2020 for Irish European - Baccalaureate students - Euroguidance Ireland

Page created by Leo Richardson
 
CONTINUE READING
2020 for Irish European - Baccalaureate students - Euroguidance Ireland
NCGE General Guidelines
                                   for Irish European
                                 Baccalaureate students
                               applying to study in Ireland
                                                              2020

                                                                                                                                     1
Information contained in this presentation is a guide only. It is intended to provide general information and is subject to annual revision.
2020 for Irish European - Baccalaureate students - Euroguidance Ireland
This presentation contains the following information:

•   NCGE Guidance in the European Schools and Guidance support
•   Why study in Ireland?
•   Accommodation in Ireland
•   Registration Costs
•   Qualification Levels in Ireland and Europe
•   National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
•   Further information on qualifications
•   Higher Education (HE) and Further Education and Training (FET)
•   Higher Education Universities, Institutes of Technology and private colleges
•   How to research courses
•   Qualifax and Careers Portal
•   The ‘CAO’
•   Information for EU/EFTA Applicants
•   English Language Requirements
•   Minimum Entry
•   Specific Subject Requirements
•   European Baccalaureate Points Equivalence Table
•   Applying for Medicine
•   Disability Access Route to Education
•   More on Further Education and Training (FET)
•   Post-Leaving Courses and Apprenticeships
•   Website links
2020 for Irish European - Baccalaureate students - Euroguidance Ireland
PLEASE NOTE:

                                        IMPORTANT

Students who wish to apply for courses in Ireland must refer to individual Higher
Education Institution websites or contact college Admissions Offices for details of:

•   Distinct recognised subjects
•   Specific subject requirements
•   Points requirements

Note that changes may occur in education systems, or in trends in grades awarded.
2020 for Irish European - Baccalaureate students - Euroguidance Ireland
Guidance in the European Schools

Children of Irish parents who are enrolled in The European Schools
are entitled to access appropriate guidance .

This Guidance service is funded by the Department of Education
and Skills (DES) and coordinated by NCGE/Euroguidance Ireland.

It is delivered by qualified guidance counsellors as recognised by the
DES.

More information and resources are available through the
Euroguidance Ireland website - www.euroguidance.ie
2020 for Irish European - Baccalaureate students - Euroguidance Ireland
Guidance Support

This guidance support is intended to supplement, but not replace,
the guidance support already available to Irish students in the
European Schools.

It targets the specific needs of students who may be considering
an application to Irish third-level institutions and who have
questions regarding:

       • general entry requirements
       • particular course requirements
       • application procedures
Why study in Ireland ?

∗ LIVE in an English speaking, friendly country with one of the best
  education systems in the world

∗ CHOOSE from over 5000 internationally recognised qualifications

∗ CONNECT with career opportunities in leading global companies
  located in Ireland, including Google, Facebook, Dell, Intel and 700+
  American companies such as PharmaChem and American Chambers
  Ireland

∗ LINK with many different nationalities in Ireland in an intercultural
  community
Accommodation in Ireland

There is no central accommodation office in Ireland for students who are looking for a place to
stay.

•   Most Irish colleges have their own college accommodation offices which deal with vacancies
    in their region

•   Most of the universities and larger colleges have accommodation on campus

•   Most universities and colleges reserve places for students coming from abroad

•   Most universities and colleges give priority to first year students

•   The cost of accommodation and living costs varies from region to region

See each university or college website and websites for the region where the university or college
is situated . Also check out the Irish Universities Association website.
www.iua.ie/international/accommodation/
Registration costs for colleges and universities

•   There are no university fees in Ireland for Irish and EU students but there is a
    registration cost. Most Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will require students to
    pay an annual Student Contribution Fee. The maximum amount set by the Irish
    Government for all public HEIs is currently €3,000 (2018)

•   Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) /Further Education and Training (FET)colleges charge a
    minimum of €200 and some courses cost more

•   Apprenticeship registration fees can vary from €1,000 to €3,000, but apprentices are
    also paid a small weekly wage while training

•   Students are advised to check each university/college website for its own details on
    registration costs

•   For student grants in Ireland, see www.susi.ie for further information

•   Non-EU students must pay international fees
Qualification Levels in Ireland and Europe

The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is validated by Quality Qualifications Ireland
(QQI). All of the qualifications offered by state-supported colleges in Ireland are situated on this
framework (including Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees) from Levels 1 to 10.

See: www.nfq-qqi.com/

Other colleges:
Private colleges make awards, some of which are validated by foreign universities and some of
which are validated by QQI.

The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) links the qualifications of different European
countries together. The main role of the EQF is to make qualifications more understandable and
as interchangeable as possible across different countries and systems.

See: www.nfq-qqi.com/qualifications-frameworks.html
National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

The Irish NFQ has ten levels. It incorporates awards made for all kinds of learning,
from initial learning to doctorate, wherever the learning is gained.

The NFQ is the Irish system, EFQ is the European Qualifications Framework, below is the
official QQI NFQ Diagram.

Source: www.nfq-qqi.com/
Further Information on Qualifications

The Irish Leaving Certificate is situated at NFQ Levels 4 and 5 and the European Baccalaureate
qualifications are at NFQ Level 5.

The majority of European Baccalaureate students apply to Higher Education for courses at
NFQ Levels 7 or 8.

Students may complete a Post Leaving Certificate course (PLC) at NFQ Levels 5 or 6 in Further
Education, which can provide alternative progression to a Higher Education course at NFQ Level 7
or 8

•   Level 5 Certificates are generally of 1 or 2 years’ duration
•   Level 6 or Higher/Advanced certificates are generally of 2 years’ duration
•   Level 7 or Ordinary degrees are generally of 3 years’ duration
•   Level 8 has Honours Bachelors degrees only which are generally of 4 years’ duration
•   Level 9 Masters degrees or Postgraduate diplomas are generally of 1 or 2 years’ duration
•   Level 10 Doctoral degrees vary in length from 3 to 4 years’ duration
Higher Education (HE) and Further Education and Training (FET)

•   In Ireland, after students finish their Leaving Certificate course at post-primary school level,
    they can move on to either Higher Education (HE) or Further Education and Training (FET).
    Some students choose to do a course in FET as a stepping stone to HE or as an end in itself.

•   Higher Education (HE)                                 NFQ Levels 6-10
          Universities
          Institutes of Technology
          Colleges of Education
          Private Colleges

•   Further Education and Training (FET)                  NFQ Levels 5-6
    Further Education Colleges/Institutes
    Private Colleges

Note: in Ireland, the words university, college and institute are often interchangeable at Higher
Education level and the words college and institute are often used at FET level
Higher Education Institutes in Ireland (as listed in the CAO Handbook)

These Irish Universities/Colleges offer a range of courses from NFQ Levels 6-10
•    University College Cork (UCC) NUI
•    Dublin City University (DCU)
•    Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland NUI
•    Trinity College (University of Dublin)
•    University College Dublin (UCD) NUI
•    National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) NUI
•    University of Limerick (UL)
•    National University of Ireland, Maynooth (MU) NUI
•    Technological University Dublin (TU)*

Those universities / colleges with NUI beside them are constituent or recognised universities / colleges of the National U niversity
of Ireland. Some of the universities have Colleges of Education incorporated within them.
*Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institute of Technology merged to form the
Technological University (TU) Dublin on 1st January2019.
Institutes of Technology

These institutes usually offer a range of courses from Levels 6-10
•    Athlone Institute of Technology
•    Institute of Technology, Carlow
•    Cork Institute of Technology
•    Dundalk Institute of Technology
•    Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
•    Letterkenny Institute of Technology
•    Limerick Institute of Technology
•    Institute of Technology, Sligo
•    Institute of Technology, Tralee
•    Waterford Institute of Technology
•    Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology

*Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and Tallaght Institute of Technology merged to
form the Technological University (TU) Dublin on 1st January2019.
Other Higher Education Colleges

These colleges offer a range of courses from NFQ Levels 6-10

The colleges below are also recognised by the National University of Ireland. Some require
direct application to the college, others through the Central Admissions Office (CAO).

• Shannon College of Hotel Management
www.shannoncollege.com
• National College of Art and Design, Dublin
www.ncad.ie
• Institute of Public Administration
www.ipa.ie
• St. Angela’s College, Sligo
www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie
• Burren College of Art- Coláiste Ealáine na Bóine
www.burrencollege.ie
• Mary Immaculate College of Education
www.mic.ul.ie
• Marino Institute of Education
www.mie.ie
PLEASE NOTE:

                                        IMPORTANT

Students who wish to apply for courses in Ireland must refer to individual Higher
Education Institution websites or contact college Admissions Offices for details of:

•   Distinct recognised subjects
•   Specific subject requirements
•   Points requirements

Note that changes may occur in education systems, or in trends in grades awarded.
Private Colleges

These colleges on the Qualifax link below are samples of private independent colleges
based in Ireland.

Applications to some private colleges may be made through the CAO and others may
require direct applications to the college. They need to be contacted individually
about course entry requirements.

N.B. Students should check the level of these courses on the NFQ and through the
CAO if applicable.

Qualifax – ‘Other Options’ section
How to Research Courses

Some suggestions:

•   Read prospectuses : They contain information about the institution and the available
    courses, including advice on how to apply and the benefits of accepting a place. You
    can download them from college websites, request them from the colleges or there
    may be copies in your school library

•   Talk to people:
                 Professional Guidance Counsellors (if available)
                 Adults who have studied in Ireland
                 Current students face to face if possible or online

•   Visit colleges – attend Open Days or visit the colleges independently for other events
    such as sports events or educational talks

•   Go on work experience to companies or institutions to learn about them and ask
    questions about career progression

•   Follow college websites and read their news bulletins of current and forthcoming
    events and achievements
Recommended Websites

Online Research:
The two most recommended websites in Ireland are Qualifax and CareersPortal

Qualifax is Ireland’s national database providing information on a wide range of courses in
higher and further education and training. Qualifax provides information on entry
requirements, the duration of courses, course content, opportunities for Erasmus+
placements and further study and career opportunities.

www.qualifax.ie (course search)

CareersPortal provides information on an extensive range of courses andcareers.

www.careersportal.ie

Both of these websites offer online interest assessments to assist students to find their
personal strengths and interests.
How to apply for courses in Irish colleges

The Central Applications Office (CAO)
                                                            How it works:
History of the CAO:
The Central Applications Office www.cao.ie was              The Central Applications Office is the
                                                            centralised system for applications to almost
established by the Irish universities in 1976 and is
                                                            all the universities and colleges in Ireland.
owned and controlled by the universities and
                                                            Other specialised colleges such as Hotel and
other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).                 Catering, Art and Music colleges and some
                                                            private colleges require direct application for
                                                            entry to their courses.
Purpose of the CAO:                                         These colleges provide application details on
The purpose of the CAO is to process centrally              their own websites.
the applications for entry to undergraduate
                                                            USEFUL LINKS
courses in HEIs in the Republic of Ireland, to issue
offers to applicants only when instructed by HEIs,          www.cao.ie/handbook.php

and to record acceptances.
                                                            www.cao.ie/index.php?page=downloads

                                                            www.cao.ie/index.php?page=demo
Information for EU/EFTA Applicants

The CAO website provides guidelines for students from EU/EFTA countries
www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

It also explains exemptions from certain criteria (e.g. exemption from Irish)
www.cao.ie/index.php?page=exemptions&bb=studentresources

Further information on the criteria for Children of Emigrants and the
criteria for qualifying for EU status are available on the Irish Universities
Association (IUA) website:
www.iua.ie/international/applying-to-an-irish-university/
English Language Requirements

English Language Competence:
Students must have a Grade 6 or above in 1st language or in 1st or 2nd foreign
language in the European Baccalaureate or an equivalent English Language
competence.

There may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in
individual institutions in a recognised English language test. Applicants need to
contact the institution directly if English is not their first language.

See: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf
Information correct as of 29/03/2019                          Minimum Entry Requirements

  The pass mark for European Baccalaureate entry is 360.
  The minimum eligibility criteria are below. Proof of English proficiency is required in all
  cases. The minimum standard may be higher in individual HEIs and/or for individual
  courses. There may also be specific subject requirements for courses.
  Check with the university or college admissions office.

   See: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

  For the Irish grading system see: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/NewCommonPointsScale2017.pdf
Information correct as of 29/03/2019                               Specific Subject Requirements

  Specific Subject Requirements:
  To compare the subject requirements in terms of Irish Leaving Certificate as specified
  on the HEI’s website, use the following table:

  NB - the table above is NOT used for points conversion, only for entry requirement equivalence. Forpoints
  conversion see next slide.
  Source: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf
Information correct as of 29/03/2019    European Baccalaureate Points Equivalence Table

      Each university/college has its own requirements and these maychange.
      Students should contact the colleges directly for their course subject and graderequirements.
      Source: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf
Information correct as of 29/03/2019                              Bonus points for Mathematics

Colleges apply a common system where the European Baccalaureate final result (the
average of the subject results) is transferred to the points equivalence table as
documented in the EU-EFTA Guidelines document in the CAO website

  See: www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/Guidelines-EU-EFTA.pdf

 Additional ‘bonus’ points can be awarded in somecircumstances.

 For the Irish Leaving Certificate:
 25 bonus points are awarded for grades H6 and above at Higher Level Mathematics

 For the European Baccalaureate:

 25 bonus points are awarded for grades 6 or above in Period 5 Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics

 For Trinity College Dublin only

 Trinity College Dublin awards a different bonus points system for mathematics than other colleges. For more
 information go to: https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/admission-requirements/undergraduate/

 Students must contact Trinity College directly to confirm that they are presenting with distinct recognised
 subjects and meet specific subject requirements.
Applying for Medicine

There are TWO parts to this procedure:
1) Undergraduate applicants to Medicine (EU applicants) apply through this link in the
   CAO website:
www2.cao.ie/downloads/documents/2020/UGMedEntry2020.pdf

2) In addition to the CAO application, candidates must also apply directly to ACER to
complete the HPAT – Ireland test.

HPAT stands for Health Professions Admission Test. It is a test developed by ACER and used
to help select students for medicine and some other health science courses at university.

•The HPAT – Ireland 2020 Information Booklet is available for download here:
www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au

•   ACER produces the only official HPAT – Ireland preparation materials: five publications
    in the form of e-books. There are other private companies which offer preparation
    courses for this test.
Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

•   The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is for school leavers with a
    disability under the age of 23, who have been educationally impacted as a result of
    that disability. Applicants to DARE can present with an Irish Leaving Certificate, A-
    Levels and other EU qualifications.

•   It offers reduced points for course places to students

•   It provides mentoring and support on campus

•   To be eligible for DARE, you must meet both the evidence of disability criteria and
    educational impact criteria. Full details and information which you should use to
    help you apply for the scheme are available at www.accesscollege.ie

•   Further details are on the CAO website at www.cao.ie/index.php?page=dare

•   Most colleges not in the DARE Scheme have other Access schemes – check
    websites
More on Further Education and Training

•   Further Education and Training is known as FET in Ireland and VET
    (Vocational Education and Training) in Europe.

•   It offers a wide variety of life-long education options to anyone over 16. FET
    includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community
    and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services.

•   FET courses and programmes are provided through the Education and Training
    Board network throughout the country as well as through other local providers
    including online courses.

           See: www.fetchcourses.ie/courses/about

Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses and apprenticeships are summarised in the following slides.
Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses

•   Post Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs) are full-time and last for one to two years.
    They offer a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience. They
    are designed as a step towards higher education and /or skilled employment and,
    as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs.

•   PLC courses adopt an integrated approach, focusing on technical knowledge, core
    skills and work experience. Courses are delivered in a wide range of subjects, such
    as business studies, childcare, community care, computing and technology, e-
    commerce, horticulture, multimedia production, sport and leisure and tourism.
    The courses generally led to major awards at NFQ Levels 5 and 6.

Information on PLC FET courses can be found on:
www.fetchcourses.ie
www.qualifax.ie
www.careersportal.ie
Apprenticeships

Information on Apprenticeships is available on www.apprenticeship.ie

To begin an apprenticeship, an applicant must be employed by an approved employer. To be
eligible, the applicant must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum of grade D in any five
subjects in the Junior Certificate or equivalent. However, higher educational qualifications and
other requirements may be sought by employers.

Apprenticeships are:
• Industry-led by consortia of industry and education partners
• Lead to an award at NFQ Levels 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
• Between 2-4 years in duration
• Minimum 50% on-the-job learning
• Flexible delivery – online, blended, off-the-job learning in increments/blocks
• Apprentices are employed under a formal contract of apprenticeship
• A training allowance is paid to the apprentice

List of Apprenticeships available in Ireland are listed in the PDF below
Generation Apprenticeship (List)

Register through www.apprenticeship.ie
Financial Costs for Apprenticeships

•   There is a student contribution for apprenticeships in Higher Education Colleges. It is
    usually about €1,000 for most courses, but up to €3,000 for a few exceptional subjects
    such as Aircraft Mechanics, but this is offset by a training allowance and some
    employers pay the training costs as well

www.apprenticeship.ie/en/current/Pages/ApprenticeInfo.aspx

• There is a training allowance for off the job training, which averages at €250 per week

www.apprenticeship.ie/en/current/Pages/ApprenticeInfo.aspx?anchor=Allowance
Some useful resources and websites

                                www.euroguidance.ie/european-school-information

www.cao.ie

www.qualifax.ie

www.careersportal.ie           www.iua.ie

www.fetchcourses.ie            www.nui.ie

www.apprenticeships.ie         www.tcd.ie
                                                     Applying to College in Ireland – Video
www.accesscollege.ie           www.etbi.ie

www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au   www.nfq-qqi.com/
You can also read