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The Definitive Guide to Going to College - Revision tips, CAO Application form, Competitions, advice on grants & funding and much more!

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Page 1: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

ONLY !4.99

The Definitive Guide to...

A FUJIFILM 14MP DIGITAL CAMERA!

WIN

NFQ&QQI

2013 Leaving Cert Timetable

Page 2: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

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Page 3: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 3

Introduction

The CAO and application form

NFQ and QQI

Choosing a course of study

The points system

Study and revision tips

Private colleges

Post leaving cert courses

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Repeating the leaving certificate

College is not the goal

The gap year

Living away from home

A-Z of college essentials

Accommodation tips

Grants and funding

Student budgeting tips

Campus cost comparison

Freshers’ week

Clubs and societies

The social aspects of college life

Student welfare

Health issues

The college library

Studying abroad

Mature students

A-Z of CAO course new listing

Leaving certificate timetable 2013

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Page 4: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

This Guide is an informative and detailed publication relevant to all secondary level students who are deciding on their future, as well as being an invaluable resource

to new third level students. The CAO process is explained in full, as is the QQI, the new amalgamation of several state bodies. We also provide many different study methods and tips.

The cost of attending third level has risen dramatically over the past five years. At the time of going to print, maintenance grants had still not been paid out to more than 60% of first-time applicants. This has had a huge negative impact on students nationwide, with many having to drop

Follow us on FaceBook www.facebook.com/goingtocollege and Twitter@collegeguide_Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to secure names, addresses and particulars of entries, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. All information is accepted as correct at time of going to press. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the publisher. Such written permission should also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

out of college altogether. This, according to the Union of Students in Ireland, is a ‘full-blown scandal’. We have to agree.

As a result of these increasing costs, we have included full details on eligibility for grants and a cost comparison of commonly purchased items in various campuses throughout the country. However, it’s not all doom and gloom! We present hard-hitting facts in a humorous light. After all, despite all the pressure and stress, this is also one of the most exciting times of your life. We’re here to help you to make the most of it!

The Definitive Guide to Going to College

The final year of school is one of the most difficult times in a young person’s life. As well as the pressure to study, there is the added stress of deciding which career path to take, and where in the country to start that path. The Definitive Guide to Going to College can help.

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6 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

The HEIs have delegated to the CAO the task of processing centrally applications for

admission to their first year undergraduate courses. The purpose of the CAO, therefore, is to process applications centrally and to deal with them in an efficient and fair manner.

The HEIs retain the function of making decisions on admissions.

General principlesApplications for admission in autumn 2013 will be processed in accordance with the regulations, procedures and timetable described in the CAO Handbook 2013 (‘the Handbook’), in the CAO Application Form 2013 (‘the Form’) and in the other documents mentioned in the Handbook.

It is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with these. Other such regulations and procedures in relation to online application, change of mind and acceptance of offers will appear on the CAO web site.

The intention is to provide fair and equal treatment for all applicants and to minimise expense for the applicant-body as a whole.

The CAO is the agent for the HEIs participating in the Application System. These bodies agree annually the application regulations, procedures and timetable.

The CAO has no discretion to set them aside so as either to afford special treatment to any applicant over another or to deprive any applicant of their entitlement in favour of another. The CAO is purely an administrative facility and does not endorse or recommend any course. It is your responsibility to determine the status and the suitability of any course chosen.

Applicant’s responsibilityIt is the applicant’s own responsibility to ensure that the application is submitted accurately

and on time. In any one year, you may not present more than one application (either online or paper).

Application dates and fees Applicants should avoid submitting an application close to the closing date. The closing date cannot be extended.

The CAO formThe CAO form in most cases is very straightforward but it is worthwhile giving it focus and attention.

There are four pages on the print CAO form and over 30 different spaces to be filled in. Irish school-leavers only need to complete Part A (pages 1 and 2). Part B (pages 3 and 4) is for those applying with examinations other than FETAC and Leaving Certificate and for mature students presenting with other further education qualifications.

The form can also be accessed online. Normal closing date is February 1st but if you apply online before January 20th the cost is !30. After 1st February this will be higher.

All fees are non-refundable. FEE CLOSING DATE

Normal application (online or paper) !40 1 February 2013 (17:15)

Online discounted rate !25 20 January 2013 (17:15)

Late online application !50 1 May 2013 (17:15)

Late paper application !80 1 May 2013 (17:15)

Change of mind Nil 1 July 2013 (17:15)

The CAO (Central Applications Office) is an organisation which was founded in 1976 by the higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Republic of Ireland.

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The form is standard enough in that you will need to give all your personal details as you do when filling out other application forms.

The most important part of the form is the Course Choices section. When choosing your course, the CAO choice system is split into two categories: a Level 6 and level 7 list, where you put your higher certificate and ordinary degree choices, and a Level 8 list, where you put your honours degree options. Each category has 10 spaces for course choices and it is recommended you fill in all 10 spaces on each list.

The only information you need is the course code, you don’t need to name the course or the college that is running it. Each third-level course has its own code number which is made up of two letters and three numbers. You can find this code in the back of this guide, in the course listings section of the CAO guide, and in each individual college prospectus and website.

Please ensure when you are listing your courses that you put your first choice as the first listing and then put your next preferences down the list in order. The reason there are 10 spaces is that you can afford to aim high, with plenty of space to list other alternative courses, should you not get the required points for your first choice.

For most people, this is the end of the form filling. The other two pages (Part B) are for Special Category Applicants. This part is for students taking GCSEs in the UK, mature students and people presenting with other

Address: The CAO Application System operates from the CAO premises at:

Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway.

Phone: (091) 509800 Fax: (091) 562344

The CAO website is at www.cao.ie.

Application may be made online at this site.

Hours of business:

09:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:15 Monday through Friday.

school leaving exams other than the Leaving Certificate or FETAC. If none of these categories apply to you, write NO in the box at the bottom of Page 2 or click the ‘none of the above’ box on the online form. Special Category Applicants are strongly advised to submit their application by the 15th of December 2011.

It is always a good idea to have somebody else check the form, just in case you have missed something. If you apply online, make sure you follow all the directions to the end of the process. You are not finished until you print or save the screen receipt of acceptance of your online application.

We would recommend that you keep a copy of your form whether it was sent online or by post. Swift post or registering your post is usually a good option because you have a tracking number should there be any problems. A certificate of postage will be needed in case your application should get lost in the post. Online applicants should keep their printed receipt of acceptance safe. Paper applicants should enclose their stamped-addressed Acknowledgement Card with their initial application and then keep it safe when it’s returned.

Remember that you can apply and get a CAO number at any time. With just your name, address and contact number you can apply early and get a CAO number. You can then have the time to pull together your examination results and other relevant information and amend your application later.

PaymentPaper applications can be made using the Application Fee Payment Form. The bank will retain Part 3 and will stamp Parts 1 and 2 and return them to you. You keep Part 2 for your own records and send Part 1 with your CAO application.

If you are applying online, you can opt to pay by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or debit card (Laser), or use the Application Fee Payment Form and pay in the bank. When paying online, you are given a Payment Confirmation Code. You need to keep this number, because you must enter it in the appropriate box of the Online Application.

The CAO handbook is available online and is a useful tool when filling out your CAO form.

The Definitive Guide to Going to College 7

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8 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Questions and answers about where your awards fit into the new system of Quality and Qualifications Ireland...

made for all kinds of learning, from basic literacy to doctorate level. School, further education and training and higher education and training (i.e. DIT, Institutes of Technology and the universities) are all included.

For instance, the Leaving Certificate is at Level 4 and 5, apprenticeships qualifications are at Level 6, an Ordinary Bachelor Degree is at Level 7 and an Honours Bachelor Degree is at Level 8.

The level a qualification is at on the NFQ indicates the standard of knowledge, skill and competence a learner is expected to have on completion of a programme. The higher education qualifications in

Q My daughter is filling out her CAO Handbook for third level

options this year and there is a reference to ‘Levels’. What do they mean and how do they relate to my daughter’s application?

A Since 2004, references to ‘Levels’ have featured in the

CAO Handbook. These refer to the 10 Levels of Qualification set out by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

The Irish qualifications system was restructured in 2003 and is now described in terms of awards at 10 levels in the National Framework of Qualifications, also referred to as NFQ, for which the QQI is responsible. The 10 Levels of the NFQ incorporate awards

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the NFQ are from Levels 6 to 10 and can be seen below. As the Handbook only deals with higher education qualifications up to Honours Bachelor Degree Level, it refers to Levels 6, 7 and 8 only.

Q What is QQI, and what happened to FETAC, HETAC,

NQAI and IQUB?

A QQI stands for Quality and Qualifications Ireland and

is an amalgamation of the four legacy bodies: FETAC, HETAC, NQAI and IQUB. QQI has inherited the functions of all four and is responsible for carrying out a comprehensive range of quality assurance services across education and training.

It is important that the qualification you get is portable and recognisable both at home and abroad. The NFQ and QQI are linked to similar developments taking place in other countries, and this means that holders of NFQ qualifications travelling abroad can have their qualifications more easily understood. It also helps the recognition of qualifications held by those travelling to Ireland with qualifications gained outside the State.

Q How can I find out more about QQI?

A For more detailed information about QQI and the NFQ and

its implications for you continuing your education after second level, it is recommended to visit the new QQI website at www.qqi.ie.

QQI is also responsible for the continued development and implementation of the NFQ. It will establish a Code of Practice and International Education Mark for the provision of education to international learners.

QQI was established on November 6th, 2012 under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act of 2012. More information as QQI publishes it is available on the website: http://www.qqi.ie.

Q What are the benefits of the NFQ and QQI to learners?

A You can have confidence in the quality of the qualification

you are applying for, as a primary function of QQI is to ensure all NFQ qualifications are quality assured and recognised both nationally and internationally.

You can make informed choices about the qualifications you choose and plan your education and training path.

The NFQ acts as a tool for employers, so they can recognise and understand the level and standard of your qualifications. It is expected that graduates will increasingly find employers referring to Levels when recruiting.

The Definitive Guide to Going to College 9

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In current times in particular, there is pressure from all sides to pick a course that will

guarantee a lucrative career.

Economists and journalists have been trying to predict where the jobs will be in two, three and four year’s time. Several periodicals are predicting growth in the following areas:

IT services: Gaming, data-mining, smart phones and apps continue to grow and develop at a remarkable rate.

Computer software & hardware: New developments in hardware (the iPad, book reader, sensor-controlled Xbox) and software continue to evolve and hold consumer interest.

Accounting and auditing and financial services: Some predict that Ireland will be providing centralised accountancy and administration services for multinationals, having become a services-based economy by 2020.

High tech manufacturing (pharmaceutical): We already have several software and

pharmaceutical multinationals with large bases here thanks to the beneficial corporate tax policies, which thankfully were left unchanged by recent budgets, despite strong opposition from other countries in the EU.

Green sector jobs: Climate change could be the driver for the creation of massive numbers of jobs here in Ireland in areas such as wind farm design and development, the harnessing of wave energy, development of electric car-charging stations etc.

The best advice to take from all predictions is to be aware of the current and ongoing situation, but don’t make choices based on it.

Given the dramatic economic events of recent years, it is all too easy to listen to the doom-mongers. However, it is hoped and according to some sources, expected, that the economy will be well on the road to recovery by the time 2013 school leavers graduate.

The thoughts of filling out the CAO form and choosing from the huge selection of courses available across third-level institutions can be daunting. A good approach is to follow your own personal interests so you can spend the next few years studying a subject that will keep you engaged and interested. The Arts degrees from NUI Galway, for example, allow you to follow an interest you might have in Children’s Studies, Creative Writing, Film Studies, Human Rights, Irish Studies, Theatre and Performance or Women’s Studies.

Remember that the degree is not the end in itself nor does it ‘typecast’ you when you graduate. Many degrees provide a very solid foundation from which very different careers can be pursued. For example a good degree in the Arts, Sciences or Business provides an excellent preparation for teaching, journalism, business, public and private services, management etc.

Mary Sweeney, Admissions Office, NUI Galway provides some thoughts and tips on preparing for the CAO.

10 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 11

HERE ARE

1Consider where your interests lie. Ask yourself; what are the

Leaving Certificate subjects and activities I most enjoy?

2Consult with parents and friends; seek out advice and

information from your Guidance Counsellors.

3Talk to students already at third level and if you can,

participate in Open Days and Career Exhibitions.

4Check out the various college websites for detailed

information on courses and review the prospectus. If it’s something that would interest you, find out if there is the opportunity of work experience or studying abroad.

5Create a shortlist of your top ten courses with a quick

note on why you want to do each course in each institution.

6Check the minimum entry requirements for your

preferred CAO courses.

7List the courses in your order of preference, based on those

which interest you and in which you have a realistic chance of getting an offer based on your expected results.

8Think through your options and have your mind made up

at least one week before the CAO deadline (1st February). This will give you time, having made your decision, to see how that feels. The order of your preferences should really reflect the order of what you want.

This article first appeared in the Sunday Independent

9Remember – don’t panic – there is still a change of

mind option until the 1st July.

10 If you are considering taking a year out, apply

this year and if you get the offer you want, you are free to apply to be considered for deferred entry to a following year. Remember that entry points to the various programmes change from year to year depending on the demand for and supply of places.

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12 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

How are my points calculated?

Your best six subjects from one sitting are used to calculate your total points, no matter now many subjects you study.

Must I count the results of my required subject(s) when calculating my total points?

No. When calculating your points, only your best six subjects are used. As long as you have met your course requirements, it is not needed in calculating points. For example, if your preferred course requires you to achieve a C3 in ordinary level Irish, you don’t have to count this C3 in your best six subjects if you have scored higher elsewhere.

If I am repeating, can I use some points from the previous year?

No. Your best six subjects from the same sitting will be used to determine your final result. However you can carry a pass from a previous sitting if you need it for a college requirement. For example, if a C3 in higher level

maths is a requirement to gain entry to a course you desire and you have already achieved this, you can carry that result through to the following year and use your remaining subjects to calculate your points. Medicine is the only exception to this rule, as you must take your requirements and points from the same sitting.

Why do points for courses change every year?

Points for courses depend on the demand for places. If a course has particularly high points for entry one year, it is not because the course is more difficult than previous years; it is because a large amount of students have applied for the course that year. For example, the points required for science in UCD rose from 385 points in 2009 to 435 points in 2010. This does not mean that Science in UCD has become more difficult. It means that much more students desired a place in Science in 2010 compared to in 2009. Colleges only have so many places available for students. This can work both ways. There can also be a drop in points for a course from one year to the next. For example, theoretical Physics in UCD dropped form 465 points in 2009 to 405 points in 2010.

Why do courses in some colleges have higher points than similar courses in other colleges?

Colleges have a limited number of places for each course. The number of places a college has depends on the size of the college. Therefore if a course has higher points in one college compared to the other, it does

not necessarily make the course better or more difficult in one college. It means that the demand is higher and the number of available places is lower. For example, in 2010, the points required to study Psychology in UCD are 505 as opposed to Trinity where students needs 545 points. This huge difference in points is due to the 75 places available for psychology in UCD compared to the 31 places available for psychology in TCD. Students from both colleges will finish with the same valid degree.

The points you get for each grade level

Grade Higher Ordinary Foundation Level Level Level

A1 100 60 20

A2 90 50 15

B1 85 45 10

B2 80 40 5

B3 75 35

C1 70 30

C2 65 25

C3 60 20

D1 55 15

D2 50 10

D3 45 5

This article first appeared in the Sunday Independent

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 13

Setting goals and getting startedNow is the time to clarify your goals, be positive, identify the key areas to attack, make out a realistic revision schedule, and get a system working for you. Each individual student profile is different, so take the opportunity to identify your particular strengths and weaknesses and focus on those areas that could make a crucial difference to YOU.

What is good study?To be effective, study must be:

Active – always work with a pen and paper, look for key points, and test yourself. Never just sit down and read for a set period. Focus on tasks, not time.

Organised – always ask yourself at the start of a study session: “What do I want to have

completed in this session?” Have a plan for what you want to cover this week and this month. Have an overview of the priority areas in each subject.

Aimed at understanding – always look to build material into patterns and associations that make sense to you. Link new information with your existing knowledge of a subject. Make use of graphic examples and illustrations. When you understand something, you will have little difficulty in remembering it.

Setting smart study goalsSpecific: Don’t have as your target, “Study geography for an hour.”

Do have as your target, “Revise physical geography – rivers, and sketch a model answer to the question on last year’s paper.”

Measurable: Measure your progress towards your goal. Use a revision checklist for each subject and tick off each topic as you study/revise it. In this way, you’ll literally see your progress.

Action-related: Break down your study goal into a set of specific tasks, e.g. background reading of research material, draw up essay plan, and complete writing of essay. Base each study session on tasks, not time.

Realistic: Don’t set goals you are unlikely to achieve. Make realistic demands on yourself, in consultation with teachers and guidance counsellors. Otherwise, you will quickly lose heart and lose interest.

Time-based: Avoid panic before a deadline. Always time your study tasks, working back from the deadline. If you have a test in three

Learning how to study more effectively is probably the best investment of time you could make right now. And it’s not rocket science – all you need is a desire to get organised and the capacity to think smart.

Here, we cover some of the key

aspects of study and revision:

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14 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

weeks’ time, set blocks of revision work for each of the three weeks.

Time managementTime management = Self-management

“You can’t save time, you can only spend it wisely”

The starting point is to identify your critical success factors – the things that might be holding you back. Try to answer the following questions honestly as an indicator of your current standing. Are any of these problem areas for you? Is there room for improvement?

Do you have a routine established for study during the week?

Do you get some solid revision done at the weekends?

Do you have a definite time for starting study each day?

Do you have difficulty starting into tasks?

Do you get your written work handed in on time?

Do you find your plans regularly knocked off-schedule?

Do you find yourself panicking prior to tests?

Weekday schedule

Establishing a realistic routine, early in the school year, will make a huge difference to the effectiveness of your work. Like most jobs, study is mainly a matter of habit. Once settled in a routine, life becomes much simpler and study becomes more productive. Making out your own schedule, based on your particular circumstances, will act as a helpful structure for your work.

While quality is ultimately more important than quantity, in your Leaving Cert year you should be aiming to do four hours productive study each day. This includes homework, revision, and any study sessions in school.

Create a study timetable – construct a weekly schedule for yourself. Start by including your class times, travel, sports and other commitments. Then add designated study periods for the afternoons/evenings and for the weekend. It is better to start with realistic targets that you can fulfil rather than being over-ambitious at first.

Have a definite time for starting study each evening. Pick a time that you can stick to. It will reinforce your discipline and

condition your system to make the most of the session.

Weekend scheduleGetting some productive study

done at weekends will make all the difference to your exam prospects! Here, you can get effective revision done, can spend more time on reviewing topics covered during the week in class, can prepare for tests or oral exams, can devote time to an essay or important assignment that needs to be done well.

The weekend is also the time when you might feel least like studying, when the level of distraction is higher, when you want to take a break from school pressures and relax. The potential for friction at home can increase at weekends. How can you cope with these competing factors?

The answer lies in balance and organisation. It is not possible to do everything (get some rest, play sport, work in a part-time job, go out on two or three nights, spend time with your friends, get the necessary study done) so something has to give and a balance must be arrived at. Settle on a routine that can work for you. Nominate certain blocks of time that you will devote to study at weekends (e.g. Sunday afternoon) and let these periods become firmly associated with productive study in your mind.

You should be aiming to do up to 8 hours good study over the weekend period (i.e. from Friday evening to Sunday evening). Try getting some homework done on Friday afternoon/evening before 7pm (thus ‘breaking the back’ of the job before the weekend really starts), keep Saturday free for rest and recreation, and use Sunday (when there are less distractions) as the day to get some solid revision done.

Doing it ‘now’‘Putting things off’ is probably the biggest time-waster of all! Procrastination means letting the low-priority tasks get in the way of high-priority ones. Students of physics may liken it to the concept of inertia – a mass at rest tends to stay at rest. Here are some steps to spending time more

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 15

productively. But remember, don’t just read them, do them!

Start thinking positive thoughts. Incorporate self-motivating statements into your speech and thoughts: “There’s no time like the present”, “The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can go out.”

Plan ahead by working backwards. By using revision checklists in your various subjects, you should know what quantity of material has to be covered over the coming months. Start from the final date (end of May) and divide your revision up week by week, allowing some flexibility for unforeseen delays. Surprise yourself by being ready in time!

Learn to say NO once your priorities are set. Stick to your weekly schedule as closely as possible – it will become a help to your efforts and a shield against temptation. You’ll still be able to socialise, rest and play, but it will be on your terms, not someone else’s.

Reward yourself. Self-reinforcement has a powerful effect on developing a ‘do it now” attitude. Take satisfaction in the completion of tasks and give yourself a ‘treat’ with the time saved by taking a break. You’ll have a greater sense of freedom and accomplishment because you’re in control, and you’ll enjoy your ‘free time’ more!

Concentration and organisation

Achieving the Quality Standard. The quantity of time that you allocate to study over the coming weeks is important – you do need a realistic yet demanding weekly schedule. But ‘putting in the time’ is no guarantee of success – you must ensure that the quality of work is good, that your revision is active, organised and SMART, that it is focussed on the right areas.

To help you identify areas for personal improvement, answer the following questions honestly

and then go looking for practical solutions.

Do you find it difficult to motivate yourself to start studying?

Are you easily distracted during a study session?

Can you always account for tasks completed in a study period?

Do you have a suitable, fixed location for regular study?

Can you quickly find particular notes or written work in your subject folders?

Applying the principles of learning

Learning depends largely on your desire to learn.

Within each study period, have a specific goal to achieve or tasks to complete.

Concentration and efficiency decrease over a certain period of time.

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16 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

When studying for a prolonged period, reward yourself with a short break when a particular task is finished, leave your desk, but don’t go near the phone or TV!

Learning is improved by repetition.

Regular revision of topics on a daily basis (material covered in class), weekly basis (areas covered over the week) and monthly basis (working backwards from June with your revision planners) will reinforce learning and build your confidence.

Spaced learning is more effective than massed learning.

While we often end up ‘cramming’ towards the end of the year, the most effective way to improve performance is by tackling a subject or topic in smaller chunks on a more regular basis, thus reinforcing understanding and retention.

The learning of one thing may help or interfere with the learning of another.

Be smart in how you organise the sequence of subjects in a study session.

An hour of English followed by revision of History or Classical Studies will probably prove productive, but the study of Irish grammar in close proximity to French verbs might lead to confusion.

Questions of concentration Where? Find a fixed place to study (a particular desk/room at home, a spot in the library etc.) that becomes firmly associated in your mind with productive work. You are trying to build a habit, to make life easier for yourself by being in productive mode when you start a session. All the equipment and materials you need should be within reach, and the room well lit and ventilated, but not too comfortable!

What? Remember that it’s all about being active and focused on tasks, not time! Know at the start of a session what you want to have completed by the end of the period. Make the tasks specific and realistic, not vague and large. Don’t say, “I’m going to study Geography for an hour”, or, “I’m going to spend all day Saturday studying Geography”. Decide to “Revise Chapter 7 of Regional Geography of Europe and write an outline answer to a regional geography question on last year’s exam paper”.

How? Always work with a pen and paper at the ready. Getting started is often the most difficult bit, so start by “doing”. Tackle a homework question or the writing up of class notes at the start of a session. It usually helps to begin with a subject you like, move on to other less favoured areas, and then finish up with a favoured topic to maintain the interest.

When? Try to schedule your study for times when you are more mentally alert. While different ‘body clocks’ will apply, most people find their ability to focus deteriorates towards the end of the day. Getting homework and revision done earlier in the day aids efficiency and also offers the reward of having time to relax after the work is done.

Why? Understanding is central to the learning process so always seek to test your progress at the end of a study session. Ask yourself, “What have I just learned?” Review the material covered in school that day, even briefly, as it will aid retention and make the next day’s classes more productive. Merely recognising material isn’t enough – you must be able to reproduce it without the aid of the book or notes. The final 5-10 minutes of any session should be used for this recall.

Reading, note-taking, and memory skills Become a better processor!

The process of learning involves taking in information, processing it, and storing it effectively for re-use. It is similar in many ways to the use of files and folders on your computer. However, even the most powerful computer will be of no use to you if the information and material is entered in a disorganised and chaotic manner. As the old programmers’ motto says, “garbage in = garbage out”!

To help you identify areas for personal improvement, answer the following questions and then go looking for practical solutions.

Do you often forget material that you have recently read?

Does your mind wander during

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1 Know what you have to do. Relate all your revision tasks

to the structure and format of the exam papers you will face. Make use of revision checklists and exam guides plus information on the marking schemes available in all your subjects to match the main syllabus sections and exam topics to the time available for revision. Plan to get a certain number of sections covered each week. Devote more time to the more important sections of each course.

2 Revise in ‘chunks’. Break up items into manageable

‘chunks’ that can be reviewed regularly. This makes it easier to tackle your least favourite areas and helps morale because you feel you are getting more done. Write specific material on ‘flash cards’ (small cards which can be kept in your pocket for quick review) e.g. verbs, vocabulary, formulae or definitions. These can be very useful towards the end of the year.

3 Prepare by doing. As effective study must be active, all

your revision should be based around testing your recall and practising your output. Merely recognising material in your notes and textbooks is no guarantee of successful revision – you must be able to recall it without the aid of notes. Work with a pen and paper, write down points, sketch model answers to exam questions, and then check your results!

4 Revise from the top down. It is easier to understand and retain

material that is well organised. Start with a good grasp of the main ideas or concepts, then follow with the sub-topics and supporting details. Try to retain an overview of the subject at all times during revision – how does this particular topic relate to the main syllabus sections and the likely exam questions? In this way, you will avoid getting bogged down in insignificant detail.

5Beware of new material in the final weeks of term.

Towards the end of the year, you should be aiming to consolidate existing knowledge and build on this foundation rather than trying to learn new material. Once the course has been covered to your satisfaction and you have a reasonable choice of questions in the exam, you are best advised to consolidate your main choices rather than chasing after new material for options which you are unlikely to take in the exam.

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reading, causing you to re-read sections?

Do you have a system for remembering lists of items?

Are your notes well laid-out and easy to follow?

Can you quickly find a particular topic in your subject folders?

Do you find your plans regularly knocked off-schedule?

Do you find yourself panicking prior to tests?

Reading better and faster Most students, when faced with a textbook or chapter to study, will ‘start at the beginning, read through at the same pace until the end, then stop and put the book away’. This passive approach is a most inefficient way to learn, as it can take longer and leave you bogged down in detail, with no overall grasp of the subject matter. By adopting a more active

approach to reading, you can begin to read better and faster within a very short space of time. The PQ2R method has proven to be most successful in this regard. Try it for the remaining weeks of term and see the benefits.

P = Preview: Begin your reading task with a quick skim (2-3 minutes) of the text, trying to get an overview of the chapter or text. Look for section headings, illustrative charts and diagrams, signposts or key words. Don’t start highlighting text at this point.

Q = Question: This is the key to active learning. Look for answers to the basic questions of Who? What? Where? Why? When? Identify the main theme or learning point of the particular text.

R = Read: Now read the chapter carefully, with these questions in mind. Your mind will be actively looking for answers as you read. Work with a pen and paper, make brief summary notes, look for ‘topic sentences’ that summarise

the most important point in a paragraph or section and highlight them, if necessary. Vary your reading speed – move quickly over

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lighter, less important material and slow down when you come to a difficult section.

R = Review: Always check your understanding of the material by reviewing and testing your recall before putting the text away. Look at the notes you have taken and check that they answer your initial questions. Summarise your findings from this study session.

Making your notes usefulThe purpose of making summary notes on a topic or section is to aid your overall understanding of material, to help you distinguish between what is really important information (depth) and what is merely supporting detail. Reference to the main syllabus topics will help the process of discernment within each subject.

In addition, good summary notes make retrieval of information quicker and easier.

Sort out your filing systemIf you haven’t already done so, get your subject folders and notes organised immediately. Invest in some ring-binders, dividers, plastic pockets, etc. Have a separate folder for each subject (a permanent reference point) and then keep a ‘current folder’ for managing notes in progress.

‘Less is always more’When writing notes, remember they should be a summary, not an extensive repetition of what is in the textbook. Don’t crowd the page. Stick to main headings and sub-headings.

Use abbreviations where appropriate. Try to reduce what you need to know on the topic down to one A4 sheet. Once you have an overview, it is easier to fill out the detail.

Make your notes visualEnsure your notes have a memorable appearance so that you can recall them easily. Use illustrations, diagrams, graphs, colours, and boxes (‘a picture is worth a thousand words’). Arrange the material in a logical hierarchy (title, sub-point,

explanation, example). Ideally, you should be able to close your eyes in an exam and visualise a particular page of notes.

Beware of transcribing and highlighting!Merely re-writing the text from the book into your notes does not ensure retention. Try to put things in your own words and devise your own examples – this will make the material more meaningful. Only use the highlighter pen AFTER you have previewed and questioned a text, thus ensuring you identify the most important material and you avoid the creation of a fluorescent textbook!

‘Save’ your notes carefullyPractice following the logic of your computer files, when storing information. Think - where does this material best fit (subject, section, topic, sub-topic, etc.)? In this way, you will ensure that it is efficiently processed and easily retrieved both physically (during revision) and mentally (when you need it in an exam).

Improving memoryWe often blame our memory for poor academic performance (“I’m no good at remembering names/dates/rules/verbs/

characteristics”) when really we should be addressing our faulty input and storage system. There is a big difference between short term and long term memory. If you study a topic one night and can recall most of it the next morning, don’t be fooled into thinking that you will be able to remember it accurately in two months time.

If the goal is to improve your long term memory, then the key to success is based on the efficiency of input (the ‘mental filing system’ we employ). Reducing the burden on the limited short term memory, and channelling information into long term storage, is based on the creation of patterns and the avoidance of randomness.

‘Chunking’: as the average person can only hold seven ‘items’ in short term memory, grouping items together into ‘chunks’ can increase capacity. This is generally used for remembering numbers (think of how you remember phone numbers by grouping the seven digits into two or three chunks) but can be applied to other listings in various subjects.

Repetition: Studies indicate that 66% of material is forgotten within seven days if it is not reviewed or recited again by the student, and 88% is gone after six weeks.

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Don’t make life harder for yourself – build in a brief daily and weekly review of material covered. It will save you having to re-learn material from scratch!

Application and association: The best way to channel material to long term memory is to organise it into meaningful associations. Link it to existing information and topics and create vivid personal examples which act as ‘mental hooks’ or ‘cues’ for recalling material in the future. Thus, new items are put in context. If you learn a new formula/verb/rule, try to put it into practice immediately with a relevant example.

Use of mnemonics: these are various word games which can act as memory aids and which allow personalisation and creativity. Think of stalactites (come down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (go up from the ground); the colours of the rainbow (‘Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain’ to remember red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet); the seven characteristics of living organisms – Mr. Grief (Movement, Reproduction, Growth, Respiration, Irritability, Excretion, Feeding). You can devise many more of these to aid your personalised recall of items in your subjects.

Revision and exam preparationPractising output: To prepare for an exam, you must practice doing what the exam requires you to do giving out information, not taking it in! This applies to regular class tests as well as the final exams.

Prior to June, you will probably have had the benefit of many class tests and a ‘mock exam’ where the Leaving Cert conditions are simulated for your benefit – you can learn a lot by reflecting honestly on your performance in these tests. You also have the benefit of a wealth of freely-available information about the exams. Past exam papers, marking schemes, study guides, even Chief Examiners Reports on some subjects are all there to be used.

Make use of past papers: These should be your constant

companion in all revision tasks. For each topic you revise, consult the past questions on this subject and then attempt answers to them. Check your answers, fill in the ‘knowledge gaps’ where necessary, and file away the correct ‘model answer’ in your notes for future reference. You will also start to notice any trends in the questions asked.

Follow the marks: It is only in recent years that the Department have published the marking schemes for all subjects and these are an invaluable aid to exam preparation (2000 – 2002 papers available on the Department of Education and Science website, www.education.ie; 2003 papers available on www.examinations.ie). You can see how the marks were allocated for each question on last year’s paper, what the sub-division was between statement of point, explanation, example etc., and what quantity of answer was required in each case.

This knowledge will greatly inform your revision work and helps to remove the mystique of the exam.

Try a dress rehearsal: Each exam paper contains its own particular structure and challenge, with varying emphasis on answering style and depth. While much of your ongoing revision will be based on individual topics and questions, it is a very useful exercise to tackle an exam paper in its totality (at least once before June). It forces you to consider your strategy – the questions you will want to attempt or avoid, the issues of timing, the number of points you will need to make in each part of a question.

Having performed this exercise a couple of times, your confidence levels rise as you fix on your strategy for the exam and realise that there can’t be any major surprises for you in June.

Article contributed by www.skoool.ie

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For every student, these choices present a significant challenge and at first glance

your options can look limited. Going to University may be your only thought now, but there is a wider world of educational opportunities to be explored and private education is just one of them.

Private Education has been considered by students as another educational choice for many years and it is regarded as offering flexibility and real opportunities for future careers. Classes tend to be smaller, lectures more personal and lecturer support more attainable. Applications to Private Colleges can be submitted either through the CAO or directly to the College in question and the Leaving Certificate requirements tend to be more achievable than those for the Institutes of Technology or Universities.

Private Colleges offer undergraduate degrees at Level 7 and 8, Higher Certificates at Level 6 and a range of diplomas and short-term or part time courses. If you want to progress after achieving a degree, postgraduate education is on offer too. Private tuition is externally validated so you can be satisfied that your qualification appears on the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) and is recognised both nationally and internationally. Check with individual providers for more details.

A common assumption made about private education is that it is expensive but this is not necessarily true. Private education incurs tuition fees but students can generally claim tax relief and providers offer other incentives for example in Law where the core books and manuals are included in the cost. Remember too, that students must pay a registration fee in all state colleges which is generally included in the tuition fees of the private educational provider.

Deciding your future career can prove to be a challenge and considering all of your options is crucial. There are a number of Private Colleges to choose from so start your search immediately by visiting one of their many Open Days throughout the year or call any provider directly to arrange an individual appointment.

Before you even realise it, the time to decide your career future has arrived! Everything seems to happen at once – studying for exams, deciding which college or university you would like to join and choosing which career to take.

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PLCs tend to emphasize the practical aspects of learning, with less focus on academic

study than other traditional courses. Students are encouraged to be active participants in class. As well as teaching vocational skills necessary for a particular job, each programme incorporates communications and technology.

Class sizes in PLCs tend to be smaller than in Universities and ITs, and lecturers are generally available and accessible. More often than not, there is no need to relocate, as courses are available in about 200 schools and colleges nationwide, mainly offered by vocational education committees (VECs).

Courses are flexible and have the ability to change various aspects in order to respond to the needs of industry and the job market. Many PLCs focus largely on providing training that will lead directly to specific jobs, with several courses including work placements.

Increasingly, they are being used as a pre-third level course, with progression routes from the PLC into degree programmes in either a university or an institute of technology. This allows students who failed to achieve the necessary points to enter a specific university course to get a place on the same course a year or two later. There are direct links for example, between several PLC business courses and degree courses at Dublin City University, University College Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology. In 2009, there was a 26% increase in the number of CAO candidates using a FETAC award to apply for a place in third-level.

For many PLC students however, there is no need for further third level study, as qualifications from several PLCs are internationally recognised. For instance, some colleges offer qualifications from the Institute of Certified Public

Accountants and City and Guilds. Most offer FETAC qualifications that are now widely recognised and in some cases, such as childcare, are job requirements.

PLC courses are in high demand. In 2009 there were almost twice as many applicants as there were places. Given that there are almost 32,000 places, it becomes obvious that it is not just school leavers who are seeking places, but also mature students, in ever-increasing numbers. Unemployed people who find that their work skills need to be updated are also flocking to PLCs.

Entry to PLCs is based more on interview than on academic results. Unlike the CAO, each individual college handles their own applications. Again, unlike the CAO, there is no universal deadline or ‘change-of-mind’ date. These courses start filling as early as Easter, so they are worth researching early on.

Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses in the Further Education (FE) sector offer another alternative to the university route. PLCs should be considered for many reasons…

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In Ireland, apprenticeship programmes are run by FÁS, the national training and

employment authority. If you feel that academic life is not for you and that you would like to do something more ‘hands on’, then an apprenticeship is worth considering.

BenefitsApprenticeship training is an

excellent opportunity to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, competencies, experience and qualifications to build a successful career;

Apprenticeships are demand-driven, according to the needs of the job market;

Apprenticeship training is relevant and tailored to the needs of industry;

Apprentices are paid as they progress through their apprenticeships;

On completion of an apprenticeship, apprentices will become a craftsperson in the chosen occupation and hold a FETAC Advanced Certificate, which is a national and internationally recognised qualification;

On successful completion of an apprenticeship an apprentice is eligible for consideration for entry into related degree programmes provided by the Institutes of Technology providing

he/she also meets other special entry requirements. Details of the higher education institutes offering progression from FETAC Advanced Certificate – Craft to levels 7 and 8 are available on the FETAC website http://www.fetac.ie/fetac/documents/Progression_from_FETAC_Adv_Cert-Craft_to_HE_Courses.pdf

Course StructureApprenticeship is Standard Based. During your apprenticeship, you will be required to follow a specific course of training and undergo a series of assessments to confirm that you have reached the required standard.

Apprenticeship generally comprises of seven phases; three off-the-job training and development phases and four on-the-job practice and work experience phases. The only exceptions to the above are the Floor/wall tiler and print media apprenticeships which have five phases; three on-the-job and two off-the-job training phases.

Employers have responsibility for providing on-the-job training. FÁS and the Department of Education & Science have the responsibility for providing off-the-job training.

The off-the-job phases are delivered by a FÁS Training Centre, institute of technology or other approved training provider.

Apprenticeship listingsFÁS Apprenticeship applies to the following crafts:

Agricultural Mechanics*

Aircraft Mechanics*

Brick and Stone laying

Carpentry & Joinery

Construction Plant Fitting*

Electrical*

Electrical Instrumentation*

Electronic Security Systems*

Farriery

Floor & Wall Tiling*

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics*

Industrial Insulation*

Instrumentation*

MAMF

Metal Fabrication

Motor Mechanics*

Painting & Decorating*

Plastering

Plumbing

Print Media*

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning*

Sheet Metalworking

Tool making

Vehicle Body Repairs* *A person wishing to become an apprentice in one of the trades marked * must pass a colour vision test approved by FÁS.

An apprenticeship allows you to develop a particular skill or train for a specific career.

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How to become an apprenticeBefore seeking an apprenticeship it is advisable to fully understand what is involved. You should observe the type of work being done in your intended apprenticeship. You should ask employers, qualified crafts people or apprentices about your intended craft and potential career opportunities. You can also consult with career guidance counsellors and your local FÁS Employment Office for advice.

You need to inform you local FÁS office of your interest in apprenticeship so that your details can be made available on request to employers.

AssessmentsApprentices are assessed on a structured ongoing basis throughout their apprenticeship. Modular assessments are carried out during the off-the-job training phases. These assessments incorporate course work, standardised practical assessments and theoretical assessments. During the on-the-job training phases of apprenticeship the apprentice’s competence is assessed to a pre-specified standard by the employer.

Course durationAt present the general duration of apprenticeship is a minimum of four years provided that the following is complied with:

Attend all off-the-job training when scheduled with FÁS

Pass all off-the-job modular assessment tests on the first attempt

Pass all on-the-job assessments and ensure results are returned to FÁS on time

Advanced CertificateSuccessful completion of an apprenticeship is a compulsory requirement for the award of the

FETAC Advanced Certificate. This Level 6 certificate has national and international recognition and is a compulsory requirement for craftsperson status.

Requirements to becoming an apprentice:

You must obtain a job as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.

Your employer must be approved by FÁS and must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

You must meet the Educational Requirements (below)

Entry requirementsThe minimum age at which the

employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age. The minimum educational requirements are:

Grade D in five subjects in the Junior Certificate or an approved equivalent

Where individuals do not meet the minimum requirements they may be registered as an apprentice by an employer if:

They successfully complete an approved preparatory course and interview.

or

They are over 18 years of age with at least three years work experience approved by FÁS and successfully complete an assessment interview.

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Approved Qualification EquivalenceFÁS recognises people may seek to commence apprenticeship holding qualifications other than those outlined. In such instances people should contact their local FÁS Services to Business Office for advice on qualification equivalence.

Funding arrangementsAll apprentices are paid a training allowance by FÁS while attending off-the-job training.

What wages are apprentices paid?During your apprenticeship you will be paid an apprentice rate. The actual rate may vary depending on the occupation and employer. Generally, the rate will increase in a number of steps during the apprenticeship. You should seek details of rates of pay for apprentices with your prospective employer.

What are the duties and responsibilities of apprentices?Like other employees, apprentices must work for their employer with care and skill and must follow the employer’s instructions, provided they are reasonable and lawful. You must be diligent and honest and must not wilfully disrupt the employer’s business nor disclose any confidential information. You also have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of other people in the workplace who might be affected by your acts or omissions.

Apprentices must apply themselves diligently to learning all aspects of their chosen occupation and must complete all phases of training and assessments as required by the particular apprenticeship.

TraineeshipsFÁS also offers traineeships, which are similar to

apprenticeships in that they offer formal training with FÁS and on-the-job training with an employer as well as a training allowance from FÁS for the duration of the course.

Another feature of the traineeship is that the employer nominates an experienced member of staff to act as a skills coach to provide training in the workplace to enable the programme participant build on the skills and knowledge learned in the training centre. This member of staff will also supervise the agreed workplace training plan for the programme participant.

Traineeships are between 15 and 59 weeks in length, so are of a shorter duration than an apprenticeship course.

Upon successful completion of a traineeship course, a FETAC qualification is achieved, at either Certificate or Advanced Certificate level. As mentioned above, this is a national and internationally recognised qualification.

The basic requirements for applicants are that you are over the age of 16, living in Ireland and registered with your local FÁS office.

Traineeships are available in the following:

Technical and operative

Jewellery manufacturing operative

Business systems service technician

Private security personnel

Personal service occupations

Beauty therapist

Childcare practitioner

Healthcare assistant

Administration and business

Office administrator

Legal secretary

Financial advisors assistant

Supply chain logistics administrator

Freight forwarding clerk

Agri-business

Thatcher

Information technology

Software developer

IT support specialist

Sales

Pharmacy sales assistant

Sales & marketing assistant

Leisure and sport

Trainee jockey

Equestrian International Instructor Level 1 (BHSAI)

Outdoor activity instructor

Racing groom

All FÁS Traineeship courses are scheduled based on demand in each FÁS location. To find out what Traineeships are scheduled in your area please contact your local FÁS employment services office.

Further InformationTo receive further information about training and qualifying as an apprentice, please contact your local FÁS Office of log onto www.fás.ie.

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There are a number of issues that need to be addressed before making a decision and

questions that students should ask themselves include:

Did I perform below my ability the first time around, and if so, why?

Am I likely to improve?Was my study strategy effective?How was my study discipline?Could it be improved?

Mary Dorgan, a guidance counsellor at the Institute of Education in Dublin, says

“I often advise students that they want to repeat their exams, not the bad habits of last year.”

There are many reasons why students feel the need to consider repeating. Illness or the death of a friend or family member may have overshadowed the Leaving Certificate year or even disturbed the exams themselves. Perhaps you didn’t have a clear goal the first time around and now know exactly what course you wish to aim for. Or, in many unfortunate cases, you may have missed out on your dream course by a few points.

Ask yourself what you’re aiming for. Focus helps, according to Neal Martin, assistant director of the seventh year programme in St. Laurence College, Loughlinstown. “Students who have a clear vision of what they want tend to be very motivated and make for successful repeat students,” Martin says. If you have no idea what you want,

that is likely to be part of the problem. There are interest and aptitude tests that you can take – talk to your guidance counsellor – and they can be helpful in narrowing things down.

Many students only realise what they want to do midway through sixth year, by which point it can be too late, especially if high points are needed. These students tend to be successful second time around, according to Dorgan.

Repeating immediately isn’t the best option for everyone either. “We get a lot of students who are two or three years out of school,” explains Dorgan. “Sometimes they’ve been studying something in college and come to the realisation that they want something else. They make really excellent repeat students.”

You should consider all of your options before making a decision. Ultimately, you should be aiming to improve your performance. The students for whom repeating doesn’t work are those who repeat because they think there’s nothing else out there for them, according to teachers. “You need to make sure that a student isn’t repeating simply because their parents want them to,” Martin explains. “They have to want to do it for themselves.” Dorgan agrees. “The motivation to repeat can’t be coming from your parents, it has to come from you. If it doesn’t, there’s no point,” she says.

If you feel that improvement is unlikely, perhaps an apprenticeship or Post-Leaving Certificate course would be more suitable (see our section on PLC’s and Apprenticeships elsewhere in this guide).

However, if you earned high points but missed out on your ideal course by a slim margin, or in random selection, repeating is an option very worthy of considering.

One important advantage that repeat students have is that points can only be taken from a single sitting of the exams. Once you meet the matriculation requirements for college, which are English, Irish, maths and foreign language; you do not have to repeat those subjects. Instead, you can focus on the subjects where you feel you will earn higher points.

Where to repeatThere are a number of options for the student considering repeating the Leaving Cert. Many students opt to return to their own school, as a number of schools offer a ‘seventh year’, consisting of dedicated repeat classes.

You can also opt to repeat in many VECs. Alternatively, several private institutions offer devoted repeat classes, such as the Institute of Education and The Education Centre, both in Dublin; Yeats College in Galway and Waterford; and Bruce College in Cork.

Deciding to take the Leaving Certificate exams a second time is not an easy thing to do...

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Stephen Kinsella, Lecturer in Economics, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick.

Going to college is a good thing. You’ll learn more, live more, and be more as a result of

the time you spend doing a course you’re interested in. The course will change you permanently, in terms of the jobs you’ll be qualified to apply for, the salary you’ll one-day command and the standard of living to go with it, but perhaps most importantly your outlook on life will change.

To a hammer, everything looks like a nail. If you study economics, every social problem will naturally be solved using market interventions. Accountants will focus on process and due diligence. Marketers will see the need to shape the issue and the message that goes with it. Human Resource Managers will see the issue as intensely interpersonal.

You’ll learn how and where to apply the skills you’ll learn in college by trial and error in the real world. Sometimes working with people to affect a change is the answer. Sometimes you have to throw the baby out with the bath water. It depends. Circumstances shape the set of solutions available to you.

Most importantly, you should not see college as the be-all and end-all of the universe. College is a way to give yourself the largest set of options possible. College is not the goal. It is one possible route to get you to a place where your standard of living is high enough so you can enjoy your life.

You’re so young, how could you know, with certainty, the career path that you’ll follow in 2050?

Why should you? Better to think in terms of the broad area you’d like to work in, and choose a course that gives you the maximum number of options when you complete it.

Say you have a feeling you’d like to do something business-related, maybe. Well then you’ll need to start thinking about which

courses give you a guaranteed work placement, which courses emphasise relevance as well as academic excellence, which courses have successful graduates in areas you think you’ll care about.

It’s definitely not all about academic work. Competition is fierce for the top jobs in every field. Having a 2:1 or a high GPA won’t cut it. In fact that level of achievement is expected for high-paying, interesting work. So you’ll need to develop yourself using everything the college has to offer. Sports and social clubs, debating, volunteering, charity and politics are the routes to increase

engagement with the college community and to develop yourself along the way.

Employers want interesting, hard-working young people they can exploit to make more money for themselves. You might be happy to be part of that world of work; you might not. If you decide to strike out on your own, after your degree finishes, will you be able to? Will you learn the skills to take a business idea and run with it?

I said the global marketplace for work means developing yourself in many directions to compete. That’s true. It’s also important to go somewhere whose qualifications are recognised and accredited, where your degree will act as a strong signal to potential employers. A first class degree should say: I’m a winner, I’ve worked my arse off for 3 or 4 years, hire me. If it doesn’t, don’t attend that college.

Above all, see college as the route to an interesting life, not just the goal.

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More and more Irish students are now opting to take a year out before they take up their place in college.

The most important aspect of this decision is to ensure that it’s a year of experience and

worthwhile opportunities. It shouldn’t be wasted.

Some students spend the time travelling while others spend their gap year working. The ‘working holiday’ combines both and is a very popular option for gap year students, also known as ‘gappers’, who get to experience the culture and work ethic of the country they visit.

Some people opt to work for charitable organisations, while others earn money while overseas by working cash in hand, often in the hospitality industry. Another growing trend for gappers is to enrol in global education programs that combine language study, home stays, cultural immersion, community service, and independent study. Such experiential opportunities exist in countries from India to Vietnam and Namibia to Chile.

Conservation volunteeringA big issue of recent times, conservation volunteering projects

are the best way to protect the planet from becoming less and less green. As a conservation volunteer, you get to visit some of the most beautiful places on earth and do your bit to help the environment.

Some conservation volunteering opportunities available could see you monitoring sharks off the coast of Australia; recording orang-utan population growth in the jungles of Borneo; assisting in marine conservation in the Caribbean or rescuing penguins in South Africa.

There is usually a fee involved in conservation volunteering, which may or may not cover flights, but will offer insurance cover for the duration of your stay, as well as room and board and any travel once you reach your chosen country.

Community volunteeringCommunity volunteering lets you see the world and meet lots of new people in it! By participating in community volunteering

programmes you experience the true culture of the country you visit. You can help within the community through education, conservation, caring for children and community development work. As a community volunteer you could find yourself building a school in Ethiopia; helping out in an orphanage in India; working with hill-tribes in Northern Vietnam or assisting the blind of Brazil.

Working holidayIreland has reciprocal arrangements with several countries worldwide, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and New Zealand. These Working Holiday schemes allow you to travel to and work casually in whichever country you choose in order to fund your stay. There are age limits on all working holiday schemes and also a time limit (usually a year) on your stay.

As Ireland is a member of the EU, Irish gappers do not need to apply for any special visa in order to

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work in any other EU member state. So whether you want to go grape-picking in France, flower-picking in Holland, or teaching English in such exotic places as Dubai or Japan, there is any number of resources online to assist your adventure!

There are a number of organisations that can help with finding work abroad. One such organisation close to home is the European Voluntary Service (EVS). This allows young people between 18 and 25 to work as volunteers in other European countries. EVS is funded by the European Union and students can work on projects involving issues such as healthcare or unemployment.

Some of the benefits of becoming an EVS volunteer are:

The return airfare from Ireland is provided;

Accommodation and food is provided;

Training in the language and cultural awareness is provided before commencing voluntary service;

A pocket money allowance of !38 per week is given;

EVS offer local support and guidance.

Back home in Ireland there are also organisations who are looking for young people

to help with many projects such as sports and recreation, fundraising, administration etc. A quick and simple search on the web will provide lists of these organisations.

Getting a job for a year is another option for your gap year. This can be an excellent way of getting a bit of money together to fund your college career. Just make sure that it’s something you enjoy. It would be even more beneficial if the job provided relevant experience to your future studies.

Foreign travel can be done in two ways. One way is to use your gap year to travel and experience other cultures and countries, without being dependent on getting work to finance the trip. In this case it is advisable to have plenty of money before you go.

The other option is to travel but work along the way, gaining experience and learning to live on a budget which will come in very handy when you start college!

Wherever you go, be sure to check out what visas and/or vaccinations you will need before you go.

Whatever you decide to do for your gap year, enjoy it, for it is a unique opportunity that few people get.

InformationYou can get more information on the programme from the Irish office of the Experiment in Intercultural Learning (EIL). You can contact them on: 021 455 1535 or email [email protected].

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For many, the move to third level education is the first time you will be living away from home...

Whether you anticipate the move with dread or with delight, it is a major

landmark in life. For some, the move will mean moving in with friends from school who are moving to the same town or institution, but for most, it will mean moving to a new town where you don’t know many, if any, people. There is plenty that you can do before you move, and in the first few days, to make the transition go as smoothly as possible for you, and of course to make it an experience you enjoy rather than fear.

Before you moveGet your hands on as much information about your chosen college as you can, as well as the area in which it is situated. If you can, visit the campus before term starts in order to familiarise yourself with your future surroundings. Get a feel for where you would like to live in relation to the college. Read the information under the ‘Accommodation’ section later in this guide. Walk around the local area and collect any maps or information leaflets that are available. Find out about the public transport links and get copies of the relevant timetables. Also get a copy of the bus or train timetable so that you know how to get home on the weekends or holidays.

Try to have your college fees and any grants organised well in advance. You don’t want the added stress of trying to complete paperwork and application forms while freshers’ week is going on

around you and everyone else is out getting to know each other. By having as much done as possible beforehand, you will be giving yourself the best opportunity to use your first few days away from home to the best advantage.

The first few daysIf you are worried about your first few days in your new surroundings, take comfort in the fact that everyone around you is feeling the same, no matter how much bravado they show. If your third level institution offers an orientation week before classes or lectures start, it is a good idea to take part in this. It offers the opportunity to get to know the campus – quite a lot of time may be spent trying to find where the various lectures and classes are held! Larger campuses have canteens, cafes, shops and even bars that are there to be explored.

Orientation week is also a good time to introduce yourself to your tutors and find out if they have any book lists that you need. You may find yourself bumping into other future classmates who are doing the same thing. Make sure to get your official college ID also, as you will need this for pretty much everything, from borrowing books from the college library, to registering for clubs and societies.

It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Students’ Union. Many students’ unions distribute a ‘freshers’ pack’ that will contain

things like information on college clubs and societies, timetables, year planners and sometimes even some free edible goodies!

HomesicknessDespite the madness going on around you, you are bound to feel homesick on occasion during your early days. Keep in touch with friends from home. Some of them may be in other parts of the country or abroad, in their own new college, feeling exactly the same. Try to keep enough money with you to have credit on your mobile phone. A text home during those tough moments can help lift the spirits.

Avail of invitations to coffee or for a sociable pint. Even if you don’t feel like you have much in common with the person issuing the invitation, you are sure to meet ‘friends of friends’ with whom you may strike up lasting friendships.

Don’t forget that your college will probably have a welfare or student officer who is there to help. They are used to people feeling disorientated during their first few days away from home and will be able to offer some words of comfort and advice.

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ATTENDANCE: Nobody will notice if you don’t show up. This starts as a novelty, fast becomes a habit and eventually turns into a necessity when you’re too scared to show your lesser-spotted face. College offers so many opportunities that it’s easy to forget why you’re actually there. Your degree matters at the end of the day and absenteeism just creates a spiral of anxiety best avoided by early and frequent attendance.

BUDGET 2013: Will this be the year that the axe falls on free third level? How long do you think the picture of Quinn signing that “contract” will work as a deterrent? Everyone will be watching nervously although it’s not as if college is actually free. Registration fees, accommodation, bills and have you seen the cost of college books? Time to remortgage the house, Mums and Dads! Oh wait...

COUPONS: Retain coupon books. You’ll gather a good few during Freshers Week and probably leave them in the bar. However, the day will come when you only have !2 to feed yourself until the end of the week and one of those coupons might just save your life, or at least save you the indignity of going to your parents for money again. Cut out, keep and watch out for those expiration dates. While you’re at it, join a couple of the ‘deal of

the day’ websites. You’ll pick up surprising bargains for not much money at all.

DERRING-DO: Aka chutzpah, audacity, cheek. In your first few days of college you need to make new friends and this requires a bit of neck. Everyone feels the same way. People just react differently. Be one of the proactive ones. Don’t cower in the corner hoping someone will approach. Smile, make eye contact and introduce yourself to somebody. Believe it or not, they’re scared too.

EMPATHY: You have been that soldier who missed the lecture when all the information about assignments was given out. On that serendipitous day that you happen to be the one who turned up, share the love. Seek out the empty seaters. It’s good karma.

FACEBOOK: What does your page say about you? Look at it critically, with the eye of a stranger. If you want to present a certain image to your college mates, make sure your social networking profiles match the persona. If you don’t want people to know that you spend all your free time playing fantasy games and that you “like” Justin Bieber’s fan page then get cracking and change that timeline before it’s too late. Make sure your Facebook identity doesn’t scupper your chances of making friends.

GRANGEGORMAN: DIT is finally getting the all-in-one campus it wanted. This is a major development, 12 years in the planning. No longer will DIT students be a disjointed mismatched bunch. Have you seen the plans? It’ll be the envy of the third level scene. There will be modern facilities for over 17,000 students, accommodation, research labs, student services, the works. It will of course mean that the students are no longer in their city centre campuses. Dublin city pubs are in mourning.

HOLLISTER: Ridiculously attractive shop assistants, darkened stores, spotlit clothes so there’s a certain attraction there. But you don’t have to, you know.

I AM SORRY: If you are going to share a house or apartment with others and want to get away with living your life your way, be ready to say this as often as necessary. It is the only way to do things your way while managing to keep the peace. Practice in the mirror. Go-on. “Sorry I got fake tan on the dress I didn’t tell you I was borrowing.” “Sorry I woke you at 4am falling in the door with the Rag ball DJ.” “Sorry I told your new fella that you use athlete’s foot powder.”

JOB: If you have to get one, make sure it’s a job that lets you double job, as it were. You can read Voltaire while working as a security guard, but it’s not so easy if your job involves onions or sharp knives.

KIERKEGAARD: Also Foucault, Bourdieu, Kant, Benjamin; all names that you can freely drop in the pub for the duration of your tenure at college. In fact you should make a conscious effort to do so while you’re a student because while it’s okay, even encouraged in the college bar, you can never, never discuss such things after you graduate.

LAUNDERETTES: You don’t have to bring your washing home to mother do you? Really? Launderettes aren’t that bad and offer an opportunity to meet some of the more domesticated

Is your Facebook profile the one you want to carry you through to third level? Can you cook yourself a decent dinner? This idiot-proof guide will set you up for your first days in college

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types of the opposite sex. Seriously though, dragging that black sack of manky clothing to your Friday morning lecture is powerfully uncool.

MORNINGS AFTER: Sometimes after cramming, mostly after partying. How well can you fake that swagger across campus, trying to look like you’re on your way to your first lecture when in fact you’re still up from last night? Double espresso and toothpaste will be your friends.

No: Know how you feel and trust your gut. It’s college. Lots of young adults drunk on freedom and high on life – it’s a potent mixture and you’re bound to be exposed to various dodgy situations and substances. Peer pressure is a secondary school game. Try and keep your head and forget what your mates are doing if you’re not comfortable. Being able to say no is actually pretty awesome.

ORIENTATION: It could be argued that this is the realm of the nerd, the swot and the over-earnest class rep candidate. However, it’s not at all a bad idea to partake in some of the how-to talks and tours in Freshers Week. There are lots of them and they are surprisingly well attended. You may reckon you’ll get by without bothering, but come November you’ll feel a lot less idiotic if you know how to order a book when you eventually darken the door of the library as your first assignment is due.

PENNILESS: No summer jobs going this year, student charges going up – what can we say? Student poverty is unfortunately hot right now. You can become really good at being poor though. Living on Tesco value beans on toast isn’t actually that bad. If you pop an egg on there you’ve actually got a massively nutritious meal. You’ll find there’s a curious satisfaction in managing to have a night out on a fiver or less. Be smart, shop around and see the advice on discount websites and use your coupons. Listen to your fellow students. Who’d shop in Dunnes when you’ve the Moore Street traders down the road?

It’s entirely possible to exist on practically nothing and if you’re smart, you might be able to live a little too. One thing is certain, you’ll be broke for a long time. May as well get used to it.

QUICK EATS: Get some recipes and learn how to cook. It’s cheaper, tastier and healthier than eating out. The key to quick eats is to forget the potato. Rice, pasta and noodles are what you want. Forget Jamie’s 30 minute meals. Most students worth their salt can whip up a bowl of pesto pasta with cheese in a third of that time. There’s a tonne of info online and studentrecipes.com is a good start. Also check out the BBC Good Food website. It’s always a winner.

RESULTS: We’ll say it again, it’s shockingly easy to forget why you’re in college. There is so much stuff to do and you really can start to think that your membership of the Lit and Deb society is the be all and end all. Let’s be clear here. Results matter. Your degree matters. Believe it or not, your chances of getting first class honours can vary a lot between institutions. Eighteen per cent of DCU’s graduating students were awarded firsts between 2005 and 2010; 13 percent of NUIG’s students graduated with the same results; 54 percent of TCD students got a 2.1 compared with 34 percent of UL students. NUIM had the highest failure rate at almost five percent. That’s food for thought right there. Of course, it doesn’t really matter what college you go to if you’re willing to put in the work. Remembering that is the key.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Do you eat, sleep and breathe a particular sport? Or

are you just a brainbox who expects to get 10 zillion points? Well you could be in for a bit of cash. All colleges offer sports scholarships to talented athletes and players. If you haven’t checked out the possibilities, you should. They require a high standard. Generally you will need to have represented Ireland at international level. If you fit the bill, Google it and you’ll see what’s out there for you.

If you’re a brainbox who got great results in the Leaving Cert, you too could be in for a windfall. More and more colleges are trying to attract high achievers with entrance scholarships. NUIG, for example, is offering Excellence Scholarships worth !2,000 to students who get 560 points or more in the Leaving. They offer separate bursaries to high achieving medical students. UL has 40 scholarships, also worth !2,000 to offer to high achievers. DCU has !1,000 for students who get more than 500 points. These are just a taster of what’s out there. Check out your college of choice to see what’s on offer.

TRAVEL: So many opportunities between student summer work visas and study exchange programmes. You will never find it easier to work in the US than with a J1 visa, but don’t stop there. Look at the student run NGO Suas (suas.ie), which sends students out to developing countries to work for the summer. There are teaching opportunities in China, Korea and Japan for graduates and USIT offers amazing volunteering placements too. Honestly, it will never be this easy again. Grab the opportunities. Live bravely. You won’t regret it.

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UNDERAGE: If you’re still 17 at the beginning of the college year, those months before the big 1-8 can really drag. Then, you finally reach that milestone and everyone suddenly decides that they want to go to the bar that’s over 21s. Girls have it easier than guys when it comes to bouncers.

The key for women is to tone it down a little. Don’t try to look older. Women who really are overage don’t need to plaster on the make-up and generally avoid the four inch heels when popping in for a quick pint. Guys, just don’t give bouncers any reason to turn you away like wearing the wrong shoes or something like that. If they turn you away, don’t argue, they don’t deserve your business anyway. You’re better off not picking any fights. The one bouncer who takes a dislike to you is bound to be the one who’s on that door for the next 10 years. Walk with the confidence of a 23 year-old and you never know, they might just let you away with it.

VINTAGE: Posh word for second hand but the vintage and charity shops can turn up some veritable gems for the skint fashion fan. You have to be patient and willing to rummage. Under no circumstances should you attempt this manner of shopping with somebody who isn’t really into it. Nothing will ruin your chances of finding something special than a dear mate who drags you off for a mid-afternoon coffee or pint because they don’t understand. Stick with it and who knows what you might find?

WELFARE: Let’s face it, college life isn’t always a bed of roses. Things go wrong and if you’re away from home, exam stress and money troubles can all become too much. It happens to loads of people which is why all of the universities and IOTs have great student support services. If you don’t know where to go, call into your SU and they’ll direct you to the right person. A recent Campus.ie survey found that 34 per cent of students have considered dropping out due to stress and more than half, 54 per

cent, have felt depressed due to the pressure of college. Student life is brilliant but it’s definitely not easy. If you find that it gets on top of you, seek out some support. The people you meet have seen it all before. Don’t be alone when you’re having a hard time.

X-AMS: Oh come on, nothing begins with ‘x’ and we can’t go without mentioning exams. As much as college life is massively important, your degree is the reason you’re there. The good news is, nothing college can throw at you comes close to the drudgery that was the two Leaving Cert weeks. The bad news is that with nobody looking over your shoulder, the opportunities to procrastinate on the study front are many and frequent. Don’t be an idiot. Repeats ruin a summer. Loads of people end up cancelling or curtailing an amazing summer abroad because they have to go and re-sit exams. It’s completely

not worth that. Remember that if you fail the re-sits, repeating a year is massively inconvenient and ridiculously expensive. Do yourself a favour and just pass the damn things first time round.

YES! Your response when new experiences and opportunities present themselves. (Apart from certain circumstances – see N) You are far more likely to regret the things you don’t do than the things you do. Go for it.

ZOOLOGY: Because nothing else begins with z. UCD, TCD, NUIG, and UCC offer it as an option through science. You can study it at postgrad level as well. Science plus cute and fluffies has to be a winner right?

By Gráinne Faller and Louise Holden

This article first appeared in the Irish Times

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Before fast forwarding to those lecture halls or great nights out with your fellow

students, it is important to take care of the practical side of things and what’s more practical than making sure you have somewhere to eat, sleep and study?

Finding accommodation before you begin college is an exercise for which you will need all your wits and wiles. The race for that house, flat or digs starts around the middle of July but will be in full swing from the beginning of August.

Deciding on the right type of accommodation for you is a good starting point. You could rent

a flat or apartment or share a house. If you want meals provided or if you intend going home at weekends, you might consider digs or lodging with a family.

Never book accommodation without thoroughly inspecting it. Here are some things you should bear in mind before finally making a decision:

Bear the following in mind when checking out a new place:

Are you looking for a bedsit, flat or house?

Will you be sharing? Sharing can be cheap, but make sure you’ll like living with your flatmates.

Is it convenient in relation to College? If not, consider the cost of travel (check out bus routes, Dart lines, taxis and so on).

Is there a late-night shop nearby? Where’s the nearest place to go when you have that midnight craving for cigarettes/chocolate/beer?

Is it in a reasonably safe area? Is there a safe place to put your bike or park your car?

Check all electrical appliances are working (cooker, fridge, etc.) If any repairs need to be made, point this out to the landlord before you move in (otherwise, he’ll probably blame you, and take it out of your deposit).

Are there enough electrical sockets? Do they work?

Are fire extinguishers and fire escape routes adequate?

Check ventilation, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. Do the windows open?

What are the arrangements for rubbish disposal?

Is there cable TV? Will you be charged for it if you don’t have a TV?

Is there access to a garden? Do you really care?

What are the arrangements for cleaning common areas e.g. halls?

Are there any signs of dampness or mould? Check cupboards, walls, beds etc.

Will it be easy to heat? It may seem warm now but what will it be like in December?

Getting that place in college is a dream come true for you. Life is full of promise, learning, adventure and excitement, but where to begin?

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How do you pay for electricity, gas, telephone etc.? Check the setting on the meters. The arrangements of how and when these payments are to be made must be set out in your rent-book. In some areas the ESB will not put the account in your name unless you have a one-year lease.

Is there a written lease? If so, get someone knowledgeable to read it before you sign it and request a copy once the landlord has signed it.

How much is the deposit?

Always get contact address/phone no. for the landlord.

So you’ve found your new home...Before you move in, there are a few formalities to sort out. They’re here to make sure your landlord can’t kick you out on a whim, leaving you back where you started. READ CAREFULLY. They could save you from a night on the streets.

The lease: Any tenancy agreement you make with your landlord is valid in law whether it is made verbally or in writing. Written agreements are of benefit to both sides. Always read the lease carefully. Never sign a 12-month lease if you only intend staying for the College year. If you break the lease you may be liable for damages as well as risk

losing your deposit (unless you can find someone to take over the flat for you and the landlord agrees to that person). Legally, the tenant is entitled to the original copy of the lease and the landlord holds a copy so make sure this is the case.

It is important that you understand exactly what is being agreed at the time of letting. You should be aware of what (if anything) is being included in the rent, for example, electricity, heating, cable/satellite TV etc. You should also be aware of the various conditions laid down which can cover many things (having parties, putting posters on walls etc.). Once you agree to take the house/flat under these conditions, you are bound by them. Do not sign a lease if you do not agree with the terms or if you do not understand all of the terms.

For more detailed information on tenancy rights you can consult the

Residential Tenancies Act 2004 which is available at http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2004/en/act/pub/0027/index.html

RENT BOOK: Every tenant, paying for a house which includes an apartment, flat etc. is legally entitled to have a rent book supplied by the landlord. This applies to houses rented by private landlords as well as voluntary bodies, local authorities or employers, if a rent is payable.

Basically, a rent book is a record of rent and other payments made to the landlord. However by law, a rent book must also contain other information related to the tenancy. This information must include:

The name and address of the rented dwelling

The name and address of the landlord and his agent if any

The name of the tenant

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Do try and bring a parent with you.

Do have a rent book, call into your Welfare Officer to get a free one.

Do borrow a mobile if you don’t already have one: it will be invaluable.

Do get a receipt for any money exchanged. Make absolutely sure you get this!

Do read your rights as outlined below before dealing with a landlord.

Bring a good map including bus numbers with you.

Don’t admit to being a student if possible.

Don’t agree to pay out more than you know you will be able to continue to pay for the rest of the year, it will cripple you later.

Don’t get too freaked out by all the accommodation crisis reports. Yes there is a shortage of places out there but no that does not mean you should settle for a hamster cage. No matter how frustrated you get don’t be

disheartened: you will not end up sleeping on the streets.When you have found a place you are interested in, remember: the early bird catches the worm. Landlords work on a first come first served basis and generally have no loyalty to anyone except themselves. Few things will annoy you more than to see a nice apartment with YOU written all over it go to someone who arrived five minutes earlier. When you do view a place, keep a number of things in mind when giving it the once-over. Even though you might be desperate for a place to live, don’t take the first place you can get if it is not suitable. Moving house is a pain so try and get things right the first time.

The terms of tenancy, whether it be six, nine or 12 months or whatever.

The amount of rent and when and how it is to be paid

The particulars of any other payments to be made to the landlord for services e.g. heating or piped TV

The amount and purpose of any deposit paid and the conditions under which it will be refunded

An inventory of contents

A statement of information which informs the tenant of their rights

The date of commencement of tenancy

Your landlord must enter the details of tenancy in the rent book. Any changes to this agreement must be entered into the rent book within one month of the change (e.g. a direct increase) If you pay your rent money directly to your landlord (or his agent) your landlord must then either: a) record the payment and sign for it in your rent book or b) give you a signed receipt which contains full details of the payments.

If you pay by standing order or by bank giro, then your landlord must, within three months either:

a) Record and sign for the payment in the rent book or b) give you a written statement of the payment.

Deposits: A deposit is usually paid to the landlord when agreement has been reached between the landlord and tenant. There is no set amount but it is usually equivalent one month’s rent. It

is important that you, the tenant, realise that this deposit does not cover rent when you have given notice to the landlord or have been served notice to quit by the landlord. The landlord should refund the deposit when:

Proper notice has been given (not less than four weeks in writing in the case of a ‘Periodic Tenancy’….one for which there is not an agreed finishing date);

The keys have been returned;

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Information

Other sources of useful information on student accommodation in Ireland are available on the following websites:www.nuig.ie (from which some of the above material was sourced)www.daft.iewww.citizensinformation.ie/www.accommodationforstudents.com/irelandwww.let.iewww.collegecribs.ie/

The property has been checked by the landlord regarding damages beyond the usual wear and tear;

When all bills have been paid (all deductions should be supported by receipts).

Likewise, you will lose your deposit if any of the following happens:

You don’t give proper notice or if you leave before the end of your lease tenancy agreement;

You cause damage to the property over and above normal wear and tear;

If you leave rent or bills unpaid.

If you do not get your full deposit back because of repairs or replacement of items, ask to see all the relevant receipts.

Rent increase: Rent increase is a confusing subject. If you’re living under a periodic tenancy agreement, your landlord can up the rent as long as he/she gives you four week’s rent. But if you have a written lease, your rent cannot be increased unless there’s provision in the agreement for it. If your landlord tries it, tell him that he’s breaking the law unless your contract allows it!

Insurance: It is up to you to insure your own belongings. However, this

can be very expensive and it pays to shop around.

Privacy: Basically, this means you have the right not to be disturbed; your landlord is only allowed to enter with your permission. If the landlord needs to carry out repairs or to inspect the premises, it should be by prior arrangement. You are entitled to have overnight guests, unless specifically forbidden in the lease. (However this does not extend to another person moving in!)

Standards: Since 1994 landlords have had a statutory duty to ensure that the accommodation that they rent complies with certain minimum physical standards. These standards are set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 1993.

In summary, they require a landlord to:

ensure that the house is in a proper state of structural repair.

provide a sink with hot and cold-water facilities in each dwelling.

provide toilet and bath or shower facilities in each dwelling.

provide toilet, bath or shower facilities, either in the flat itself

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or in a flat not more than one floor above or below the rented dwelling. Usually, there should be no more than two flats to each shower and toilet, but up to four flats may share one toilet or bath/shower if each flat has only one tenant.

provide adequate means for heating, for installing cooking equipment and for storing food.

maintain installations for the supply of electricity or gas in good repair and safe working order.

provide proper ventilation and lighting to each room.

maintain common facilities for cooking, food storage, lighting and heating in good repair and safe working order.

maintain common sinks, toilets, baths and showers and other common areas in good repair and a clean condition.

provide a secure handrail for any common staircase.

The landlord is not responsible for anything the tenant is entitled to remove, or for repairing glass

breakage in windows in any part of the building of which a tenant has exclusive use.

Fire Safety in flats and apartmentsThe golden rules

Fit smoke alarms and test them regularly

Make a fire escape plan and practise it often

Check for fire dangers in your home and correct them

Carry out a ‘last thing at night’ routine

Every night

unplug all electrical appliances (except fridge and freezer)

turn off all gas appliances

put out candles and naked flames

place a spark guard in front of open fires

empty all ashtrays

keep your way out completely clear

close all doors

Prevent fire:Don’t

smoke when you are in bed, tired, have consumed alcohol or on medication

Leave the room when there are candles burning

Leave the room when a chip or frying pan is on

Overload electrical sockets – one socket, one plug

Use electrical appliances that don’t work properly

Run electrical appliances from a light socket

Use a heater or the cooker to dry clothes

Stand too close to fires or heaters

Be careful when using portable electric, gas or oil heaters

Don’t use heaters near furniture, curtains or beds.

Don’t leave heaters on when you go to bed.

Take care if pets are near heaters.

Don’t use heaters to dry clothes.

Detect fireSmoke alarms give you an early warning of a fire. 82% of fires that kill people are in homes with no working smoke alarm.

Your building should have a fire detection and alarm system. If there are no smoke alarms, ask your landlord to get some. It is essential that smoke alarms are fitted in the hall and landing of every home. However, it is preferable that a smoke alarm be fitted in every room, and a heat alarm in the kitchen.

Test your smoke alarms once a week.

Change the batteries at least once a year, and immediately when you hear the warning beep.

Every six months, vacuum and brush the casing to get rid of dust.

A smoke alarm gives you an early warning of fire. If you hear the alarm, know what to do.

Make sure to:

Plan an evacuation drill with everyone living in your flat, house

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or apartment and practice it regularly.

When practising your evacuation drill have an alternative exit in case your primary exit is blocked by fire.

Have a meeting point in a safe place outside the accommodation

All escape routes should be kept clear day and night

Keep keys to doors and windows easily available.

Getting kicked outUnless you have security of tenure or a tenancy agreement that says otherwise a landlord can give you notice to leave at any time. However, this notice must be in writing and must be served at least four weeks in advance. Once notice to quit has expired your tenancy is legally over. If you don’t have an appointed day and have not reached an agreement with your landlord then the landlord

may go to court for an eviction order, which, if granted will be carried out by the sheriff. This could prove to be expensive for the tenant, as he/she might be liable for the landlord’s legal costs. An eviction by the landlord without a court order would however be unlawful and you should seek advice from the Students’ Union.

A landlord is prohibited from seizing a tenant’s goods as a means of enforcing payment of rent due on a premises let solely as a dwelling (Section 19 of the Housing [Miscellaneous Provisions] Act, 1992). In other words, a landlord cannot keep your stuff and sell it off if you owe them money. If you discover that your landlord had taken something it is theft, not payment in kind.

Last resortIf your landlord is not fulfilling his/her legal obligations with regards to minimum standards and a rent

book, they can be prosecuted and fined up to one !1000 plus an additional !100 penalty for every day of a continuing offence. The local authority is responsible for enforcing these legal requirements, so if you think that your landlord is breaking the law do get in touch with your local authority, the SU, or both.

College accommodationIf you are reading this in October, which you probably are, it is too late to apply for accommodation in College. Normally the closing date for applications is sometime in early March. Don’t worry about missing the date – there will be notices up around College or alternatively you could drop into the Accommodations Office and get the information you need there.

Contributed by Brenda Tallon and Trinity College Dublin

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Increased registration fees are an extra burden on students and their families looking to attend college in 2013

Once called the Student Service Charge, the newly-named Student Contribution

was increased to !2,500 in the 2012 budget. The good news is that this amount is payable for one child per family. It must be paid in full before a tax rebate can be applied for. The net effect of the tax relief is that the student contribution is !1,600 for second and subsequent children in full time third-level education.

In most colleges, the Student Contribution can be paid in instalments. With other living expenses added, particularly for those students living away from home, the costs of being a third level student can soar. However, there is help available…

A conservative monthly estimate of what you will need to live away from home looks something like this.

Rent !300 (this may be higher in Dublin)

Groceries & food !160

Travel !80

Books & course materials !65

Light/Heat !45

Laundry !25

Social life & miscellaneous !200

Monthly total !875

This total is a bit less if you’re still staying with the folks but if you haven’t already done so, now is a good time to sit down with your parents and talk about money. Many students work part-time jobs but this can have extremely negative results for your studies (not to mention your social life). Also, part-time jobs have become scarcer over the last few years and you should not count on the certainty of getting one.

You may also be entitled to (a) grant or (b) financial assistance

Student GrantIf you’re really stuck for cash you can see if you qualify for a grant from your local authority. There is detailed information on the range of grants and funds for students in further and higher education on the website studentfinance.ie. This website has details of the Fund for Students with Disabilities,

the Student Assistance Fund and some third-level scholarships.

Student grants are divided into two classes – maintenance grants and fee grants.

Maintenance grantsA maintenance grant is a contribution towards the student’s living costs. Students who started or are starting courses from the academic year 2010/2013 onward do not qualify for a maintenance grant if they are on a Back to Education Allowance or VTOS allowance.

Maintenance grants are available for approved courses below graduate level in Ireland and other EU states and for approved postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

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The family income limits for eligibility for a maintenance grant in 2011/2013 are set out below. These limits also qualify you in respect of the fee grant (if you are otherwise eligible).

Number of Full Part Part Part dependent maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance children (75%) (50%) (25%)

Fewer than 4 !41,110 !42,235 !44,720 !47,205

4 to 7 !45,165 !46,415 !49,145 !51,880

8 or more !49,045 !50,400 !53,360 !56,320

Income limits for partial fee grantThe family income limits for eligibility for a partial fee grant in 2011/2013 are set out below.

Number of dependent 50% tuition fees and 50% student children 100% student contribution contribution only

Fewer than 4 !51,380 !55,920

4 to 7 !56,460 !61,440

8 or more !61,295 !66,700

Other family members in collegeThe reckonable income limits may be increased as follows for each additional family member who is pursuing a full-time course of at least one year’s duration:

In full maintenance and partial fee grant categories by !4,980 where there are 2 such family members, !9,960 where there are 3 such family members and so on, by increments of !4,980.

In part maintenance 75%, 50% and 25% categories by !4,815 where there are 2 such family members, !9,630 where there are 3 such family members and so on, by increments of !4,815.

If you are an independent applicant, the family member taken into account is your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. If you are dependent on your parents, the family members taken into account are your parent(s) and their other dependent children.

Fee grantsA fee grant can cover any of the following three elements:

All or part of the student contribution

Costs of essential field trips

All or part of a student’s tuition fees (but not if covered by the Free Fees Scheme)

In general, if you qualify for a maintenance grant you will qualify for all elements of the fee grant. However, you will not get the tuition element of a fee grant if you already qualify for free tuition under the Free Fees Schemes.

You may qualify for a fee grant, but not a maintenance grant, if you are what is called a ‘tuition student’ under the Student Grant Scheme. A tuition student is someone who fulfils all the conditions for a student grant except for residence in the State, but who has been resident in an EEA state or Switzerland for three of the last five years.

The members of the EEA (the European Economic Area) are the 27 members of the EU, along with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Students doing Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses do not get fee grants, but if you qualify for a maintenance grant you will be exempt from the PLC participant contribution.

Fee grants are available for approved courses below graduate level in Ireland and for approved postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, there are no fee grants for courses in other EU states. See ‘Approved courses and institutions’ for further detail.

How student grants are administeredUnder the new Student Grant Scheme, local authorities will continue to deal with student grants in respect of:

Universities

Prescribed educational institutions in Ireland (such as colleges of education)

Approved undergraduate courses in approved educational institutions in the EU

Approved postgraduate courses in approved educational institutions in Northern Ireland

These grants were previously

handled under the Higher Education Grants Scheme.

Vocational Education Committees (VECs) will continue to deal with grants for approved course in the following institutions:

Approved Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) centres

Institutes of Technology

Qualifying for a student grant

Maintenance grant

Income limits for maintenance grant and full fee grant

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To qualify for a maintenance grant, you must fulfil the conditions of the scheme as regards:

Nationality and immigration status

Residence

Means

You must also be attending an approved course in an approved institution – see ‘Approved courses and institutions’ below.

There are detailed conditions about the level of the course you are attending; whether you have attended a course at the same level already; and whether the course represents progression from your previous studies.

In general, you will not get a grant for repeating a year or attending a course at a level that does not represent progression from what you have done before. However,

‘second chance students’ may be eligible for a grant. A ‘second chance student’ is someone who is aged over 23, did not successfully complete an earlier course and is returning to pursue an approved course after at least five years.

Fee grantIf you qualify for a maintenance grant, you will qualify for all relevant elements of a fee grant.

You may qualify for a fee grant, but not a maintenance grant, if you are what is called a ‘tuition student’ under the Student Grant Scheme.

A tuition student is someone who fulfils all the conditions for a student grant except for residence in the State, but who has been resident in an EEA state or Switzerland for three of the last five years. The members of

the EEA (the European Economic Area) are the 27 members of the EU, along with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Nationality and immigration statusIn order to get a student grant you must:

Be a national of an EU member state or an EEA member state or Switzerland or

Further informationabout grants isavailable onstudentfinance.ie.

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Changes in grant rates are considered during the annual Budget process and become effective in January at the beginning of the financial year.

Maintenance grant rates for 2013

Type Non-adjacent rate Adjacent rate

Special rate !5,915 !2,375

Full Maintenance !3,025 !1,215

Part maintenance (75%) !2,270 !910

Part maintenance (50%) !1,515 !605

Part maintenance (25%) !755 !305

Adjacent and non-adjacent rates

For students who live 45 kilometres (formerly 24) or less from the college being attended, the adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable. This rate applies to all students living within this distance, including all mature students, both dependent and independent.

The non-adjacent rate applies to everyone else.

Be a family member of one of the above, with permission to remain in the State as a family member of such person under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 and EU Treaty rights provisions or

Have refugee status or

Have been granted humanitarian leave to remain in the State (foreign nationals granted leave to remain under the Irish Born Child scheme – IBC/05 are not eligible) or

Be eligible for subsidiary protection or have been granted leave to remain under the European Communities Regulations 2006 or

Have permission to remain following a determination not to make a deportation order or

Have permission to remain in the State by virtue of marriage to, or civil partnership with, an Irish national living here or be the dependent child of a person with such permission

ResidenceSince the academic year 2010/2011, you must have been legally resident in the State for 3 of the previous 5 years to qualify for a maintenance grant. However, if you are studying elsewhere in the EU for a recognised qualification, and you were resident in the State for 3 of the 5 years before starting that course, you satisfy this requirement.

If you fulfill all the criteria for a maintenance grant except for the residence condition in the State, you may still qualify for a fee grant as a ‘tuition student’.

Your parents or guardians, or you yourself if you are an independent mature candidate (see below) must have been ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the local authority from 1 October prior to applying for the grant.

Means testIf you were ordinarily resident with your parents from October 1 of the year before the year of entry to the course, you are considered

dependent on your parents and your income (if any) is assessed together with your parents’ income(s). An allowance is made for your earnings outside of term-time – up to !3,809 currently.

Independent mature candidates are candidates aged over 23 who live separately from their parents from 1 October of the year before the year of entry to the course. If you are an independent student, you are assessed on your own income (and that of your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, if applicable).

The means test for a student grant in 2011/2013 is based on your family’s income for the previous full tax year (2010). However, if you or your family have had a change of circumstances (which is likely to be permanent) since 31 December 2010, your changed circumstances may be taken into account.

Special rates of grants for disadvantaged studentsDisadvantaged students who meet a number of conditions can qualify for a special rate of maintenance grant.

Applicants must have qualified for the standard maintenance grant for the academic year 2011/2013 and total reckonable income in the tax year January to December 2010 must not be more than !22,703, net of Qualified Child Increases and standard exclusions.

For students, including mature students, who are assessed on parent(s)/guardian’s income, their parent(s)/guardian must, on 31 December 2010, have been:

Claiming long-term social welfare payments, or

Claiming Family Income Supplement or

Participating in designated programmes (for example, a FÁS training programme).

For students who are assessed on their own income, on 31 December 2010 the student must have been getting one of the

Rates

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above social welfare payments or participating in a designated programme.

How to applyFrom 2012/2013 on, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), which has been nominated as the new single grant-awarding authority, will start handling new applications. All new grants must be applied for online. Renewals of existing grants will be handled by the authority that issued them initially.

Appealing a decisionIf you think that you have been unjustly refused a grant, you may appeal. The Student Support Act 2011 provides for a new independent appeals board in relation to student grants. It is expected that this board will be established in 2013.

It is the first such board for those seeking to appeal decisions made on grants and will be open to students who applied for consideration in this academic year.

Approved courses and institutionsIn general, the new Student Grant Scheme covers all the approved courses and institutions covered by the 4 schemes it replaced. Details of what each scheme covered are below.

Higher Education Grants SchemeThe courses that were approved under the Higher Education Grants Scheme and now come under the Student Grant Scheme are:

(a) Full-time undergraduate courses of not less than 2 years’ duration or full-time postgraduate

courses of not less than one year’s duration taken in one of the approved institutions

(b) Full-time undergraduate courses of not less than 2 years’ duration taken in a publicly funded university or third-level institution in another EU member state, with the exception of the following:

Courses in Colleges of Further and Higher Education (other than courses which are at Higher National Diploma level or higher)

Courses provided in a college that are offered in private commercial third-level colleges in the State and that are validated by that college

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Courses in colleges akin to private commercial colleges in Ireland

(c) A full-time undergraduate course of a minimum duration of 1 year in one of the approved institutions which represents progression from a Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree or National Diploma) course to an add-on Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) course.

Vocational Education Committees’ Scholarship SchemeThe courses that were approved under the Vocational Education Committees’ Scholarship Scheme and now come under the Student Grant Scheme are:

(a) Full-time courses at the colleges of the National University of Ireland; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin City University; the University of Limerick; Queens University, Belfast or the University

of Ulster where the student progresses to the university course by completing a course at Level 6 (National Certificate) or Level 7 (National Diploma)

(b) Full-time approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses at approved institutions

(c) BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in certain colleges of further education and colleges of further and higher education in Northern Ireland

(d) Full-time approved undergraduate courses in third-level institutions in EU member states, on the same basis as the Higher Education Grants Scheme, in the case of students who have been awarded a National Certificate or a National Diploma

Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for TraineesThe Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees scheme has also been subsumed into the Student Grant Scheme. The approved courses for this element of the Student Grant Scheme are a series of one, two and three-year courses leading to qualifications at Level 6 (Higher Certificate) and at Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree) in Institutes of Technology. This element of the scheme is aimed at candidates requiring higher-level initial education and training to improve their employment prospects in line with the Government’s sectoral employment priorities and entering approved Middle Level Technician

or Higher Technical Business Skills courses for the first time in the academic year in question.

This element of the Student Grant Scheme is also open to mature candidates re-entering in order to complete such a course.

Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate Courses

The Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate Courses scheme has also been subsumed into the Student Grant Scheme. This element of the Student Grant Scheme is open to candidates who are entering approved Post-Leaving Certificate courses for the first time in the academic year in question.

Grants are available for full-time approved Post-Leaving Certificate courses of at least one year’s duration at approved Post-Leaving Certificate centres. The list of approved centres is available from your local VEC.

Student Assistance FundThe Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. Students can apply for Student Assistance to help them with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties. The Student Assistance Fund provides a further source of funding for higher education students in addition to the Student Grant.

Each year, the State allocates a certain amount of Student Assistance funding to all publicly funded higher education colleges based on the size of the college’s full-time student population. Students in need of financial support can then make an application in the college for assistance under the Fund. The Student Assistance Fund is not available in further education/ PLC colleges.

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The cost of attending college has risen significantly over the last few years and this trend looks set to continue, putting major pressure on students.

much; are you paying too much for transport, or membership of a gym you don’t attend?

Price comparison websites are useful at this stage; for example the National Consumer Agency’s website www.economiser.ie which allows you to compare your spend on groceries, TV and telecoms, mobiles and energy to the national average. Also there are some great tips at www.itsyourmoney.ie specifically for students.

Some of the best opportunities for savings at the moment are in the following areas:

Rent – shop around as there are deals available, you need to look at private rented accommodation versus college accommodation and also whether utilities are included. Always ask about hidden costs before you sign a lease.

Groceries - Shop around and ‘Buy Local’. Only buy what you will use, look out for special offers and always ask if there is a student discount. Also check out the new initiative at UCC www.collegedinners.ie as an alternative.

Transport – get a student travel card for discounts on local and national travel.

Leisure – get involved with college societies and take advantage of student discount cards, nights out and events which are usually subsidised. Also sign up to group discount websites for cheap meals out and large discounts in your area.

The key to successful budgeting is creating and sticking to a plan. Do this and

you will avoid mounting debt. There are three key steps to take.

1 Assess your situationTo understand your weekly cash flow you need to record all incomings and outgoings within a simple personal budget. Its format is not important – a pen and paper is all you need. The aim here is to give you a clear snapshot of your finances.

I recommend you do this for a few weeks to take account of all bills. Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns. On the left hand side detail your total income, e.g. student grant, allowance from your parents, part-time wages, savings available, etc. On the right hand side record all outgoings – you might consider doing this under the following headings:

Household expensesLoans & debtsPhone expensesLeisureTransport costsMiscellaneous

If you don’t have exact details of your day-to-day expenses use an estimate. Try not to under or over estimate spending as this will skew your planning. Also you need to separate necessary costs from discretionary so you can identify the expenses that are unavoidable, for example rent.

2 Action ItemsNow you need to look at your sheet of paper and identify any areas where you may be able to cut back – do you eat out too

Tax – if you’ve worked during the summer, at home or abroad, be sure to claim your tax refund.

3 Monitor your budgetIt is important to monitor your budget regularly and update it if your circumstances change. If you are overspending you need to change your spending habits.

Allocating time to prepare a budget is the first step in easing the burden of worry when it comes to planning your college year.

Clive Aherne is the owner of TaxAssist Accountants in Cork and sponsors the ‘Buy Local’ campaign. This article first appeared in the Irish Examiner.

When it comes to day-to-day costs, all colleges are definitely not the same, whether you’re talking about essentials such as accommodation and food or a pint in the on-campus bar.

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Costs vary of course. Dublin is more expensive than other parts of the country, but what

about individual colleges? How do their students fare when looking for accommodation or buying dinner on campus? We decided to find out.

UCC On-campus accommodation – you’ll pay between !73 and !150 per week for college-owned accommodation. Some of this is on campus and the rest is nearby.

Off-campus accommodation – shared house accommodation will set you back between !60 and !85 per week. !90 for a single room in a shared house is the maximum rent allowed by the college accommodation office. Utilities are usually extra.

A pint in the college bar !3.10 for Fosters.

Dinner on campus – !5 for Therese’s signature curry in Club Áras. There are other !5 meal deals available as well.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.55. Refill pad !1.10. Packet of Tayto 85c. Sandwich from !2.80 for chicken and stuffing to !3.90 for a wrap.

NUIM On-campus accommodation – from !92 to !110 per week for a single room on campus. If you’re a Gaelgeoir, it’s possible to request accommodation with like minded people if you fancy living trí Ghaeilge.

Off-campus accommodation – between !70 and !100 per week for a house share.

Pint in the college bar !2.50 for a can of whatever beer is on special.

Dinner on campus – it changes but a decent feed will set you back about !4.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.19. Refill pad !1.50. Packet of Tayto 95c. Sandwich !2.99 (standard).

NUIG On-campus accommodation – there is accommodation that is college owned but not on-campus per se. Corrib Village is the on- campus complex. Rates go from !72 per week for a standard twin room to !125 per week for a double ensuite there.

Off-campus accommodation – there is plenty of landlord-owned student accommodation in Galway. Prices vary but range from about !80 per week sharing or !103

per week for your own room in an apartment. Renting a house will set you back between !70 and !100 per week each, depending on how many people are sharing.

Pint in the college bar !3 for Fosters.

Dinner on campus – currently !5 for a carvery lunch. This is expected to come down, possibly to !3.50.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.40. Refill pad: !1. Packet of Tayto 65c. Sandwich currently !3.95 but they’re working with the supplier to provide a cheaper option for about !2.75 although the price has yet to be confirmed.

UL On-campus accommodation – lots of on-campus accommodation in UL. Plassey Village prices, including utilities, range from !3,483 to !3,999 per year. This works out at about !92 to !105 per week.

Off-campus accommodation – rental properties in Castletroy are pretty reasonable. You will end up spending between !50 and !80 per week for a single room in a house close to college.

Pint in the college bar !3.30.

Dinner on campus – about !5.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.45 Refill pad: !1.20 Packet of Tayto 70c Sandwich !3.30.

Going to college is an expensive business. No wonder most students are

stony broke. You will become an expert at wrangling cheap nights out,

cooking dinner for 75c and figuring out how to get things for free, but no

matter how prudent you are, life simply ain’t cheap!

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DCU On-campus accommodation – two sets of on-campus apartments (Larkfield and Hampstead) are available to school leavers. Prices range from !4,049 to !4,234 per annum depending on where you stay and whether you have a single or a superior room. Utilities are extra.

Off-campus accommodation – between !80 and !100 per week will get you a single room in a house close by the college. Utilities are extra.

Pint in the college bar !3.50 for all pints except Fosters and Olm which cost !3.

Dinner on campus – the bar offers a cheeseburger and chips for !6.50. A 12-inch pizza will set you back a tenner.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.59. Refill pad !1.55. Packet of Tayto 75c.Sandwich !2.95 for a cheese salad, !3.95 for posher options.

DIT On-campus accommodation – no on-campus accommodation but it has block- booked various halls of residence for students.

Off-campus accommodation – expect to pay between !75 and !180 per week depending on whether you’re sharing a house in the suburbs or a city centre apartment.

Pint in the college bar !3.50-!4.50.

Dinner on campus – !4-!10

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.55. Refill pad 99c. Packet of Tayto 65 cent Sandwich: !2.60.

TCD On-campus accommodation No on-campus accommodation for first year. The college accommodation is Trinity Hall and it’s near Rathmines, a bus or Luas ride away from college. Rooms start at !4,230 for the academic year and rise to !5,060 if you want a single en-suite room. Utilities are extra.

Off-campus accommodation How long is a piece of string? Because of TCD’s location, you can really choose to live anywhere along the bus, Dart or Luas lines as well as in the city centre. Expect to pay between !90 and !120 per week depending on whether you’re sharing a house in the suburbs or a city centre apartment.

Pint in the college bar !3.50.

Dinner on campus – !5.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.50. Refill pad !1.50. Packet of Tayto 70c. Sandwich !3.50

CIT On-campus accommodation Between !2,700 and !4,500 per annum for student (not on campus) accommodation.

Off-campus – accommodation Expect to pay about !85 per week for a single room in a shared house.

Pint in the college bar – no bar on campus in CIT.

Dinner on campus – !3.20 student special.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.40. Refill pad 75c Packet of Tayto 70c. Sandwich !2.80 from the deli/!1.75 pre-pack

WIT On-campus accommodation – between !73 and !87 per week depending on whether you want a twin room or a single ensuite.

Off-campus accommodation – A house share will cost around !200 per month if three people split the cost.

Pint in the college bar !3.50.

Dinner on campus – !5.75.

Campus shop essentials – bottle of Lucozade !1.95. Refill pad !1 Packet of Tayto 70c. Sandwich !1.90.

This article first appeared in the Irish Times

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Some of the most exciting features of University life are the extra-curricular activities

that are on offer. The range of extra-curricular activities varies from college to college, but most Irish colleges have a huge number of clubs that their students can join. These clubs and societies enable students to become actively involved in University life.

During the first week of term, the different student clubs and societies will generally hold an event where they try and get students to join. It is worth considering what types of activities you would like to be a member of while at college.

SportSports clubs, for instance, can range from college football, rugby, rowing, athletic or boxing teams (to name but a few) to more unusual sports such as kae-bo, extreme frisbee, trampoline-ing and even juggling. (Yes, it’s a sport!) The facilities for sports in college are usually funded by the college or the student’s union and are of a very high or professional standard.

ActivitiesAside from sports, the activities that you can become involved in vary: film and cinema societies,

drama clubs, comedy clubs, debating teams, college radio and many, many more. Campus societies usually cater for every interest. Throughout the college year the different clubs and societies on campus hold various socials for their members such as nights out, concerts and even trips away.

There are two things worth keeping in mind when considering what clubs you wish to join:

1. Don’t join too many.

It is better to commit fully to a small number of clubs rather than commit half-hearted to lots.

2. Whatever you put into college life, you’ll get back out of it.

If you put plenty of energy into extra-curricular activities, you will reap the rewards.

Clubs and extra-curricular activities are an essential part of college life. They are a great way to meet new people and make new friends, especially in first year. Most students find their involvement in student societies to be a very enjoyable and fulfilling part of college life. It is also worth noting that if you are an active member of a club in first year you could perhaps become a director of the club in your second

or third year in college, which would be invaluable to your experience of college, and not to mention to your CV!

There are clubs to suit all interests and it can be extremely favourable to be involved in something that could possibly benefit your coursework. Business students could perhaps act as treasurer of a society, for instance. English students may find it helpful to be involved in a drama or debating society. Students of sports management or fitness courses might enjoy and benefit from being involved in a sport. Clubs and social activities are a hugely creditable and valuable aspect of college year. To not get involved would mean missing out on so much of the college experience and fun.

Article contributed by Amy Nolan

In secondary school, chances are you will have had the choice to play a sport for your school or become involved in various school activities. In college, your choice of clubs and societies to join is far more varied than that offered at second level.

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Freshers’ week is organised by the local university student union. The week is hectic and

offers you the chance to join the many clubs and societies within the university. It usually provides a range of events from live concerts and society taster sessions to a formal ball.

You can find out about the events planned in a variety of ways. Most universities and student unions now have websites with information about what’s on. There will be posters plastered all around the campus announcing events and information on your student union’s Facebook page.

Make sure you keep your student ID

card with you during Freshers’ Week – you will have been given this when you enrol. Without it you won’t get into events however hard you try.

One of the most attended events of Freshers’ Week is the fair. This is a gathering of the clubs and societies of the university. Often held in the student union building, the fair gives you the chance to meet and join clubs as diverse as political groups, music groups, football teams or debating societies.

As well as providing a chance to learn about the university, Freshers’ Week allows students to become familiar with the

representatives of their Students’ Union and to get to know the city or town which is home to the university. Live music is also common, as are a number of organised social gatherings, designed to allow new students to make friends and to get to know others doing the same course.

Alcohol is an inevitable part of student life, especially during Freshers’ Week. Most students partake (some more than others!) and, if you’re one of them, you’ll become all too aware of how awful hangovers can be.

There is no cure, so drink sensibly…

The first week of college is the highlight of the year for many. It can be non-stop partying, meeting new people, and experiencing new things if you do it right!

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The social aspectsof college life...

s Jack Nicholson famously quoted in The Shining, ‘All work and no play make

Jack a dull boy.’ (Or, in Jack’s case, a psychopathic killer.) College isn’t just about swotting for that A+ in Statistics -– you’d either go mad or become a bore – it’s also about building character through socialising.

Here are just five of the many ways to book up your diary when you’re not in the library:

1. CLUBS AND SOCIETIESTempted by those free lollies at the society fair? Those friendly smiles that greet you across the hall are not just offering the sweets of nostalgia, they are also providing you with the fruits of opportunity to go rock-climbing, learn new skills in Kung Fu, sing in the choir, and more. Talk to the club and society members at stalls and for just a couple of Euro, you can join the ones that appeal most.

Make an effort to go to the initial meetings, and go to as many classes or training sessions as possible. It’s easy to get stuck into the rut of watching Home and Away at lunch instead of shaking your stuff at a Hip Hop class, but it’s worth going to classes. You will meet people with similar interests

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to you and get lots of free trips, as well as a more creative mind or a toned body.

2. STUDENT PROTESTSUniversity is one of the places in society where you are urged, and it is accepted, to rebel. When the Georg-August University in Germany decided to raise canteen prices by 10 cent, all the students were out marching in full force to resist the evils of college inflation. During the years of Noel Dempsey’s reign as Minister for Education, the students of NUI Maynooth protested against his threats to bring back college fees. Protesting brings people together with a common cause, and gives you plenty to rant about. When you’re wet, hungry and exhausted, you can pile into a bus to the pub and chat about the ills of society, meeting people who feel the same way. If you’re a sociology student, you will also have plenty to impress lecturers with.

3. VOLUNTEERINGThe volunteering network has become a lot more organised recently, with the launch of several websites and volunteering centres around the country. Many of these are linked with universities, and include such programmes as Big Brother Big Sister (mentoring for teenagers), helping out at local shelters, after-school homework clubs and more. Volunteering will enable you to have contact with people that may be disadvantaged, physically or mentally disabled, the elderly, and other different types of people. This kind of friendship is irreplaceable because it builds a relationship through trust, loyalty, and a passion to make a

difference. Check out www.volunteer.ie or call in to your Students’ Union to get in touch with groups.

4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NIGHTSFrom thanksgiving turkeys to tapas, international student nights can be the most fun ways to experience foreign cultures and meet people that have alternative viewpoints to you. You might enjoy sipping Arabic coffee or making Spanish omelettes for breakfast with your new mates. Look out for posters that advertise international student nights out, as they are usually more than willing to meet the ‘real’ Irish folks themselves. Cultural differences can provide the best talking points for meeting new people, as can attending food festivals or events where you get to sample the culture first-hand. And don’t forget - these people will come in very handy when you need somewhere to stay during your inter-railing trip across Europe.

5. STUDENT BARThe last and most obvious choice for contact (often, of the very close kind) is the student bar. The drink is cheap, the craic is mighty, and the chances are you will end up at a house party or nightclub after the bar reaches closing time. The bar itself has cheaper drinks than usual and often holds more student-oriented events, such as the Iron Stomach competition, Singer-Songwriter contest and other talent shows. Promotional events for drinks companies are sometimes held in the student bar too, so look out for freebies. Your finest hour might be meeting a mysterious French lady, or downing shots of Aftershock, depending on what kind of night it is. Or how about a quick game of pool during the day between tutorials? The student bar has it all.

Article contributed by Niamh Madden

To some students, partying is an art-form. Stacking empty can upon can of Bavaria onto a coffee table may be one person’s idea of fun, and another’s idea of hell. Whether you’re an all-night party animal or just simply like to get involved and meet like-minded mates, college is one of the best ways to boost your social life.

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On any college campus, the Welfare Officer is the person you go to with all non-academic related concerns and queries.

Some difficulties you may encounter could be with your landlord, health concerns

or financial problems. The Welfare Officer can help if you encounter any obstacles with aspects of college that aren’t directly connected with your studies.

The transition from secondary school to college can be an exciting and invigorating experience, from joining societies and clubs and making new friends, to great parties, skipped lectures, bad essays, early mornings and late nights. So get involved and get active in college. Become a class rep with the Students’ Union, join a society or take up a new sport - it’s the best and easiest way to make new friends and truly experience what third level education has to offer you!

However, if you’re having a tough time in college and you’re not finding it easy to settle in, don’t worry; your Welfare Officer is available when things don’t really

go according to plan. Their job is to give information, put you in touch with counsellors and advisors, fight your fights against the government, against college or against the dodgy landlord who wants to take half your deposit for breaking one plate.

In short your Welfare Officer can give you advice about:

Accommodation problems

Financial difficulties

Health problems

Range of college services

Bullying or sexual harassment

Accessing Health Board and Social Welfare Payments, Grants etc.

Legal advice

Welfare Loans

Coping with bereavement

Any other non-academic problem

The Welfare Officer in Trinity organises and runs campaigns throughout the year, such as Mental Health Week, SHAG (Sexual Health and Guidance Week), and Health and Sports Week. These weeks are to make sure that you are informed about your mental, physical and sexual health, so keep your eye out for these campaigns throughout the year!

You may never need your Welfare Officer, but if you do, don’t hesitate to seek them out.

Contributed by Úna Faulkner, Welfare Officer, Trinity College Dublin

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The service is currently free but the possibility of a small consultation fee being

introduced has been bandied about. The Students’ Union will always fight to keep the service free. At the moment there are charges for some exceptions, such as urine, blood and pregnancy tests; travel vaccinations; medicals; eye tests and smear tests.

Medical cardsA student is eligible if:

He/she is financially independent of parents. They are then assessed on their own means. Contact the Department of Health or the Welfare Officer for information on income limits. If the student is paying rent then this is taken into consideration.

Persons aged 16 to 25 who are dependent on their parents will only be entitled to a medical card if their parents hold a medical card. Hardship cases will be dealt with individually on merit so if you feel you need a medical card, apply for one.

If a student is on a disability allowance and has no additional income besides, he/she would qualify for a medical card.

Specific hardship e.g. asthma should be mentioned on the application form, which can be picked up in the College Health Centre.

If you receive a medical card, notification of eligibility will be accompanied by a list of doctors, from which you must select one, whose centre of practice is within seven miles of where you live. The card entitles you to:

General practitioner (GP) treatment

Free medicine

Dental and optical benefits

In-patient and Out-patient optical services

Certain medical and surgical appliances

All N.I. and GB Students are entitled to emergency GP and hospital services free of charge on production of a European Health Insurance Card. All E.U. students in possession of the card are also

entitled to GP services free of charge.

For more information contact the Health Centre in your college, the Local Area Health Board or the SU Welfare Officer.

If you need help or advice in college there are plenty of people

In many colleges, there is a College Health Service, which is available to all registered students.

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both in the Students’ Union and in college itself whose role it is to look after the non-academic side of student life. If you are in doubt as to who to go to with a particular problem, a useful starting point is your tutor.

Mental healthYour mental health is an important part of you as a person. Mental health can be good and it can be bad and it can be affected by the things that happen in everyday life, the good stuff and the really bad stuff. Whatever your situation, there are things you can do to protect it and look after it.

Accept yourselfStay in touch with friendsDon’t binge drinkTalk to someone who cares

BullyingThough bullying is something that we associate with the schoolyard, unfortunately it continues through college, and even into the workplace. Bullying is unwanted and unwelcome behaviour which is persistent and repeated, is offensive or threatening to the recipient, or which leaves the recipient isolated or vulnerable. Bullying can take many forms:

Verbal: personal insults, demeaning remarks, humiliation in front of others, nicknames, ridicule, persistent picking on a person ‘as a joke’, threats

Non-verbal or indirect: exclusion, hostile attitude, spreading malicious rumours

Abuse of power: excessive criticism, withholding essential information

Physical: aggressive behaviour, physical intimidation, unwelcome physical contact up to and including assault

The effect of bullying on an individual can be extremely destructive and have some serious consequences. If you are being bullied:

Get support: talk to someone you trust. Contact the Equality Officer, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Rights Officer, the Welfare Officer, your tutor, or the student counselling service

Make it clear to the perpetrator that the behaviour is unwelcome and unacceptable and ask them to stop

Keep a record of incidents that occur, witnesses, and effects on you

Physical violenceYou don’t have to be married to be a battered woman and you don’t have to be married to seek help. Women’s Aid, which operates a number of refuges for women escaping physical, sexual or emotional abuse in the home have recently set up a telephone help line for anyone in this situation. They will be able to give you advice on the legal course of action available to you, such as how to get a Barring-Order, Protection Order etc. They will also be able to give you information

on the Battered Women’s Support Groups, Victims Support Groups and information on emergency accommodation. Although there is often a waiting list and women with children are given a priority, Women’s Aid will do its utmost to ensure that you are given every assistance if you want to get out of an abusive situation.

AlcoholWhen it comes to alcohol, Irish students are hit by the double stereotype – both the Irish and students having a reputation for enjoying a pint, or 10.

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A letter from Trinity College ChaplainsThere’s a lot more to college life than spending four years studying a particular academic discipline. University provides a unique opportunity to meet people from a wide variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds and to explore a whole world of ideas and interests. Ultimately, it’s an invitation to share in the search for truth and greater understanding, which is central to the mission of all communities of learning.

In Trinity College, and indeed many colleges throughout Ireland, the College Chaplains, representing the four main Christian Churches in Ireland, work as a team to foster such shared exploration and to promote in College the vision of a caring Christian community.

Along with the other student services in College, the Chaplains are committed to improving the quality of student life.

This makes it more difficult to spot potential problems. A night out on the town should always be an enjoyable experience.

For many students, the first year away from home can be their first real introduction to sociable drinking and invariably, as people find their own personal limits, there will be an occasion when too much drink will leave you sick, hungover, or both. However, if this or any of the following become a regular feature, it is time to take a serious look at controlling how much you drink:

Suffering from blackouts or memory loss

Getting into fights

Drink driving

Putting yourself at risk

Going home with someone you didn’t previously know

In order to control how much you are drinking and in order to prevent yourself from becoming excessively drunk, it is advisable to:

Eat plenty before going out to drink

Drink a glass of water between drinks in order to keep hydrated (this has the added benefit of reducing the possibility of a serious hangover)

Don’t try to match others drink for drink

Never leave your drink unattended

Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know

Don’t mix different types of drinks

DrugsIt is likely that you will come across some form of illegal drugs during your time at college. Whatever your choices in that regard, it is highly recommended that you completely inform yourself of the effects of each of the different types of drugs out there.

Remember that the consumption, possession and/or supply of illegal drugs all carry harsh penalties.

Personal safetyUnfortunately, your new-found independence also brings an increased level of risk to your

personal safety. However, with a bit of common sense, you can greatly reduce your exposure to these risks. Here’s how:

Never carry large sums of money on your person. When you receive your grant, rent, wages or any large sum of money, lodge it directly to your bank account.

Always protect your PIN when withdrawing money from an ATM or paying for anything by debit card. Pay attention to anyone in close proximity at these times as they could be watching you enter your PIN over your shoulder.

Never hitch-hike. While in the past, it was an acceptable form

The Chaplains

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of transport for the impoverished student, it is no longer deemed safe.

When travelling alone, do not leave your luggage unattended. Pay attention to your surroundings.

At night time, do not walk home alone. It is preferable to use a taxi or other form of public transport, but if this isn’t possible, stick with friends.

Make sure that someone knows your plans and what time you intend to be home.

NitelineLife as a student can sometimes be stressful and there can be multiple pressures both in and out of college. There are many support structures in place to help students through these difficulties and Niteline is one of the most popular and durable of these.

What is Niteline?

Niteline is a confidential, anonymous, non-directive, and non-judgemental listening service that is run by and for the students of UCD, Trinity, RCSI and NCAD.

Niteline has been successfully running and expanding for over 10 years. During this time, the service has become a unique and valued part of life in college. The number

of calls to Niteline has increased annually throughout this period – a reflection of how the service has established itself as trusted and respected in student circles.

Who runs Niteline?

Niteline is run by student volunteers from UCD, Trinity and RCSI. Although generously supported by the Student’s Unions of UCD, Trinity and NCAD along with the board of RCSI, Niteline is independent of outside influence. This allows it to maintain the confidentiality and non-judgemental atmosphere that are seen as its core values.

Niteline volunteers represent a broad cross-section of the student community, male and female, from all four colleges. The fact that volunteers are students themselves means that they are in a position to understand the pressures of college life and to relate to the range of issues that students face.

Before taking any calls, Niteline volunteers go through a rigorous screening and training programme based on the Samaritans model and run with the help of the College Counselling Services. Ongoing training and support for volunteers is also a priority.

New volunteers are recruited at the start of first term so watch out for the posters. Applications are taken only from students who have spent a year or more in college and remember; if you are thinking of volunteering, please respect Niteline’s anonymity by not telling anyone.

Niteline is:

Confidential: The contents of a call remain strictly between the caller and the volunteer they speak to.

Non-Judgemental: Volunteers are committed to providing an atmosphere that is free from moral judgements.

Anonymous: Callers are not required to give their names or any identifying details. Volunteers are required to remain very discreet about their involvement with Niteline.

Non-Directive: Niteline volunteers will not pester you for information or offer you advice. The pace and content of a call is entirely up to the caller.

We don’t have all the answers and won’t tell you what to do, but we do believe in the value of talking to someone who will listen and accept. So, if you ever feel that a listening ear would help, or if you just want information on something, remember that no problem is too big or too small and Niteline is only a phone call away.

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You should make it your business to familiarise yourself with the layout of the

library and the services available at the earliest opportunity. Most college libraries will offer library orientation sessions at the beginning of the academic year and these are the best way of getting the lowdown on your college library from the staff working there.

Some of the important bits to listen out for are:

Borrowing rights: How many books are you entitled to borrow and for how long? What are the late return fees?

How is the library organised? Most libraries will be organised on some form of numeric system. It’s a good idea to learn which sections will contain the subject areas you’ll be most interested in.

How to find an item? The tool for this will be the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue). This will usually be available through the library website and will help you to locate items within the library.

The library website is likely to also have links to various electronic journals, databases and other resources that will help you in your research. Usually you can access this without needing to be in the library.

Your library will also be the place where you will find academic journals, reference items like

dictionaries and encyclopaedias and usually there will be copies of final year dissertations or theses.

Library staff will be happy to help you locate any other information you require. If the material is not located in the local library they might be able to secure the item on inter library loan from another location or alternatively they might be able to give a letter of introduction allowing you to visit another library.

Your college library will be one of the most important resources to help you in your studies at college.

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Studying abroad allows you the opportunity to get long- stay visas in countries you

may not otherwise be allowed to reside in, giving you lots of time to immerse yourself in the culture, learn the language and educate yourself further.

In some cases, students have to go abroad as their particular choice of course may not be open to them in Ireland, or the Irish points system is sometimes too prohibitive! Others opt to study abroad purely for the experience.

Many universities, colleges and ITs operate a number of schemes that enable students to travel and study abroad for a year of their degree programme.

Indeed for some courses, it is compulsory to study at a foreign institution for part of the course. In these cases, funding is often available to help with the additional costs involved in living and studying in another country.

Studying abroad offers you an opportunity to expand your knowledge and get a real feel for other countries.

It is also a desirable thing to have on your CV when you are looking for a job. Many companies now operate in a global market, with foreign travel an increasingly found prerequisite of many positions. Initial experience in this by studying abroad can be of great benefit when it comes to applying for that type of position.

Studying abroad provides the opportunity to travel and see the world while counting towards your college course credits at the same time.

Employers are always impressed with candidates who are multi-skilled and who avail of any opportunity that comes their way. What better skills to have than independence, travel experience and an interest in foreign cultures.

If you do get the opportunity, take it, and enjoy the trip!

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The proportion within the Institute of Technology sector is likely to be higher. Given the

importance of lifelong learning and employee upskilling, the proportion of mature students participating in higher education is set to grow further – a highly desirable trend from a policy perspective.

Who is a mature student?If you’re going back to school after a lapse of several years, or for the first time at third level, take heart! I did it, and I survived. Being older than your fellow students can offer advantages and can pose some challenges too.

Strictly speaking, the definition of a mature student is someone who starts a degree aged 21 or over. Like traditional-aged students, ‘matures’ go to university for a variety of reasons. Some pursue a degree purely for its intrinsic interest; others have a particular vocational focus. It’s impossible to generalise about a ‘typical’ mature student because there’s no such thing!

Within the HEA designated institutions sector, the proportion of new entrants that were aged 23+ (mature) increased to 9% of all new entrants in 2004/05.

For many, however, there is a general belief that a degree will improve their career opportunities. Every one of us has a unique set of career aspirations and concerns and it would be wrong to band students together, either by degree, discipline or age.

Mature students decide to go into HE for a wide variety of reasons. Some want the skills that will enable them to change or further develop their career. Others may simply want to broaden their horizons and challenge themselves. Whatever the reason, there is plenty of advice available to help you make an informed decision, as well as support to see you through your time as a student.

Because of the varied experience and skills that mature students bring with them, HE institutions are often flexible about entry requirements. Don’t automatically assume, because you don’t have formal qualifications, that you can’t apply to HE – talk to the

course provider and they will be able to advise on the best steps to take.

Family commitments and work responsibilities are often an important issue for older students. This has been recognised by the Government and HE institutions, which provide special support for students with children and special circumstances.

Mature students are welcomed and valued by all universities and colleges.

The public and voluntary sectors have, generally speaking, shown a more positive approach to older graduates than the private sector.

Certain career areas positively favour matures (e.g. social welfare, counselling) whilst certain career areas are seen as traditionally the prewserve of the young (e.g. marketing, advertising and high finance).

My advice is to assume nothing. If you are very keen on a specific area of work, you owe it to yourself to apply, providing evidence of your suitability and displaying your enthusiasm.

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What do mature graduates do?It is possible, to some extent, to generalise about the ‘best’ employers for mature students – those which value experience, no matter where gained, or personal maturity, or those which have always had high upper age limits for recruitment.

Many mature students have found that public sector employers have a very positive attitude towards mature graduates. Within this field, careers such as teaching and social work place particular value on their wider experience of life. This may also be utilised by careers such as law and personnel management, in both the public and private sectors. These also happen to be career areas which are readily available in the Greater Dublin area.

At the other end of the scale, the least attractive career prospects have traditionally been in fields which are youth-oriented, stressful and highly competitive, such as advertising, marketing and high finance and those with long training requirements, such as actuaries and the medical fields.

Resources to help mature students:When you arrive on campus

or preferably before, join the Mature Student Society during freshers’ week. It’s a must! Most Universities have an active Mature Students Society on Campus. Membership acquaints you with others and you can share experiences and issues which may arise. Check out the careers and advice service, they offer a host of information on issues concerning mature students.

Also, check out the ‘welcome days’ offered by universities, very useful for first time introductions and networking.

Presenting yourself to employers:Mature students may have a lot of advantages over younger students including greater confidence and maturity! They often have more focused aims and once in a career are less likely to want to change career again than a younger employee. They may have demonstrated the commitment to cope with a degree course whilst looking after a home and family at the same time – no mean feat!

However, mature students often undervalue the experience they have to offer employers: whether this is two years of casual jobs that financed a trip around the world between school and university or 10 years of the administration, financial management, catering, nursing, teaching, childcare, counselling etc. that is commonly summed up as ‘being a housewife’. Employers

B.J. O’Neill is a seasoned graduate having received a BA, an MA and consequently an H Dip from Trinity College Dublin. He entered Trinity as a mature student having had a successful career in local government administration in Northern Ireland prior to his arrival in Dublin for the commencement of his college years. He was 33 years of age when he initiated his education at Trinity. He is currently based in Dubai where he assists the Arabian-based multi-national engineering industry on instructing their key staff in the dexterity of industrial English.

may undervalue this too – if its value is not pointed out to them!

Start your career planning early

Be clear about what you have to offer (your skills, interests, values and personal qualities)

Explore your options

Make decisions in good time

Try to gain useful work experience in your chosen career area

Learn how to convey a positive image of yourself through application forms, CVs and at interviews

Accentuate the positiveMany employers know a good thing when they see it!

Older graduates often demonstrate valuable characteristics such as:

Flexibility

Stability

Multi-tasking

Balanced

Determined

Able to cope with pressure

Possessing useful work experience

Thinking about yourself positively but objectively can greatly influence how others perceive you and can prove to be a very useful approach when it comes to filling in application forms and attending interviews.

You will look back, as I did, on a very worthwhile experience. Best wishes.

Brendan J. O’ Neill BA. MA. H.Dip (ED)BIO

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 63

AL852 Accounting 295 Athlone IT 8

CR023 Accounting 300 Cork IT 7

CR400 Accounting 325 Cork IT 8

GA181 Accounting 265 Galway–Mayo IT 8

CW936 Accounting 200 IT Carlow 6

CW948 Accounting 300 IT Carlow 8

SG146 Accounting 225 IT Sligo 8

TA101 Accounting 200 IT Tallaght 6

NC006 Accounting 340 National College of Ireland 8

CK202 Accounting 430 UCC (NUI) 8

WD084 Accounting 305 Waterford IT 8

AC121 Accounting and Finance 275 American College. Dublin 8

DC115 Accounting and Finance 450 DCU 8

DT366 Accounting and Finance 380 DIT 8

DB521 Accounting and Finance 230 Dublin Business School 8

DK810 Accounting and Finance 300 Dundalk IT 8

GC401 Accounting and Finance 260 Griffith College. Dublin 8

GC301 Accounting and Finance n/a Griffith College. Limerick 8

ID001 Accounting and Finance 160 ICD Business School 8

IC005 Accounting and Finance n/a Independent Colleges 8

BN114 Accounting and Finance New 2013 IT Blanchardstown 8

TA111 Accounting and Finance 200 IT Tallaght 7

TA121 Accounting and Finance 230 IT Tallaght 8

MH403 Accounting and Finance 395 NUI Maynooth 8

GC201 Accounting and Finance n/a Griffith College. Cork 8

LC410 Accounting and Finance (Thurles) 305 Limerick IT 8

GA878 Accounting and Financial Management (Castlebar) 165 Galway–Mayo IT 7

NC001 Accounting and Human Resource Management – Discontinued 290 National College of Ireland 8

AL853 Accounting and Law – Cancelled n/a Athlone IT 8

AL654 Accounting Technician AQA Athlone IT 6

DN230 Actuarial and Financial Studies 565 UCD (NUI) 8

DC126 Actuarial Mathematics 515 DCU 8

DC127 Actuarial, Financial and Mathematical Sciences – Common Entry 450 DCU 8

GA171 Administration and Information Systems 205 Galway–Mayo IT 7

LY117 Administration and IT 190 Letterkenny IT 7

TL630 Advanced Business Studies 405 Tralee IT 6

TL721 Adventure Tourism Management 225 Tralee IT 7

TL821 Adventure Tourism Management 305 Tralee IT 8

TA023 Advertising and Marketing Communications 230 IT Tallaght 8

LM077 Aeronautical Engineering 415 University of Limerick 8

GA777 Agricultural and Environmental Management (Mountbellew) 350 Galway–Mayo IT 7

LC284 Agricultural Mechanisation 320 Limerick IT 6

TL748 Agricultural Science 305 Tralee IT 7

DN250 Agricultural Science 445 UCD (NUI) 8

WD078 Agricultural Science 380 Waterford IT 7

DN250 AES Agricultural Science – (Agri–Environmental Sciences) 445 UCD (NUI) 8

DN250 ACP Agricultural Science – (Animal and Crop Production) 445 UCD (NUI) 8

DN250 ASC Agricultural Science – (Animal Science) 405 UCD (NUI) 8

DN250 ENT Agricultural Science – (Engineering Technology) 445 UCD (NUI) 8

DN250 FAM Agricultural Science – (Food and Agribusiness Management) 445 UCD (NUI) 8

CR010 Agriculture 330 Cork IT 6

DK685 Agriculture 325 Dundalk IT 6

WD126 Agriculture 355 Waterford IT 7

CW507 Aircraft Systems 305 IT Carlow 7

CW107 Analytical and Forensic Science 275 IT Carlow 7

LY827 Analytical and Forensic Science 210 Letterkenny IT 7

CR007 Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry 280 Cork IT 7

CR340 Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance 345 Cork IT 8

DC161 Analytical Science 460* DCU 8

TR028 Ancient and Medieval History and Culture 415 TCD 8

DN251 Animal Science – Equine 440 UCD (NUI) 8

DL041 Animation 835# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

LY437 Animation 140 Letterkenny IT 7

MH111 Anthropology 375 NUI Maynooth 8

LY826 Applied Agriculture New 2013 Letterkenny IT 6

SG438 Applied Archaeology 235 IT Sligo 7

SG446 Applied Archaeology 295 IT Sligo 8

CR210 Applied Art. Ceramics (CIT Crawford College) 685# Cork IT 8

LC260 Applied Biology 255 Limerick IT 7

WD176 Applied Biology 320 Waterford IT 7

For further information on any of the courses listed, go to http://www.cao.ie/courses.php and enter the course code.

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

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64 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

GA771 Applied Biology and Biopharmaceutical Science 345 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA781 Applied Biology and Biopharmaceutical Science 375 Galway–Mayo IT 8

TA301 Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry – Discontinued 260 IT Tallaght 6

CR006 Applied Biosciences 290 Cork IT 7

LC261 Applied Chemistry 180 Limerick IT 6

LY708 Applied Computing 250 Letterkenny IT 8

WD028 Applied Computing 295 Waterford IT 8

GA770 Applied Freshwater and Marine Biology 360 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA780 Applied Freshwater and Marine Biology 375 Galway–Mayo IT 8

DC155 Applied Language and Intercultural Studies 350 DCU 8

LM044 Applied Languages 405 University of Limerick 8

DK860 Applied Music 500# Dundalk IT 8

DC171 Applied Physics 410 DCU 8

LM065 Applied Physics 370 University of Limerick 8

CR001 Applied Physics and Instrumentation 295 Cork IT 7

DL141 Applied Psychology 385 Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

CK106 Applied Psychology 510 UCC (NUI) 8

AS201 Applied Science in Food and New Business Management 2013 St. Angelas College Sligo 7

AL664 Applied Social Studies 310 Athlone IT 6

GA879 Applied Social Studies (Castlebar) 290 Galway–Mayo IT 7

CW717 Applied Social Studies (Professional Care) 300 IT Carlow 7

CW758 Applied Social Studies (Professional Care) 340 IT Carlow 8

CW017 Applied Social Studies (Professional Care) (Wexford) 325 IT Carlow 7

CW068 Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) (Wexford) 350 IT Carlow 8

LC292 Applied Social Studies (Social Care ) 355 Limerick IT 8

BN011 Applied Social Studies in Social Care 360 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN107 Applied Social Studies in Social Care 360 IT Blanchardstown 8

WD018 Applied Social Studies in Social Care 300 Waterford IT 7

WD135 Applied Social Studies in Social Care 355 Waterford IT 8

PC404 Applied Social Studies in Social Care 230 Carlow College 7

DN210 Archaeology and Geology 350 UCD (NUI) 8

CW468 Architectural Technology 275 IT Carlow 8

CR090 Architectural Technology 230 Cork IT 7

CR560 Architectural Technology 285 Cork IT 8

DT175 Architectural Technology 300 DIT 8

GA472 Architectural Technology 155 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA483 Architectural Technology New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 8

GA462 Architectural Technology New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 6

CW407 Architectural Technology 225 IT Carlow 7

LY547 Architectural Technology 160 Letterkenny IT 7

WD094 Architectural Technology 215 Waterford IT 7

CW007 Architectural Technology – Discontinued 220 IT Carlow 7

DT101 Architecture 545# DIT 8

DN100 Architecture 480 UCD (NUI) 8

LM099 Architecture 380# University of Limerick 8

WD144 Architecture 335 Waterford IT 8

CK606 Architecture (Joint UCC and CIT) 400 UCC (NUI) 8

CW038 Art – Wexford Campus 700# IT Carlow 8

CW057 Art (Wexford) 700+ IT Carlow 7

GA270 Art and Design 463+ Galway–Mayo IT 7

LC110 Art and Design 605# Limerick IT 8

WD200 Arts 285 Waterford IT 8

GY118 Arts (Drama. Theatre. and Performance Studies) 450 NUI Galway 8

DB561 Arts – General 210 Dublin Business School 8

DN501 Arts – Part time – Day 355 UCD (NUI) 8

DB579 Arts (General) – Cancelled New 2013 Dublin Business School 7

GY105 Arts (History) 320 NUI Galway 8

LM032 Arts (Joint Honours) 415 University of Limerick 8

MH901 Arts (Kilkenny Campus) New 2013 NUI Maynooth 8

GY109 Arts (Mathematics and Education) 405 NUI Galway 8

GY104 Arts (Psychology) 525 NUI Galway 8

GY103 Arts (Public and Social Policy) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Accounting) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: An Leann Duchais) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

TR001–AH Arts (subject option: Ancient History and Archaeology) 390* – 555* TCD 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Anthropology) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Applied Mathematics) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Archaeology) 300 NUI Galway 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Archaeology) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Archaeology) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Art History) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Asian Studies) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Business) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Celtic Civilisation) 300 NUI Galway 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Celtic Civilisation) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Celtic Studies [inc Early Irish & Welsh]) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Chinese Studies) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Chinese Studies) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Chinese) New 2013 DCU 8

TR001–CC Arts (subject option: Classical Civilisation) 405* –555* TCD 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Classics) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Computer Science) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

Page 65: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

The Definitive Guide to Going to College 65

CK101 Arts (subject option: Computer Science) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

TR001–DR Arts (subject option: Drama Studies [R]) 515* – 540* TCD 8

TR001–EI Arts (subject option: Early Irish) 460 – 555* TCD 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Economics) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Economics) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–EC Arts (subject option: Economics) 495* – 585 TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Economics) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Economics) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

TR001–EN Arts (subject option: English Literature) 540* – 585 TCD 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: English) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: English) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: English) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: English) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: European Studies) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

TR001–FS Arts (subject option: Film Studies) 410 – 540* TCD 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Finance) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Folklore) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: French) New 2013 DCU 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: French) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: French) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–FR Arts (subject option: French) 465* –585 TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: French) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: French) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Geography) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Geography) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–GG Arts (subject option: Geography) 415* – 585 TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Geography) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Geography) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: German) New 2013 DCU 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: German) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: German) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–GE Arts (subject option: German) 435 – 585 TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: German) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: German) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Greek and Roman Civilisation) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Greek and Roman Civilisation) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Greek) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Greek) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–GK Arts (subject option: Greek) 405 – 555* TCD 8

TR001–AR Arts (subject option: History Of Art and Architecture) 465* – 555* TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: History of Art) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: History) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: History) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–HS Arts (subject option: History) 555* TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: History) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: History) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Information and Social Computing) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Information Technology) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: International Development) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Irish [Nua–Ghaeilge]) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Irish Folklore) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

MD500 Arts (subject option: Irish Studies and Religious Studies) 265 Mater Dei 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Irish Studies) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Irish) New 2013 DCU 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Irish) 300 NUI Galway 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Irish) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Irish) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Italian) 300 NUI Galway 8

TR001–IT Arts (subject option: Italian) 425 – 580* TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Italian) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Italian) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Japanese) New 2013 DCU 8

TR001–JS Arts (subject option: Jewish and Islamic civilisations) 405 – 580* TCD 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Latin) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–LT Arts (subject option: Latin) 435 – 555* TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Latin) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Law) New 2013 DCU 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Law) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Leann an Aistriuchain) 300 NUI Galway 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Legal Studies) 300 NUI Galway 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Linguistics) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Mathematical Physics) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Mathematical Studies) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Mathematical Studies) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Mathematics) 300 NUI Galway 8

TR001–MT Arts (subject option: Mathematics) 585 TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Mathematics) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

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66 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

DN500 Arts (subject option: Mathematics) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Media Studies) New 2013 DCU 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Medieval Irish & Celtic Studies) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–MI Arts (subject option: Modern Irish) 410 – 555* TCD 8

TR001–MU Arts (subject option: Music [R]) 535* – 585 TCD 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Music) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Music) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Philosophy) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Philosophy) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–PH Arts (subject option: Philosophy) 470* – 585 TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Philosophy) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Philosophy) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Politics and International Relations) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Politics) New 2013 DCU 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Politics) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Portuguese) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Psychology) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Psychology) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–PS Arts (subject option: Psychology) 580* – 585 TCD 8

TR001–RU Arts (subject option: Russian) 460 – 555* TCD 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Sociological and Political Studies) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Sociology) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–SC Arts (subject option: Sociology) 415* – 580* TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Sociology) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Sociology) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DC250 Arts (subject option: Spanish) New 2013 DCU 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Spanish) 300 NUI Galway 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Spanish) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

TR001–SP Arts (subject option: Spanish) 475* – 555* TCD 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Spanish) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

DN500 Arts (subject option: Spanish) 350 UCD (NUI) 8

MH101 Arts (subject option: Statistics) 370 NUI Maynooth 8

CK101 Arts (subject option: Studies in Psychology) 330 UCC (NUI) 8

GY101 Arts (subject option: Welsh) 300 NUI Galway 8

TR001–BT Arts (subject option: World Religions and Theology) 390* – 580* TCD 8

GY120 Arts (Youth and Family Studies) 300 NUI Galway 8

GY110 Arts with Childrens Studies 420 NUI Galway 8

GY111 Arts with Creative Writing 490 NUI Galway 8

GY112 Arts with Film Studies 390 NUI Galway 8

GY113 Arts with Human Rights 425 NUI Galway 8

GY114 Arts with Irish Studies 300 NUI Galway 8

GY119 Arts with Journalism New 2013 NUI Galway 8

GY117 Arts with Latin American Studies 305 NUI Galway 8

CK104 Arts with Music 335# UCC (NUI) 8

GY115 Arts with Performing Arts Studies 410 NUI Galway 8

PD103 Arts/Humanities 390 St. Pats. Drumcondra 8

DC204 Athletic Therapy and Training 520 DCU 8

DT104 Auctioneering. Valuation and Estate Agency 105 DIT 7

DL133 Audio Visual Media Technology 235 Dun Laoghaire IADT 7

AL835 Audiology (Discontinued) 405 Athlone IT 8

DT003 Automation Engineering 260 DIT 7

LC281 Automobile Technology 310 Limerick IT 6

DT007 Automotive Management and Technology 250 DIT 7

DC117 Aviation Management/ Aviation Management with Pilot Studies 425 DCU 8

DT011 Aviation Technology 330 DIT 7

TH002 B.A. in Education (Joint Honours) Business Studies and Accounting New 2013 St. Pats. Thurles 8

TH003 B.A. in Education (Joint Honours) Business Studies and Religious Studies 325 St. Pats. Thurles 8

TH005 B.A. in Education (Joint Honours) Irish and Business Studies New 2013 St. Pats. Thurles 8

TH004 B.A. in Education (Joint Honours) Irish and Religious Studies 350 St. Pats. Thurles 8

CK108 BA International New 2013 UCC (NUI) 8

DT418 Baking and Pastry Arts Management 335 DIT 7

GA373 Bar and Restaurant Management 140 Galway–Mayo IT 7

LY336 Bar and Restaurant Supervision AQA Letterkenny IT 6

CR650 Bar Management 240 Cork IT 7

DT417 Bar Studies (Management and Entrepreneurship) 285 DIT 8

AL661 Bar Supervision 170 Athlone IT 6

GA363 Bar Supervision 145 Galway–Mayo IT 6

DN615 BCL Maitrise 525 UCD (NUI) 8

TA311 Bioanalysis 265 IT Tallaght 7

MH208 Biological and Biomedical Sciences 455* NUI Maynooth 8

CK402 Biological and Chemical Sciences 410 UCC (NUI) 8

CK404 Biological. Earth and Environmental Sciences 390 UCC (NUI) 8

CR075 Biomedical Engineering 280 Cork IT 6

CR520 Biomedical Engineering 390 Cork IT 8

DC197 Biomedical Engineering 380 DCU 8

GY408 Biomedical Engineering 430 NUI Galway 8

LM071 Biomedical Engineering 420 University of Limerick 8

CR320 Biomedical Science 520* Cork IT 8

DT204 Biomedical Science 480 DIT 8

SG436 Biomedical Science 250 IT Sligo 7

GY303 Biomedical Science 550 NUI Galway 8

DN440 Biomedical. Health and Life Science 555 UCD (NUI) 8

GY318 Biopharmaceutical Chemistry 495 NUI Galway 8

LY817 Bioscience 165 Letterkenny IT 7

DT259 Biosciences 400 DIT 7

CW117 Biosciences 280 IT Carlow 7

CW108 Biosciences with Bioforensics or Biopharmaceuticals 290 IT Carlow 8

AL730 Biotechnology 185 Athlone IT 7

AL838 Biotechnology 270 Athlone IT 8

DC181 Biotechnology 465 DCU 8

GY304 Biotechnology 445 NUI Galway 8

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 67

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

MH202 Biotechnology 415 NUI Maynooth 8

CR522 Building Energy Systems 260 Cork IT 8

LY517 Building Services and Renewable Energy 155 Letterkenny IT 7

CR072 Building Services Engineering 225 Cork IT 7

DT005 Building Services Engineering 180 DIT 7

WD040 Building Services Engineering 200 Waterford IT 6

DK830 Building Surveying 300 Dundalk IT 8

LC240 Building Surveying – Discontinued n/a Limerick IT 8

DT170 Buildings Management (Maintenance & Conservation) 145 DIT 6

AL650 Business 180 Athlone IT 6

AL850 Business 270 Athlone IT 8

CI106 Business New 2013 Col. of Humanities & App. Sc.s 8

CI006 Business New 2013 Col. of Humanities & App. Sc.s 6

DB513 Business 130 Dublin Business School 6

GA170 Business 240 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GF001 Business 115 Grafton College 6

GC211 Business 145 Griffith College. Cork 7

GC416 Business 110 Griffith College. Dublin 6

GC316 Business 185 Griffith College. Limerick 6

BY251 Business n/a IBAT College. Dublin 7

BY201 Business n/a IBAT College. Dublin 6

BY001 Business 150 Inst. of Business & Technology 6

BY101 Business 300 Inst. of Business & Technology 8

BY051 Business 330 Inst. of Business & Technology 7

BN003 Business 180 IT Blanchardstown 6

BN014 Business 180 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN101 Business 210 IT Blanchardstown 8

CW917 Business 220 IT Carlow 7

SG141 Business 210 IT Sligo 8

SG101 Business 140v IT Sligo 6

SG536 Business New 2013 IT Sligo 7

LY118 Business 285 Letterkenny IT 8

NC103 Business 200 National College of Ireland 6

NC009 Business 280 National College of Ireland 8

WD159 Business 205 Waterford IT 7

WD048 Business 300 Waterford IT 8

GC216 Business 280 Griffith College. Cork 6

LY108 Business – Accounting 275 Letterkenny IT 8

BN016 Business – Common Entry 100 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN109 Business – Common Entry – Discontinued 270 IT Blanchardstown 8

CW928 Business – Human Resource Management 295 IT Carlow 8

CW908 Business – Management 280 IT Carlow 8

LY107 Business – Management 150 Letterkenny IT 7

CW838 Business – Marketing 280 IT Carlow 8

LY127 Business – Marketing 185 Letterkenny IT 7

CW916 Business – Office Management 205 IT Carlow 6

CW016 Business – Office Management (Wexford) 205 IT Carlow 6

LY106 Business (Accounting & Administration) AQA Letterkenny IT 6

LC221 Business (Accounting/Finance) 255 Limerick IT 6

LC224 Business (Accounting/Finance) 330 Limerick IT 8

GA877 Business (Castlebar) 140 Galway–Mayo IT 7

BY301 Business (City Centre) n/a IBAT College. Dublin 8

LC501 Business (Clonmel) 170 Limerick IT 7

LC513 Business (Clonmel) 315 Limerick IT 8

LC519 Business (Clonmel) – Discontinued 295 Limerick IT 6

LC222 Business (Marketing and Management) 260 Limerick IT 6

LC225 Business (Marketing and Management) 320 Limerick IT 8

AL663 Business (Sport and Recreation) 250 Athlone IT 6

LC401 Business (Thurles) 150 Limerick IT 7

LC419 Business (Thurles) 195 Limerick IT 6

LC413 Business (Thurles) 265 Limerick IT 8

CW037 Business (Wexford) 200 IT Carlow 6

CW018 Business (Wexford) 280 IT Carlow 8

WD049 Business (with French) 325 Waterford IT 8

CR022 Business Administration 210 Cork IT 7

TA102 Business Administration 205 IT Tallaght 6

MH407 Business and Accounting 395 NUI Maynooth 8

BN010 Business and Information Technology 180 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN103 Business and Information Technology 210 IT Blanchardstown 8

AL851 Business and Law 270 Athlone IT 8

DT321 Business and Law 400 DIT 8

DB514 Business and Law 195 Dublin Business School 8

GC404 Business and Law 250 Griffith College. Dublin 8

DN610 Business and Law 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DT365 Business and Management 400 DIT 8

DK710 Business and Management 145 Dundalk IT 7

MH404 Business and Management 425 NUI Maynooth 8

DK711 Business and Technology 165 Dundalk IT 7

DT354 Business Computing 340 DIT 8

LC232 Business Computing 180 Limerick IT 6

GA776 Business Computing and Digital Media 220 Galway–Mayo IT 7

DB572 Business in Accounting 110 Dublin Business School 7

DB522 Business in Accounting AQA Dublin Business School 6

GF011 Business in Accounting New 2013 Grafton College 7

SG108 Business in Accounting 295v IT Sligo 6

GA869 Business in Computer Applications (Castlebar) 160 Galway–Mayo IT 6

AL652 Business in Equine Studies AQA Athlone IT 6

DB574 Business in Information Technology AQA Dublin Business School 7

GF010 Business in Management New 2013 Grafton College 7

DB533 Business in Marketing 140 Dublin Business School 6

DB573 Business in Marketing AQA Dublin Business School 7

SG105 Business in Office Administration 220v IT Sligo 6

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68 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

SG135 Business in Tourism with Event Management 140 IT Sligo 7

CR150 Business Information Systems 315 Cork IT 8

NC004 Business Information Systems 325 National College of Ireland 8

GY206 Business Information Systems 370 NUI Galway 8

CK203 Business Information Systems 410* UCC (NUI) 8

DB526 Business Information Systems with Cloud Computing 285 Dublin Business School 8

DT324 Business Management 320 DIT 6

DB519 Business Management with Leisure and Recreation 200 Dublin Business School 8

CR021 Business Studies 250 Cork IT 7

DC111 Business Studies 425 DCU 8

DT315 Business Studies 310 DIT 6

DB571 Business Studies 115 Dublin Business School 7

DB512 Business Studies 220 Dublin Business School 8

DK816 Business Studies 300 Dundalk IT 8

GC400 Business Studies 235 Griffith College. Dublin 8

GC411 Business Studies New 2013 Griffith College. Dublin 7

GC300 Business Studies n/a Griffith College. Limerick 8

GC311 Business Studies New 2013 Griffith College. Limerick 7

ID002 Business Studies 180 ICD Business School 8

IC004 Business Studies 250 Independent Colleges 8

CW906 Business Studies 210 IT Carlow 6

TL631 Business Studies 190 Tralee IT 6

TL831 Business Studies 285 Tralee IT 8

LM050 Business Studies 375 University of Limerick 8

WD003 Business Studies 200 Waterford IT 6

GC200 Business Studies n/a Griffith College. Cork 8

DL231 Business Studies – Entrepreneurship 200 Dun Laoghaire IADT 7

DL245 Business Studies – Entrepreneurship & Management 210 Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

TL605 Business Studies (Office Information Systems) 210 Tralee IT 6

CW006 Business Studies (Wexford) 205 IT Carlow 6

WD080 Business Studies (with German) 305 Waterford IT 8

DB520 Business Studies (with Work Placement) 255 Dublin Business School 8

DL242 Business Studies and Arts Management 290 Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

TR085 Business Studies and French 515 TCD 8

TR086 Business Studies and German 480* TCD 8

TR089 Business Studies and Polish 415 TCD 8

TR087 Business Studies and Russian 475 TCD 8

TR090 Business Studies and Spanish 505 TCD 8

SN001 Business Studies in International Hotel Management 471# Shannon College 8

DC110 Business Studies International 415 DCU 8

LM052 Business Studies with a Modern Language (French) 365 University of Limerick 8

LM053 Business Studies with a Modern Language (German) 375 University of Limerick 8

LM055 Business Studies with a Modern Language (Japanese) 375 University of Limerick 8

ID003 Business Studies with Chinese 205 ICD Business School 8

LC231 Business Technology (Information Systems) New 2013 Limerick IT 8

CI105 Business with Business Col. of Humanities Psychology New 2013 & App. Sc.s 8

WD185 Business with Chinese New 2013 Waterford IT 8

LC294 Business with Event Management 340 Limerick IT 8

DB516 Business with FinaNational College of Irelandal Services 235 Dublin Business School 8

DB515 Business with Human Resource Management 305 Dublin Business School 8

WD179 Business with Irish 365 Waterford IT 8

LY218 Business with Irish/French/ Spanish/German 255 Letterkenny IT 8

CW938 Business with Law 315 IT Carlow 8

CW926 Business with Law 250 IT Carlow 6

LC505 Business with Office Technologies (Clonmel) 165 Limerick IT 6

DB569 Business with Psychology 245 Dublin Business School 8

LC295 Business with Sports Management 330 Limerick IT 8

LC293 Business with Tourism 245 Limerick IT 8

TR081 Business. Economic and Social Studies 490* TCD 8

TR030 Catholic Theological Studies New 2013 TCD 8

CR105 Chemical & Biopharmacutical Engineering 335 Cork IT 8

GA772 Chemical & Pharmaceutical Science 300 Galway–Mayo IT 7

LM115 Chemical and Biochemical Engineering 460 University of Limerick 8

GA782 Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science 310 Galway–Mayo IT 8

DC162 Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences 470 DCU 8

CK406 Chemical Sciences 380 UCC (NUI) 8

DT299 Chemical Sciences with Medicinal Chemistry 390 DIT 8

TR074 Chemistry with Molecular Modelling 490 TCD 8

AL665 Childcare Supervisory Management 305 Athlone IT 6

CI104 Childhood and Adolescent Col. of Humanities Care and Practice 270 & App. Sc.s 8

TR911 Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) 510 TCD 8

CK712 Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) 525* UCC (NUI) 8

DC228 Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) – Mature #241 DCU 8

TR912 Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) – Mature 230#* TCD 8

DC218 Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) 495 DCU 8

DN461 Childrens and General Nursing (Integrated – Mature Entry) 233#* UCD (NUI) 8

DN451 Childrens and General Nursing (Integrated) 510 UCD (NUI) 8

CK713 Childrens and General Nursing (Integrated) – Mature #232* UCC (NUI) 8

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 69

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

DT565 Chinese and International Business 345 DIT 8

PC405 Citizenship & Community Studies 235 Carlow College 8

TL745 Civil and Environmental Engineering 175 Tralee IT 7

CK602 Civil and Environmental Engineering 395 UCC (NUI) 8

AL721 Civil Engineering 205 Athlone IT 7

AL604 Civil Engineering 240 Athlone IT 6

CR051 Civil Engineering 225 Cork IT 7

DT004 Civil Engineering 220 DIT 7

GA473 Civil Engineering 165 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA463 Civil Engineering New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 6

CW406 Civil Engineering 210 IT Carlow 6

CW427 Civil Engineering 215 IT Carlow 7

CW478 Civil Engineering New 2013 IT Carlow 8

SG338 Civil Engineering 190 IT Sligo 6

SG342 Civil Engineering n/a IT Sligo 8

LY527 Civil Engineering 155 Letterkenny IT 7

LC251 Civil Engineering 200 Limerick IT 7

GY402 Civil Engineering 430 NUI Galway 8

LM085 Civil Engineering 415 University of Limerick 8

WD139 Civil Engineering 205 Waterford IT 7

LC252 Civil Engineering Management 255 Limerick IT 8

GY251 Civil Law 405 NUI Galway 8

TR021 Classics 390 TCD 8

DT229 Clinical Measurement Science 440 DIT 8

TR007 Clinical Speech and Language Studies 535* TCD 8

GY201 Commerce 340 NUI Galway 8

SN002 Commerce 625# Shannon College 8

CK201 Commerce 430 UCC (NUI) 8

DN650 Commerce 465 UCD (NUI) 8

GY207 Commerce – Accounting 420 NUI Galway 8

CK211 Commerce (International) with Chinese Studies 355 UCC (NUI) 8

GY202 Commerce (International) with French 495 NUI Galway 8

CK205 Commerce (International) with French 485 UCC (NUI) 8

GY203 Commerce (International) with German 405 NUI Galway 8

CK206 Commerce (International) with German 405 UCC (NUI) 8

CK208 Commerce (International) with Hispanic Studies 430 UCC (NUI) 8

CK209 Commerce (International) with Irish 440 UCC (NUI) 8

CK207 Commerce (International) with Italian 385 UCC (NUI) 8

GY204 Commerce (International) with Spanish 410 NUI Galway 8

DN660 Commerce International 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DT506 Commercial Modern Music 435# DIT 8

DC200 Common Entry into Engineering (Undenominated Entry) 370 DCU 8

DC201 Common Entry into Science 435 DCU 8

MH304 Common Entry to Computer. Electronic and Communications Engineering 390 NUI Maynooth 8

DK762 Communications in Creative Multimedia 265 Dundalk IT 7

DC131 Communications Studies 425 DCU 8

MH116 Community and Youth Work – Full–time # NUI Maynooth 8

MH117 Community and Youth Work (Part–time. In Service) # NUI Maynooth 8

DK767 Community Youth Work 310 Dundalk IT 7

DC212 Composition (at the Royal Irish Academy of Music) 535# DCU 8

MH214 Computational Thinking 500 NUI Maynooth 8

LM074 Computer Aided Engineering and Design 495 University of Limerick 8

DT081 Computer and Communications Engineering 370 DIT 8

GA570 Computer and Electronic Engineering 255 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA572 Computer and Energy Systems 255 Galway–Mayo IT 7

DC121 Computer Applications 390 DCU 8

AL704 Computer Engineering 190 Athlone IT 7

BN012 Computer Engineering 180 IT Blanchardstown 7

LY627 Computer Engineering 170 Letterkenny IT 7

BN117 Computer Engineering in Mobile Systems 240 IT Blanchardstown 8

WD161 Computer Forensics & Security 290 Waterford IT 8

CW208 Computer Games Development 325 IT Carlow 8

LY707 Computer Games Development 210 Letterkenny IT 7

LM110 Computer Games Development 320 University of Limerick 8

AL703 Computer Network Management 180 Athlone IT 7

LC239 Computer Networks and Systems Management 270 Limerick IT 8

DT228 Computer Science 400 DIT 8

TR033 Computer Science 450 TCD 8

CK401 Computer Science 340 UCC (NUI) 8

DN201 Computer Science 470 UCD (NUI) 8

TR082 Computer Science and Business 465 TCD 8

GY350 Computer Science and Information Technology 415 NUI Galway 8

TR039 Computer Science and Language 490 TCD 8

MH203 Computer Science and Software Engineering 400 NUI Maynooth 8

MH140 Computer Science and Software Engineering (Arts Entry) 380 NUI Maynooth 8

BN120 Computer Security and Digital Forensics New 2013 IT Blanchardstown 8

LY737 Computer Security and Digital Forensics 145 Letterkenny IT 7

LC406 Computer Services (Thurles) – Cancelled 220 Limerick IT 6

LC426 Computer Services Management – Cancelled New 2013 Limerick IT 8

LC416 Computer Services Management (Thurles) 140 Limerick IT 7

LM051 Computer Systems 325 University of Limerick 8

CW217 Computer Systems Management 250 IT Carlow 7

CR016 Computing 290 Cork IT 7

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70 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

DT211 Computing 350 DIT 8

GC440 Computing 135 Griffith College. Dublin 6

GC435 Computing AQA Griffith College. Dublin 7

GC335 Computing 170 Griffith College. Limerick 7

GC340 Computing AQA Griffith College. Limerick 6

TA302 Computing 255 IT Tallaght 6

TA312 Computing 280 IT Tallaght 7

TA322 Computing 320 IT Tallaght 8

LY717 Computing 140 Letterkenny IT 7

NC003 Computing 320 National College of Ireland 8

DK821 Computing 320 Dundalk IT 8

LC418 Computing – Games Design and Development (Thurles) 245 Limerick IT 8

SG131 Computing – Games Development 200 IT Sligo 7

LC404 Computing – Smart Energy Systems (Thurles) 215 Limerick IT 7

LC420 Computing – Smart Energy Systems (Thurles) 260 Limerick IT 8

SG136 Computing – Software Development 205 IT Sligo 7

LC415 Computing – Software Development (Thurles) 250 Limerick IT 8

SG137 Computing – Systems and Networking 145 IT Sligo 7

CW206 Computing (Applications. Commercial Programming or Networking) 255 IT Carlow 6

DK721 Computing (incorporating 3 award options) 240 Dundalk IT 7

BN002 Computing (Information Technology) 200 IT Blanchardstown 6

BN013 Computing (Information Technology) 200 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN104 Computing (Information Technology) 215 IT Blanchardstown 8

LC403 Computing (Thurles) 145 Limerick IT 7

LC409 Computing (Thurles) – Discontinued 145 Limerick IT 6

AL657 Computing for Business New 2013 Athlone IT 6

NC102 Computing In Applications National College and Support 230 of Ireland 6

DK820 Computing in Games Development 400 Dundalk IT 8

CT110 Computing in Information Computer Training Technology New 2013 College of 6

DL131 Computing in Multimedia Programming 300 Dun Laoghaire IADT 7

GA775 Computing in Software Development 310 Galway–Mayo IT 7

LY706 Computing in Technical Support n/a Letterkenny IT 6

GC430 Computing Science 235 Griffith College. Dublin 8

CW248 Computing Systems Management 290 IT Carlow 8

LY718 Computing with Cloud and Green Information Technology 290 Letterkenny IT 8

TL711 Computing with Games Development 210 Tralee IT 7

TL811 Computing with Games Development 320 Tralee IT 8

TL813 Computing with Interactive Web Development New 2013 Tralee IT 8

TL713 Computing with Interactive Web Development New 2013 Tralee IT 7

TL712 Computing with Multimedia 220 Tralee IT 7

TL812 Computing with Multimedia 310 Tralee IT 8

TL710 Computing with Software Development 245 Tralee IT 7

LY747 Computing with Web and Mobile Applications Development New 2013 Letterkenny IT 7

CR052 Construction 200 Cork IT 7

CW416 Construction 205 IT Carlow 6

LC253 Construction 170 Limerick IT 6

TL630x Construction 120 Tralee IT 6

CW417 Construction – Buildings and Services Management 220 IT Carlow 7

CW448 Construction – Facilities and Energy Management 280 IT Carlow 8

CW438 Construction – Quantity Surveying 280 IT Carlow 8

LC254 Construction (Health & Safety) 210 Limerick IT 7

LC255 Construction (Site Management) – Discontinued 220 Limerick IT 7

LY537 Construction and Fire Technology n/a Letterkenny IT 7

DT111 Construction Economics and Management (Quantity Surveying) 270 DIT 8

GA471 Construction Economics and Quantity Surveying 140 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA482 Construction Economics and Quantity Surveying New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 8

GA461 Construction Economics and Quantity Surveying New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 6

CR572 Construction Management 255 Cork IT 8

DT117 Construction Management 260 DIT 8

GA470 Construction Management 140 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA480 Construction Management 240 Galway–Mayo IT 8

GA460 Construction Management New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 6

LC241 Construction Management 215 Limerick IT 8

LM082 Construction Management and Engineering 315 University of Limerick 8

WD025 Construction Management and Engineering 295 Waterford IT 8

GA875 Construction Management in Refurbishment and Maintenance at Castlebar n/a Galway–Mayo IT 7

LC256 Construction Practice 155 Limerick IT 6

AL603 Construction Studies 195 Athlone IT 6

DK745 Construction Technology 150 Dundalk IT 7

AL805 Construction Technology and Management (discontinued) n/a Athlone IT 8

DC238 Contemporary Culture and Society 335 DCU 8

GY250 Corporate Law 340 NUI Galway 8

CI101 Counselling and Col. of Humanities Psychotherapy 260 & App. Sc.s 8

CI002 Counselling Skills and Col. of Humanities Addiction Studies 185 & App. Sc.s 7

CI001 Counselling Skills and Col. of Humanities Psychotherapy Studies 120 & App. Sc.s 7

CI005 Counselling Skills and Col. of Humanities Youth Studies 105 & App. Sc.s 7

DT597 Creative and Cultural Industries 365 DIT 8

SG245 Creative Design 220 IT Sligo 8

SG232 Creative Design and Innovation 180 IT Sligo 7

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 71

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

BN112 Creative Digital Media 310 IT Blanchardstown 8

BN021 Creative Digital Media 310 IT Blanchardstown 7

TA022 Creative Digital Media 350 IT Tallaght 8

LC504 Creative Multimedia (Clonmel) 140 Limerick IT 7

LC514 Creative Multimedia (Clonmel) 230 Limerick IT 6

LC517 Creative Multimedia (Clonmel) 305 Limerick IT 8

TL804 Creative Writing for Digital Media New 2013 Tralee IT 8

WD150 Criminal Justice Studies 310 Waterford IT 8

AL660 Culinary Arts 200 Athlone IT 6

CR640 Culinary Arts 300 Cork IT 7

DT407 Culinary Arts 370 DIT 8

DK650 Culinary Arts 215 Dundalk IT 6

GA361 Culinary Arts 200 Galway–Mayo IT 6

GA372 Culinary Arts 250 Galway–Mayo IT 7

TA006 Culinary Arts 265 IT Tallaght 6

LY317 Culinary Arts 150 Letterkenny IT 7

LY346 Culinary Arts AQA Letterkenny IT 6

LC298 Culinary Arts 295 Limerick IT 6

TL620 Culinary Arts 135 Tralee IT 6

WD172 Culinary Arts 210 Waterford IT 6

DT432 Culinary Arts (Profesional Culinary Practice) 335 DIT 6

DT416 Culinary Entrepreneurship 335 DIT 8

CR655 Culinary Studies 200 Cork IT 6

DB563 Cultural Studies 105 Dublin Business School 6

DN252 Dairy Business 430 UCD (NUI) 8

TR016 Deaf Studies 400* TCD 8

TR802 Dental Hygiene 445# TCD 7

AL631 Dental Nursing 325 Athlone IT 6

LY816 Dental Nursing 340v Letterkenny IT 6

TR801 Dental Nursing 380* TCD 7

TR052 Dental Science 590* TCD 8

TR803 Dental Technology 400#* TCD 6

CK702 Dentistry 585* UCC (NUI) 8

DT544 Design – Interior and Furniture 610# DIT 8

DT545 Design – Visual Communication 710# DIT 8

LY408 Design – Visual Communication 225 Letterkenny IT 8

WD137 Design – Visual Communications 305 Waterford IT 8

AL763 Design (Communications) 530+ Athlone IT 7

LM119 Design and Manufacture 440 University of Limerick 8

GA980 Design and Technology Education 430 Galway–Mayo IT 8

DL048 Design for Stage and Screen (Costume Design) 875# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

DL049 Design for Stage and Screen (Make–up Design) 950# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

DL047 Design for Stage and Screen (Production Design) 660# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

CW707 Design in Industrial Design 245 IT Carlow 7

AD202 Design or Fine Art and Education New 2013 NCAD 8

LY308 Destination Tourism with Marketing n/a Letterkenny IT 8

LC518 Digital Animation Production (Clonmel) 527# Limerick IT 8

MH110 Digital Media 350 NUI Maynooth 8

GA884 Digital Media and Society (Castlebar) New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 8

LY427 Digital Media Design 245 Letterkenny IT 7

LM113 Digital Media Design 305 University of Limerick 8

DC199 Digital Media Engineering 350 DCU 8

TA315 DNA and Forensic Science 360 IT Tallaght 7

TA326 DNA and Forensic Science 370 IT Tallaght 8

DT529 Drama (Performance) 410# DIT 8

CR700 Drama and Theatre Studies 685# Cork IT 8

TR025 Drama and Theatre Studies ***510 TCD 8

CK112 Drama and Theatre Studies 355# UCC (NUI) 8

LC266 Drug and Medicinal Product Analysis 290 Limerick IT 8

TR022 Early and Modern Irish 375 TCD 8

MH003 Early Childhood – Teaching & Learning (part time) 350 NUI Maynooth 8

BN118 Early Childhood Care and Education 330 IT Blanchardstown 8

BN030 Early Childhood Care and Education 330 IT Blanchardstown 7

MI007 Early Childhood Care and Education 370 Mary Immaculate College 8

TL780 Early Childhood Care and Education 300 Tralee IT 7

TL880 Early Childhood Care and Education 335 Tralee IT 8

LY906 Early Childhood Care. Health & Education 115 Letterkenny IT 6

LY968 Early Childhood Care. Health and Education 325 Letterkenny IT 8

DT572 Early Childhood Education 435 DIT 8

SG242 Early Childhood Education 320 IT Sligo 8

CW748 Early Childhood Education and Care 315 IT Carlow 8

CW028 Early Childhood Education and Care – Wexford Campus 290 IT Carlow 8

DK876 Early Childhood Studies 365 Dundalk IT 8

WD149 Early Childhood Studies 345 Waterford IT 8

CK111 Early Years and Childhood Studies 395 UCC (NUI) 8

CR620 Early Years Education 360 Cork IT 7

GY314 Earth and Ocean Sciences 380 NUI Galway 8

TR077 Earth Sciences 480 TCD 8

LC237 eBusiness Management Systems 170 Limerick IT 7

DN510 Economics 450 UCD (NUI) 8

DT399 Economics and Finance 385 DIT 8

NC021 Economics and Finance New 2013 National College of Ireland 8

DN671 Economics and Finance 540 UCD (NUI) 8

LM037 Economics and Mathematical Sciences 380 University of Limerick 8

LM036 Economics and Sociology 320 University of Limerick 8

DC230 Economics. Politics and Law 390 DCU 8

CE001 Education – Primary Teaching 440*** Church of Ireland College 8

CM001 Education – Primary Teaching 465 Marino Inst of Education 8

MI005 Education – Primary Teaching 465* Mary Immaculate College 8

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72 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

MH001 Education – Primary Teaching 465 NUI Maynooth 8

PD101 Education – Primary Teaching 470* St. Pats. Drumcondra 8

CM002 Education – Primary Teaching – Gaeltacht Applicants 435# Marino Inst of Education 8

MI006 Education – Primary Teaching – Gaeltacht Applicants 430 Mary Immaculate College 8

MH002 Education – Primary Teaching – Gaeltacht Applicants 425 NUI Maynooth 8

PD102 Education – Primary Teaching – Gaeltacht Applicants 430 St. Pats. Drumcondra 8

MI008 Education and Psychology – Primary Teaching 555* Mary Immaculate College 8

DC235 Education and Training 320 DCU 8

CM010 Education Studies 310 Marino Inst of Education 8

MD201 Education. Religion and English 415 Mater Dei 8

MD301 Education. Religion and History 385 Mater Dei 8

MD401 Education. Religion and Music (R) 370# Mater Dei 8

CK605 Electrical & Electronic Engineering 410 UCC (NUI) 8

DT009 Electrical and Control Engineering 200 DIT 7

DT021 Electrical and Electronic Engineering 393 DIT 8

GY414 Electrical and Electronic Engineering 455 NUI Galway 8

CR062 Electrical Engineering 240 Cork IT 7

WD182 Electrical Engineering 200 Waterford IT 7

CR580 Electrical Power Systems 305 Cork IT 8

LM118 Electronic and Computer Engineering 390 University of Limerick 8

GY406 Electronic and Computing Engineering 445 NUI Galway 8

CR061 Electronic Engineering 230 Cork IT 7

DC191 Electronic Engineering 380 DCU 8

CW527 Electronic Engineering 210 IT Carlow 7

SG337 Electronic Engineering 140 IT Sligo 6

TA201 Electronic Engineering 120 IT Tallaght 6

TA216 Electronic Engineering 185 IT Tallaght 7

TA221 Electronic Engineering 255 IT Tallaght 8

LC279 Electronic Engineering 220 Limerick IT 7

MH302 Electronic Engineering 320 NUI Maynooth 8

WD010 Electronic Engineering 215 Waterford IT 6

WD086 Electronic Engineering 355 Waterford IT 8

MH303 Electronic Engineering with Communications 335 NUI Maynooth 8

MH301 Electronic Engineering with Computers 395 NUI Maynooth 8

CW558 Electronic Systems 300 IT Carlow 8

CR590 Electronic Systems Engineering 330 Cork IT 8

LY607 Electronics 175 Letterkenny IT 7

LM080 Electronics 300 University of Limerick 8

DT008 Electronics and Communications Engineering 180 DIT 7

AL601 Electronics and Computer Engineering 200 Athlone IT 6

BN001 Electronics and Computer Engineering 185 IT Blanchardstown 6

AL702 Electronics and Wireless Communications 170 Athlone IT 7

LM087 Energy 380 University of Limerick 8

SG439 Energy & Sustainability 230 IT Sligo 7

TA215 Energy and Environmental Engineering 205 IT Tallaght 7

GA673 Energy Engineering 270 Galway–Mayo IT 7

CK603 Energy Engineering 400 UCC (NUI) 8

GA573 Energy Systems and Automation Engineering New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 7

BN122 Energy Systems and Industrial Automation New 2013 IT Blanchardstown 8

BN042 Energy Systems and Industrial Automation New 2013 IT Blanchardstown 7

TA223 Energy Systems Engineering 245 IT Tallaght 8

GY413 Energy Systems Engineering 430 NUI Galway 8

TL746 Energy Technology and the Built Environment New 2013 Tralee IT 7

DN150 Engineering 460 UCD (NUI) 8

DK744 Engineering – Civil Engineering 150 Dundalk IT 7

DT025 Engineering – Common 1st Year 361 DIT 8

BN015 Engineering – Common Entry AQA IT Blanchardstown 7

BN108 Engineering – Common Entry – Discontinued 220 IT Blanchardstown 8

DK740 Engineering – Electrical and Electronic Systems 280v Dundalk IT 7

DK742 Engineering – Mechanical Engineering 150 Dundalk IT 7

TL650 Engineering (Agricultural) 230 Tralee IT 6

CR500 Engineering (Common Entry) 310 Cork IT 8

DT097 Engineering (General Entry) 320 DIT 7

TL747 Engineering (Mechanical or Production or Mechanical and Electronic) 235 Tralee IT 7

TL670 Engineering (Mechanical) – Discontinued AQA Tralee IT 6

GY401 Engineering (Undenominated) 430 NUI Galway 8

LM116 Engineering Choice 390 University of Limerick 8

SG301 Engineering in Electrical Installation and Maintenance New 2013 IT Sligo 6

DT002 Engineering Systems Maintenance 200 DIT 7

MH114 English 450 NUI Maynooth 8

DN511 English 465 UCD (NUI) 8

PC411 English and History 285 Carlow College 8

LM035 English and History 340 University of Limerick 8

TR023 English Studies 510* TCD 8

DT517 English Studies and Languages New 2013 DIT 8

DN512 English with Drama 350 UCD (NUI) 8

DN513 English with Film 405 UCD (NUI) 8

DL241 English. Media and Cultural Studies 305 Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

DC120 Enterprise Computing 350 DCU 8

WD168 Entertainment Systems 290 Waterford IT 8

MH411 Entrepreneurship 355 NUI Maynooth 8

AL656 Entrepreneurship and Innovation New 2013 Athlone IT 6

AL732 Enviromental Toxicology n/a Athlone IT 7

LC264 Environmental and Analytical Science 165 Limerick IT 7

LC408 Environmental and Natural Resource Management (Thurles) 270 Limerick IT 8

Page 73: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

The Definitive Guide to Going to College 73

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

SG335 Environmental Engineering New 2013 IT Sligo 7

AL722 Environmental Engineering Science New 2013 Athlone IT 7

AL810 Environmental Engineering Science (Cancelled) New 2013 Athlone IT 8

DT491 Environmental Health 325 DIT 8

SG432 Environmental Protection 230 IT Sligo 7

CW168 Environmental Science 320 IT Carlow 8

SG441 Environmental Science 260 IT Sligo 8

GY308 Environmental Science 375 NUI Galway 8

LM066 Environmental Science 360 University of Limerick 8

DC166 Environmental Science and Health 405 DCU 8

CR365 Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology 310 Cork IT 8

MH405 Equine Business 380 NUI Maynooth 8

LM093 Equine Science 340 University of Limerick 8

LM180 Equine Science 340 University of Limerick 6

TA021 European Studies 215 IT Tallaght 8

MH108 European Studies 395 NUI Maynooth 8

TR024 European Studies 545* TCD 8

LM040 European Studies 340 University of Limerick 8

DT413 Event Management 380 DIT 8

DK752 Event Management 205 Dundalk IT 7

GA376 Event Management with Public Relations 270 Galway–Mayo IT 7

WD125 Exercise and Health Studies 300 Waterford IT 8

GC495 Fashion Design 290# Griffith College. Dublin 7

GC494 Fashion Design 255# Griffith College. Dublin 8

DT504 Film & Broadcasting 460 DIT 8

DT505 Film & Broadcasting with a Language 415 DIT 8

GA281 Film and Documentary 385 Galway–Mayo IT 8

DB576 Film and Media AQA Dublin Business School 7

CK105 Film and Screen Media New 2013 UCC (NUI) 8

GA271 Film and Television – Discontinued 360 Galway–Mayo IT 7

DL045 Film and Television Production 860#* Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

DB567 Film Studies 220 Dublin Business School 8

DB553 Film. Literature and Drama 250 Dublin Business School 8

MH401 Finance 360 NUI Maynooth 8

CK204 Finance 420 UCC (NUI) 8

WD160 Finance and Investment 325 Waterford IT 8

LM058 Financial Mathematics 420 University of Limerick 8

GY309 Financial Mathematics and Economics 430 NUI Galway 8

SG139 Financial Services Discontinued 155 IT Sligo 7

TA115 Financial Services and Investment Analysis 205 IT Tallaght 7

TA124 Financial Services and Investment Analysis 265 IT Tallaght 8

DT546 Fine Art 750# DIT 8

SG231 Fine Art 695+ IT Sligo 7

SG244 Fine Art New 2013 IT Sligo 8

CR220 Fine Art (CIT Crawford College) 600# Cork IT 8

LY508 Fire Safety Engineering 270 Letterkenny IT 8

AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) n/a NCAD 8

SG402 Fisheries New 2013 IT Sligo 6

AS051 Food and Business Management 270 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

DT421 Food Innovation 280 DIT 8

CK502 Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship 435 UCC (NUI) 8

CK505 Food Science 405 UCC (NUI) 8

DN261 Food Science 455 UCD (NUI) 8

LM068 Food Science and Health 350 University of Limerick 8

DT424 Food Science and Management 260 DIT 6

LY837 Food Science and Nutrition 225 Letterkenny IT 7

WD164 Food Science with Business 245 Waterford IT 7

LY808 Food Science with Business Management New 2013 Letterkenny IT 8

DT203 Forensic and Environmental Chemistry 325 DIT 8

SG437 Forensic Investigation and Analysis 260 IT Sligo 7

SG448 Forensic Investigation and Analysis 295 IT Sligo 8

GA786 Forensic Science and Analysis 380 Galway–Mayo IT 8

AL733 Forensic Toxicology 200 Athlone IT 7

DN271 Forestry 350 UCD (NUI) 8

WD076 Forestry 270 Waterford IT 7

AL762 Front Office & Tourism Revenue Management New 2013 Athlone IT 7

LC296 Front Office Management 188 Limerick IT 6

GA971 Furniture and Wood Technology (Letterfrack) 350 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA982 Furniture and Wood Technology (Letterfrack) New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 8

GA970 Furniture Design and Manufacture (Letterfrack) 350 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA981 Furniture Design and Manufacture (Letterfrack) New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 8

DC239 Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht – Irish and Journalism 470 DCU 8

AL830 General Nursing 415* Athlone IT 8

DC215 General Nursing 440 DCU 8

DK870 General Nursing 410* Dundalk IT 8

LY908 General Nursing 405 Letterkenny IT 8

GY515 General Nursing 455* NUI Galway 8

AS110 General Nursing 415* St. Angelas College Sligo 8

TL890 General Nursing 435* Tralee IT 8

CK710 General Nursing 450* UCC (NUI) 8

DN450 General Nursing 425* UCD (NUI) 8

LM150 General Nursing 465 University of Limerick 8

WD116 General Nursing 425* Waterford IT 8

TR093 General Nursing – Adelaide 400#* TCD 8

AL831 General Nursing – Mature #233* Athlone IT 8

DC225 General Nursing – Mature #225* DCU 8

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74 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

LY938 General Nursing – Mature #228* Letterkenny IT 8

GY525 General Nursing – Mature #233 NUI Galway 8

AS111 General Nursing – Mature 230# St. Angelas College Sligo 8

TL892 General Nursing – Mature 226#* Tralee IT 8

DN460 General Nursing – Mature 223#* UCD (NUI) 8

LM151 General Nursing – Mature #235 University of Limerick 8

WD816 General Nursing – Mature #234 Waterford IT 8

TR092 General Nursing – Mature – Meath and St. James 227#* TCD 8

TR094 General Nursing – Mature Applicant – Adelaide 216# TCD 8

TR091 General Nursing – Meath and St. James 430 TCD 8

GA880 General Nursing (Castlebar) 405 Galway–Mayo IT 8

DK871 General Nursing (Mature Applicants) 223# Dundalk IT 8

CK711 General Nursing (Mature Applicants) 229# UCC (NUI) 8

GA881 General Nursing (Mature Applicants) (Castlebar) 228#* Galway–Mayo IT 8

DT201 General Science n/a DIT 8

CK405 Genetics 465 UCC (NUI) 8

DC168 Genetics and Cell Biology 480 DCU 8

CK107 Geography and Archaeology New 2013 UCC (NUI) 8

DT112 Geomatics (Surveying and Mapping) 270 DIT 8

DT507 Ghaeilge don Saol Proifisiúnta n/a DIT 8

DC112 Global Business (French) 480 DCU 8

DC113 Global Business (German) 405 DCU 8

DC114 Global Business (Spanish) 405 DCU 8

DC116 Global Business (USA) 550 DCU 8

DC118 Gnó agus Gaeilge 340 DCU 8

CK210 Government 330 UCC (NUI) 8

AS052 Health and Disability Studies 210 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

TL771 Health and Leisure 295 Tralee IT 7

TL772 Health and Leisure with Massage 300 Tralee IT 7

DT444 Health and Nutrition for Culinary Arts 250 DIT 6

DN425 Health and Performance Science 490 UCD (NUI) 8

DK880 Health and Physical Activity 340 Dundalk IT 8

GY313 Health and Safety Systems 345 NUI Galway 8

LY916 Health and Social Care 110 Letterkenny IT 6

LY917 Health and Social Care 320 Letterkenny IT 7

DC209 Health and Society 430 DCU 8

LM023 Health Informatics 340 University of Limerick 8

WD124 Health Promotion 300 Waterford IT 8

SG435 Health Science and Physiology 355 IT Sligo 7

AL836 Health Science with Nutrition 375 Athlone IT 8

CR330 Herbal Science 265 Cork IT 8

GA272 Heritage Studies 190 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA282 Heritage Studies 225 Galway–Mayo IT 8

GA872 Heritage Studies (Castlebar) 185 Galway–Mayo IT 7

MH113 History 400 NUI Maynooth 8

TR003 History 490 TCD 8

DN515 History 405 UCD (NUI) 8

TR012 History and Political Science 515 TCD 8

LM046 History. Politics. Sociology and Social Studies 320 University of Limerick 8

AS001 Home Economics with Biology 505 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

AS004 Home Economics with Economics 470 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

AS003 Home Economics with Irish 485 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

AS002 Home Economics with Religious Education 460 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

CR011 Horticulture AQA Cork IT 7

DC170 Horticulture 380 DCU 8

BN022 Horticulture 220 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN113 Horticulture 225 IT Blanchardstown 8

WD097 Horticulture (Dublin – National Botanic Gardens) 210 Waterford IT 7

WD096 Horticulture (Waterford – Kildalton) 220 Waterford IT 7

DN272 Horticulture. Landscape and Sportsturf Management. 335 UCD (NUI) 8

CR042 Hospitality Management 240 Cork IT 7

DT408 Hospitality Management 270 DIT 7

DK750 Hospitality Management 210 Dundalk IT 7

WD091 Hospitality Management 270 Waterford IT 8

AC125 Hospitality Management New 2013 American College. Dublin 8

CR657 Hospitality Studies AQA Cork IT 6

DK651 Hospitality Studies 210 Dundalk IT 6

GA362 Hospitality Studies 230v Galway–Mayo IT 6

LC299 Hospitality Studies 245 Limerick IT 6

TL621 Hospitality Studies AQA Tralee IT 6

WD173 Hospitality Studies 215 Waterford IT 6

LY326 Hospitality Studies – Discontinued AQA Letterkenny IT 6

LY306 Hotel Administration 125 Letterkenny IT 6

GA370 Hotel and Catering Management 150 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA380 Hotel and Catering Management 230 Galway–Mayo IT 8

AL761 Hotel and Leisure Management 205 Athlone IT 7

TL822 Hotel Management n/a Tralee IT 8

TL722 Hotel Management n/a Tralee IT 7

LY327 Hotel. Restaurant & Resort Management 175 Letterkenny IT 7

AL839 Human & Animal Toxicology 275 Athlone IT 8

TR073 Human Genetics 560* TCD 8

TR056 Human Health and Disease 545 TCD 8

DN262 Human Nutrition 525 UCD (NUI) 8

DT223 Human Nutrition and Dietetics 560 DIT 8

DT398 Human Resource Management 340 DIT 8

NC005 Human Resource Management 290 National College of Ireland 8

PC402 Humanities 210 Carlow College 7

PC410 Humanities 250 Carlow College 8

DK861 Humanities 305 Dundalk IT 8

SG246 Humanities and Social Studies – Cancelled New 2013 IT Sligo 8

SG234 Humanities and Social Studies – Cancelled New 2013 IT Sligo 7

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 75

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

DT260 Industrial and Environmental Physics 240 DIT 7

LC277 Industrial Automation and Robotic Systems 195 Limerick IT 7

LM064 Industrial Biochemistry 370 University of Limerick 8

AD012 Industrial Design – Discontinued n/a NCAD 8

DT220 Industrial Mathematics 295 DIT 8

DC192 Information and Communications Engineering 425 DCU 8

TL805 Information Systems Management 335 Tralee IT 8

CT116 Information Technology New 2013 College of Computer Training 7

WD155 Information Technology 210 Waterford IT 7

TA313 Information Technology Management 235 IT Tallaght 7

TA323 Information Technology Management 270 IT Tallaght 8

CR888 Information Technology Support 250 Cork IT 6

CR360 Instrument Engineering 320 Cork IT 8

TR032 Integrated Engineering 465 TCD 8

TR038 Integrated Engineering with Management 435 TCD 8

DC217 Intellectual Disability Nursing 395 DCU 8

DK872 Intellectual Disability Nursing 370* Dundalk IT 8

LY928 Intellectual Disability Nursing 365* Letterkenny IT 8

AS130 Intellectual Disability Nursing 380* St. Angelas College Sligo 8

TR097 Intellectual Disability Nursing 395* TCD 8

CK730 Intellectual Disability Nursing 425* UCC (NUI) 8

LM154 Intellectual Disability Nursing 415* University of Limerick 8

WD120 Intellectual Disability Nursing 380 Waterford IT 8

DC227 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature #210 DCU 8

DK873 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature 209# Dundalk IT 8

LY958 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature #216 Letterkenny IT 8

AS131 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature 212# St. Angelas College Sligo 8

TR098 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature 203# TCD 8

CK731 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature 206#* UCC (NUI) 8

LM155 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature #220 University of Limerick 8

WD820 Intellectual Disability Nursing – Mature #217 Waterford IT 8

DK890 Interactive Applications Design and Development New 2013 Dundalk IT 8

TL801 Interactive Multimedia 290 Tralee IT 8

CR053 Interior Architecture 220 Cork IT 7

CR565 Interior Architecture 280 Cork IT 8

GC489 Interior Architecture 220 Griffith College. Dublin 8

SG336 Interior Architecture 160 IT Sligo 7

SG345 Interior Architecture 235 IT Sligo 8

GC490 Interior Design 105 Griffith College. Dublin 7

SG331 Interior Design 170 IT Sligo 7

LC257 Interior Design New 2013 Limerick IT 7

AC120 International Business 295 American College. Dublin 8

BN017 International Business 185 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN110 International Business 255 IT Blanchardstown 8

LM056 International Business 430* University of Limerick 8

WD134 International Business 310 Waterford IT 8

DT555 International Business and Languages – (French) 380 DIT 8

DT556 International Business and Languages – (German) 340 DIT 8

DT564 International Business and Languages – (Italian) 310 DIT 8

DT557 International Business and Languages – (Spanish) 365 DIT 8

DT558 International Business and Languages (English) 357# DIT 8

MH121 International Development New 2013 NUI Maynooth 8

CK506 International Development and Food Policy 335 UCC (NUI) 8

MH408 International Finance and Economics 420 NUI Maynooth 8

DN531 International French 330 UCD (NUI) 8

DN532 International German 330 UCD (NUI) 8

TA026 International Hospitality and Tourism Management 245 IT Tallaght 8

TA015 International Hospitality and Tourism Management 245 IT Tallaght 7

DT401 International Hospitality Management 295 DIT 8

GC405 International Hospitality Management 210 Griffith College. Dublin 8

LM043 International Insurance and European Studies 315 University of Limerick 8

DN541 International Languages 440 UCD (NUI) 8

DC231 International Relations 390 DCU 8

DN533 International Spanish 390 UCD (NUI) 8

LY307 International Tourism & Hospitality Enterprise – Discontinued 145 Letterkenny IT 7

LC235 Internet Systems Development 240 Limerick IT 7

LC236 Internet Systems Development New 2013 Limerick IT 8

LM048 Irish and New Media / An Ghaeilge agus na Meain Ura 340 University of Limerick 8

LM030 Irish Music and Dance 330# University of Limerick 8

TR027 Irish Studies 405 TCD 8

CR310 IT Management 290 Cork IT 8

DC132 Journalism 410 DCU 8

DT582 Journalism 400 DIT 8

DB565 Journalism 210 Dublin Business School 8

GC265 Journalism 120 Griffith College. Cork 7

GC465 Journalism 105 Griffith College. Dublin 7

IC001 Journalism 290 Independent Colleges 8

DB578 Journalism and Media 115 Dublin Business School 7

LM039 Journalism and New Media 380 University of Limerick 8

GC450 Journalism and Visual Media 215 Griffith College. Dublin 8

DT553 Journalism with a Language 330 DIT 8

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76 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

DN120 Landscape Architecture 345 UCD (NUI) 8

LY217 Languages and International Business – Discontinued 220 Letterkenny IT 7

DT518 Languages and International Tourism (French) 310 DIT 8

DT519 Languages and International Tourism (German) 320 DIT 8

DT520 Languages and International Tourism (Spanish) 305 DIT 8

LM045 Languages and Literature 340 University of Limerick 8

DC156 Languages for International Communication (English Stream – non–native) # DCU 8

DB568 Law 230 Dublin Business School 8

GC403 Law 305 Griffith College. Dublin 8

CW708 Law 305 IT Carlow 8

LY208 Law New 2013 Letterkenny IT 8

TR004 Law 525* TCD 8

CK301 Law 475 UCC (NUI) 8

WD140 Law 295 Waterford IT 8

GC203 Law 315 Griffith College. Cork 8

MH115 Law – BCL and Arts 460 NUI Maynooth 8

DN600 Law (BCL) 495 UCD (NUI) 8

CK305 Law (Clinical) 530 UCC (NUI) 8

CK306 Law (International) 550 UCC (NUI) 8

DT532 Law (LL.B.) 350 DIT 8

MH119 Law (LLB) 475 NUI Maynooth 8

LM020 Law and Accounting 415 University of Limerick 8

MH406 Law and Business 460 NUI Maynooth 8

TR017 Law and Business 565 TCD 8

TR018 Law and French 565 TCD 8

CK302 Law and French 500 UCC (NUI) 8

TR019 Law and German 525 TCD 8

CK304 Law and Irish 530 UCC (NUI) 8

TR020 Law and Political Science 575 TCD 8

DC232 Law and Society (BCL) 410 DCU 8

LC223 Law and Taxation 305 Limerick IT 8

LM029 Law Plus 405 University of Limerick 8

LY207 Law with Criminal Justice with Irish/French/German/Spanish 140 Letterkenny IT 7

DN600 LES Law with Economics 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DN624 Law with Economics – Discontinued – see DN600 515 UCD (NUI) 8

DN616 Law With French Law (BCL) 560 UCD (NUI) 8

DN600 LHY Law with History 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DN621 Law with History – Discontinued – see DN600 500 UCD (NUI) 8

DN600 LPY Law with Philosophy 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DN623 Law with Philosophy – Discontinued – see DN600 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DN600 LPS Law with Politics 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DN622 Law with Politics – Discontinued – see DN600 510 UCD (NUI) 8

DN600 LSJ Law with Social Justice 495 UCD (NUI) 8

DB583 Legal and Business Studies 100 Dublin Business School 7

DB581 Legal and Business Studies 170 Dublin Business School 6

DB580 Legal Studies 105 Dublin Business School 6

DB582 Legal Studies AQA Dublin Business School 7

CW706 Legal Studies 270 IT Carlow 6

WD013 Legal Studies 225 Waterford IT 6

LY227 Legal Studies and Practice – Cancelled New 2013 Letterkenny IT 7

DT411 Leisure Management 270 DIT 7

AC137 Liberal Arts New 2013 American College. Dublin 8

MI004 Liberal Arts 370 Mary Immaculate College 8

DT358 Logistics & Supply Chain Management 290 DIT 8

TA113 Management 200 IT Tallaght 7

TA122 Management 245 IT Tallaght 8

NC008 Management of Technology in Business 230 National College of Ireland 7

TR034 Management Science and Information Systems Studies 455 TCD 8

DT023 Manufacturing and Design Engineering 315 DIT 8

DC196 Manufacturing Engineering with Business Studies 330 DCU 8

CR095 Marine and Plant Engineering (National Maritime College of Ireland) 300 Cork IT 7

CR805 Marine Electrotechnology (National Maritime College of Ireland) 225 Cork IT 7

GY310 Marine Science 400 NUI Galway 8

CR420 Marketing 295 Cork IT 8

DT303 Marketing 320 DIT 6

DT341 Marketing 375 DIT 8

DB531 Marketing 100 Dublin Business School 8

DK812 Marketing 300 Dundalk IT 8

GC410 Marketing New 2013 Griffith College. Dublin 7

GC310 Marketing New 2013 Griffith College. Limerick 7

IC007 Marketing n/a Independent Colleges 8

SG533 Marketing 160 IT Sligo 7

TA103 Marketing 190 IT Tallaght 6

TA114 Marketing 200 IT Tallaght 7

MH410 Marketing 400 NUI Maynooth 8

GC210 Marketing 125 Griffith College. Cork 7

SG531 Marketing – PR with Events Management 150 IT Sligo 7

LC521 Marketing (Clonmel) – Discontinued n/a Limerick IT 8

TA123 Marketing Management 200 IT Tallaght 8

NC020 Marketing Practice New 2013 National College of Ireland 8

WD095 Marketing with Advertising and Online Media 285 Waterford IT 8

DB518 Marketing with Digital Media 205 Dublin Business School 8

DB525 Marketing with Digital Media and Cloud Computing 260 Dublin Business School 8

DB517 Marketing with Event Management 235 Dublin Business School 8

SG532 Marketing with Languages 165 IT Sligo 7

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 77

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

LC511 Marketing with Languages (Clonmel) 145 Limerick IT 7

DC240 Marketing. Innovation and Technology 430 DCU 8

LM094 Materials and Architectural Technology with concurrent Teacher Education 445* University of Limerick 8

LM095 Materials and Engineering Technology with concurrent Teacher Education 420* University of Limerick 8

GY319 Mathematical Science 485 NUI Galway 8

DT205 Mathematical Sciences 285 DIT 8

CK407 Mathematical Sciences 520 UCC (NUI) 8

LM060 Mathematical Sciences 350 University of Limerick 8

MH104 Mathematics 535 NUI Maynooth 8

TR031 Mathematics 545 TCD 8

LM088 Mathematics and Physics 535 University of Limerick 8

MH213 Mathematics Education 495 NUI Maynooth 8

DC195 Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 345 DCU 8

WD085 Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 280 Waterford IT 8

AL820 Mechanical and Polymer Engineering New 2013 Athlone IT 8

AL710 Mechanical Engineering 195 Athlone IT 7

CR071 Mechanical Engineering 255 Cork IT 7

CR108 Mechanical Engineering 340 Cork IT 8

DT006 Mechanical Engineering 230 DIT 7

GA670 Mechanical Engineering 320 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA680 Mechanical Engineering New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 8

CW517 Mechanical Engineering 275 IT Carlow 7

CW548 Mechanical Engineering 300 IT Carlow 8

SG333 Mechanical Engineering 155 IT Sligo 6

TA203 Mechanical Engineering 195 IT Tallaght 6

TA213 Mechanical Engineering 235 IT Tallaght 7

TA222 Mechanical Engineering 245 IT Tallaght 8

LY617 Mechanical Engineering 140 Letterkenny IT 7

LC285 Mechanical Engineering 225 Limerick IT 7

GY405 Mechanical Engineering 425 NUI Galway 8

LM073 Mechanical Engineering 400 University of Limerick 8

WD011 Mechanical Engineering 205 Waterford IT 6

AL602 Mechanical Engineering – Discontinued 200 Athlone IT 6

AL711 Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy 240 Athlone IT 7

DC193 Mechatronic Engineering 380 DCU 8

BN009 Mechatronic Engineering 190 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN121 Mechatronic Engineering 205 IT Blanchardstown 8

AL712 Mechatronics 255 Athlone IT 7

SG334 Mechatronics 150 IT Sligo 7

DB564 Media and Cultural Studies 205 Dublin Business School 8

CW808 Media and Public Relations 300 IT Carlow 8

MH109 Media Studies 455 NUI Maynooth 8

SG449 Medical Biotechnology 260 IT Sligo 8

GA785 Medical Science 390 Galway–Mayo IT 8

TR075 Medicinal Chemistry 540 TCD 8

DT261 Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science 350 DIT 7

GY501 Medicine 737# NUI Galway 8

RC001 Medicine 740#* Royal College of Surgeons 8

TR051 Medicine 746#* TCD 8

CK701 Medicine 738#* UCC (NUI) 8

DN400 Medicine 745#* UCD (NUI) 8

RC101 Medicine – Graduate Entry 59# Royal College of Surgeons 8

CK791 Medicine – Graduate entry 55#* UCC (NUI) 8

LM101 Medicine – Graduate Entry 53#* University of Limerick 8

DN401 Medicine (Graduate Entry) 57#* UCD (NUI) 8

TL891 Mental Health Nursing 410* Tralee IT 8

LM152 Mental Health Nursing 415* University of Limerick 8

TL893 Mental Health Nursing – Mature #227 Tralee IT 8

LM153 Mental Health Nursing – Mature #224* University of Limerick 8

DK877 Midwifery 420 Dundalk IT 8

GY517 Midwifery 450* NUI Galway 8

TR913 Midwifery 480 TCD 8

CK740 Midwifery 460* UCC (NUI) 8

DN452 Midwifery 470 UCD (NUI) 8

LM156 Midwifery 460 University of Limerick 8

TR914 Midwifery – Mature 233#* TCD 8

CK741 Midwifery – Mature #235 UCC (NUI) 8

DK878 Midwifery (Mature Applicants) #229 Dundalk IT 8

GY527 Midwifery (Mature Entry) #243 NUI Galway 8

DN462 Midwifery (Mature Entry) 235#* UCD (NUI) 8

LM157 Midwifery (Mature Entry) 234#* University of Limerick 8

LM083 Mobile Communications and Security 320 University of Limerick 8

DL046 Modelmaking. Design and Digital Effects 760# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

PI201 Montessori Education New 2013 Portobello Institute 6

CR112 Multimedia 365 Cork IT 8

DC133 Multimedia 430 DCU 8

WD153 Multimedia Applications Development 210 Waterford IT 7

LC234 Multimedia Programming and Design 295 Limerick IT 8

DL143 Multimedia Systems – Web Engineering 310 Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

MH211 Multimedia. Mobile and Web Development 360 NUI Maynooth 8

DT501 Music 317# DIT 8

MH103 Music # NUI Maynooth 8

TR002 Music **420 TCD 8

CK103 Music 370# UCC (NUI) 8

DN517 Music 330# UCD (NUI) 8

WD027 Music 305# Waterford IT 8

CR121 Music (CIT Cork School of Music) 630** Cork IT 8

DK768 Music and Audio Production 340 Dundalk IT 7

AL651 Music and Instrument Technology 240 Athlone IT 6

TR009 Music Education **525* TCD 8

DC211 Music Performance (at the Royal Irish Academy of Music) 195# DCU 8

GC455 Music Production New 2013 Griffith College. Dublin 8

GC460 Music Production For Games New 2013 Griffith College. Dublin 6

Page 78: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

78 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

MH102 Music Technology 405 NUI Maynooth 8

TL803 Music Technology 305 Tralee IT 8

LC270 Music Technology and Production 345 Limerick IT 7

LM114 Music. Media and Performance Technology 345 University of Limerick 8

GY106 Na Dana – Cumarsaid 350 NUI Galway 8

GY107 Na Dana – Gaeilge agus Leann an Aistriuchain 345 NUI Galway 8

TR076 Nanoscience. physics and chemistry of advanced materials 515* TCD 8

CR094 Nautical Science (National Maritime College of Ireland) 320 Cork IT 7

DT080 Networking Technologies 240 DIT 7

LM033 New Media and English 340 University of Limerick 8

CK714 Nursing International (with German) New 2013 UCC (NUI) 8

DT420 Nutraceuticals in Health and Nutrition 400 DIT 8

CR333 Nutrition and Health Science 340 Cork IT 8

CK504 Nutritional Science 490 UCC (NUI) 8

SG442 Occupational Safety & Health 280 IT Sligo 8

SG433 Occupational Safety and Health 225 IT Sligo 7

GY502 Occupational Therapy 520* NUI Galway 8

TR054 Occupational Therapy 510* TCD 8

CK704 Occupational Therapy 530 UCC (NUI) 8

GC220 Office Administration 335 Griffith College. Cork 6

GC320 Office Administration 250 Griffith College. Limerick 6

AL653 Office Management 195 Athlone IT 6

GA674 Operations Engineering New 2013 Galway–Mayo IT 7

DT224 Optometry 525 DIT 8

GA870 Outdoor Education and Leisure (Castlebar) 240 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA874 Outdoor Education and Leisure with Geography (Castlebar) 240 Galway–Mayo IT 7

SG241 Performing Arts 255 IT Sligo 8

DK766 Performing Arts – Cancelled 295# Dundalk IT 7

TL652 Pharmaceutical Analysis with Cosmetics New 2013 Tralee IT 6

TL852 Pharmaceutical Analysis with Cosmetics Science New 2013 Tralee IT 8

TL754 Pharmaceutical Analysis with Environmental Science 245 Tralee IT 7

TL854 Pharmaceutical Analysis with Environmental Science n/a Tralee IT 8

TL753 Pharmaceutical Analysis with Forensics 245 Tralee IT 7

TL853 Pharmaceutical Analysis with Forensics n/a Tralee IT 8

MH210 Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry 445 NUI Maynooth 8

LC267 Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis 325 Limerick IT 7

LC265 Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis 360 Limerick IT 8

LM061 Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry 380 University of Limerick 8

CR325 Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 300 Cork IT 8

DT422 Pharmaceutical Healthcare 345 DIT 8

AL840 Pharmaceutical Science 260 Athlone IT 8

WD175 Pharmaceutical Science 270 Waterford IT 7

WD147 Pharmaceutical Science 315 Waterford IT 8

AL734 Pharmaceutical Science (Drug Development and Analysis) 225 Athlone IT 7

SG431 Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development 190 IT Sligo 7

SG445 Pharmaceutical Science with Drug Development 280 IT Sligo 8

TA314 Pharmaceutical Sciences 310 IT Tallaght 7

TA321 Pharmaceutical Sciences 345 IT Tallaght 8

RC005 Pharmacy 565* Royal College of Surgeons 8

TR072 Pharmacy 570* TCD 8

CK703 Pharmacy 570* UCC (NUI) 8

AL630 Pharmacy Technician 275 Athlone IT 6

LY806 Pharmacy Technician 230 Letterkenny IT 6

DT425 Pharmacy Technician Studies 340 DIT 6

CW116 Pharmacy Technician Studies 270 IT Carlow 6

TR005 Philosophy 455 TCD 8

DN518 Philosophy 340 UCD (NUI) 8

TR015 Philosophy. Political Science. Economics and Sociology 540* TCD 8

MH120 Philosophy. Politics and Economics 410 NUI Maynooth 8

GC470 Photographic Media 120 Griffith College. Dublin 7

DT559 Photography 560# DIT 8

DL042 Photography 715# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

GC475 Photography 100 Griffith College. Dublin 6

DC205 Physical Education with Biology 505 DCU 8

LM090 Physical Education with concurrent Teacher Education 490* University of Limerick 8

DC206 Physical Education with Mathematics 500 DCU 8

CR300 Physical Sciences (Common Entry) 290 Cork IT 7

CR305 Physical Sciences (Common Entry) 320 Cork IT 8

GY320 Physics (Degree options in Applied. Astrophysics. Biomedical. Theoretical) New 2013 NUI Galway 8

GA773 Physics & Instrumentation 290 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GY315 Physics and Applied Physics – Discontinued 400 NUI Galway 8

MH204 Physics and Astrophysics 440 NUI Maynooth 8

CK408 Physics and Astrophysics 460 UCC (NUI) 8

WD180 Physics for Modern Technology 345 Waterford IT 8

DT222 Physics Technology 320 DIT 8

DC167 Physics with Astronomy 415 DCU 8

GY317 Physics with Astrophysics – Discontinued 405 NUI Galway 8

DC173 Physics with Biomedical Sciences 415 DCU 8

DT221 Physics with Energy & Enviroment New 2013 DIT 8

Page 79: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

The Definitive Guide to Going to College 79

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

GY316 Physics with Medical Physics – Discontinued 355 NUI Galway 8

DT235 Physics with Medical Physics and Bioengineering 325 DIT 8

CW106 Physiology and Health Science 410 IT Carlow 6

RC004 Physiotherapy 545* Royal College of Surgeons 8

TR053 Physiotherapy 550* TCD 8

DN420 Physiotherapy 560 UCD (NUI) 8

LM100 Physiotherapy 555* University of Limerick 8

CW538 Pilot Studies n/a IT Carlow 8

DT106 Planning and Environmental Management 275 DIT 8

DN514 Planning. Geography & Environment 350 UCD (NUI) 8

GY504 Podiatry 460 NUI Galway 8

TR029 Political Science and Geography 440 TCD 8

MH112 Politics 350 NUI Maynooth 8

LM041 Politics & Public Administration 310 University of Limerick 8

LM022 Politics and International Relations 335 University of Limerick 8

CR126 Popular Music: Drums New 2013 Cork IT 8

CR125 Popular Music: Electric Bass Guitar New 2013 Cork IT 8

CR127 Popular Music: Electric Guitar New 2013 Cork IT 8

CR128 Popular Music: Keyboards New 2013 Cork IT 8

CR129 Popular Music: Voice New 2013 Cork IT 8

DT596 Print and Digital Media Technology Management 185 DIT 8

DC122 Problem solving and Software Development New 2013 DCU 8

CK601 Process and Chemical Engineering 405 UCC (NUI) 8

DT001 Product Design 395 DIT 8

LY417 Product Design 140 Letterkenny IT 7

AD212 Product Design New 2013 NCAD 8

MH305 Product Design 350 NUI Maynooth 8

LM076 Product Design and Technology 350 University of Limerick 8

CW728 Product Design Innovation 305 IT Carlow 8

GY410 Project and Construction Management 325 NUI Galway 8

DT110 Property Economics (Valuation Surveying) 275 DIT 8

LC242 Property Valuation and Management 275 Limerick IT 8

AL832 Psychiatric Nursing 395* Athlone IT 8

DC216 Psychiatric Nursing 390* DCU 8

DK874 Psychiatric Nursing 380 Dundalk IT 8

LY918 Psychiatric Nursing 375 Letterkenny IT 8

GY516 Psychiatric Nursing 420 NUI Galway 8

TR095 Psychiatric Nursing 405 TCD 8

CK720 Psychiatric Nursing 435 UCC (NUI) 8

DN453 Psychiatric Nursing 415 UCD (NUI) 8

WD117 Psychiatric Nursing 395* Waterford IT 8

AL833 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature 230# Athlone IT 8

DC226 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature #216 DCU 8

DK875 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature #214 Dundalk IT 8

LY948 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature #226 Letterkenny IT 8

GY526 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature #224#* NUI Galway 8

TR096 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature 212#* TCD 8

CK721 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature #226 UCC (NUI) 8

WD817 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature #223 Waterford IT 8

DN463 Psychiatric Nursing – Mature Entry 216# UCD (NUI) 8

GA882 Psychiatric Nursing (Castlebar) 390 Galway–Mayo IT 8

GA883 Psychiatric Nursing (Mature) (Castlebar) 224# Galway–Mayo IT 8

DC208 Psychology 500 DCU 8

DB562 Psychology 235 Dublin Business School 8

NC010 Psychology AQA National College of Ireland 8

MH106 Psychology 520 NUI Maynooth 8

TR006 Psychology 565* TCD 8

DN519 Psychology 520* UCD (NUI) 8

LM102 Psychology 510 University of Limerick 8

WD163 Psychology 385 Waterford IT 8

MH209 Psychology (Through Science) 465 NUI Maynooth 8

LM038 Psychology and Sociology 495 University of Limerick 8

CK706 Public Health 380 UCC (NUI) 8

DT225 Public Health Nutrition New 2013 DIT 8

DK815 Public Relations and Online Media Communications 300 Dundalk IT 8

CR570 Quantity Surveying 280 Cork IT 8

SG343 Quantity Surveying 210 IT Sligo 8

LY507 Quantity Surveying 200 Letterkenny IT 7

LC243 Quantity Surveying 290 Limerick IT 8

TL600 Quantity Surveying n/a Tralee IT 7

WD162 Quantity Surveying 290 Waterford IT 8

SG339 Quantity Surveying 150 IT Sligo 7

TR055 Radiation Therapy 545* TCD 8

DN410 Radiography 560 UCD (NUI) 8

CR032 Recreation and Leisure 330 Cork IT 7

SG134 Recreation and Leisure 290 IT Sligo 7

WD019 Recreation and Sports Management 290 Waterford IT 7

CK101 Religions and Global Diversity 330 UCC (NUI) 8

LC278 Renewable and Electrical Energy Systems 200 Limerick IT 7

TL610 Renewable Energy and Energy Management 205 Tralee IT 7

GA375 Retail and Customer Service Management 160 Galway–Mayo IT 7

DT343 Retail and Services Management 330 DIT 8

WD184 Retail Management New 2013 Waterford IT 7

DT360 Retail Management and Marketing 300 DIT 6

LC286 Road Transport Technology and Management 225 Limerick IT 7

GA172 Rural Enterprise and Agri–Business (Yr1 at Mountbellew/ common with GA777) 290 Galway–Mayo IT 7

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80 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

SG401 Science AQA IT Sligo 6

GY301 Science 380 NUI Galway 8

MH201 Science 415 NUI Maynooth 8

TR071 Science 510 TCD 8

DN200 Science 500 UCD (NUI) 8

DN200 BBB Science – (Biological. Biomedical and Biomolecular) 500 UCD (NUI) 8

DN200 CCS Science – (Chemistry and Chemical) 500 UCD (NUI) 8

DN200 MPG Science – (Mathematical. Physical and Geological) 500 UCD (NUI) 8

CW126 Science – Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry 235 IT Carlow 6

DK781 Science – Applied Biosciences 295 Dundalk IT 7

TL651 Science – Biological and Environmental Studies 245 Tralee IT 6

DT212 Science – Common 1st Year 395 DIT 7

DK783 Science – Pharmaceutical Science 270 Dundalk IT 7

WD177 Science (Agricultural Science. Applied Biology. Food Science. Pharmaceutical Science) 320 Waterford IT 7

AL632 Science (Bioscience/ Chemistry) 290v Athlone IT 6

GA774 Science (Undenominated) 340 Galway–Mayo IT 7

GA784 Science (Undenominated) 360 Galway–Mayo IT 8

LM117 Science Choice 360 University of Limerick 8

DC203 Science Education 440 DCU 8

MH212 Science Education 500 NUI Maynooth 8

LM092 Science with concurrent Teacher Education – Bio–sciences with Physics or Chem 445* University of Limerick 8

LM096 Science with concurrent Teacher Education – Physics and Chemistry 385* University of Limerick 8

DT227 Science with Nanotechnology 375 DIT 8

AL750 Smart Technology for Business 170 Athlone IT 7

BN115 Social and Community Development 310 IT Blanchardstown 8

BN025 Social and Community Development 310 IT Blanchardstown 7

CW768 Social and Community Studies 300 IT Carlow 8

LC407 Social and Community Studies (Thurles) 245 Limerick IT 8

CR031 Social Care 370 Cork IT 7

DT571 Social Care 410 DIT 8

DK862 Social Care 345* Dundalk IT 8

TL781 Social Care 325 Tralee IT 7

AL860 Social Care Practice 340 Athlone IT 8

SG243 Social Care Practice 345 IT Sligo 8

TA025 Social Care Pratice 350 IT Tallaght 8

AL655 Social Media Marketing 160 Athlone IT 6

DB566 Social Science 245 Dublin Business School 8

MH107 Social Science 410 NUI Maynooth 8

CK102 Social Science 390 UCC (NUI) 8

DN550 Social Science 405 UCD (NUI) 8

CK114 Social Science (Youth and Community Work) – Mature Applicants only n/a UCC (NUI) 8

DB575 Social Studies AQA Dublin Business School 7

TR084 Social Studies (Social Work) 470 TCD 8

CK115 Social Work – Mature n/a UCC (NUI) 8

TR083 Sociology and Social Policy 445 TCD 8

AL803 Software Design (Cloud Computing) 310 Athlone IT 8

AL802 Software Design (Games Development) 300 Athlone IT 8

CR106 Software Development 300 Cork IT 8

CW207 Software Development 275 IT Carlow 7

CW238 Software Development 325 IT Carlow 8

LC233 Software Development 330 Limerick IT 8

CR116 Software Development and Computer Networking 305 Cork IT 8

WD151 Software Systems Development 200 Waterford IT 7

AL760 Spa and Wellness Management 180 Athlone IT 7

GY503 Speech and Language Therapy 525 NUI Galway 8

CK705 Speech and Language Therapy 525* UCC (NUI) 8

CW817 Sport and Exercise – Rugby 700+ IT Carlow 7

CW807 Sport and Exercise (GAA) 700+ IT Carlow 8

CW827 Sport and Exercise (Soccer) 700+ IT Carlow 7

LM089 Sport and Exercise Sciences 455 University of Limerick 8

LY228 Sport Coaching & Performance 265 Letterkenny IT 8

CW178 Sport Science 400 IT Carlow 8

DC202 Sport Science and Health 475 DCU 8

GY411 Sports and Exercise Engineering 400 NUI Galway 8

DN430 Sports and Exercise Management 425 UCD (NUI) 8

WD186 Sports Coaching and Performance New 2013 Waterford IT 8

LY137 Sports Development and Coaching – Discontinued 270 Letterkenny IT 7

BN020 Sports Management & Coaching 320 IT Blanchardstown 7

BN111 Sports Management & Coaching 320 IT Blanchardstown 8

CW858 Sports Management and Coaching (GAA. Rugby or Soccer) 700# IT Carlow 8

CW188 Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy 450 IT Carlow 8

TA316 Sports Science and Health 390 IT Tallaght 7

TA327 Sports Science and Health 390 IT Tallaght 8

AL837 Sports Science with Exercise Physiology 360 Athlone IT 8

LC423 Sports Strength and Conditioning (Thurles) 285 Limerick IT 7

LC422 Sports Strength and Conditioning (Thurles) 310 Limerick IT 8

LY206 Sports Studies 105 Letterkenny IT 6

DK763 Sports Studies and Enterprise 290* Dundalk IT 7

CK116 Sports Studies and Physical Education 480* UCC (NUI) 8

LY237 Sports Studies with Marketing – Cancelled New 2013 Letterkenny IT 7

AL841 Sports Therapy with Rehabilitation 365 Athlone IT 8

CW198 Strength and Conditioning New 2013 IT Carlow 8

CR109 Structural Engineering n/a Cork IT 8

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The Definitive Guide to Going to College 81

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

Course NFQ CAO code Course Points Provider Level

DN140 Structural Engineering with Architecture 425 UCD (NUI) 8

CW058 Sustainable Architectural Technology – Discontinued 255 IT Carlow 8

LC244 Sustainable Building and Renewable Energy 185 Limerick IT 7

SG332 Sustainable Building Technology 160 IT Sligo 7

AL720 Sustainable Construction 270 Athlone IT 7

DT010 Sustainable Design in Electrical Services Engineering 180 DIT 7

CR510 Sustainable Energy 300 Cork IT 8

WD171 Sustainable Energy Engineering 300 Waterford IT 8

LM063 Technology Management 310 University of Limerick 8

AS053 Textiles. Fashion and Design with Business Management New 2013 St. Angelas College Sligo 8

MU002 Theology 315 St. Pats. Maynooth 8

MU001 Theology and Arts 315 St. Pats. Maynooth 8

AH003 Theology and English Literature 295 All Hallows 8

AH001 Theology and Philosophy 250 All Hallows 8

AH002 Theology and Psychology 315 All Hallows 8

TR035 Theoretical Physics 540* TCD 8

MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics 505 NUI Maynooth 8

DT169 Timber Product Technology 240 DIT 7

CR041 Tourism 225 Cork IT 7

CR660 Tourism 260 Cork IT 8

GA360 Tourism 140 Galway–Mayo IT 6

WD174 Tourism 210 Waterford IT 6

LY316 Tourism – Discontinued 130 Letterkenny IT 6

DT406 Tourism Management 250 DIT 7

GA374 Tourism Management 165 Galway–Mayo IT 7

DT412 Tourism Marketing 250 DIT 8

WD148 Tourism Marketing 285 Waterford IT 8

CR046 Transport Management and Technology 210 Cork IT 7

DT028 Transport Operations and Technology 270 DIT 8

TL820 Travel & Tourism Management 295 Tralee IT 8

TL720 Travel and Tourism Management 205 Tralee IT 7

CW547 TV and Media Production 305 IT Carlow 7

TL802 TV. Radio and New Media Broadcasting 320 Tralee IT 8

DN300 Veterinary Medicine 580* UCD (NUI) 8

DN301 Veterinary Medicine – Graduate Entry # UCD (NUI) 8

AL731 Veterinary Nursing 400* Athlone IT 7

DK784 Veterinary Nursing 390* Dundalk IT 7

DN310 Veterinary Nursing 470 UCD (NUI) 8

LY847 Veterinary Nursing 380 Letterkenny IT 7

DK765 Video and Film 310* Dundalk IT 7

LC276 Video and Sound Technology 270 Limerick IT 6

DT533 Visual & Critical Studies 300 DIT 8

WD152 Visual Arts 310 Waterford IT 8

DL044 Visual Arts Practice (Fine Art) 585# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

AL862 Visual Communications 795# Athlone IT 8

CR600 Visual Communications 595# Cork IT 8

DL043 Visual Communications 669# Dun Laoghaire IADT 8

CW088 Visual Communications and Design (Wexford) 330 IT Carlow 7

AD215 Visual Culture New 2013 NCAD 8

DT598 Visual Merchandising & Display 470# DIT 7

LM031 Voice and Dance 270# University of Limerick 8

CR312 Web Development 295 Cork IT 8

SG538 Web Development and Creative Media 140 IT Sligo 7

TL851 Wildlife Biology 300 Tralee IT 8

LM067 Wood Science and Technology 300 University of Limerick 8

TR008 World Religions and Theology 365 TCD 8

CW788 Youth and Community Work New 2013 IT Carlow 8

TL782 Youth and Community Work Practice 240 Tralee IT 7

Key Description

* Not all on this points score were offered places

** Matriculated candidates are considered but admission is on the basis of performance in the music test and interview.

*** Applicants are ranked as for other courses but the final decision depends on performance in interview.

# Test or Interview, etc.

## Specific entry requirements, interview / portfolio.

### Specific entry requirements and interview.

AQA All qualified applicants.

~ Admission is based solely on the results of the RCSI Scholarship Examination.

+ Includes Project / Portfolio Score.

v New competition for Available/Vacant Places.

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Page 82: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

82 The Definitive Guide to Going to College

Page 83: The Definitive Guide to Going to College

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Page 84: The Definitive Guide to Going to College