Expand+Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
including At least two H5 Grades
and Laboratory Science subject Grade O6 or H6
and Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
and English Grade O6 or H7
Or Irish Grade O6 or H7
Plu...

Hide-Minimum Entry Requirements
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
including At least two H5 Grades
and Laboratory Science subject Grade O6 or H6
and Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
and English Grade O6 or H7
Or Irish Grade O6 or H7
Plus Minimum Points Score of 300.

Some modules within the Health and Physical Activity Course have a physical activity component and require active engagement from the student in order to fulfil the requirements of the programme.

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.

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

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

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 Qualifications

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 cred...

Hide-QQI-FET Qualifications

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.

Common Awards System (CAS) Scoring

This scoring scheme only applies where all the requirements for the major award are met, i.e. when the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.

Each component is given a score based on the credit value of the component and the weighting of the grade achieved.

Most component awards have a credit value of 15 (the possible component credit values are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30).

The following weightings will apply to the grades achieved:

Pass = 1
Merit = 2
Distinction = 3

To calculate a component score, multiply the credit value of the component by the weighting for the grade achieved. Add all of the component scores up to a cumulative credit value of 120. When adding up these scores begin with distinctions, then merits, then passes.

Finally, multiply the total by 13 and divide by 12 to give the overall score (maximum 390).*

Further information and examples of the scoring scheme are available on the ‘QQI-FET Information’ section of the CAO website (www.cao.ie).

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 ma...

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.

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

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

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+About this Programme
The overall aim of the B.Sc (Honours) in Health and Physical Activity degree programme is to educate a category of professional in the areas of health, physical activity and well-being. Graduates will have the skills necessary ...

Hide-About this Programme
The overall aim of the B.Sc (Honours) in Health and Physical Activity degree programme is to educate a category of professional in the areas of health, physical activity and well-being. Graduates will have the skills necessary to assess, plan, promote and evaluate lifestyle interventions and physical activity programmes that will enhance the quality of life of individuals that they work with. In doing so, risk factors associated with certain illnesses will be reduced.

There are four subject streams within the programme: health science, exercise science, health research and communicating the health message. In addition, students have the opportunity to acquire qualifications in gym instruction, circuit training, personal training, exercise referral, exercise and nutritional interventions for obesity and diabetes and the management of lower back pain. In Stage 4 of the programme students have an opportunity to choose one of three elective modules.

Supervised work placement is part of this programme in Stages 3 and 4. The Stage 3 placement involves a full-time, thirteen-week placement in a general setting (Physical Activity Co-ordinator offices within the Health Service Executive, Sports Council, Leisure facilities etc). The Stage 4 placement involves part-time work and exposure to a specific, special population setting (for example: The Irish Wheelchair Association, Special Olympics Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation etc) for 1 day per week over a period of 10 weeks.

Expand+Year 1:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Anatomy and Physiology 1
* Engaging with Scholarship
* The Professional Practitioner 1
* Biochemistry
* Exercise and Health Studies (year-long)

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Anatomy and Physiology 2
* Health, ...

Hide-Year 1:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Anatomy and Physiology 1
* Engaging with Scholarship
* The Professional Practitioner 1
* Biochemistry
* Exercise and Health Studies (year-long)

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Anatomy and Physiology 2
* Health, the Individual and Society
* Communication Skills
* Nutrition
* Exercise and Health Studies (year-long)

Year 2:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* The Professional Practitioner 2
* Marketing
* Exercise Physiology and Labbased Fitness Techniques
* The Research Process
* Chronic Illness and Lifestyle Interventions 1

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Understanding Health and Illness
* Appraising Research
* Field-based Techniques and Programme Design
* Chronic Illness and Lifestyle Interventions 2

Year 3:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* Special Populations and Lifestyle Interventions
* Collecting and Analysing Data
* Health Promotion in Practice
* Nutrition through the Lifecycle

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Placement 1

Year 4:
Semester 1:
Mandatory:
* The Professional Practitioner 3
* Health Promotion Challenges and Solutions
* Leadership and Innovative Management in Health and Physical Activity
* Research Project
* Placement 2

Semester 2:
Mandatory:
* Health Policy and Legislation
* Research Project

Electives:
* Applied Metabolism and Obesity Management
* New Venture Development
* Functional and Therapeutic Interventions

Expand+Career Options
This programme provides students with the skills required to pursue employment in the following areas:
* Sports Development within Local Sports Partnerships / Sporting Organisations e.g. GAA, FAI
* Physical Activity Coordinator w...

Hide-Career Options
This programme provides students with the skills required to pursue employment in the following areas:
* Sports Development within Local Sports Partnerships / Sporting Organisations e.g. GAA, FAI
* Physical Activity Coordinator within HSE / Community e.g. older adult settings, disability services, children’s’ settings
* Fitness consultation / Personal training
* Leisure / Sports Management
* Health Promotion
* GP Exercise Referral

Progression Opportunities
Graduates are eligible to apply for Postgraduate research / studies in related areas e.g. Physiotherapy, Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition, Obesity Management, Sports Management, Health Promotion, Exercise Physiology etc.