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

Where a programme requirement is 2 or 3 honours, grade H5 or better on Higher Level Leavi...

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

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.

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).

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.

Foundation Level Mathematics
The Institute will accept Foundation Level Maths for the purposes of entry requirements the case of any programme where Higher or Ordinary Level Maths is not a requirement. Please check the programme page to ensure you are aware of the individual maths requirement for that programme.

Points will be awarded as follows:-

F1 = 20 points
F2 = 12 points

Foundation Level Irish
For the most part the Institute 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.

Expand+Entry 2022

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2022 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2022 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2022 CAO Hand...

Hide-Entry 2022

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2022 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2022 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2022 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2022 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2022 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2022 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 31 of the 2022 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2022 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 2022. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2022, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2022 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 4 March 2022 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 2022 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, Marino Institute of Education, 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 six HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 31 of the 2022 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 2022 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restricitons
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... DNA and Forensic Analysis?

The application of scientific knowledge and techniques is of growing significance in legal cases in the real world as well as in fiction, but there is also an increasing demand in many industries for the skill...

Hide-What is... DNA and Forensic Analysis?

The application of scientific knowledge and techniques is of growing significance in legal cases in the real world as well as in fiction, but there is also an increasing demand in many industries for the skills of an analyst in biotechnology and forensics, so this programme may lead you to an exciting career.

Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge and techniques in support of the legal process. The application of DNA technologies in forensics, and a wide range of industries and the state laboratories, has increased hugely.

This programme will provide you with a broad knowledge and understanding of the core biological and chemical sciences. You’ll develop practical and problem-solving skills in the laboratory in pharmaceutical, biological and chemical & forensic analysis, as well as both theoretical understanding and practical skills in DNA fingerprinting technology. You’ll acquire the multi-disciplinary knowledge, skills and competencies to be able to work effectively as an analyst in biotechnology, healthcare, chemical, pharmaceutical and forensic laboratories.

The biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries continue to expand, but expert reports suggest a shortfall in the number of suitable graduates. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are particularly strong in Ireland at present. Graduates will be well placed to work in these industries.

This programme is recognised by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences