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.

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 univesity 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+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... Ophthalmic Dispensing?

Dispensing Opticians are eye care professionals who are trained to interpret prescriptions issued by optometrists or ophthalmologists and to dispense spectacles and other optical aids. They advise patients on the ...

Hide-What is... Ophthalmic Dispensing?

Dispensing Opticians are eye care professionals who are trained to interpret prescriptions issued by optometrists or ophthalmologists and to dispense spectacles and other optical aids. They advise patients on the most appropriate spectacle frames, lenses or other optical aids based on their individual needs taking into account the prescription, occupation and lifestyle of the patient. They are trained to take the measurements required for the fitting of such optical appliances. Dispensing Opticians also check spectacles and other appliances to ensure they match the patient’s specification and meet the required standards. They advise patients on how to get the best from their eyewear and play an important role in aftercare and the maintenance of such appliances.

Dispensing opticians play a vital role in providing the best low vision aid for partially sighted patients and the best fitting frame and lens design for children. They are also trained to advise on sports and protective eyewear. Subsequent to further qualification, they may fit contact lenses. Dispensing opticians are often involved in optical practice management.

A career as a dispensing optician is extremely rewarding. It offers great variety and will deliver a high degree of job satisfaction to those attracted to a career in an allied healthcare setting, who have an interest in maths and science, relish problem solving and enjoy interacting with the public.

On graduation, you’ll be equipped to progress to ordinary and honours degree programmes in TU Dublin.

Professional Accreditation:

The profession of ophthalmic dispensing is regulated in Ireland under CORU (the Health and Social Care Professional’s Council). This programme is approved by CORU.

Irish Dispensing Opticians practise at category 1 on the World Council of Optometry Global Competency-based Model of Scope of Practice. They can work in the UK and Australia. To work in the USA or Canada, you may be required to undertake a national certification test and/or an adaption period of state-registered apprenticeship.

Work Placement:
You will spend all of third year on placement.

Expand+Year 1
Modules

This programme is 3 years in duration.The first two years of the programme are delivered in the laboratories and lecture theatres on campus. The third year of the programme is a structured work placement. The first year focuses on ...

Hide-Year 1
Modules

This programme is 3 years in duration.The first two years of the programme are delivered in the laboratories and lecture theatres on campus. The third year of the programme is a structured work placement. The first year focuses on the relevant science and maths necessary for your training. The second year’s practical and theoretical work is more tailored towards the specific skills and knowledge required of a Dispensing Optician. You will learn about spectacles lens and frame, design and manufacture. You will also learn how to take frame and facial measurements, how to interpret prescriptions and carry out a detailed task analysis to ensure patients receive the most appropriate optical aid.Students are also introduced to the fundamentals of optical practice management. Your work placement in year three allows you to learn how to apply your knowledge and skills in a practice setting.

• Anatomy and Physiology of the eye
• Cell Biology
• Geometrical Optics
• Mathematics
• Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing
• Physical Optics
• Physics for Health and Science
• Quantitive methods for Dispensing
• The Human Body and Disease
• Vision Science 1

Year 2
• Case Analysis & Advanced Ophthalmic Dispensing
• Contact Lens Practice and Anterior Eye Disorders
• Intercultural Health Communication for Eye Care Professionals
• Introductory Vision Rehabilitation
• Occupational Vision
• Optical Dispensing
• Optical Practice Management
• Physiology of Vision
• Professional Development
• Vision Science 2

Year 3
The entire of the third year is spent on placement covering the modules:

Optical Dispensing Case Studies
Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice Placement

Expand+What are my career opportunities?
Dispensing Optician. Most newly qualified dispensing opticians enter practice as employees of other dispensing opticians/optometrists, but you can also own and operate your own business.

Graduate Job Titles:

T...

Hide-What are my career opportunities?
Dispensing Optician. Most newly qualified dispensing opticians enter practice as employees of other dispensing opticians/optometrists, but you can also own and operate your own business.

Graduate Job Titles:

This is a relatively new but unique programme in Ireland with our first graduates graduating in 2018. However, there are currently almost 200 dispensing opticians working in Ireland who have gained their qualifications abroad. Dispensing opticians are in high demand so job prospects are excellent. Most dispensing opticians work in private practice, often in a management capacity. However, there is a diverse range of employment opportunities. Dispensing opticians often set up their own practices or enter joint ventures with large multiples. At present in Ireland, dispensing opticians are also employed with spectacle lens manufacturers, frame manufacturers, glazing houses, hospital eye departments, practice management software providers and as college lecturers.

Graduate Employers:

Starting salaries for newly qualified dispensing opticians (as at January 2020) are as high as €35k per annum in the Republic of Ireland.

Exit Awards
Exit after 2 years - Award: Level 6 Higher Certificate
Exit after 3 years - Award: Level 7 Bachelor of Science (Ord)

Postgraduate Study:

Dispensing Opticians can gain additional qualification by means of further study in the UK. Subsequent to further qualification, they may fit contact lenses. Further study is also available in the areas of low vision management, workshop practice, lens design and geometric optics. Most of this further study can be undertaken via distance learning while working in practice. As mentioned above this programme is relatively new to TU Dublin. It was set up to fill a gap in the Irish education system and because there is a shortage of dispensing opticians. The profession of ophthalmic dispensing is growing and developing and with that will come further opportunities for advanced qualification