IUA Activities

Widening Participation

Widening participation has been a priority for universities both individually and collectively in recent years. Entry to Irish universities has been traditionally dominated by school leavers who have completed the Leaving Certificate Examination. Entry is decided on an open, transparent and competitive basis through the Central Applications Office [CAO] established by the universities.

Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)

Universities have made significant strides in providing programmes aimed at achieving equity of access for learners of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. University Access Officers co-operate as an IUA group in co-ordinating actions and in developing best practice, and have established a direct applications process - Higher Education Access Route - for students on such access programmes linked to designated disadvantaged schools

More Information:

HEAR 2010 Application Guide and Workbook

Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) Brochure 2010

Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) Student Flyer 2010

Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. HEAR has been established based on clear evidence that socio-economic disadvantage has a negative impact on educational attainment at school and progression to higher education.

Whilst studying at third level, students can benefit from the HEAR scheme by gaining support in various academic, personal and social ways. The characteristics and delivery of these benefits will be determined by the individual institutions, be in agreement with their own policies and practices and subject to the availability of resources. Details of post-admission supports for HEAR entrants can be found on the Access Office website of each of the participating institutions. The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that participate in HEAR are:

Dublin City University (DCU)
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM)
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
Trinity College (TCD)
University College of Cork (UCC)
University College Dublin (UCD)
University of Limerick (UL)

Higher Education Access/Foundation Courses - A Research Report
This report by Dr Phyllis Murphy provides an overview of Access/Foundation courses offered across the higher education sector in Ireland, including those in collaboration with the further education sector. It aims to identify good practice and contribute to national policy formulation.

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

Developing flexible provision of courses in response to an increasingly diverse range of students has been identified as key strategic issue for the university sector.

If you are a student with a disability and you may not be able to meet the points for the course of your choice due to the impact of your disability, then the supplementary admission route – the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is for you.

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) Brochure 2010

Disabiliy Access Route to Education (DARE) Application Guide 2010

Students with a wide range of disabilities are eligible, including students who:

Have a physical and mobility disabilities
Are blind or vision impaired
Are deaf or hard of hearing
Have significant ongoing health issues
Experience significant learning difficulties such as dyslexia
Have disabilities such as ADD, ADHD or Asperger’s Syndrome

Each college has set entry requirements to each programme; the disability officers for each institution can be contacted for further information using the following links:

DCU – http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff.php3?query=disability

NUIM - http://access.nuim.ie/disability/contact

NUIG – http://www.nuigalway.ie/administration_services/equality/access_and_disability.html

TCD – http://www.tcd.ie/disability/contact/index.php

UCC – http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/Home/

UCD – http://www.ucd.ie/access/dss_contactdss_staffcontacts.htm

UL – http://www.dsaudiobooks.ul.ie/contactus.php

Mature Students

The universities encompass diverse student bodies and actively encourage applications from mature candidates. Mature students are those aged 23 years or above, on 1st January in the year of entry.

Mature students have a wealth of knowledge and experience with which they make a valuable contribution. Many of the Institutions embrace the ethos of lifelong learning and are committed to the objective of widening participation. In order to increase participation of adult learners they continually work towards wider entry routes for mature students.

A range of support is provided within each individual university from advice on computers/technology in learning and study skills, through to health service support, child care and financial aid. For more detailed information visit the admissions pages here:

DCU – http://www.dcu.ie/future_students.shtml

NUIM – http://admissions.nuim.ie/

NUIG – http://www.nuigalway.ie/admissions/

TCD – http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/

UCC – http://www.ucc.ie/en/ProspectiveStudents/Admissions/

UCD – https://myucd.ucd.ie/prospectivestudents/prospects.ezc

UL - http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Services/Student_Affairs/Student_Administration/Admissions

International Students

There are immeasurable rewards gained by collaborating with universities and research institutes on various continents. By encouraging and receiving international students this plays a central role in Ireland’s advancement as a dynamic and highly successful European state.

For both Irish and International students, the universities offer a supportive and stimulating environment in which to spend a period of intellectual and personal development.

You will find a wide range of information on the universities websites, from making an application to full details on the undergraduate and postgraduate courses they offer. You will also find out what support is available to you during the application process and while you are studying.

visit the International affairs page at:

http://www.iua.ie/iua-activities/international-affairs.html

FETAC

The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the national awarding body forfurther education and training in Ireland. Programmes leading to FETAC awards at Levels 1 to 6of the National Framework of Qualificationsare offered nationwideby a range of providers in education and training centres, in colleges and in the workplace.

Many of the institutions offer progressive transfer routes to students as a means to develop alternate entry routes to third level education. Admittance to degree programmes via FETAC allow a wide range of students, who might otherwise been denied the opportunity, access to university. Applications are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) in the routine way and candidates are assessed and ranked based on their performance in their award.

Students with appropriate FETAC qualifications and modules can apply for various degree programmes offered within the universities. However there are a reserve number of places and qualified candidates will be admitted on a competitive basis.

HETAC

HETAC (the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (ADD A LINK TO WWW.HETAC.IE ) was established on 11 June 2001. It is the successor to the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA). HETAC is the qualifications awarding body for third-level education and training institutions outside the university sector. These institutions have played an important part in the economic development of Ireland in recent years, and the demand for people with HETAC qualifications has grown significantly. HETAC awards are included on the National Framework of Qualifications alongside the university awards. Students or graduates with HETAC awards wishing to transfer or progress into Irish universities are facilitated by special policies in place within each university. For further details, please visit the admissions pages here: