Expand+Leaving Certificate:
• 6 subjects with at least 2 subjects at Higher Level Grade H5 or better.
• 4 subjects at Ordinary Level Grade O6 or Higher Level Grade H7.

Subjects required:
• English or Irish at Ordinary Level Grade O3 or Higher Level Gr...

Hide-Leaving Certificate:
• 6 subjects with at least 2 subjects at Higher Level Grade H5 or better.
• 4 subjects at Ordinary Level Grade O6 or Higher Level Grade H7.

Subjects required:
• English or Irish at Ordinary Level Grade O3 or Higher Level Grade H6 or better.

Bonus Points for Higher Level Mathematics
A bonus of 25 points continues to be allocated to applicants who achieve a Grade H6 or better in higher level (HL) Mathematics. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total will increase from 600 to 625 (existing maximum points plus bonus points).

Foundation Level
Institute of Technology Carlow recognise Foundation Level grades for the purposes of admission to Higher education under the following criteria:

• Foundation level Mathematics is accepted as one of the five subjects required for entry to those programmes where Mathematics is not a requirement.

• Foundation level Irish at F3 level will meet the minimum language requirement. No points are awarded.

Foundation Level grades and Points (from 2017)
F1 20
F2 12
F3 0

Expand+Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
Entry requirements – Honours Bachelor Degrees – Level 8
IT Carlow awards points for results in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules. This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leav...

Hide-Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
Entry requirements – Honours Bachelor Degrees – Level 8
IT Carlow awards points for results in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules. This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirement for entry to Honours Degree programmes

Entry requirements – Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirement for entry to Ordinary Bachelor Degree and Higher Certificate Programmes.

LCVP Link Modules Grade
Distinction Points 66
Merit Points 46
Pass Points 28

Expand+Revised Scoring for QQI-FET Awards
The points awarded for QQI-FET (formerly) FETAC) awards were revised in 2017. Now the maximum possible total score of 360 will be multiplied by 13 and divided by 12, to give a revised maximum overall points score o...

Hide-Revised Scoring for QQI-FET Awards
The points awarded for QQI-FET (formerly) FETAC) awards were revised in 2017. Now the maximum possible total score of 360 will be multiplied by 13 and divided by 12, to give a revised maximum overall points score of 390 for applicants from further education and training.

QQI-FET Link Scheme
Institute of Technology Carlow has signed formal agreements with a number of Education and Training Boards (ETB) and over 40 Further Education Colleges to ensure greater access to Higher Education. These agreements allow students in the linked Further Education Colleges
“enhanced progression” into Higher Education Programmes at the Institute via a defined Institute of Technology Carlow transition to Higher Education initiative.

Applicants from Further Education Colleges are advised to contact their Guidance Counsellor to see if their course and college are part of this Institute of Technology Carlow scheme.

Expand+Mature Student Applicants

Mature student applicants must be 23 years of age, or over, on 1st January of the year of entry to a course. Mature student applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and may be interviewed. Interviews will only b...

Hide-Mature Student Applicants

Mature student applicants must be 23 years of age, or over, on 1st January of the year of entry to a course. Mature student applicants will be assessed on an individual basis and may be interviewed. Interviews will only be offered to mature student applicants who have submitted their CAO application by 1st February 2018. Institute of Technology Carlow will accept late mature student applications, however they will be assessed, without interview and only by review of documentation submitted to CAO. Mature student applicants are not required to meet the normal minimum entry requirements but a place will only be offered to those applicants who have a reasonable prospect of completing their chosen course. Mature student applicants are advised to provide as much information as possible on previous qualifications and experience.

A description of each course available at Institute of Technology Carlow, is outlined in this prospectus together with all of the course information including: entry requirements; career options; exit awards and further study opportunities available. A course progression chart is also featured at the beginning of each section of the prospectus, providing students with a guide on how to advance qualification levels at Institute of Technology Carlow.

Cut off points for 2016 are listed on the CAO course chart at the back of the prospectus, page 180.

The 2016 points are based on the old LC points scoring system and are included only as a guide.

Expand+Non-Standard Applications
Applications will also be considered from applicants holding qualifications other than Leaving Certificate. Such applicants should also apply via the CAO. Applicants should tick the relevant box/ boxes for special categorie...

Hide-Non-Standard Applications
Applications will also be considered from applicants holding qualifications other than Leaving Certificate. Such applicants should also apply via the CAO. Applicants should tick the relevant box/ boxes for special categories on the non-standard CAO application.

All non-standard applications are processed on an individual basis by IT Carlow.

For further information about applications and admissions, please contact the IT Carlow Admissions Office at admissions@itcarlow.ie

Any enquiries relating to an application that has already been submitted should include the CAO application number.

Expand+Schedule of Fees 2017/18Undergraduates

* Fees may be subject to change in 2017/18.

Certificate Year 1
Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution NIL Total Due NIL
Non Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contri...

Hide-Schedule of Fees 2017/18Undergraduates

* Fees may be subject to change in 2017/18.

Certificate Year 1
Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution NIL Total Due NIL
Non Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution €3,000 Total Due €3,000

Certificate Year 2
Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution NIL Total Due NIL
Non Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution €3000 Total Due €3000

Degree Year 1/2/3
Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution Fee NIL Total Due NIL
Non Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution €3,000 Total Due €3,000

Honours Degree Year 1/2/3/4
Maintenance Grant Holder (Vocational Education Committee)
Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution Fee NIL Total Due NIL
Non Maintenance Grant Holder Tuition Fee NIL Student Contribution €3,000 Total Due €3,000

Notes
Most undergraduate students attending publicly funded third-level courses do not have to pay Tuition Fees. Under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative, the Department of Education and Skills pays the fees to the colleges instead. In order to qualify for free fees you must satisfy three tests:
– The Nationality Test
– The Residency Test
– The Previous Studies Test.

Students who qualify for free course fees are those who are citizens of Member States of the European Union, who are undertaking full-time Undergraduate programmes at Higher Certificate, Ordinary Degree and Honours Degree Level for the first time.

Repeat students or students taking a second undergraduate course should contact the Admissions Office at IT Carlow for fee information.

Non EU applicants should contact the International Office at IT Carlow for fee information.

The Free Fees Scheme is under review by the Higher Education Authority/ Department of Education and Skills for Third Level education in September 2017. Tuition fees are determined annually by the Higher Education Authority and are currently under review for 2017/18.

Detailed information about assistance with tuition fees is available on www.studentfinance.ie or from the IT Carlow Admissions Office at 059 9175170.

Student contribution fess
The Free Fees Initiative covers the cost of the Tuition Fee payable and DOES NOT include the Student Contribution Fee.

All students are required to pay the Student Contribution Fee of €3,000 unless they have confirmation of an approved grant award. Student Contribution Fees are payable for each year of the programme.

Tax relief
Families may be able to claim tax relief on tuition fees. Families that pay student contributions for more than one student in a year will also be able to claim tax relief on the second and subsequent student contribution fees. For further information see www.revenue.ie

The Institute of Technology Carlow wishes to acknowledge the contribution made by the Department of Education and Skills and the European Union towards funding both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

For further information about tuition or student contribution fees, visit www.studentfinance.ie or contact the IT Carlow Admissions office.

IT Carlow Admissions Office
T: 059 9175170
Email: admissions@itcarlow.ie

Expand+Grant Information
All students are required to pay the Student Contribution Fee of €3,000 for 2017/18. Students who do not have the means to afford this payment are entitled to apply for assistance in the form of a grant from the government. The Dep...

Hide-Grant Information
All students are required to pay the Student Contribution Fee of €3,000 for 2017/18. Students who do not have the means to afford this payment are entitled to apply for assistance in the form of a grant from the government. The Department of Education and Science funds student support schemes including assistance towards student contribution fees and full maintenance support. Assistance is provided through a means-tested grant system operated by the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). A guide to grant assistance available under these schemes is available at www. education.ie or www.studentfinance.ie

During the academic session, queries in relation to grant payments are dealt with on a daily basis by the grants office.

Where to Apply
All students entering a NEW programme in 2017/18 should apply online at www.susi.ie This includes students who are completing a Level 6/7 course and progressing with their studies to a Level 7/8.

Students who are awarded Maintenance Grants will have payments made directly by SUSI into the bank account designated by the student.

Payments are subject to the students continued registration and attendance on their course.

Continuing Students
Grants awarded under the student grant schemes are usually reviewed each year. Students holding a SUSI student grant in 2016/17, and are continuing their studies in the next academic year, should login to www.susi.ie with the username and password of the awarded grant application to check their grant status.

Grant Rates for the 2016/2017 Academic Year

Full 100% Maintenance:
Greater than 45 km from IT Carlow €3025
Less than 45 km from IT Carlow €1215

Part 75% Maintenance:
Greater than 45 km from IT Carlow €2270
Less than 45 km from IT Carlow €910

Part 50% Maintenance:
Greater than 45 km from IT Carlow €1515
Less than 45 km from IT Carlow €605

Part 25% Maintenance:
Greater than 45 km from IT Carlow €755
Less than 45 km from IT Carlow €305

Special Rate of Maintenance Grant:
Greater than 45 km from IT Carlow €5915
Less than 45 km from IT Carlow €2375

Fees only:
Greater than 45 km from IT Carlow €0
Less than 45 km from IT Carlow €0


For more information on grants:
Grants Helpline
Tel. 059 9175113
Fax. 059 9175005
Email: grants@itcarlow.ie

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+What is media and public relations?
‘Media’ is a collective term for the platforms used to send messages to mass audiences. Examples of common media instruments we utilize daily are; TV, online video streaming spaces and social media sites. Media is...

Hide-What is media and public relations?
‘Media’ is a collective term for the platforms used to send messages to mass audiences. Examples of common media instruments we utilize daily are; TV, online video streaming spaces and social media sites. Media is also recognised as a very powerful messenger in all our lives that tells us what and how to think about global, local and even family events. People who work in the media love to create messages using words, pictures and sound in order to communicate with wide audiences on a growing number of platforms. Media interacts seamlessly with the profession and practice of Public Relations (PR) as PR helps maintain lines of communications between an organization and its publics, often using new and old media to complete this role. PR professionals help manage reputations and the BA in Media and Public Relations shows students how to work as thoughtful practitioners by using personal skills and media technology skills to influence and persuade audiences and publics.

What is this programme about?
This three-year programme provides an academic and professional qualification for students interested in a career in the media and public relations industries. It is a broad-based arts degree with a strong focus on applied learning. The students on our programme combine academic and practical skills so they learn about PR and media by completing projects for real-world clients. They then combine this experience with indepth knowledge of media and PR theories, which underpin their practice and creates expertise.

Expand+What will I be able to do when I finish the course?:
Given the growing influence of the media and PR industries the job opportunities in the sector are many and varied. We have graduates working in traditional media such as radio and TV; we have gr...

Hide-What will I be able to do when I finish the course?:
Given the growing influence of the media and PR industries the job opportunities in the sector are many and varied. We have graduates working in traditional media such as radio and TV; we have graduates working as executives in media marketing careers and we have many graduates working at advanced levels in the public relations departments of ‘blue chip’ companies and organisations. Our graduates are particularly skilled at corporate communications tasks such as; web content development; crafting press releases; creating video and audio artifacts; and the management of internal and external communications. Graduates are also prepared to pursue careers as presenters and storytellers in TV, radio and new media contexts.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?:
Graduates may progress to study a Taught or Research Masters at IT Carlow.