of the top multinational IT companies in the world are here. In Ireland. We have chosen Ireland as the place to base our businesses. Why are we here? Talent, Technology, Track Record and Tax, commonly known as the four T’s. We need skilled people to grow our businesses. We need people like you to choose our sector. But guess what we are having the problem finding the people to meet our needs. Lets look at some statistics.
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE

54. Who is recruiting UCC Graduates?

55. ICT Sector in Ireland Tech sector is thriving
􀂃approx 70 jobs announced every week since the start of the year
􀂃Currently there are roughly 3,500 vacancies in the sector (this needs to be addressed as there is clearly a skills shortage)
􀂃Not just tech jobs but jobs in marketing, sales, product management, project management, multilingual roles, business analytics etc.
Your footnote

56. Pharma facts
25,300 people are employed in the Irish PharmaChemicalsector,
46% of which are third-level graduates. 25% of all PhD researchers in Irish industry are employed in the sector.
􀂃In 2010 the Irish pharmaceutical and chemical sector exported products to the value of 50.8 billion
􀂃Ireland’s pharmaceutical exports are the 7th largest in the world.
􀂃Ireland is the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the world
Your footnote

57. Food & Drink Industry-The future is bright
€24bn turnover
600 companies
46,000 and 60,000 indirect employees
Utilises 90% of agricultural output
Exports €8.9bn to 120 countries
Largest net exporter of beef, lamb and dairy ingredients in the EU
80% of dairy and 90% of beef exported and produces
20% of the global supply of infant formula
Your footnote

58. The world will have to produce 70% more food to feed another 2
The world will have to produce 70% more food to feed another 2.3bn people by (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation)
Your footnote

59. and cannot be foreseen yet.”
Tomorrow’s jobs
“Many of the jobs in 2015 and
most of the jobs in 2030
do not currently exist
and cannot be foreseen yet.”
Expert Group on New Skills for New Jobs – report prepared for the European Commission (February 2010
Your footnote