Expand+Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements
O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects

Irish Leaving Certificate

Minimum entry requirements

–To matriculate on the results of the Leavi...

Hide-Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements
O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects

Irish Leaving Certificate

Minimum entry requirements

–To matriculate on the results of the Leaving Certificate, a student must present at least six recognised subjects selected according to course requirements (see Entry Requirements for each course) and must obtain at least Grade H5 in two subjects and Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects.

– 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 courses for which the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement. Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.

Applicants presenting Leaving Certificate results from previous which include subjects no longer offered should email admissions@ ucd.ie for advice with regard to acceptability and any exclusions which may apply.

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.

For Science (DN200) only, Applied Mathematics or Geography may also be used as a laboratory science subject.

For Veterinary Nursing (DN310) only, Home Economics (Social & Scientific) may also be used as a laboratory science subject.

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

Notes
–Minimum points requirements can change from year to year as they are dependent on demand for each course, as well as the number of places available.

–For entry in 2018, 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade H6 or better in Leaving Certificate 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 taking 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.

–It is still possible to achieve matriculation and subject 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 combined with HPAT – Ireland. Please see www.ucd.ie/myucd/hpat.

–For scoring of pre 2017 Leaving Certificate examinations, please see: www.ucd.ie/ registry/admissions/points.html.

Expand+What is a mature applicant?
A mature applicant is anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September 2018, your date of...

Hide-What is a mature applicant?
A mature applicant is anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September 2018, your date of birth must be on or before 1 January, 1995.

How do I apply?
For all our full-time, and some of our part-time, undergraduate degree programmes, mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The application can be completed online at www.cao.ie.

Some programmes require specific tests (e.g. MSAP and HPAT) or personal statements. Please see: www.ucd.ie/ registry/admissions/MYcourse.html for details of what is required for programme.

What should be included with my application?

Mature applicants may need to provide supplementary information in addition to their CAO application form.

Any supplementary information required (e.g. examination results, CV, personal statement) must be sent to the CAO with the completed application form. Those applying online (via www.cao.ie) must ensure that they forward supplementary information to the CAO immediately after submitting the online application.

The CAO Handbook contains useful advice regarding the application process. Applicants should read it carefully, taking particular note of the sections pertaining to mature student applications.

When should I apply?
The opening date for CAO applications is early November 2017. For most of our programmes the closing date is 1 February 2018. Completed CAO application forms and all supplementary information should be returned to the CAO by this date. (There is a reduced application fee for applications made prior to 20 January.) Some courses may accept late applications up to 1 May 2018 but this is subject to the availability of places. For dates of additional tests, please see page 213 undergraduate prospectus.

How are applications assessed?
All applications on the grounds of mature years received by the 1 February closing date are forwarded from the CAO to UCD. The relevant Programme Board then evaluates applications. Generally, the Programme Board is looking for evidence of academic ability, as well as interest in and aptitude for the programme for which you have applied. See www.ucd.ie/ maturestudents for details of what is taken into account for each programme.

NB Applications submitted by 1 February are processed and forwarded to the relevant Programme Boards by mid-March. Applicants must ensure that all supporting documentation is submitted to the CAO within seven days of application.

When will I know the outcome of my application?

If you’re offered a place, you’ll receive an official offer from the CAO, usually in early July. However, we generally advise mature applicants of the decision in advance when the decisions are received from the Programme Board. Please note that, in accordance with CAO procedures, applicants will only be offered their highest successful preference so it is extremely important that you fill out your CAO choices in order of genuine preference.

The CAO offer will state the date by which you must accept the place. Places that have not been accepted by that date will be offered to other applicants at a later stage. Consequently, mature applicants may receive an offer in later rounds. If you plan to be away from home between July and September, make sure to access the CAO online to check the status of your application or arrange for someone to deal with your post for you.

Please Note
You must ensure that all relevant information is submitted to the CAO. There is no separate UCD application form, although some courses require a supplementary statement.

www.ucd.ie/maturestudents provides advice for personal statements. Your documents must arrive in the CAO within seven days of the submission of the online application.

Contact us with your queries
UCD Registry - Admissions is available to help you with the application process. You can email: mature.students@ucd.ie or call: 01 716 1536.

University Access Courses
UCD offers part-time access courses, which prepare adults for third level study. University Access is available to Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Science, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences.

For more information, contact UCD Access & Lifelong Learning: Call +353 1 716 7584 or visit www.ucd.ie/all/study

Part-time Learning
Over 250 modules across 30 subjects are available for adults learners who wish to study on a part-time bases. Each module carries 5 ECTS credits. Modules can be taken for credit or audit. Students may combine modules to receive a certificate or diploma award. There are no formal entry requirements – all learners are welcome.

For further information visit www.ucd.ie/all/study or call +353 1 716 7123.

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20th January 2018 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20th January 2018 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1st May 2018 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2018 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2018 CAO Handbook: Fee €60 Closing Date: 22nd July 2018 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2018 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2018, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2018 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5th March 2018 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2018 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2018 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2018 at 5:15pm.

Expand+ Why is this course for me?
Horticulture is the art, science, technology and business of plant cultivation for human use. If you like biology or other science subjects, or you’re interested in business studies, home economics or languages, then this...

Hide- Why is this course for me?
Horticulture is the art, science, technology and business of plant cultivation for human use. If you like biology or other science subjects, or you’re interested in business studies, home economics or languages, then this course may be for you. It will give you an appreciation of the importance of plants for human life and well-being. The course covers the sciences, environmental studies, business, management and communications, as well as growing food and non-food plants. Landscape & Sports turf Management focuses on the science behind developing and maintaining Ireland’s designed landscapes, golf courses, tennis courts and sport pitches.

The objectives of this degree are to give you:
• Knowledge of the growth, development and protection of plants, and use of plants for food, leisure, sports, social and environmental benefits
• An understanding of horticultural plant production systems and how their components are integrated and managed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner
• The skills to become a competent, competitive and confident leader who will excel in the global horticulture community as a professional horticulturist or horticultural scientist.

Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending, lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals, as well as participating in industry site visits, field and greenhouse workshops, and undertaking independent study and research.

Expand+You’ll study core science subjects in first year, and then develop your horticulture knowledge with specialist modules.

First Year
Plants and People
Landscape & Sports-turf Management
Agricultural Economics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
M...

Hide-You’ll study core science subjects in first year, and then develop your horticulture knowledge with specialist modules.

First Year
Plants and People
Landscape & Sports-turf Management
Agricultural Economics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics

Second Year
Management
Soil Science Basics
Plant Ecology
Plant Biology
Fundamentals of Horticulture
Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture

Third Year
Plant Protection
Pests
Soil Science Applications
Plant Diseases: Biology & Control
Landscape, Trees & Shrubs
Professional Work Experience

Fourth Year
Food Production: Mushrooms,
Fruits, Vegetables etc & Post- Harvest Physiology
Enterprise Development & Strategy
Research project
Nursery, Garden Centre & Retail Horticulture
Professional Communications

Expand+Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
This degree maintains strong links with the horticulture industry. Career opportunities include management, technical advisory, consultation, research, quality assurance and sales or marketing positions, workin...

Hide-Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
This degree maintains strong links with the horticulture industry. Career opportunities include management, technical advisory, consultation, research, quality assurance and sales or marketing positions, working for companies or within your own business. Opportunities also exist in state, semi-state, EU and international organisations. Your transferable skills will make you highly employable in other industries. Master’s and PhD degrees are also available.

Professional Work Experience (PWE) & International Study Opportunities
All or part of your five-month PWE in third year can be taken abroad, with possibilities including Japan, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Britain and Europe. Studying abroad for one semester is also a popular option for many students.