2020 1 Information contained in this presentation is a guide only. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

NCGE General Guidelines for Irish European Baccalaureate students applying to study in Ireland

2020

1 Information contained in this presentation is a guide only. It is intended to provide general information and is subject to annual revision.

• NCGE Guidance in the European Schools and Guidance support
• Why study in Ireland?
• Accommodation in Ireland
• Registration Costs
• Qualification Levels in Ireland and Europe
• National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
• Further information on qualifications
• Higher Education (HE) and Further Education and Training (FET)
• Higher Education Universities, Institutes of Technology and private colleges
• How to research courses
• Qualifax and Careers Portal
• The ‘CAO’
• Information for EU/EFTA Applicants
• English Language Requirements
• Minimum Entry
• Specific Subject Requirements
• European Baccalaureate Points Equivalence Table
• Applying for Medicine
• Disability Access Route to Education
• More on Further Education and Training (FET)
• Post-Leaving Courses and Apprenticeships
• Website links

This presentation contains the following information:

IMPORTANT Students who wish to apply for courses in Ireland must refer to individual Higher Education Institution websites or contact college Admissions Offices for details of:

• Distinct recognised subjects
• Specific subject requirements
• Points requirements

Note that changes may occur in education systems, or in trends in grades awarded.

PLEASE NOTE:

Children of Irish parents who are enrolled in The European Schools are entitled to access appropriate guidance . This Guidance service is funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and coordinated by NCGE/Euroguidance Ireland. It is delivered by qualified guidance counsellors as recognised by the DES. More information and resources are available through the Euroguidance Ireland website - www.euroguidance.ie

Guidance in the European Schools

This guidance support is intended to supplement, but not replace, the guidance support already available to Irish students in the European Schools. It targets the specific needs of students who may be considering an application to Irish third-level institutions and who have questions regarding:

• general entry requirements
• particular course requirements
• application procedures

Guidance Support

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Why study in Ireland ?

There is no central accommodation office in Ireland for students who are looking for a place to stay.

• Most Irish colleges have their own college accommodation offices which deal with vacancies

in their region

• Most of the universities and larger colleges have accommodation on campus
• Most universities and colleges reserve places for students coming from abroad
• Most universities and colleges give priority to first year students
• The cost of accommodation and living costs varies from region to region

See each university or college website and websites for the region where the university or college is situated . Also check out the Irish Universities Association website.

www.iua.ie/international/accommodation/

Accommodation in Ireland

Registration costs for colleges and universities

• There are no university fees in Ireland for Irish and EU students but there is a

registration cost. Most Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will require students to pay an annual Student Contribution Fee. The maximum amount set by the Irish Government for all public HEIs is currently €3,000 (2018)

• Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) /Further Education and Training (FET)colleges chargea

minimum of €200 and some courses cost more

• Apprenticeship registration fees can vary from €1,000 to €3,000, but apprentices are

also paid a small weekly wage while training

• Students are advised to check each university/college website for its own details on

registration costs

• For student grants in Ireland, see www.susi.ie for further information
• Non-EU students must pay international fees

Qualification Levels in Ireland and Europe

The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is validated by Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI). All of the qualifications offered by state-supported colleges in Ireland are situated on this framework (including Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees) from Levels 1 to 10. See: www.nfq-qqi.com/ Other colleges: Private colleges make awards, some of which are validated by foreign universities and some of which are validated by QQI. The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) links the qualifications of different European countries together. The main role of the EQF is to make qualifications more understandable and as interchangeable as possible across different countries and systems. See: www.nfq-qqi.com/qualifications-frameworks.html

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

The Irish NFQ has ten levels. It incorporates awards made for all kinds of learning, from initial learning to doctorate, wherever the learning isgained. The NFQ is the Irish system, EFQ is the European Qualifications Framework, below is the

• fficial QQI NFQ Diagram.

Source: www.nfq-qqi.com/

Further Information on Qualifications

The Irish Leaving Certificate is situated at NFQ Levels 4 and 5 and the European Baccalaureate qualifications are at NFQ Level 5. The majority of European Baccalaureate students apply to Higher Education for courses at NFQ Levels 7 or 8. Students may complete a Post Leaving Certificate course (PLC) at NFQ Levels 5 or 6 in Further Education, which can provide alternative progression to a Higher Education course at NFQ Level 7

• r 8
• Level 5 Certificates are generally of 1 or 2 years’ duration
• Level 6 or Higher/Advanced certificates are generally of 2 years’ duration
• Level 7 or Ordinary degrees are generally of 3 years’ duration
• Level 8 has Honours Bachelors degrees only which are generally of 4 years’ duration
• Level 9 Masters degrees or Postgraduate diplomas are generally of 1 or 2 years’ duration
• Level 10 Doctoral degrees vary in length from 3 to 4 years’ duration

Higher Education (HE) and Further Education and Training (FET)

• In Ireland, after students finish their Leaving Certificate course at post-primary school level,

they can move on to either Higher Education (HE) or Further Education and Training (FET). Some students choose to do a course in FET as a stepping stone to HE or as an end in itself. NFQ Levels 6-10

• Higher Education (HE)

Universities Institutes of Technology Colleges of Education Private Colleges NFQ Levels 5-6

• Further Education and Training (FET)

Further Education Colleges/Institutes Private Colleges Note: in Ireland, the words university, college and institute are often interchangeable at Higher Education level and the words college and institute are often used at FET level

Higher Education Institutes in Ireland (as listed in the CAO Handbook)

niversity

These Irish Universities/Colleges offer a range of courses from NFQ Levels 6-10

• University College Cork (UCC) NUI
• Dublin City University (DCU)
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland NUI
• Trinity College (University of Dublin)
• University College Dublin (UCD) NUI
• National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) NUI
• University of Limerick (UL)
• National University of Ireland, Maynooth (MU) NUI
• Technological University Dublin (TU)*

Those universities / colleges with NUI beside them are constituent or recognised universities / colleges of the National U

• f Ireland. Some of the universities have Colleges of Education incorporated withinthem.

*Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institute of Technology merged to form the Technological University (TU) Dublin on 1st January2019.

Institutes of Technology

These institutes usually offer a range of courses from Levels 6-10

• Athlone Institute of Technology
• Institute of Technology, Carlow
• Cork Institute of Technology
• Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
• Letterkenny Institute of Technology
• Limerick Institute of Technology
• Institute of Technology, Sligo
• Institute of Technology, Tralee
• Waterford Institute of Technology
• Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology

*Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institute of Technology merged to form the Technological University (TU) Dublin on 1st January2019.

Other Higher Education Colleges

These colleges offer a range of courses from NFQ Levels 6-10 The colleges below are also recognised by the National University of Ireland. Some require direct application to the college, others through the Central Admissions Office (CAO).

• Shannon College of Hotel Management

www.shannoncollege.com

• National College of Art and Design, Dublin

www.ncad.ie

• Institute of Public Administration

www.ipa.ie

• St. Angela’s College, Sligo

www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

• Burren College of Art- Coláiste Ealáine na Bóine

www.burrencollege.ie

• Mary Immaculate College of Education

www.mic.ul.ie

• Marino Institute of Education

www.mie.ie

IMPORTANT Students who wish to apply for courses in Ireland must refer to individual Higher Education Institution websites or contact college Admissions Offices for details of:

• Distinct recognised subjects
• Specific subject requirements
• Points requirements

Note that changes may occur in education systems, or in trends in grades awarded.

PLEASE NOTE:

Private Colleges

These colleges on the Qualifax link below are samples of private independent colleges based in Ireland. Applications to some private colleges may be made through the CAO and others may require direct applications to the college. They need to be contacted individually about course entry requirements. N.B. Students should check the level of these courses on the NFQ and through the CAO if applicable.

Qualifax – ‘Other Options’ section

How to Research Courses

Some suggestions:

• Read prospectuses : They contain information about the institution and the available

courses, including advice on how to apply and the benefits of accepting a place. You can download them from college websites, request them from the colleges or there may be copies in your school library

• Talk to people:
• Professional Guidance Counsellors (if available)
• Adults who have studied inIreland
• Current students face to face if possible or online
• Visit colleges – attend Open Days or visit the colleges independently for other events

such as sports events or educationaltalks

• Go on work experience to companies or institutions to learn about them and ask

questions about careerprogression

• Follow college websites and read their news bulletins of current andforthcoming

events and achievements

Recommended Websites

Online Research: The two most recommended websites in Ireland are Qualifax andCareersPortal Qualifax is Ireland’s national database providing information on a wide range of courses in higher and further education and training. Qualifax provides information on entry requirements, the duration of courses, course content, opportunities for Erasmus+ placements and further study and career opportunities. www.qualifax.ie (course search) CareersPortal provides information on an extensive range of courses andcareers. www.careersportal.ie Both of these websites offer online interest assessments to assist students to find their personal strengths and interests.

How to apply for courses in Irish colleges

The Central Applications Office (CAO)

History of the CAO: The Central Applications Office www.cao.ie was established by the Irish universities in 1976 and is

• wned and controlled by the universities and
• ther Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Purpose of the CAO: The purpose of the CAO is to process centrally the applications for entry to undergraduate courses in HEIs in the Republic of Ireland, to issue

• ffers to applicants only when instructed by HEIs,

and to record acceptances. How it works: The Central Applications Office is the centralised system for applications to almost all the universities and colleges in Ireland. Other specialised colleges such as Hotel and Catering, Art and Music colleges and some private colleges require direct application for entry to their courses. These colleges provide application details on their own websites.

USEFUL LINKS www.cao.ie/handbook.php www.cao.ie/index.php?page=downloads www.cao.ie/index.php?page=demo

Information for EU/EFTA Applicants

The CAO website provides guidelines for students from EU/EFTA countries www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf It also explains exemptions from certain criteria (e.g. exemption from Irish) www.cao.ie/index.php?page=exemptions&bb=studentresources Further information on the criteria for Children of Emigrants and the criteria for qualifying for EU status are available on the Irish Universities Association (IUA) website: www.iua.ie/international/applying-to-an-irish-university/

English Language Requirements

English Language Competence: Students must have a Grade 6 or above in 1st language or in 1st or 2nd foreign language in the European Baccalaureate or an equivalent English Language competence. There may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions in a recognised English language test. Applicants need to contact the institution directly if English is not their first language. See: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

Minimum Entry Requirements

The pass mark for European Baccalaureate entry is 360. The minimum eligibility criteria are below. Proof of English proficiency is required in all

• cases. The minimum standard may be higher in individual HEIs and/or for individual
• courses. There may also be specific subject requirements for courses.

Check with the university or college admissions office. See: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

For the Irish grading system see: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/NewCommonPointsScale2017.pdf

Information correct as of 29/03/2019

Specific Subject Requirements

Specific Subject Requirements: To compare the subject requirements in terms of Irish Leaving Certificate as specified

• n the HEI’s website, use the following table:

NB - the table above is NOT used for points conversion, only for entry requirement equivalence. Forpoints conversion see nextslide. Source: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

Information correct as of 29/03/2019

European Baccalaureate Points Equivalence Table

Each university/college has its own requirements and these maychange. Students should contact the colleges directly for their course subject and graderequirements. Source: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

Information correct as of 29/03/2019

Bonus points for Mathematics

Additional ‘bonus’ points can be awarded in somecircumstances. For the Irish Leaving Certificate: 25 bonus points are awarded for grades H6 and above at Higher Level Mathematics For the European Baccalaureate: 25 bonus points are awarded for grades 6 or above in Period 5 Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics For Trinity College Dublin only Trinity College Dublin awards a different bonus points system for mathematics than other colleges. For more information go to: https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/admission-requirements/undergraduate/ Students must contact Trinity College directly to confirm that they are presenting with distinct recognised subjects and meet specific subjectrequirements.

See: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf Colleges apply a common system where the European Baccalaureate final result (the average of the subject results) is transferred to the points equivalence table as documented in the EU-EFTA Guidelines document in the CAO website

Information correct as of 29/03/2019

Applying for Medicine

There are TWO parts to this procedure: 1) Undergraduate applicants to Medicine (EU applicants) apply through this link inthe CAO website: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2020/UGMedEntry2020.pdf 2) In addition to the CAO application, candidates must also apply directly to ACERto complete the HPAT – Ireland test. HPAT stands for Health Professions Admission Test. It is a test developed by ACER and used to help select students for medicine and some other health science courses atuniversity.

• The HPAT – Ireland 2020 Information Booklet is available for download here:

www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au

• ACER produces the only official HPAT – Ireland preparation materials: five publications

in the form of e-books. There are other private companies which offer preparation courses for this test.

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

• The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is for school leavers with a

disability under the age of 23, who have been educationally impacted as a result of that disability. Applicants to DARE can present with an Irish Leaving Certificate, A- Levels and other EU qualifications.

• It offers reduced points for course places to students
• It provides mentoring and support on campus
• To be eligible for DARE, you must meet both the evidence of disability criteria and

educational impact criteria. Full details and information which you should use to help you apply for the scheme are available at www.accesscollege.ie

• Further details are on the CAO website at www.cao.ie/index.php?page=dare
• Most colleges not in the DARE Scheme have other Access schemes – check

websites

More on Further Education and Training

• Further Education and Training is known as FET in Ireland and VET

(Vocational Education and Training) in Europe.

• It offers a wide variety of life-long education options to anyone over 16. FET

includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services.

• FET courses and programmes are provided through the Education and Training

Board network throughout the country as well as through other local providers including online courses. See: www.fetchcourses.ie/courses/about

Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses and apprenticeships are summarised in the following slides.

Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses

• Post Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs) are full-time and last for one to two years.

They offer a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience. They are designed as a step towards higher education and /or skilled employment and, as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs.

• PLC courses adopt an integrated approach, focusing on technical knowledge, core

skills and work experience. Courses are delivered in a wide range of subjects, such as business studies, childcare, community care, computing and technology, e- commerce, horticulture, multimedia production, sport and leisure and tourism. The courses generally led to major awards at NFQ Levels 5 and 6. Information on PLC FET courses can be found on: www.fetchcourses.ie www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie

Apprenticeships

Information on Apprenticeships is available on www.apprenticeship.ie

To begin an apprenticeship, an applicant must be employed by an approved employer. To be eligible, the applicant must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum of grade D in any five subjects in the Junior Certificate or equivalent. However, higher educational qualifications and

• ther requirements may be sought by employers.

Apprenticeships are:

• Industry-led by consortia of industry and education partners
• Lead to an award at NFQ Levels 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
• Between 2-4 years in duration
• Minimum 50% on-the-job learning
• Flexible delivery – online, blended, off-the-job learning in increments/blocks
• Apprentices are employed under a formal contract of apprenticeship
• A training allowance is paid to the apprentice

List of Apprenticeships available in Ireland are listed in the PDF below Generation Apprenticeship (List)

Register through www.apprenticeship.ie

Financial Costs for Apprenticeships

• There is a student contribution for apprenticeships in Higher Education Colleges. It is

usually about €1,000 for most courses, but up to €3,000 for a few exceptional subjects such as Aircraft Mechanics, but this is offset by a training allowance and some employers pay the training costs as well www.apprenticeship.ie/en/current/Pages/ApprenticeInfo.aspx

• There is a training allowance for off the job training, which averages at €250 per week

www.apprenticeship.ie/en/current/Pages/ApprenticeInfo.aspx?anchor=Allowance

Some useful resources and websites

www.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.ie www.fetchcourses.ie www.apprenticeships.ie www.accesscollege.ie www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au www.iua.ie www.nui.ie www.tcd.ie www.etbi.ie www.nfq-qqi.com/

www.euroguidance.ie/european-school-information

Applying to College in Ireland – Video