Expand+Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
Including At least one H5 Grade, or minimum Points Score of 200 And Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
And English Grade O6 or H7
Or Irish Grade O6 or H7
And Test/Intervie...

Hide-Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
Including At least one H5 Grade, or minimum Points Score of 200 And Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
And English Grade O6 or H7
Or Irish Grade O6 or H7
And Test/Interview

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level mathematics in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total is 625. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.

The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the higher level mathematics subject (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for point’s purposes. Consequently, if higher level mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.

Foundation Level Mathematics
Foundation level mathematics will be accepted as a passing subject for Level 6 and Level 7 programmes where Leaving Certificate Mathematics is not a specific subject requirement.

The minimum Level 6 and Level 7 entry requirement in Mathematics is as follows:

a F2 at Foundation Level
Or
a O6 at Ordinary Level
Or
a H7 at Higher Level

Where a grade of F2 or higher is achieved and Foundation Level Mathematics is acceptable for entry to a specific programme, the following points scoring system will be used:

Grade Points
F1 20
F2 12

Note
Applicants are advised that despite the fact that Foundation Level Mathematics may meet the minimum Mathematics requirement for entry into some academic courses, some employers require Ordinary Level Mathematics or higher to meet minimum educational attainment for some positions.

Foundation Level Mathematics does not meet the entry requirements for Level 8 programmes.

Expand+Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students

Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the leaving certificate...

Hide-Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students

Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the leaving certificate. The LCVP subject will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves at least a pass grade. This will apply to entry for honours degree (NFQ Level 8), Ordinary Degree (NFQ Level 7) and higher certificate (NFQ Level 6) academic courses.

The following points scoring system will be used:

Grade Points
Pass 28
Merit 46
Distinction 66

Expand+QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) – For further details please visit: www.qqi.ie.

Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Compone...

Hide-QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) – For further details please visit: www.qqi.ie.

Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Component Award will not suffice.

A full QQI-FET major award normally contains 8 components.

A full award may be accumulated over a number of years. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI-FET for a major award prior to release of QQI-FET results.

The minimum entry requirement for graduates of QQI-FET (Level 5 and 6) awards to:

• Higher Certificate (NQAI Level 6) programmes is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award;

• Ab-initio Ordinary Degree (NQAI Level 7) programmes (with the exception of Veterinary Nursing) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award, plus one Distinction or two Merits;

• Ab-initio Honours Degree (NQAI Level 8) programmes (with the exception of nursing & midwifery programmes) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award including a Distinction grade in at least three modules.

In these three cases, a general specific requirement for Mathematics or a language will not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum entry requirements listed above, relevant cognate courses and / or specific pre-requisite QQI-FET modules may be required for some programmes. Details are available from the Admissions Office or the ‘QQIFET Information’ section of the CAO website www.cao.ie.

In some programmes, a specific module such as a Mathematics or language module is a mandatory component of the QQI-FET award being presented. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has evidence of equivalent achievement from other examinations (such as previous Leaving Certificate award). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence directly to the Admissions Office.

QQI-FET has introduced a new awards system known as the Common Awards System, or CAS. All QQI-FET awards are part of CAS since 2014.

Expand+Who is a Mature Applicant?
Any applicant 23 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of entry to first year of a fulltime programme is considered to be a mature applicant. Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on m...

Hide-Who is a Mature Applicant?
Any applicant 23 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of entry to first year of a fulltime programme is considered to be a mature applicant. Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on mature grounds and we reserve a minimum of 20% of places on all programmes for applicants who access the programme via the mature entry route. Mature students register on all programmes and contribute positively to academic and campus life.

In recent years, mature students have represented approximately 15% of all first year entrants. We offer a specialised induction process for mature students on entry and provide a range of learning supports designed to assist mature students reach their full potential.

How do I decide on a Programme?
It is important that you make an informed choice. Our Undergraduate Handbook provides contact details of academic staff in each department. You should make contact with the relevant person – ideally, arrange a mutually convenient time to meet.

It is important to make sure that the programme is in line with your career plans and that you are academically prepared for and suited to that particular area of study. Talking with academic staff on the programme is also an opportunity for you to find out the level of demand for certain programmes (among mature applicants) and to find out what the minimum criteria may be.

When do I have to apply?
To be considered as a mature applicant, you must apply to the CAO by 1st February. If the mature student quota is not filled with 1st February applicants, the decision may be taken to assess late applications to the CAO (i.e. those who apply to the CAO after 1st February). However, there is no guarantee that late applications will be assessed. Demand is high for mature student places on many programmes and the quota on each programme is usually filled with 1st February applicants.

How does the mature entry route operate?
All programmes for which the mature applicants apply are assessed on mature grounds.

Assessment is based on the evaluation of all aspects of the applicant’s preparedness and motivation; this includes examining the applicant’s:

• education record to date
• employment history (e.g. signed references from former employers, etc.)
• relevant skills gained to date
• personal statement(s)

The application is assessed on the basis of documentation provided to CAO at the time of application. In the interests of fairness and transparency, only claims supported by evidence are taken into account. Therefore, it is essential that all claims are backed up by the appropriate documentation.

Contact Ms Eileen Lynch
Access Officer
t 042 9370236
e access@dkit.ie
w www.dkit.ie/mature

Documentation includes, inter alia, copies of examination transcripts, copies of training certificates, signed and dated employer references on headed paper, etc.) CAO scans the documentation provided by the applicant and it is then available to the relevant members of academic staff at DkIT to view.

For most programmes, interviews do not form part of the assessment process. Currently, interviews are held for BA (Hons) in Social Care (DK862) and BSc in Veterinary Nursing (DK784) and BA in Community Youth Work (DK767)

You should regularly keep an eye on www.dkit.ie/mature to keep informed of any changes from year to year.

How can I keep my options open?
We can only offer applicants programmes for which they have applied. If your mature application for a Level 8 programme is unsuccessful, but academic staff would be willing to offer you a Level 7 programme in the same area, they can only do so if you have also applied for the Level 7 programme. An application for a Level 8 programme is not disregarded because the applicant has also applied for the Level 7 programme. However, by only applying for the Level 8 programme the applicant is limiting his/ her possible options. It is worth bearing in mind that often a Level 7 programme leads to Level 8 qualification. (This applies to DK710 and DK810, DK721 and DK821, etc.)

Can I be considered for entry on other grounds?
The mature entry route is a non-standard entry route and it is the applicant’s choice as to whether or not to avail of it. The advantage of this entry route is that it takes a number of factors into consideration and not just ‘points’ from an examination.

Whether an applicant avails of the mature entry route or not, as he/she has applied to the CAO he/ she will still be automatically rated by the CAO for each programme on the basis of ‘points’ from the Leaving Certificate, QQI-FET examinations, A-Levels or other. This is known as the standard entry route.

The mature entry route, then, is an additional entry route for those who meet the age criteria.

Mature applicants are advised to consult our website for further details: www.dkit.ie/mature

Please note:
• Entry to programmes DK870/DK871 BSc (Hons) in General Nursing, DK872/DK873 BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing, DK874/ DK875 BSc (Hons) in Psychiatric Nursing, and DK877/DK878 BSc (Hons) in Midwifery is coordinated by the Nursing Board (nationally). Mature interviews for these programmes are not arranged by the Access Office at DkIT. The Nursing Board will contact you separately;

• Programme DK860 BA (Hons) in Applied Music: interviews are not arranged by the Access Office. Instead, the academic department will contact you directly.

• For further details please refer to www.dkit.ie/mature

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extens...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 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.

Restricted Courses
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the Change of Course Choices facility before 1st March at 5:15pm.

Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, e.g. the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment – restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3 of the 2017 CAO Hanbook)” on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 11 of the 2017 CAO Hanbook for more information about interviews and assessments.

Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1st February 2017, you may be permitted to introduce it on a ‘Change of Mind’. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.

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 2017 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 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Year 1:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* History and Development of Youth Work
* Introduction to Youth Work
* Community Development
* Sociology 1
* Research and Communication Skills

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Working with Young People
* Youth Work...

Hide-Year 1:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* History and Development of Youth Work
* Introduction to Youth Work
* Community Development
* Sociology 1
* Research and Communication Skills

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Working with Young People
* Youth Work Practice 1
• Workplace Communication Skills
* Essential Office Applications
* Community Development 2

Year 2:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Youth Work Placement 1

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Community Project Management
* Developmental Psychology
* Youth Work Relationships
* Development Studies 1
* Sociology 2

Year 3:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Youth Work Practice 2
* Diversity, Inequality and Social Justice
* Community Entrepreneurship
* Research Methods and IT Skills
* Migration and Social Change

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Youth Work Placement 2