1. Parents Presentation 3rd Dec. 2018
Owen McNally
Guidance Counsellor

2. Content
Intro
CAO
PLCs
Apprenticeships
DARE/HEAR/SUSI
Q&A

3. Further Education University/College - PLC - Apprenticeships
Ten-level system
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a ten-level system (1–10) giving an academic or vocational value to qualifications obtained in Ireland.
NFQ levels help indicate how an award can be used for training, education and employment opportunities (see fan diagram).
Each level is based on nationally agreed standards of what a learner is expected to know and be able to do after receiving an award.
QQI is Ireland's guardian of the NFQ system. We are responsible for the quality assurance of providers of education and training. We also have responsibility for the validation of qualifications and also make some awards ourselves.
NFQ serves several purposes.
It ensures awards obtained in Ireland are quality-assured and recognised internationally
It is part of a system for comparing Irish and international awards
It supports lifelong learning by recognising knowledge and skills within a comparative framework even if they are not recognised by a formal award
It provides a system of establishing eligibility in learning processes for access, transfer and progression
It recognises awards made by professional bodies (see Qualifications Recognition Service below)
International
NFQ is linked to similar frameworks in Europe. This helps people considering employment or study opportunities outside Ireland.
There are two qualifications frameworks at European level:
The Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area also known as the 'Bologna Framework'. This deals with higher education awards (NFQ 6-10)
The European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which deals with all NFQ levels including schools, Further Education and Training, and Higher Education
Qualifications Recognition Service
QQI offers a free Qualifications Recognition Advice Service for those seeking guidance on the academic recognition of awards obtained outside the Irish system. We have also developed a system for professional bodies to have their awards recognised in the NFQ.

5. How to Choose University/College - PLC - Apprentinship
Ability / Interests
Career Implications
Subjects (in the course)
Research
Location
Don’t follow the crowd...
Finance
Back up Plan
Specific v broad courses
PLC
Apprenticeship
Time
Talk to people
University/College - PLC - Apprentinship

6. College: How to Choose College Course
Dublin University
DCU
UCD
TCD
DIT
Course
Business Courses
Accounting,
Bus. Enterprise
Bus. International
B.Commerce
Econ & Finance
Etc.
Career - Management, - Marketing, - Economics, - E-commerce, - Financial Services, - Human Resource, - Business Owner - Education - Etc.

7. New Common Points Scale

8. Points System
New points system of H1/H2/H3 etc. replaced older system of A1/A2/B1/B2 etc.
Now each grade is 10% bands
e.g. H1 = 90%-100%, H2= 80%-90%
Introduction of H7 (30-39%) compensates students for attempting higher level subjects.
Designed specifically to relieve pressure.
Students count best SIX subjects in LC points Total

9. Course
2016
2017
2018
Diff
DCU Business Studies
470
466
463 -3
MU Primary Education
495
485
499
+14
DCU Arts
385
358
356 -2
UCD General Science
510
509
519
+10
DKIT Nursing
400*
388
389
+11
DIT Architecture
605#
630#
616#
- 14

10. CAO - (Central Applications Office)
Centralised system of applying to Universities, Colleges and Institutes of Technology
47 Participating Higher Education Institutes (HEIs)
Over Different Courses
Universities offer course qualifications at Level 8 (3/4yrs) depending on the course.
I.T’s offer course qualifications at Level 6 (2yrs), L7 (3yrs) and L8 (4yrs).

11. CAO Application 2 lists of 10 choices (two applications in one form)
Level 8 choices and Level 6/7 choices
Restricted Application courses (1st Feb. Deadline. E.g. auditions – music/
drama, portfolio – Art, HPAT – Medicine)
Place in order of PEFERENCE
Study ALL preferences carefully

12. Example Student Level 8 Courses
Course Title 1
DC200
Common entry Engineering 2
DC195
Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng 3
DT066
Engineering (General) 4
DN077
Engineering (Common) 5
DN078
Structural Engineering 6
GY401 7
GY405
Mechanical Engineering 8
GY413
Energy Systems Engineering 9
LM073 10

13. Selection Criteria Level 6/7 = 5 subjects Leaving Cert +
University/ College Requirements
Level 6/7 = 5 subjects Leaving Cert
Level 8= 6 subjects Leaving Cert: 2 x H6 & 4 X O6/H7 +
Faculty Requirements (i.e. Science Subject)
Specific subjects at specific grades
Points = Best six results added together

14. Selection Criteria Example
DCU Bachelor of Education (Primary)
DCU General Entry Requirements:
2 x H5 & 4 X O6/H7,
Including the subjects English OR Irish AND the subject Mathematics.
DCU Course Specific Entry Requirements:
Irish H5 (50%), O5/H7 English & O6/H7.
Points Requirements:
462 pts * pts pts 2015

15. So – what is the best way to fill in the courses? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Dream Courses
CAUTION:
When filling in ALL 10 choices, only choose courses that you would be happy with- DON’T throw one in just to fill space.
Realistic Courses
Banker Courses

16. Step 1: Create online CAO account.
Add level 8 & Level 7/6 Course Choices
Step 2: Add CAO course Codes in order of preference
E.G. AL852= Accounting in AIT
Step 3: Review, check course title matches code and college
ALWAYS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE

17. Example Student Subject Level New System Grades New System Points
Percentage
Maths HL H2
88+25
82%
English H4 66
66%
Geography H3 77
DCG
78%
Biology
73%
Accounting
French OL O3 37
72%
Irish H6 46
44%
Total:
487

18. Example Student Level 8 Courses
LC Pts
Course Title 1
DC200
490
Common entry Engineering 2
DC195
Mechanical and Manufacturing Eng 3
DT066
480
Engineering (General) 4
DN077
460
Engineering (Common) 5
DN078
Structural Engineering 6
GY401
320 7
GY405
315
Mechanical Engineering 8
GY413
300
Energy Systems Engineering 9
LM073 10

19. Points for L8 Courses offered Level 8 DC200 490 DC195 DT066 480 DN077
The same system operates for
level 6/7 choices. The student
gets both L8 & L6/7 but can only accept one. By accepting one he automatically loses the
other.
Whether the student accepts or rejects either offer if he becomes eligible for a higher up choice he will be offered it. He may then decide to accept the second offer or keep the first one he was offered.
Level 8
DC200
490
DC195
DT066
480
DN077
460
DN078
GY401
320
GY405
315
GY413
300
LM073
The student may be offered either of these if the points drop in round 2.
OFFER
All of the course choices in red are now gone and will never be offered to the student.

20. Important Dates 20th Jan. discounted closing (€30)
1st Feb. application closing date (€45)
Mar/April tests, interviews, portfolios etc for restricted courses
6th May online change of mind available
1st July CAO closes

21. Offer of Places Round 1 – TBC Round 2 – Late August/Early Sept
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

22. College/CAO Question?

23. Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC’s) FETAC AWARDS now QQI
Another Option/Route

24. 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.
Applications are directly to institutions/colleges.

26. Why? Students who are more practical than academic
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 may be unsure of what course they would like to take at University or Institute of Technology's.
Can progress to a specific course through PLC route.

27. PLCs – Application
Application forms are available on-line and form take less than 10mins to fill out.
Application should be made as early as possible in the
new year.
There may be an application fee.
Further applications can be made in August but places
in the more popular courses tend to be filled.
Interviews are normally held in May or after the
Leaving Cert.

28. PLC Course: Questions?

29. Apprenticeships Real Employment Experience On-and-off the job learning
Preparation for a specific occupation
Nationally recognised qualification
All combined with being paid while you study

30. What it involves 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
Once completed gain a level 6 Higher Cert.
Training courses run by SOLAS formally FAS

32. Accounting Technician Insurance Practice
New
Accounting Technician
Insurance Practice
International Financial Services Associate
Chef
Manufacturing Engineering
Traditional
Brick& Stone laying
Carpentry & Joinery
Painting Decorating
Plasterer
Plumber
Electrician
Tool making
Mechanic
Vehicle Body Repair
Metal Fabrication
Proposed
Butcher
Manufacturing Technician
Retail Practice
Manufacturing ICT Engineer
Property Services Professional

33. Apprenticeship: Questions?

34. HEAR / DARE

35. DARE www.accesscollege.ie
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.

36. Disabilities eligible for DARE
Autistic Spectrum Disorders (including Asperser's Syndrome)
ADD/ADHD
Blind/Vision Impaired
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
DCD – Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia
Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia & Dyscalculia)
Mental Health Conditions
Neurological Conditions (Brain Injury, Epilepsy, Speech & Language Difficulties)
Significant Ongoing Illness
Physical Disability

37. HEAR www.accesscollege.ie
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is an admissions route for school leavers who for social, financial or cultural reasons are under-represented at third level education.
It was set up to ensure that all Leaving Certificate students have a fair and equal opportunity to progress to third level education.
HEAR Applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support.

38. HEAR – Eligibility Indicators1.
Was your household income on or below €45,790? 2.
Do you or your family have a Medical Card/GP Visit Card? 3.
Did your parents/guardians receive a means-tested social welfare payment for at least 26 weeks in 2017? 4.
Is your parents’ or guardians’ employment status under-represented in Higher Education? 5.
Have you attended a DEIS second level school for five years? 6.
Do you live in an area of concentrated disadvantage?
For more details go to

39. www.accesscollege.ie Important dates for HEAR/DARE
19th Jan Application Info. Day
Glencarn Hotel, Castle Blaney
10am-2pm
1st March 5.15pm (closing date
for final completion of online
HEAR/DARE forms)
1st April 5.15pm (latest date for
HEAR/DARE supporting
documentation to arrive in CAO)

40. What HEI’s participate in HEAR?
Dublin City University
NUI Galway
NUI Maynooth
Trinity College, Dublin
University College, Cork
University College, Dublin
University of Limerick
Dublin Institute of Technology
Church of Ireland, College of Education
Marino Institute of Education
Mary Immaculate College of Education
Mater Dei Institute of Education
National College of Ireland
Pontifical University, Maynooth
St. Angela’s College, Sligo
St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra

41. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland)

42. Tick the SUSI option on your CAO form NOW
- so CAO can confirm your college place offer to SUSI
Check out your grant eligibility at
All you need to know about grants.
Information for will be updated closer to May
Apply online – Applications open in early May
(early application receive priority processing)

43. Income Limits for 2018 applications
The SUSI eligibility checker can help determine if you are able to apply for SUSI.
The Student Contribution fee for is €3,000

44. SUSI - Key Dates (2019 application dates TBC)
New applications open: April/May 2019
New Applications Closing: Start Aug 2019
Application Processing (3 Months)
Initial Assessment (Aug)
Documents Requested (Sept)
Final Assessment (Oct)

45. HEAR/DARE/SUSI: Questions?

46. How to Choose University/College - PLC - Apprentinship
Ability / Interests
Career Implications
Subjects (in the course)
Research
Location
Don’t follow the crowd...
Finance
Back up Plan
Specific v broad courses
PLC
Apprenticeship
Time
Talk to people
University/College - PLC - Apprentinship

47. Speak to Guidance Counsellor in School
Research
Speak to Guidance Counsellor in School
(courses)
(very comprehensive courses/careers)
(UK equivalent to CAO, closing date for general application 15th January 2017)
Other sources
-College Prospectus -College web sites
-CAO handbook -Professional Bodies Websites

48. Make contact with the school
Concerns?
Make contact with the school

49. Thanks for Listening!
Any Questions?