Expand+Entry Requirements
English • Irish • Mathematics (Min HB1 in LC or equivalent) • Three other recognised subjects

Leaving Certificate
Passes in six subjects including those shown above, of which two must be minimum HC3

Minimum entry require...

Hide-Entry Requirements
English • Irish • Mathematics (Min HB1 in LC or equivalent) • Three other recognised subjects

Leaving Certificate
Passes in six subjects including those shown above, of which two must be minimum HC3

Minimum entry requirements:
To matriculate on the results of the Leaving Certificate, a student must present at least six subjects selected according to programme requirements (see Entry Requirements for each programme) and must obtain grade C3, or better, in two recognised subjects on Higher Papers, and grade D3, or better, in the remaining four subjects on Ordinary or Higher Papers.

It is essential to have passed these six subjects. The two grade C3s, or better, on Higher Papers may be obtained in any of the recognised matriculation subjects. One grade E on a Higher Course at Leaving Certificate will be accepted if the candidate has, among their other subjects, grade C3 or higher on three Higher Papers, or at least one grade B3 and one grade C3 on Higher Papers. (This compensation rule does not currently apply to matriculation for Nursing programmes).

A student may normally combine the results of Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years for Matriculation Registration purposes. This concession applies to Matriculation Registration only; it does not apply to the calculation of points. However, it should be noted that students seeking to enter Medicine must meet the minimum entry requirements, including both Leaving Certificate points and matriculation, in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate.

Acceptable subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, with the following exceptions and qualifications:

i. ‘Gaeilge – Bonnleibhéal’ (Irish – Foundation Level) will not be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes;

ii. ‘Mathematics Ordinary Alternative/Foundation Level’ will be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in programmes for which the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement.

Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.

Applicants presenting older Leaving Certificate results, including subjects which are no longer offered, should email admissions@ ucd.ie for advice with regard to any exclusions which may apply.

NB: the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme is not an acceptable qualification for matriculation purposes.

Combination of subjects not permitted
The subject ‘Physics and Chemistry’ may not be presented with either ‘Physics’ or ‘Chemistry’

‘Agricultural Economics’ may not be presented with ‘Economics’

‘Classical Studies’ may not be presented with ‘Latin’ or ‘Greek’.

Laboratory science subjects
The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:

Agricultural Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics and Chemistry (Joint)
Physics

Assessment of applications
Admission to most undergraduate programmes is extremely competitive. Entry is normally based on the points system for students presenting Irish Leaving Certificate examinations. Points are awarded.

Notes
Minimum points requirements can change from year to year as they are influenced by demand for each programme, as well as the number of places available.

From 2012, for a four year period, 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade D3 or better in Leaving Certificate Honours Mathematics, where that subject is one of the six subjects being counted for points purposes.

Applicants’ performance in the Leaving Certificate examination is scored on their best results in no more than six individual subjects taken in the Leaving Certificate examination of any one year.

This does not preclude an intending applicant from presenting for school-leaving examinations in two or more years; in this event, the choice of year for scoring purposes will be such as to ensure that each applicant is credited with the maximum possible score.

The one year scoring restriction does not affect the separate matriculation requirements of the NUI, i.e. it is still possible to complete matriculation requirements over more than one year. However, for admission to Medicine, applicants must achieve both the required subject grades and the points in the same sitting.

The subjects and combinations of subjects not permitted for matriculation also apply when computing an applicant’s points score.

The points scores for Medicine are adjusted when combining with HPAT. Please see www.ucd.ie/myucd/hpat.

Expand+Those who are at least 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2013, may apply on the grounds of mature years.

In general, applicants are selected on the basis of academic aptitude, relevant work and life experience, and evidence of motivation and...

Hide-Those who are at least 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2013, may apply on the grounds of mature years.

In general, applicants are selected on the basis of academic aptitude, relevant work and life experience, and evidence of motivation and interest in the programme area. These areas should be addressed in the written application. (In order to assist with this, templates for personal statements are available at www.ucd.ie/myucd/mature.)

Each UCD College/School has specific criteria governing the assessment of applications on the grounds of mature years. For some programmes, shortlisted applicants are interviewed.

For some programmes additional tests are required such as Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) or Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT). Intending applicants should consult the Mature and Graduate Entry Pathways booklet (www.ucd.ie/myucd/mature) from October preceding entry, for details of the examination and other elements that may be involved in the assessment.

It is important that applicants consult the Mature and Graduate Entry Pathways booklet prior to making an application as the onus is on the applicant to ensure they submit the required documentation for the programmes applied for.

UCD Adult Education Centre offers part time access courses, which prepare adults for third-level study. There are two access courses available: Access to Arts & Human Sciences, and Access to Science & Engineering. For more information, contact UCD Adult Education Centre, Tel +353 1 716 7123 or visit www.ucd.ie/adulted.

For further information on application procedures and/or supports available to mature students, please refer to pages 22/23 of the Undergraduate Prospectus and visit www.ucd.ie/myucd/mature and www.ucd.ie/access.

Candidates for admission to Medicine (DN400, DN401), Biomedical, Health and Life Sciences (DN440), Radiography (DN410), Physiotherapy (DN420) and Nursing & Midwifery (DN450, DN451, DN452, DN453, DN460, DN461, DN462, DN463) are required to undergo a mandatory healthcare screening process prior to admission and from time to time thereafter, in accordance with a stringent healthcare screening policy. There are associated fees for these procedures. Students applying to these programmes can find further information on these processes and policies and an up-to-date list of programmes at www.ucd.ie/registry/admissions.

Garda Vetting
Applicants to certain programmes will also be required to complete Garda vetting and/or overseas police clearance and may be required to sign an affidavit if applicable. At present the programmes requiring Garda vetting are Human Nutrition, Medicine, Radiography, Physiotherapy and Nursing & Midwifery. Details are available at www.ucd.ie/registry/admissions.

It is important to note that Healthcare Screening and Garda Vetting are compulsory programme requirements.

Expand+A-Level/GCSE 2011
AAAA (A-Level) or equivalent

Passes (GCSE Grade C or above) in six recognised subjects including those above, of which two must be minimum Grade C or above at A-Level

• Irish Language Requirement: Usually exempt

A-Level...

Hide-A-Level/GCSE 2011
AAAA (A-Level) or equivalent

Passes (GCSE Grade C or above) in six recognised subjects including those above, of which two must be minimum Grade C or above at A-Level

• Irish Language Requirement: Usually exempt

A-Level/GCSE examinations

Minimum entry requirements
Grade C or better at GCSE or passes at A-Level are required in six recognised subjects.

Two of those six subjects must be grade C or better at A-Level. Subjects must include relevant UCD programme entry requirements, see www.ucd.ie/myucd/alevel for details.

NB. If you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to UCD. However, you may present Irish as a subject for Matriculation to fulfil the requirement to present a language other than English.

Acceptable subjects
Not all GCSE and A-Level subjects are recognised and some subjects may not be accepted in combination with one another. For further information and the list of the A-Level subjects acceptable for matriculation, consult the entry requirements section of the NUI website: www.nui.ie. The results of Leaving Certificate examinations and A-Level and GCSE examinations may not normally be combined for application purposes. Applied A-levels are not currently recognised.

Grades required
Due to limitation of places, admission to most undergraduate programmes is based on the points system.

Applicants will need to achieve grades equivalent to the Leaving Certificate points required to enter a UCD degree programme. A maximum of four A-Level (A2) or AS grades, not GCSE grades, will be considered for Leaving Certificate points comparison purposes.

Minimum points requirements can change from year to year as they are influenced by demand for each programme, as well as the number of places available. To compare A-level grades to Leaving Certificate points, see the following table:

A2 Grade Indicative Points 2011 AS Grade Indicative Points 2011
A*=150
A=135 a=65
B=120 b=60
C=100 c=50
D=75 d=35
E=40 e=20

Notes
From 2012, for a four year period, 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade E or better in Mathematics at A2 level. This will apply to only ONE mathematics subject of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics, where that subject is one of the four subjects being counted for points purposes. NB: Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.

These indicative points are guidelines only. For programmes with very high demand for places, such as Veterinary Medicine, a numerus clausus may operate, i.e. a quota may be placed on the number of A-level students admitted to the programme which is proportionate to the number of applicants.

A maximum of four different recognised subjects may be counted. Some subjects may not be counted in combination (e.g. Biology and Environmental Studies). Please see http:// www.nui.ie/college/entry-requirements.asp for details. AS grades will normally only be accepted from the year immediately preceding the grades in the A2 subjects. Grades in the same subject in A2 and AS level cannot be combined.

Grades A and E or B and D at A-Level are regarded as equivalent to two grade Cs for basic eligibility purposes.

Only A-Level grades awarded at the same date can be considered for computation. UCD will accept subjects presented in the Modular format provided that the final result required for admission is issued at the same time for all subjects.

AVCE subjects are not accepted for matriculation or entry purposes. UCD does not currently accept vocational or applied subjects.

The points scores for Medicine are adjusted when combining with HPAT. Please see www.ucd.ie/myucd/hpat.

Other school-leaving examinations

Applicants from EU and European Economic Alliance countries Every EU country is currently represented amongst UCD’s student body. Applicants must meet normal matriculation and entry requirements. Detailed information for each country is available at www.ucd.ie/myucd/eu.

Non-EU applicants
UCD welcomes applicants from non-EU countries. Further information on application and entry requirements is available at www.ucd.ie/myucd/noneu or from UCD Registry Admissions (admissions@ucd.ie).

NB. If you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to UCD.

Expand+Why is this course for me?
If you enjoy studying Higher Level Mathematics for the Leaving Certificate or at A-Level and you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the UCD BAFS (Hons) degree could be for you. It will prepare you for a pr...

Hide-Why is this course for me?
If you enjoy studying Higher Level Mathematics for the Leaving Certificate or at A-Level and you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the UCD BAFS (Hons) degree could be for you. It will prepare you for a professional career in the actuarial or financial professions, but it has also been designed to be broader and more diverse than most traditional programmes in actuarial science.

It takes a combination of strong analytical skills, business knowledge and understanding of human behaviour to design and manage programmes that control risk and guarantee sufficient funds for the insurance and pension sectors. For example, the actuary works out the risk (e.g. the likelihood of a fire happening) and calculates how much the customer should pay for insurance cover to ensure that the insurance company has sufficient funds to pay out if the incident occurs.

Expand+What will I study?
This is a sample pathway for a degree in Actuarial and Financial Studies. Subjects include accountancy, finance, mathematics, information management and statistics.

First Year
Mathematics • Economics • Statistics • Accounting ...

Hide-What will I study?
This is a sample pathway for a degree in Actuarial and Financial Studies. Subjects include accountancy, finance, mathematics, information management and statistics.

First Year
Mathematics • Economics • Statistics • Accounting • Computer Science • Elective modules

Second Year
Actuarial and Financial Studies • Elective modules

Third Year
Actuarial and Financial Studies • (Includes a six month supervised professional placement in insurance and financial institutions in Ireland, the UK or the USA)

Fourth Year
Actuarial and Financial Studies

Expand+Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Most BAFS graduates take positions as actuarial trainees in the following:
- Life insurance
- Pensions
- Health insurance
- General insurance

Should you achieve a sufficiently high standard in the degr...

Hide-Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Most BAFS graduates take positions as actuarial trainees in the following:
- Life insurance
- Pensions
- Health insurance
- General insurance

Should you achieve a sufficiently high standard in the degree, you will gain some (or all) exemptions from the Core Technical series examinations (CT1:8) as well as the Core Applications CA1 examination of the Institute of Actuaries or the Faculty of Actuaries. Some graduates also work in Banking or Finance as business or financial analysts. As a graduate of the BAFS degree programme, you are also eligible to pursue graduate study in Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Management Science, Finance and other specialist business subjects.