College Choice:Every weekday, until the deadline at the end of teh month, careers expert Brian Mooneywill guide you through the CAO process and outline the best possible options
Getting into popular CAO programmes can be difficult for applicants who get modest points in the Leaving Certificate.
One option for them is through a Further Education (FE) course, leading to a Further Education and Training Awards Council (Fetac) qualification, with a view to progressing into their desired CAO course, or entering the workforce directly, using their Fetac award as an entry route.
Linking to higher education
The Higher Education Links Scheme offers a broad range of linked courses. These link Fetac level 5, and some level 6 Advanced Certificates to reserved places at third-level colleges. These are offered mainly by VEC colleges providing Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) /FE courses.
The institutes of technology (ITs) and some third-level colleges operate a pilot admissions criteria and scoring systems for Fetac level 5 and level 6 Advanced Certificates. Instead of quotas of reserved places, applicants are thus able to compete with Leaving Certificate applicants for popular courses, using their Fetac award instead of points.
This year there are many places on offer in everything from craft to childcare, business studies to multimedia. Forty colleges, including universities, ITs and private colleges are involved. For participating colleges see www.cao.ie
Some colleges may have further entry requirements. For example, while a Fetac certificate may be achieved over a period of time, colleges may require that your full award be achieved in a single sitting. Some colleges may require maths in addition to your Fetac award. You should confirm details of any additional requirements with the admissions office of individual colleges.
Progression opportunities
The Higher Education Links Scheme and the pilot scheme, through CAO application, only apply to the Certificates listed in the Fetac publication Progression from Fetac level 5 Certificates and level 6 Advanced Certificates to Higher Education Courses 2008.
However, new progression routes continue to emerge for all Fetac level 5 Certificate and level 6 Advanced Certificate holders.
Awards formerly made by Fás, Teagasc and Fáilte Ireland, which are now placed as Fetac awards on the National Framework of Qualifications, can enable progression to third-level CAO courses. For details of other possible links, please refer to prospectuses of individual institutions or contact the admissions office.
For details contact the college, or see www.cao.ieor www.Fetac.ie
New for 2008
St Patrick's Drumcondra is offering links to its arts and humanities level 8 programme. In the pilot scheme, the Institute of Business and Technology Swords, National Counselling Institute of Ireland, Limerick, and St Patrick's College, Thurles, are all offering links.
Scoring system
Students must submit third-level applications to the CAO by February 1st. In July, Fetac results are issued to the CAO and the colleges. You must have obtained a full Fetac certificate. A component certificate will not suffice. A full certificate may be accumulated over more than one year. It is your responsibility to ensure that your centre applies to Fetac for a full certificate, where courses are taken over more than one year.
Application for a full certificate should be made before your CAO application. Each component is credited with three points for a distinction, two for a merit and one point for a pass. The best eight components are scored and applicants are ranked accordingly.
Pilot scheme
The scoring system under the pilot scheme enables a Fetac certificate holder to achieve up to a maximum of 400 CAO points. For colleges participating in this scheme see www.cao.ie
You apply through the CAO in the normal way by the February 1st deadline. In July 2008, Fetac results will be issued to the CAO and the colleges. Most course places are open to Fetac level 5 and level 6 Advanced Certificate holders, along with all other applicants, including those offering the Leaving Certificate. The quota of places reserved under the Higher Education Links Scheme does not apply to this scheme.
Links with nursing programmes
Twelve colleges offer a small number of places, from nursing degrees to holders of specific Fetac level 5 Certificates. Links to nursing degree programmes are via the Higher Education Links Scheme.
Applicants are eligible for entry to nursing degree courses via the following Fetac level 5 certificates: nursing studies (DCHSN), community and health services (DCHSX), and healthcare support (DHSXX).
To secure one of these reserved places, you will probably have to achieve distinctions in all eight components, even though the rules specify at least five, including: anatomy and physiology (D20001), introduction to nursing (D20012), and human growth and development (D20032) or biology (C20006).
For further details visit www.nursingcareers.ie
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