Expand+A pass in six subjects with two Higher 5 (H5) grades and four Ordinary 6 (O6) or four Higher 7 (H7) grades to include Mathematics and English or Irish.

Foundation level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher counts as a subject towards the six passes....

Hide-A pass in six subjects with two Higher 5 (H5) grades and four Ordinary 6 (O6) or four Higher 7 (H7) grades to include Mathematics and English or Irish.

Foundation level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher counts as a subject towards the six passes.

Results in Foundation Level Irish in the Leaving Certificate, or results in the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme do not satisfy these minimum entry requirements.

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

Currently the results in more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination will be counted towards meeting this minimum requirement. However, additional requirements may be specified for some courses. Please check details of the minimum requirement for each course as set out above.

Bonus points for Higher Level Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded in 2017 for Higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above, in a manner similar to the old scheme.

Garda Vetting
A number of ITB courses require students to successfully complete placements or projects where they may have unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. Each student applying for these courses must undergo the ITB Garda vetting process. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, the Institute is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake these programmes. Without satisfactory Garda clearance, students will be unable to complete their course and thus will not be able to complete the programme or receive an award. All places on these courses are provisional and subject to the student obtaining satisfactory Garda vetting from the Central Garda Vetting Unit. The current legal minimum age for sole application for Garda vetting is 18 years of age. In the event of an applicant being between 16 and 18 years of age, written consent is also required from a parent or guardian.

In addition to Garda vetting a medical assessment and provision of personal references may be required in regard to suitability for placement.

Expand+Applications From Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Students

Holders of the 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 consi...

Hide-Applications From Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Students

Holders of the 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:
Pass 28
Merit 46
Distinction 66

Expand+Applicants Presenting QQI-FET (Formerly FETAC) Awards (furthermore Denoted As QQI)

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of QQI (Level 5 or 6) awards are as follows:

1. For entry to a Higher Certificate course (NFQ Level 6) and to an A...

Hide-Applicants Presenting QQI-FET (Formerly FETAC) Awards (furthermore Denoted As QQI)

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of QQI (Level 5 or 6) awards are as follows:

1. For entry to a Higher Certificate course (NFQ Level 6) and to an Ab Initio Ordinary Degree course (NFQ Level 7) a full QQI (Level 5 or 6) award is required.

2. For entry to an Ab Initio Honours Degree course (NFQ Level 8) a full QQI (Level 5 or 6) award in a related area and including distinction grades in at least 3 components is required.

For entry to the majority of courses a full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI for a full award. However, for entry to certain courses an award achieved in a single sitting may be required.

Also, for some courses, specific component awards in Mathematics must be included in the QQI award presented for entry. Such requirements are detailed on the ITB website (www.itb. ie/fetac)

Expand+The Institute welcomes applications from mature students and a number of places on each course are reserved for such applicants.

Mature applicants are those who are over 23 years of age on 1st January of the year of entry. Applicants in this cate...

Hide-The Institute welcomes applications from mature students and a number of places on each course are reserved for such applicants.

Mature applicants are those who are over 23 years of age on 1st January of the year of entry. Applicants in this category may be accepted on a course without meeting the formal minimum entry requirements if ITB is satisfied that they have the basic ability and academic foundation to follow the course and to take the examinations successfully. Mature applicants seeking a place on a full-time ITB course must apply through the CAO and are advised to do so by February 1st.

As the number of applications for consideration as mature applicants is increasing, it is necessary to rank applicants for available places.

Mature applicants will be required to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements for third level education via:

1. Assessment of Suitability by ITB OR

2. Leaving Certificate examination results or QQI Level 5 or 6 award

1. Assessment of Suitability by ITB This option applies to mature applicants who do not wish to compete on the basis of a Leaving Certificate examination, QQI level 5 or 6 award or equivalent.

Such applicants will be assessed based on their performance in an assessment which they will be invited to attend at the Institute. Further details available at www.itb.ie.

2. Presentation of Leaving Certificate examination results, QQI Level 5 or 6 award or equivalent

Mature applicants who have completed the Leaving Certificate examination or a full QQI level 5 or 6 award at any time prior to 2017, may wish to compete for a place solely on the basis of these results.

A full QQI award generally consists of 8 modules. A record of achievement or component certificate will not meet the entry requirements. A copy of Leaving Certificate results or QQI Award(s) must be submitted to CAO as part of the application process.

Mature applicants who are demonstrating eligibility via this option must ensure that they have met the minimum entry requirements for the courses for which they have applied by logging on to www.itb.ie or discussing this matter with a member of the Marketing Team on (01) 8851530.

There is a quota on the number of QQI places on BN011 – Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care Level 7 and BN107 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care Level 8 for applicants presenting with QQI awards.

Offers of places are made to successful mature students by CAO in the normal way.

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

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

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

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 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.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to 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 and the University of Limerick 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 three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 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 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+What
On this course, you’ll work with theory, the psychology of learning, and its practical application through play, art, drama, PE and music as you learn to make a difference in the years that count by understanding children, how they learn and h...

Hide-What
On this course, you’ll work with theory, the psychology of learning, and its practical application through play, art, drama, PE and music as you learn to make a difference in the years that count by understanding children, how they learn and how society shapes them.

Why
There is a range of employment opportunities in early years settings such as crèches, nurseries, playgroups, pre-schools, primary schools and breakfast/homework clubs. Graduates could also practice in more specialist areas such as special needs services or early intervention projects and may be employed in the public, private or voluntary sectors or may go on to establish their own businesses. The degree provides a solid foundation for postgraduate study.

Who
If you’re interested in finding out how children develop and learn, eager to learn about different cultures, languages, and diversity in the world, and enthusiastic about making a difference in children’s lives you will be ideally suited to this programme.

How
The programme combines theory with hands-on experience and practical skills. Students experience the variety of the early years sector through placements in two distinct settings providing the opportunity to link classroom learning with work based practice. Students are supervised throughout placement by an experienced early years practitioner as well as being given on-going support from an allocated college academic supervisor.

Expand+Year 1
• Child Development 1 & 2
• Drama and Movement
• Sociology of Childhood
• Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years
• Child Centred Practice
• Skills for Success in Higher Education
• Art and Music
• Social Institutions and the Early Yea...

Hide-Year 1
• Child Development 1 & 2
• Drama and Movement
• Sociology of Childhood
• Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years
• Child Centred Practice
• Skills for Success in Higher Education
• Art and Music
• Social Institutions and the Early Years
• Health and Safety in the Early Years
• Early Learning
• Early childhood Curriculum

Year 2
• Practice Placement
• Practice Placement Project
• Psychology and Learning in Early Childhood
Team and Group Dynamics in Childcare Sector
• Childhood and Social Policy
• Literacy and Numeracy
• Outdoor Learning and Risky Play
• Curriculum & Pedagogy

Year 3
• Advanced Practice Placement
• Advanced Placement Project
• Language Acquisition
• Creative Group Facilitation for Young Children
• Legal Studies for Early Childhood Care and Education
• Professional Practice and Child Protection
• Research Methods for the Early Years
• Equality and Diversity in Early childhood

Year 4
• Applied Child Psychology
• Curriculum Development
• Child Protection: Policy and Practice in Early Childhood Services
• Preparation for Dissertation

Electives Semester 1:
Creative Interventions for the Personal, Social and Emotional Development of Children or Children’s Rights: A National and International Perspective or Second Language Pedagogy or School Age Childcare.
Two electives must be selected

• Supporting Positive Interactions with Children
• Social Justice in Early Childhood Care and Education
• Dissertation

Electives Semester 2:
Leadership, Management and Mentoring or Curriculum Design
One elective must be selected.

Note: The choice of electives are indicative and dependent upon learner demand and resource availability and may vary from year to year.

Expand+Good To Know
ITB have a dedicated early childhood practice room, which is a replica of an early childhood setting and which provides students with the opportunities to “try out” their learning in a real life early years environment.

Students sp...

Hide-Good To Know
ITB have a dedicated early childhood practice room, which is a replica of an early childhood setting and which provides students with the opportunities to “try out” their learning in a real life early years environment.

Students spend two semesters on work placement in early years settings practicing their in-class learning in real life situations with children. This leads to the creation of industry contacts for students which can be beneficial when it comes to looking for employment.

This course uses varied assessment methods, for example creating a role play corner for children, observing children at play or designing a brochure for parents to inform them of developmental milestones for their children. The skills that students learn through this work can be used when working with children and their families.