Expand+Leaving Certificate Grade H5 in two higher-level subjects, plus four subjects at Grade 06 at ordinary level. Subjects to include Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

Foundation Level Subject
Foundation Level Irish at grade FL2 meets th...

Hide-Leaving Certificate Grade H5 in two higher-level subjects, plus four subjects at Grade 06 at ordinary level. Subjects to include Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

Foundation Level Subject
Foundation Level Irish at grade FL2 meets the minimum language requirement. No points are awarded.

Foundation Level Mathematics at minimum grade FL2 will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirements for entry to the following courses:

AL765 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care
AL860 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Care Practice
AL763 Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
AL764 Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Care and Education
AL861 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Animation & Illustration

Scoring System for Foundation Level Mathematics

Grade FL1 Points 20
Grade FL2 Points 12

Maths Bonus Points
25 bonus points will be awarded for higher level mathematics for H6 grades and above. For example, if an applicant receives a H6 grade an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H6 grade i.e. higher level mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for this applicant. Click here to view a more detailed description of the Bonus Points Scheme for Higher Level Leaving Certificate Mathematics, with some examples.

Expand+Candidates should also note that for high demand courses at AIT, there is a limit to the number of places reserved for QQI applicants. Random selection may apply in certain circumstances.

For further information see www.ait.ie/fetac.

For entry ...

Hide-Candidates should also note that for high demand courses at AIT, there is a limit to the number of places reserved for QQI applicants. Random selection may apply in certain circumstances.

For further information see www.ait.ie/fetac.

For entry to year 1 programmes at AIT, all QQI level 5 and QQI level 6 awards will be scored to deliver a maximum of 390 CAO points.

A QQI Component Certificate/Record of Achievement is not sufficient to gain entry to courses at AIT; candidates must have achieved a full QQI Certificate (Major Award). A major 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 major award where courses are taken over more than one year.

Due to the competitive nature of both General and Psychiatric Nursing, scores will only be calculated when the appropriate award is presented in a single sitting, together with all the required modules and grades.

For programmes having a specific QQI quota (i.e. General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Heath Science with Nutrition, Sports Science with Exercise Physiology, Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy, Dental Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Veterinary Nursing, Early Years Care and Education, Social Care Practice, Applied Social Studies), the QQI results are considered in Round 0 (early August). Your QQI scores will not normally be considered after Round 0 where a quota applies.

For programmes where no specific quota applies, QQI scores are included in the order of merit list of all applicants presenting school leaving examinations, and initial offers are issued in Round 1. QQI results will not be added to Leaving Certificate results. If you have taken both exams, the exam in which you have achieved the highest points will be used for non-quota places.

Graduates of QQI Level 6 awards intending to apply for a place at AIT should contact the institute in advance for more information in relation to the exemptions available to award holders.

Expand+Mature Applicants
The institute considers applicants who are 23 years or over on 1 January in the year of entry to be mature applicants. Such applicants may not be required to have the minimum entry requirements. However, the institute will look for...

Hide-Mature Applicants
The institute considers applicants who are 23 years or over on 1 January in the year of entry to be mature applicants. Such applicants may not be required to have the minimum entry requirements. However, the institute will look for satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s ability to pursue and benefit from the course. Knowledge and skills gained through experiential learning will be taken into account, having regard to the course for which the mature applicant has applied. Such applicants should apply through the CAO system, and may be required to attend for interview at AIT as part of the selection process.

Expand+Trade Qualifications
A trade applicant, seeking admission to the first year of a course, should do so through the CAO. Such application may be on the basis of National Craft Certificate, Senior Trades or Advanced Tourism Certification Board (NTCB)/...

Hide-Trade Qualifications
A trade applicant, seeking admission to the first year of a course, should do so through the CAO. Such application may be on the basis of National Craft Certificate, Senior Trades or Advanced Tourism Certification Board (NTCB)/QQI qualifications, instead of, or in addition to, Leaving Certificate results. AIT welcomes applications from such candidates.
Possession of these awards at advanced level normally qualifies an applicant for entry to the institute.

Other Qualifications
Applicants with qualifications other than those listed above (including EU and overseas qualifications) should apply in the normal way, giving full details of their qualifications/application category on their application.

Certification of Examinations Results and/or Work Experience
Where an application is being made on the basis of qualifications other than an Irish Leaving Certificate, and/or experience, the relevant certificates showing dates, subjects and results of examinations, as well as duration and details of employment/experience, must accompany the application to CAO. Where the relevant certificates are not available at the time of application, these must be submitted as soon as they are available. English translations of qualifications not issued in English must be supplied. Applications will not be considered without the appropriate certificates.

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+Biotechnology is the manipulation (usually through genetic engineering) of living organisms, cells, genes or molecules to develop services and products that benefit mankind and have commercial value. Its impact on the 21st century is anticipated to b...

Hide-Biotechnology is the manipulation (usually through genetic engineering) of living organisms, cells, genes or molecules to develop services and products that benefit mankind and have commercial value. Its impact on the 21st century is anticipated to be as significant as the microchip’s effect on society and industry in the second half of the 20th century. It is estimated that approximately half of all medicines produced worldwide originated in biotechnology, making them cheaper and more widely available.

Ireland is emerging as a leading location for biopharmaceuticals with a mix of start-ups, high growth SMEs and large multinationals located here. Industry leaders including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Genzyme, Merck, Alkermes (based in Athlone), GeneMedix and Allergan all have significant investment in Ireland, which has facilitated rapid growth and development of the industry. At present, there are around 60 biopharmaceutical companies in Ireland. These companies currently employ approximately 4,000 people.

How can I study biotechnology at AIT?

1. Level 8 – BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology (AL838)
2. Level 7 – BSc in Biotechnology (AL730)

After completing the level 7, you can progress to an honours degree in biotechnology or in applied biosciences

Why choose biotechnology at AIT?
AIT’s programmes in biotechnology are designed to meet the growing demand for scientists to service the current and emerging biotechnology-based industries in Ireland generally and the midlands in particular. Lecturers combine teaching expertise with industry experience. Many of our faculty have worked in the biotechnology industry, and continue to maintain active contacts in this space. AIT is a leader in biotech research, which finds a particular focus in the Bioscience Research Institute. This generates a wide variety of research opportunities for candidates interested in pursuing postgraduate study to PhD level in this area.

Placement
Students have the option of undertaking a placement module over the summer of year 3. While this does not contribute to your degree in terms of credit or marks, it will help you gain valuable workplace experience.

Study abroad
You have the opportunity to undertake a semester of a year of your degree at one of AIT’s overseas partner universities. For example, AIT has a connection in biotechnology with Hochschule Emden/LEER (University of Applied Sciences).

Expand+Year 1
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics for Scientists, Learning and Development for Higher Education and Scientific Computing.

Electives: English for Technology, French, German for Scientists, Spanish for Scientists, Information Techno...

Hide-Year 1
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics for Scientists, Learning and Development for Higher Education and Scientific Computing.

Electives: English for Technology, French, German for Scientists, Spanish for Scientists, Information Technology for Scientists, Cultural Awareness, Current Scientific Issues through Enquiry Based Learning.
Electives are subject to change.

Year 2
Mathematics and Statistics for Life and Physical Sciences, Biochemistry, Gene Technology, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Techniques, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry.

Year 3
Molecular Biology, Environmental Biotechnology, Advanced Cell Biology, Genetic Engineering, Forensic Science Quality Control and Experimental Design, Bioethics, Occupational Regulatory Affairs.

Year 4
Bioprocess Technology, Project Theory & Practice, Analytical Biotechnology, Validation, Good Manufacturing Practice, Bioinformatics, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Regulatory Affairs and Legislation.