Expand+Irish Leaving Certificate School Leavers

If you present the Irish Leaving Certificate you need to present six recognised subjects, selected according to course requirements, you must obtain a minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6...

Hide-Irish Leaving Certificate School Leavers

If you present the Irish Leaving Certificate you need to present six recognised subjects, selected according to course requirements, you must obtain a minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/ H7 in the remaining four subjects, in order to meet matriculation requirements. For all courses in UCC this must include Irish (unless exempt) and English. To compete for a place on a programme, you must meet the minimum entry requirements as well as any specific/additional requirements, and then compete based on results obtained, e.g. points. You can combine results achieved in different sittings for the purpose of meeting the minimum entry requirements for programmes (except for Medicine, CK701). However, results achieved in separate years may not be combined for the purpose of scoring points. You will compete based on a points scheme.

THIRD LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
A third language is a requirement for all programmes with the exception of Science, Engineering and Food Science, Nursing programmes and the BSc Medical and Health Sciences.

ACCEPTABLE SUBJECTS
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted for matriculation purposes, with the following exceptions:

Gaeilge–Bonnleibhéal (Irish, Foundation Level) will not be accepted for matriculation or points purposes.

Mathematics (Ordinary Alternative/Foundation Level) will be accepted for matriculation purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in programmes for which the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement. Neither will a score be awarded for a grade in this subject.

The combining of the following subjects is not permitted:

Physics with Chemistry (joint) may not be presented with either Physics or Chemistry

Only two of History, Economic History and Economics may be presented

Agricultural Economics may not be presented with Economics

Classical Studies may not be presented with Latin or Greek.

The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:

Agricultural Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics and Chemistry (joint)
Physics.

For CK600 Engineering, Technology may be accepted in lieu of a Laboratory Science subject.

Expand+Approximate Mature Student Places 5

To be eligible to compete for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2023 and apply via www.cao.ie by 1 February. Please check out the CAO website for more informatio...

Hide-Approximate Mature Student Places 5

To be eligible to compete for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January 2023 and apply via www.cao.ie by 1 February. Please check out the CAO website for more information on the application process as a mature student. Some programmes require specific tests e.g MSAP and others have specific educational requirements so it is essential that you check the UCC Mature Student Office website www.ucc.ie/en/mature or contact our Mature Student Advisor for further details at mso@ucc.ie.

If you are a mature applicant, please note that you can also apply to UCC based on Leaving Certificate (LC) or QQI FE results. You may apply under all three pathways, if applicable (LC, QQI FE, Mature). Just ensure to tick boxes 1, 2 & 8, on the Qualifications and Assessment Summary section on the CAO application form, to be assessed under all three pathways.

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 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Occupational therapy is about enabling people to live life to the fullest, when they have been prevented from doing so due to ill-health, disability or other obstacles in their environment. Occupational therapists...

Hide-WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Occupational therapy is about enabling people to live life to the fullest, when they have been prevented from doing so due to ill-health, disability or other obstacles in their environment. Occupational therapists are experts in analysing the activities that people need, want, or have to do, in their day-to-day life.

WHY UCC?
Our UCC course stands out from other occupational therapy courses in its focus on your development – both personal and professional – which is interwoven throughout academic and practice-based modules. At UCC, we place equal emphasis on learning to work with children/young people and adults/older adults, and on developing expertise in the areas of physical and mental health. Our staff are diverse, committed and enthusiastic and have worked locally, nationally and internationally, including in Australia, Europe, Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia, the Seychelles, and the UK. We have published internationally and maintain active links with colleagues around the world.

Many of the staff have been awarded UCC President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching, evidence of their enduring commitment to delivering a high quality, student-focused learning experience.

WHAT WILL HELP YOU?
While an interest in science subjects is important, you should also love the challenge of problem-solving, and helping people in practical ways in their daily occupation.

COURSE STRUCTURE
Students on this broad and varied Occupational Therapy course study psychology, anatomy and physiology, as well as occupational therapy theories, assessment and treatment approaches, and evidence-based practice. We want to educate future practitioners who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to deliver traditional occupational therapy and are prepared to be leaders in policy development and emerging areas of practice.

Our students experience a range of teaching methods including lectures, simulations, workshops, seminars, tutorials and study groups. We believe that learning comes from all areas of life, not only from textbooks and you will learn from the task experiences themselves, as well as from your peers and teachers. You will be expected to practice professional behaviours and manage a busy timetable and workload across the academic year, just as you will do when you are a practising therapist.

CLINICAL PLACEMENT
Students complete a minimum of 1,000 placement hours in a range of settings across the four years of the course and this is arranged by the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Practice settings for UCC are normally within the Southern Area of the Health Service Executive, which covers Cork, Carlow, Kerry, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. The Practice Education Co-ordinator aims to allocate each student one practice in a county that is convenient to them. Therefore, students should expect to attend settings outside of Cork City for at least one of their practice placements. Additional costs related to practice that students incur include travel, accommodation, a first aid course registration fee, and uniforms.

Expand+CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, care homes, schools, prisons, in the community and in peoples’ homes and workplaces. Demand for occupational therapy services ...

Hide-CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, care homes, schools, prisons, in the community and in peoples’ homes and workplaces. Demand for occupational therapy services is strong internationally and the programme is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Our graduates are employed as therapists, researchers, managers, and educators.

STUDY ABROAD
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has Erasmus links with Cardiff University in Wales, University College Lillebaelt in Denmark, and the FH Campus in Vienna. There may be opportunities for some practice experiences affiliated with these universities.

GRADUATE STUDY OPTIONS
In addition to continuing professional development (CPD) you are eligible to apply for research based programmes including the masters in research for Occupational Therapy, and the PhD in Occupational Science.