Expand+Bonus points for Honours Maths
Students who achieve grade H6 or better in the Higher (Honours) maths exam will receive 25 additional points. Bonus points will also apply to Honours maths results from previous years. For maths results from 2016 and e...

Hide-Bonus points for Honours Maths
Students who achieve grade H6 or better in the Higher (Honours) maths exam will receive 25 additional points. Bonus points will also apply to Honours maths results from previous years. For maths results from 2016 and earlier, applicants will need to have achieved a grade of HD3 or better to qualify for bonus points.

Maths
Maths with a minimum grade of O6/H7 or F2 is the minimum requirement for most programmes. However, there are some programmes for which maths in not required and others (typically engineering computing programmes) for which foundation maths may not be sufficient or for which the minimum grade required is higher, e.g. H5 or better. Please check individual programme descriptors carefully for details of the maths requirement specific to each programme.

Foundation Maths
Foundation maths at and above grade F2 (80%) is accepted as meeting the maths requirement for most, but not all, programmes. Typically, foundation maths is not accepted for engineering. Nor is foundation maths accepted for some ab initio level 8 programmes. Please check individual programme descriptors to see the minimum maths requirement.

Where accepted, points for qualifying Foundation Maths are:
FI 20 points
F2 12 points

Qualifying Maths Programmes
ATU run qualifying maths programmes for applicants who are otherwise eligible but who do not meet the maths requirement for the programme to which they have applied. These qualifying maths programmes are usually held after the Leaving Certificate results become available. Please see the ATU website for details of times and locations.

Passing a qualifying maths programme at ATU will compensate for failure to matriculate in maths via the Leaving Cert. or equivalent school-leaving exam. Passing a qualifying maths course will not compensate for any other deficit in the entry requirements. In all cases applicants must meet the other minimum entry requirements and the current points for the programme they wish to attend.

Garda Vetting

Many programmes at ATU involve a placement where students will be required to assume positions of trust. These may include programmes that bring students into contact with vulnerable adults or children or with controlled substances. We are committed to protecting the safety of all. Garda (police) vetting is required for all such programmes.

ATU will use the National Vetting Bureau as part of the assessment process for entry to the relevant programmes. Registration for all programmes that require Garda vetting is temporary until such time as the vetting process has been successfully completed. Individual placement providers may require additional vetting for specific placements. If the vetting procedure cannot be satisfactorily completed before going on placement, or if it raises any issues that have not been satisfactorily addressed, the student will be unable to go on placement or fulfil the requirement of the programme. In such circumstances, the student will be unable to complete registration and they will be required to leave the relevant programme.

Vaccination Requirements

Vaccination will be required before students can go on placement for certain programmes. Students unwilling/unable to accept required vaccinations will not be able to go on a work placement or to complete their programme of study and they will be required to leave the programme.

Expand+QQI Level 5/6 (FETAC)

QQI Leibhéal 5/6 (FETAC)
Applicants must present a full major award at Level 5 or higher. A record achievement, a minor award or a component award will not meet the minimum entry requirement. You must have at least 120 QQI...

Hide-QQI Level 5/6 (FETAC)

QQI Leibhéal 5/6 (FETAC)
Applicants must present a full major award at Level 5 or higher. A record achievement, a minor award or a component award will not meet the minimum entry requirement. You must have at least 120 QQI FET credits to matriculate.

Additional specific requirements apply to some programmes. For most ATU programmes we accept any
QQI Level 5 award. However, for some ATU programmes, e.g. Nursing, specific QQI awards are required.
For other ATU programmes you will be expected to include a specific module within your FE award – most commonly a maths module, or to have passed Maths in the Leaving Cert. For Level 8 programmes you will normally be required to have achieved at least 3 distinctions, though 5 distinctions are required for nursing programmes.

Please consult the Applicants section of the CAO website for listings of QQI/FE requirements for individual ATU programme codes, https://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=fetac_search

Details of the Scoring Scheme for QQI awards can also be found via the Applicants section of the CAO website, http://www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf

Note that points based on QQI/FET results will be used when assigning places for the vocational quota only. Most offers for the vocational quota issue on Round Zero. If the vocational quota for any programme remains unfilled after Round Zero additional offers for this quota may be made
on subsequent rounds.

Applicants with QQI awards at Level 6 or higher may be considered for advanced entry, i.e. into Year 2 in a cognate area. Apply directly to ATU if you wish to be considered for advanced entry.

Expand+Mature Students
Mic Léinn Lánfhásta

If you are applying for first-year and will be 23 years of age (or older) by 1st January in the proposed year of entry you are defined as a “Mature Applicant”.

Do mature applicants have any advantag...

Hide-Mature Students
Mic Léinn Lánfhásta

If you are applying for first-year and will be 23 years of age (or older) by 1st January in the proposed year of entry you are defined as a “Mature Applicant”.

Do mature applicants have any advantages?
Yes. Mature candidates may be exempted from the standard minimum academic entry requirements. A
limited quota of places is reserved specifically for mature applicants on all first-year programmes.

Will I have to start at the bottom?
Not necessarily. Most mature applicants, particularly those who have not been engaged in formal higher education for some time and/or those embarking on a new area of study, opt to start at Year 1 and study in full-time mode. If this is your preference you should apply for first-year via the CAO,
see www.cao.ie

What exemptions might be available?
If you already have some form of certified/accredited higher education that is relevant to the programme for which you are applying, you may be able to gain some exemptions. If you have already successfully completed at least one year of higher education, in a programme closely related to the one for which you are applying, you may even be eligible for Advanced Entry. Apply directly to ATU
if you wish to be considered for Advanced Entry.

How do I apply as a mature Applicant for firstyear via CAO?
You can apply online, www.cao.ie or you can make a paper-based application. The Internet application is the recommended option as it is cheaper, faster and less error-prone.

What is the closing date for mature applicants?

Standard CAO closing dates apply for mature applicants seeking entry to year 1 via CAO. Ideally, apply before 1st February 5.00pm. Late applications may be accepted for most programmes - up to 1st May at 5pm. However, applications made after 1st February will cost more if a programme is marked “Restricted” in the CAO handbook you may not submit a late application.

How are Mature Applicants Assessed?
Assessment methodologies can vary from programme to programme. For many programmes, mature candidates will be randomly selected for mature quota places.

For other programmes mature candidates may be assessed on the basis of the personal statement provided as part of the CAO application process, and/or they may be invited to interview. In the case of mature applicants for nursing, they will be selected on the basis of an external
test organised by the Nursing Board. Please check individual programme descriptions.

Mature Applicants with Qualifying Exam Results

Applicants who have a Leaving Certificate or other qualifications, can, in addition, compete for all non-quota places based on their qualifications. If you have relevant exam results, such as a school Leaving Certificate, QQI level 5 awards, GCEs, etc., even if they are quite old results, it is worth listing these on your CAO application and sending copies of certificates to the CAO.

Aptitude test for Mature Nursing Applicants
Please consult the handbook Nursing, a Career for You or see the NMBI website www.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-NursingMidwifery/How-to-apply/Mature-Applicants for details of this test.

Mature Entry based on Random Selection
For programmes where random selection for the mature quota applies you must have listed your choices by 1st May at 5:00pm. Change of mind choices entered after 1st May are not included in the random selection process.

Mature Entry based on assessment of Personal Statement/Interview
Applicants are encouraged to apply by 1st February in order to facilitate early assessment. Late and available place applications from mature applicants will also be considered under this process if mature quota places are still available.

Mature Entry based on School-Leaving results
Mature applicants who have qualifying school-leaving results are also eligible to enter a separate competition in Round One and subsequent rounds. They can apply up to 1st May at 5:00 pm and can change their minds about programme choice up to 1st July at 5pm. The selection at Rounds 1 and later is competitive and based on points from qualifying exam results only. It is important to provide
the CAO with copies of any results you wish to have taken into consideration such as Leaving Certificate, QQI level 5 awards, GCEs or similar.

Offer Schedule for Mature Applicants
The earliest offers to mature applicants will issue on Round A, in early July. There are several rounds of offers. If the mature quota for a programme is not filled in one round, then further offers will issue on subsequent rounds until the quota/ programme is full.

After Round 1 if you have not received any offer, you can contact admissions to find out your place
on the waiting list.

Expand+UK and Northern Ireland Applicants
Iarrthóirí ón Ríocht Aontaithe agus Ó Thuaisceart Éirinn

An award at Level 3 on the UK framework is the minimum entry standard for year one.

Standard UK/NI applicants
Standard applicants are those pres...

Hide-UK and Northern Ireland Applicants
Iarrthóirí ón Ríocht Aontaithe agus Ó Thuaisceart Éirinn

An award at Level 3 on the UK framework is the minimum entry standard for year one.

Standard UK/NI applicants
Standard applicants are those presenting a combination of GCSE/GCE awards only. This is the most clear-cut entry pathway. The more common entry requirements are outlined below but it is necessary to consult individual programme description pages for full details.

English (or Irish) is always a required subject. The minimum acceptable grade is GCSE grade C.

Mathematics is almost always required. Where required, the minimum acceptable grade is usually GCSE grade C, but a higher grade may be specified for some programmes, especially in engineering/computing.

Other - Additional subject requirements may apply to some programmes. Where specific other subjects are required the minimum acceptable grade, GCSE @ C or higher. For instance,

Art may be required for some Design programmes

A laboratory Science is required for Nursing and several science-based programmes.

For ATU Level 6 or Level 7 programmes you will need:

Five different recognised GCSE/GCE subjects.

These must include at least one GCE A-Level at grade E or better.

The remaining four may be drawn from GCSE (Grades A-C only) or AS grades A-E.

Your subject must include either English or Irish - minimum acceptable grade, GCSE at C or higher.

In most cases you will be required to present maths, where required, the minimum acceptable grade
is usually GCSE grade C, but a higher grade may be specified for some programmes, especially in
engineering/computing.

Where specific other subjects are required the minimum acceptable grade, GCSE at C or higher.

For ATU Level 8 ab initio programmes you will need:

Six different recognised GCSE/GCE subjects.

These must include at least two GCE A-Levels at grade C or higher.

The remaining 4 can be drawn from GCSE (Grades A-C only), or from A-Levels or AS grades A-E

Applied A-Level subjects may be used to meet the minimum requirements.

It is possible to meet the minimum requirements through a combination of exams taken over more than one year.

Meeting the minimum requirements outlined may not be sufficient to guarantee selection. Entry is competitive and ranking is based on points. Points are derived from GCE A-Level grades. The better your GCE results the better your chance of selection.

Non-standard UK/NI Applicants
Awards other than GCE/GCSE combination are regarded as non-standard and are not included in CAO centralised automated processing. If you are including UK awards other than the standard GCE/GCSE combination as part of your application, you will need to submit supporting documents. Details of the alternate qualification(s) should be supplied to CAO (if applying for entry to the first year) or directly to ATU (if applying for advanced entry, i.e. entry to years 2, 3, or 4).

Whether or not a non-standard award will be recognised, and to what degree, will depend on the framework level, the learning outcomes achieved, and how those learning outcomes fit in with the pre-requisites of the programme for which application is being made.

ATU will consider awards at UK Framework Level 3 or higher, including BTECs, AVCs, GNVQs, etc.

Please attach the following for any non-standard awards you may be presenting at UK Level 3 or higher

1. The Award Certificate
2. A transcript of results - showing subject is taken and grades achieved
3. A copy of the syllabus or the programme schedule showing modules are taken, credits that apply, and expected learning outcomes.

With the exception of GCSE certificates at grade C or higher, awards below UK framework Level 3 do not contribute to matriculation and will be disregarded.

Non-standard UK/NI Applicants
Awards other than GCE/GCSE combination are regarded as non-standard and are not included in CAO centralised automated processing. If you are including UK awards other than the standard GCE/GCSE combination as part of your application, you will need to submit supporting documents. Details of the alternate qualification(s) should be supplied to CAO (if applying for entry to the first year) or directly to ATU (if applying for advanced entry, i.e. entry to
years 2, 3, or 4).

Whether or not a non-standard award will be recognised, and to what degree, will depend on the framework level, the learning outcomes achieved, and how those learning outcomes fit in with the pre-requisites of the programme for which application is being made.

ATU will consider awards at UK Framework Level 3 or higher, including BTECs, AVCs, GNVQs, etc.

Please attach the following for any non-standard awards you may be presenting at UK Level 3 or higher

1. The Award Certificate
2. A transcript of results - showing subject is taken and grades achieved
3. A copy of the syllabus or the programme schedule showing modules are taken, credits that apply, and expected learning outcomes.

With the exception of GCSE certificates at grade C or higher, awards below UK framework Level 3 do not contribute to matriculation and will be disregarded.

Advanced Entry, HND and other UK level 4 awards
Applicants presenting any award at Level 4 or higher on the UK framework may be considered for Advanced Entry into a cognate area. Applicants for Advanced Entry should apply directly to ATU and not via the CAO.

Please attach to the completed ATU application form details of both your Level 4 syllabus – e.g. HND or other and of your results.

Our ability to accommodate advanced entry applicants will depend on several factors including:

Available vacancies in the advanced class group

The “fit” between the learning outcomes you have already achieved and the programme for which you are applying

Whether or not it will be possible to make up any deficit, or missed element, including any placement requirements, etc.

Every case is different. First offers for advanced entry are normally issued in late July. However, as we sometimes need to await the outcome of autumn exams to resolve any space issues, offers may issue as late as September.

Since advanced entry is not guaranteed, some advanced entry applicants may decide, as a fall-back position, to also apply for first-year via the CAO. This is permissible.

Whether you apply directly to ATU and/ or via the CAO it is important to include all relevant supporting documents.

Expand+Fees Táillí
Rules on fees and grants are subject to change. Please check the websites of the HEA and SUSI for the most up-to-date information on the criteria for determining liability for fees and/or eligibility for grants. See https://hea.ie/fun...

Hide-Fees Táillí
Rules on fees and grants are subject to change. Please check the websites of the HEA and SUSI for the most up-to-date information on the criteria for determining liability for fees and/or eligibility for grants. See https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/
www.susi.ie

Applicants from Northern Ireland can secure support to cover costs. Contact the Local Education and Library Board or visit these websites for more information:
www.slc.co.uk or
www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

The maximum duration of funding is normally four years.
Continued payment of the grant is subject to satisfactory attendance, performance and progression.
Therefore, if you don’t progress, as well as becoming liable for repeat fees, you will usually lose any grant to which you were formerly entitled. The grant authority may waive this in exceptional circumstances - such as certified serious illness.

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 will I study?

Year 1
• Clinical Dentistry 1: Patient care, Materials and Instrumentation
• Patient-centred Communication Skills
• Clinical and Related Skills for Dental Nursing
• Nutrition and Oral Health Promotion
• Biological...

Hide-What will I study?

Year 1
• Clinical Dentistry 1: Patient care, Materials and Instrumentation
• Patient-centred Communication Skills
• Clinical and Related Skills for Dental Nursing
• Nutrition and Oral Health Promotion
• Biological Science
• Clinical Work Placement 1
• Disease and Infection Control for Dental Nurses
• Ethical, Legal and Current Issues for Dental Nurses
• Clinical Dentistry 2: Anatomy and Pathology

Year 2
• Clinical Work Placement 2
• Dental Practice Management
• Medical Emergencies and Clinical Pharmacology in Dental Nursing
• Clinical Dentistry 3: Special Practice
• Work Placement 3

Expand+Did You Know?
A dental nurse works as part of a dental team in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. In Ireland, they are mainly employed in General Dental Surgeries, Dental Clinics or Specialist Surgeries. They are responsible for ensuri...

Hide-Did You Know?
A dental nurse works as part of a dental team in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. In Ireland, they are mainly employed in General Dental Surgeries, Dental Clinics or Specialist Surgeries. They are responsible for ensuring the dentist or oral surgeons’ operating list runs smoothly during the course of a clinical session. This includes ensuring that all instrumentation is correct and has been thoroughly sterilised, all radiographs and case notes are prepared for the clinical session, necessary lab work/results and supplies are available, the dental surgery/operating room is clean and equipment is in good working order and all general administrative and office work is up-todate.

Quick Fact
Reserved places on this programme apply for 2 QQI FET applicants, 1 mature applicant, 1 HEAR applicant, 1 DARE applicant and 1 applicant progressing internally from Access studies.

Professional Accreditation
This programme is fully accredited by the Dental Council of Ireland.