Expand+Minimum Entry Requirements
To be eligible for consideration for a programme an applicant must possess the minimum entry requirements for that programme.

Selection for entry to TU Dublin programmes will be determined on the basis of examination sc...

Hide-Minimum Entry Requirements
To be eligible for consideration for a programme an applicant must possess the minimum entry requirements for that programme.

Selection for entry to TU Dublin programmes will be determined on the basis of examination score except in the case of programmes which involve suitability tests, interviews and other assessment procedures. All suitability tests/interviews/auditions/portfolio reviews etc will generally be carried out during the period March - May each year.

Where a specific grade is required in a subject (H4, O3 etc) an applicant must achieve that grade or better in order to be eligible for consideration (H = Higher Level; O = Ordinary Level).Where a programme requirement is 2 or 3 honours, grade H5 or better on Higher Level Leaving Certificate papers is needed to meet such a requirement.

In the case of both Higher and Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate results, grades lower than H7 (Higher) or 06 (Ordinary) are not acceptable for eligibility purposes or for points calculation.
For the purpose of meeting minimum entry requirements, results from any number of sittings of the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination may be combined.

An applicant’s examination score will be calculated by adding together the points scored in the best six subjects in a single sitting of the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination.

Matriculation Examinations will not be accepted either for the purpose of meeting minimum entry requirements or for calculating examination scores.

Demand usually exceeds the number of places available and therefore examination results better than the minimum entry requirement are likely to be required.

When a number of applicants have the same points score, a random number is attached to the score for each course preference. This will then determine the position of each applicant on the waiting lists for offers.

Bonus Points Maths (Irish Leaving Certificate)
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grades and above. The bonus points will only be relevant where that subject is scored as one of the applicant’s best six subjects for points purposes.

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.

Accompanying conditions:

The six best scores, in recognised subjects, in one Leaving Certificate Examination will be counted for points computation. If you receive a H6 grade or higher in Higher Level Mathematics then you include the additional 25 bonus points first, and then identify your best six scores. The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant's best six subjects following the addition of the bonus

Only one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Examination will be counted for points purposes.

Remember, you must first meet the minimum entry requirements in order to be considered for entry to a course.

Foundation Level Mathematics
Foundations Level Mathematics is accepted for some programmes within the University, students should check the individual course page. Where Foundation maths is accepted as an entry requirement for a course you must have achieved a grade of F2 or higher.

Foundation Level Irish
Our courses specify minimum entry requirements in English OR Irish. If you meet the minimum entry requirement in English then this will suffice.

For the most part the university will not consider Foundation Level Irish for the purposes of entry requirements or for points, however a grade F3 in Foundation level Irish is acceptable for meeting the minimum entry requirements for some Higher Certificate programmes. Students with an F3 in Foundation level Irish must have passed five other subjects with a minimum grade of O6 including Maths, students should check on individual course pages to determine if their foundation Irish grade is sufficient.

We do not award points for Foundation Level Irish.

Garda Vetting
What is Garda Vetting?
Garda vetting is the process of checking a person’s background to see if there are any issues which would make them unsuitable to work or volunteer in an environment with children and/or vulnerable adults.
The person being vetted (the applicant) gives written authorisation for An Garda Síochána to disclose to TU Dublin details of all prosecutions, successful or not, pending or completed, recorded in the State at the time of application.

Why is Garda Vetting Required?
Garda Vetting is required for students who go on work placement where such activity may bring them into contact with vulnerable adults or children.

Without satisfactory Garda clearance, students may be unable to complete the work placement module or other specific modules and consequently be unable to complete their course or receive an award.

When do I apply?
Once you have registered as a TU Dublin student you can apply for Garda Vetting.

Expand+https://www.tudublin.ie/cao/entry-routes/advanced-entry-years-2-3-4/

Applicants with a Trade/Craft Qualification
For many of the programmes which specify a pass in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination as the entry requirement, the...

Hide-https://www.tudublin.ie/cao/entry-routes/advanced-entry-years-2-3-4/

Applicants with a Trade/Craft Qualification
For many of the programmes which specify a pass in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination as the entry requirement, the Senior Trade Certificate of the Department of Education and Science with one endorsement in Mathematics or a science subject will satisfy the minimum entry requirement.

Students holding this Certificate with three endorsements in academic subjects are eligible for consideration for entry into related degree level programmes. Where endorsement subjects are not offered in trade examinations, a pass in an appropriate subject of the Elementary Technological Certificate of the Department of Education and Science is an acceptable equivalent.

Expand+Entry 2023

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2023 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2023 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2023 CAO Hand...

Hide-Entry 2023

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2023 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2023 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2023 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2023 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2023 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2023 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 31 of the 2023 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2023 at 5pm

Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2023. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2023, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2023 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 6 March 2023 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2023 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. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.

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, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University 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 31 of the 2023 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2023 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices

Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course

Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants

Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR

Expand+What is... Early Childhood Care and Education?
If you’re interested in working with children and finding out how they develop and learn, are eager to study different cultures, languages and diversity in the world, and enthusiastic about making a ...

Hide-What is... Early Childhood Care and Education?
If you’re interested in working with children and finding out how they develop and learn, are eager to study different cultures, languages and diversity in the world, and enthusiastic about making a difference in children’s lives, this programme will suit you. It explores the varied approaches to early childhood education and care, including child development, child psychology, sociology of childhood, art, drama and music, equality, diversity and inclusion, language acquisition, health and well-being, and safeguarding children. You’ll gain insights into outdoor learning and risky play through our purpose-built outdoor classroom. You’ll be able to apply and adapt your learning in the realistic setting of our dedicated early-childhood practice room. In Year 4, you’ll can specialise in areas such as Creative Interventions; Children's Rights; Leadership, Management and Mentoring; Curriculum Design, and Leadership, Management and Mentoring.

The course includes practical and creative projects, engaging in the local community, debates, presentations and reflective journals. The programme will develop your competencies across key national and international frameworks.

Work Placement: There are two 12-week work placements, in Year 2, Semester 1 and Year 3, Semester 1

Postgraduate Study: On graduation, you may continue to postgraduate study at TU Dublin or elsewhere.

IT Requirements: Students on this course will be required to have a medium spec computer/laptop (i.e. able to run Win 10, an AV solution and Office comfortably. It should be able to use Wi-fi and camera in order to attend online classes, and use other software such as SPSS, Adobe Connect; e.g. Latitude 5510; Latitude 5410;

Please search for the TU Dublin offer on the HEA website www.heanet.ie/store

Expand+Year 1
Semester 1:
Child Development 1
Sociology of Childhood
Professional Development in the Early Years
Promoting Wellbeing in Early Years
Play Based Art and Music
Early Childhood Curriculum

Semester 2:
Drama, Movement and Play
Child De...

Hide-Year 1
Semester 1:
Child Development 1
Sociology of Childhood
Professional Development in the Early Years
Promoting Wellbeing in Early Years
Play Based Art and Music
Early Childhood Curriculum

Semester 2:
Drama, Movement and Play
Child Development 2
Social Institutions and the Early Years
Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging
Practice Placement 1 *

* Practice Placement 1 will be graded on a Pass / Fail basis and these 10 credits will not be included in the calculation of the GPA for the stage

Year 2
Semester 1:
Practice Placement 2 *
Professional Practice: Supporting Children and Families in Early Years

* Practice Placement 2 will be graded on a Pass / Fail basis and these 25 credits will not be included in the calculation of the GPA for the stage

Semester 2:
Psychology and Learning in Early Childhood
Childhood and Social Policy
Literacy and Numeracy through Play
Curriculum & Pedagogy
Outdoor Learning & Risky Play
School Age Care

Year 3
Semester 1:
Practice Placement 3*
Professional Practice and Critical Reflection

* Practice Placement 3 will be graded on a Pass / Fail basis and these 20 credits will not be included in the calculation of the GPA for the stage

Semester 2:
Language Acquisition and Multilingualism
Creative Group Facilitation
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Legislative Issues for the Early Years
Research Methods in Early Years
Children’s Rights and Advocacy

Year 4
Semester 1:
Psychological Approaches to Inclusive Practices
Curriculum Development and Design
Child Protection: Policy and Practice in Early Childhood
Research in Practice

Electives:
Creative Interventions for the Personal, Social and Emotional Development of Children
Second Language Pedagogy

Semester 2:
Collaborating with Family and Communities
Supporting Positive Interactions with Children
Dissertation : Early Years Practice Project
Leadership, Management, Communication and Mentoring
Social Justice in Early Childhood Education and Care