Expand+Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
The general minimum Leaving Certificate entry requirement is grade O6/H7 or better in six Leaving Certificate subjects including English or Irish and Mathematics. Two of the six Leaving Certificate subjects must b...

Hide-Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
The general minimum Leaving Certificate entry requirement is grade O6/H7 or better in six Leaving Certificate subjects including English or Irish and Mathematics. Two of the six Leaving Certificate subjects must be passed in higher level papers at Grade H5 or higher.

Bonus Points for Higher Mathematics*
A bonus of 25 points will be added to the points score for a H6 or above in higher level Mathematics. The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the six best subjects following the addition of the bonus. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examination was taken.

Foundation Level Mathematics
A pass in foundation level mathematics at F2 level or higher will be accepted as meeting the minimum entry requirements for programmes which currently require a minimum entry level of O6 in ordinary Leaving Certificate Mathematics, with the exception of engineering (including all programmes at Letterfrack) and nursing.

Where foundation level Mathematics is accepted as a passing subject, at a minimum F2 grade, the following points scoring system will apply:
F1 F2
20 12

Note:
Applicants are advised that, while foundation level Mathematics may meet the minimum mathematics requirement for entry to certain academic programmes, some employers require Mathematics at ordinary level or higher level to meet minimum educational attainment for some positions.

Foundation Level Irish
Foundation level Irish, at minimum F3 level, meets the minimum language requirement for entry to all programmes with the exception of nursing. No CAO points are awarded for foundation level Irish.

Expand+Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)
The LCVP ‘Link Module’ will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves a pass grade. This will apply to entry for higher certificate (level 6), ordinary degree (level 7), and hon...

Hide-Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)
The LCVP ‘Link Module’ will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves a pass grade. This will apply to entry for higher certificate (level 6), ordinary degree (level 7), and honours degree (level 8) programmes.

The ‘Link Modules’ result is considered and may be used as one of the best six subjects. Points are awarded on the basis of the classification below.

Link Modules 'Subject' (LCVP)

Pass 28 points
Merit 46 points
Distinction 66 points

Expand+QQI FET CAS Scoring

The national qualification system across further education and training (FET) in Ireland is known as the ‘Common Awards System’ or CAS.

The scoring system applies where all the requirements for the major award are met, i.e. ...

Hide-QQI FET CAS Scoring

The national qualification system across further education and training (FET) in Ireland is known as the ‘Common Awards System’ or CAS.

The scoring system applies where all the requirements for the major award are met, i.e. when the specified component awards have been achieved, totalling 120 credits. (To calculate your own score you must know the credit value of your component awards.)

Achievement of each component award is graded as Distinction, Merit or Pass. Distinction grade is weighted at 3, Merit at 2 and Pass at 1.

Multiply the credit value by the grade weighting to a maximum of 120 credits. (For components with a credit value of less than 5 credits, multiply the credit value by 15.) Then multiply the total by 10 and divide by 9 to calculate actual score. The maximum score achievable is 390.

Components leading to the best 120 credits are scored and applicants are ranked accordingly. The best 120 credits come from minor awards achieved with the highest grades.
(QQI will forward all relevant QQI FET award results achieved by applicants to the CAO.)

A QQI FET Major award may be accumulated over more than one academic year.

QQI FET awards achieved before the introduction of CAS, will be referenced to and scored using the CAS scoring.

Full details of the CAS, programmes and progression to the Higher Education Links Scheme are available on the QQI website (www.qqi.ie).

Full details of the QQI FET awards Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) Entry Requirements and Scoring systems are also available on www.cao.ie .

For further information, please contact the Admissions Officer, Office of Academic Affairs, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway.

Tel: +353 91 74 2305.
Email: Admissions@gmit.ie

Expand+Mature Applicant Guidelines

GMIT welcomes applications from mature applicants: EU nationals aged 23 on or before 1 January, 2018. A quota of places is reserved for mature applicants on each programme.

Mature Applicants

• Do not have to meet ...

Hide-Mature Applicant Guidelines

GMIT welcomes applications from mature applicants: EU nationals aged 23 on or before 1 January, 2018. A quota of places is reserved for mature applicants on each programme.

Mature Applicants

• Do not have to meet the Leaving Certificate entry requirements/points.

• Are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience and demonstration of ability and competence to undertake the programme).

• May be invited for interview and to an information and advisory session in May which will be used to rank applicants where demand exceeds the available places on a programme.

Mature Nursing Applicants
• Mature Applicants apply using the standard code (new for 2017 entry).
• Those wishing to be considered on mature basis must apply by 1st February.
• Applicants must also apply for and undergo the NCC written assessment test, administered by Public Appointments Service (PAS). Successful applicants will then be ranked in order of merit for each course applied for.

(Details are available from the Nursing Careers Centre (NCC), Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Tel: + 353 1 6398528. www.nmbi.ie)

Expand+Fees and Grants
The current fees are available on the GMIT website www.gmit.ie Students who have previously attended third level education may be liable for tuition fees and Student Contribution.

Students taking repeat modules will be liable for ...

Hide-Fees and Grants
The current fees are available on the GMIT website www.gmit.ie Students who have previously attended third level education may be liable for tuition fees and Student Contribution.

Students taking repeat modules will be liable for repeat tuition fees and Student Contribution.
Non-EU applicants may be liable for the International fee.

Please refer to the GMIT website for further information on fee assessment or contact the Fees Office on 091 742139.

The website www.studentfinance.ie also provides valuable information on grants and other financial supports.

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 study Furniture Design and Manufacture?
If you like to solve problems using creative techniques and if you are interested in learning a range of skills to design and make contemporary and innovative furniture products, then this programme is fo...

Hide-Why study Furniture Design and Manufacture?
If you like to solve problems using creative techniques and if you are interested in learning a range of skills to design and make contemporary and innovative furniture products, then this programme is for you. Students get an opportunity to develop skills in both traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques and learn how to apply the design process from concept through to fully finished furniture projects. Initially focusing on hand and power tools, students acquire skills to utilise a range of woodworking machinery, CNC technology, laser equipment and digital manufacturing. Keen attention is paid to intelligent design that addresses issues such as markets, competitiveness, cost and environment and these criteria are closely linked with the ability of graduates to produce high-quality furniture product prototypes.

Placements
A lot of emphasis is placed on the importance of links with industry and in GMIT Letterfrack all students are given the opportunity to spend time in industry as part of their programmes. The Work Placement module involves students spending a period of 20 weeks with a company in the furniture and wood products industry and takes place in third year.

Placements offer an excellent opportunity for students to gain invaluable first-hand experience of working in the furniture industry, and placement companies can vary from large manufacturers to small workshops. Placements are not confined to Ireland and can be undertaken in companies throughout Europe, the USA and elsewhere. GMIT Letterfrack continues to create industry links around the world in order to offer students exciting real life opportunities. Work placements often lead to job opportunities for students once their studies are completed.

Other Essential Information
• First year students must purchase tool, safety and design kits upon registering for this programme, which are sourced and specified by GMIT.
• It is desirable that applicants have studied Art or Design and Communication Graphics to Leaving Certificate level.
• A Level 6 Higher Certificate is embedded in this programme and students may wish to exit with this award after completing years one and two.
• Students do not need to have studied Construction Studies at Leaving Certificate level to apply for this course.

Expand+What will I study?
Year 1
The main subject in year one is Projects, where students learn furniture making techniques and how to use wood and other materials to design and make furniture projects of very high quality. Other subjects include Design...

Hide-What will I study?
Year 1
The main subject in year one is Projects, where students learn furniture making techniques and how to use wood and other materials to design and make furniture projects of very high quality. Other subjects include Design Process, Furniture History, Technical Graphics, applied Mathematics and Materials and Construction. A common first year module called Learning and Innovation Skills helps students understand the nature of learning at third level. Industry study trips are also undertaken.

Year 2
Projects get more challenging and students respond to design briefs and apply the design process through to finished prototypes. There is a focus on more industrial machinery and advanced manufacturing technology where CAD and digital manufacturing are explored. Students are introduced to the business environment and begin to research companies for their Work Placement in Year 3. Other subjects studied in year 2 are CAD/CAM, Sustainable Materials, Design Process and Manufacturing Technology.

Year 3
A 20-week block of work placement is undertaken in third year in Ireland or overseas. GMIT Letterfrack has contacts with a wide range of companies across the furniture and wood products industry. With support from their lecturers, students obtain valuable and relevant work experience. Examples include projects on super-yacht fit-outs, commercial interiors, custom made kitchens and bespoke furniture pieces. In preparation for work placement, students learn how to create a professional profile, prepare for interviews and build up an ePortfolio. Other subjects include Design Sustainability and Innovation, Product Development and Applied Science.

Year 4
In the Year 4 students select an area of interest to them for their Major Project which has a practical (project) as well as an academic output (report). Students develop their ability to research and learn professional skills such as Professional Design Practice, Project Management and Entrepreneurship. Additionally, students study Building Information Modelling, Design Communication and CAD/CAM. An international study trip is usually undertaken also.

Expand+Why Study Furniture Design and Technology?
In 2012, GMIT Letterfrack was designated The National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology. It is regarded, both nationally and internationally, as the leading provider of third level pr...

Hide-Why Study Furniture Design and Technology?
In 2012, GMIT Letterfrack was designated The National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology. It is regarded, both nationally and internationally, as the leading provider of third level programmes related to furniture and wood products. Programmes on the campus are supported by Connemara West (a community and rural development organisation based in North-West Connemara). Currently the college has 250 full-time students studying on five different degree programmes.

Programmes focused on the Furniture Industry
For the past twenty-five years, GMIT has delivered programmes related to all aspects of the furniture industry. A common first year enables students to develop all the necessary skills required for designing and producing furniture prototypes to the highest quality. Depending on the choice of programme, students begin to specialise in either design or technology in year two.

A twenty week placement with a company forms part of the programmes for all students. These placements take place in year three and provide students with opportunities to experience life in the furniture industry, in either Ireland or in companies based around the globe. Workshop facilities at the college are second to none, with the most advanced machinery and computer technology available for use by students.

Graduates contribute to, and influence, the fields of design processes and manufacture of furniture in ways that are innovative, creative and responsive to the needs and development of a quality furniture industry. In addition, the campus has established links with colleges in Europe and the US as well as with progressive and advanced manufacturing companies from overseas. Options to study abroad are also facilitated through the Erasmus and Socrates EU-funded programmes.Graduates of these programmes are highly valued by employers in Ireland and overseas.