studying in cork

Studying in Cork

Compiled by Elaine DennehyCIT Access Service

A guide for parents and guardians

eye to

the fu

ture

This booklet is designed to give you the information you need to help you understand the third level system and to help you to plan with your son or daughter what options will work best for them.

Cork Institute of Technology, Access Service, Bishopstown, Cork.

For general queries please contact the Access Support Service T: 021 4335138

For disability queries please contact the Disability Support Service T: 021 4335107

Art work used with permission. Artist: Christopher O’Driscoll, St Aidan’s Community College, Cork.

November 2015

Contents Page

Your Role as a Parent/Guardian 2Find out what practical steps you can take to help yourson or daughter choose a college course to study

The CAO Application Process 5

The Leaving Certificate Explained 7Find out more about the different options

Applying for College 9Information on choices in Cork

What can CIT offer your Son or Daughter? 12A brief look at CIT supports

Access to Education 15A quick guide

Student Grant – SUSI 17

Cork City Buses to and from CIT 18

Abbreviations 19

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Your Role as a Parent/Guardian

Your son or daughter is about to make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. It should involve a lot of thought and research on their part and shouldn’t be rushed. This booklet aims to give you the information you need to help your son or daughter to make the right choice for them. As a parent you play a very important role in helping and supporting your son or daughter to make this choice. You can do this by helping your son or daughter:

to gather information about what study choices are available in Cork and elsewhere;andto help them with their course choice.

This guide aims to give you a clear explanation of the educational opportunities that are available to your son or daughter after their Leaving Certificate and information about the:

Leaving Certificate examinations;points system; andCAO (Central Applications Office) system.

Deciding to study after the Leaving Certificate can provide young people with extra skills, knowledge and self-confidence. Gaining a qualification can also boost your son or daughter’s chances of getting a job. In Cork, students have excellent choices when it comes to going to college in Cork. Colleges also offer students financial, personal and learning supports.

There are some practical steps you can take to help your son or daughter in making this big decision.

Studying in CorkA guide for parents and guardians

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Practical Steps

Step 1: Discuss your son or daughter’s interestsYou probably already have a good idea of what your son or daughter’s interests are, but take some time to sit down with your son or daughter to really explore what:

they have a flair for;they enjoy doing;interests them; andtheir strengths are.

TIP: Why not suggest that your son or daughter asks their guidance counsellor for advice?

Step 2: Discuss your son or daughter’s subjectsWhat subjects does your son or daughter really enjoy and do well in? Write a list of these and then write another list of broad study areas using the college handbooks (these are available from the colleges, their websites or in school).

Step 3: Get the factsYou can help your son or daughter by encouraging them to:

look up college websites;phone the colleges for a handbook;look at www.qualifax.ie; (this is the National Learners’ Database)talk to other family members or friends who might be in your son or daughter’s chosen career; andattend the college open days.

Step 4: Be flexibleBe open-minded and listen to your son or daughter. Encourage them to make a few choices, to look at broad careers and not narrow jobs. Most people change jobs several times in their lifetime. Look at lots of study options and all study levels.

Step 5: Know the systemMost students have a good idea of the entry system to college. This guide will help you gain that knowledge and will direct you to the right place if you are looking for more information. Keep yourself informed and up to date:

phone the colleges;visit the websites;talk to staff at your son or daughter’s school.

TIP: Encourage your son or daughter to do the same.

FOOTER: Studying in Cork a guide for parents and guardiansStudying in Cork

A guide for parents and guardians

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One Framework for all Qualifications in IrelandQuality and Qualifications Ireland also known as QQI are a state body in charge of maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). QQI set the standards of the NFQ and also make awards including awards formerly known as FETAC and HETAC awards.

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)This is a system that compares qualifications gained; these may have been gained in Ireland or abroad. All state examinations, including the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate, feature on this fan-like diagram, so too do awards gained in further education colleges, institutes of technology and universities. The diagram makes it easy to understand what qualification your son or daughter is applying for, is studying for or has achieved. After the Leaving Certificate, your son or daughter will hold a QQI Award Level 4/5 on the NFQ.

The National Framework of Qualifications diagram is explained in full on website:www.qqi.ie (Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI)

AWARDING BODIESQuality and Qualifi cations Ireland (QQI) makes awards in further and

higher education and training

SEC - State Examinations Commission (Department of Education and Skills)

Institutes of Technology

Universities

AWARDS IN THE FRAMEWORKThere are four classes of award in the National Framework of Qualifi cations:

Major Awards: named in the outer rings, are the principal class of awards made at a level

Minor Awards: are for partial completion of the outcomes for a Major Award

Supplemental Awards: are for learning that is additional to a Major Award

Special Purpose Awards: are for relatively narrow or purpose-specifi c achievement


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The CAO Application Process

If your son or daughter want to apply to CIT then they should apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) in Galway, (phone [091] 509 800). They can apply:

online at www.cao.ie; orby sending a paper application by post to – Tower House, Eglington Street, Galway.

You must pay for this application either online using a laser or credit card; or by going to the bank before the close of business (5.15pm) on 1st February. Late applications must be paid by 1st May.

Closing date is the 1st FebruaryThe closing date for the normal application is the 1st February. Late applications are allowed up to the 1st May, but there is an extra charge for this. Only one application is allowed per person but your son or daughter can change their mind about their choices; this can be done between the 1st May and 1st July. A discounted rate applies toapplications received on or before 20th January.

For more information including fees and closing dates see www.cao.ie or talk to your son or daughter’s guidance counsellor.

Gaining minimum results does not guarantee a placeTo gain entry to a programme of study at CIT, students must achieve enough CAO points, as well as meet minimum entry requirements. CAO points are calculated based on the results your son or daughter achieves in the Leaving Certificate (established) or QQI award gained at Further Education.

TIP: visit our website to check what specific requirements there are for each programme of study your son or daughter is interested in.

Gaining enough CAO points does not guarantee your son or daughter a place in CIT. They must also achieve the minimum entry requirements. Check the CIT handbook, the CIT website (www.cit.ie) or encourage your son or daughter to talk to their guidance counsellor to find out what subjects and what grades are required for each programme of study in CIT.

TIP: information on minimum entry requirements for Further Education students can be found at www.cao.ie

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The CAO Application Process ContinuedTrend in points changes every yearIt is important to be aware of the trend in CAO points; although these change every year and are difficult to predict. Knowing the points’ trend will give your son or daughter a general idea of what they need to aim for. You can get a good idea of the trend in points for each programme of study by looking at the previous listing of CAO points at www.cao.ie

TIP: A useful exercise would be to look at your son or daughter’s results after the pre-exams to see how they compare with general points trends.

CIT Maths Exam – Second ChanceEach year CIT hosts a maths exam that allows students a second chance to meet the maths minimum entry requirements. For more information on dates, times and fees go to www.cit.ie/maths

Note: From 2017 a new system for entry into higher education is being put in place. See www.transition.ie for more details.


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The Leaving Certificate Explained

There is more than one type of Leaving Certificate – your son or daughter may be sittingeither the:

Leaving Certificate (established) orLeaving Certificate Applied (LCA).

Your son or daughter may be also taking the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP), see page 9 for more details.

Leaving Certificate (established)

The Leaving Certificate (established – shortened to LC in some cases) is normally studied over two years usually fifth and sixth year. Students usually take higher level or ordinary level subjects.

Ordinary and honours subjects in the Leaving CertificateIn the Leaving Certificate (established) CAO points (awarded by CAO office) are given to the six best grades achieved by your son or daughter in their exams. More points are given to a ‘higher’ or ‘honours’ subject. Here is a list of the points for ordinary and honours subjects at Leaving Certificate level:

Table of points for Leaving Certificate (established) grades

Grade Ordinary Level Higher Level

A1 60 100

A2 50 90

B1 45 85

B2 40 80

B3 35 75

C1 30 70

C2 25 65

C3 20 60

D1 15 55

D2 10 50

D3 5 45

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Extra points for honours mathsSince 2012, a bonus of 25 points is awarded to students who achieve a grade D3 or above in higher level maths. For example, if your son or daughter gets a C1 in honours maths they will get 70 points plus 25 points bringing the total points to 95. This is only the case if maths is being used as one of the top six subjects to calculate points for the CAO. The CAO system is explained in more detail on page 5.

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

The LCVP adds a vocational element to the Leaving Certificate. Typically, students take Leaving Certificate subjects chosen from designated vocational subject groups PLUS the link modules ‘Preparation for the World of Work’ and ‘Enterprise Education’. The link modules can be used as an extra subject when calculating CAO points. See table for points.

TIP: Your son or daughter should speak with their Guidance Counsellor about the LCVP programme requirements.

Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)

The LCA is studied over two years. Each year is divided into two half-year blocks (also called sessions) and students are examined in January and May of each year. This is unique to the LCA and allows students to be examined as they go along. Students are assessed on modules, tasks and exams and the following table explains the awards, results and credits in the LCA.

For more information go to www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/LCA

Grade Points

Distinction 70 CAO points

Merit 50 CAO points

Pass 30 CAO points

Award Result Credits

Pass 60-69% (120 – 139 credits)

Merit 70-84% (140 – 169 credits)

Distinction 85-100% (170 – 200 credits)


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New Grades and Common Points Scale for Leaving Certificate 2017A new system for awarding points for Leaving Certificate (established) grades for entry to higher education (HE) will come into effect from 2017. More information can be found at www.transition.ie

After the Leaving Certificate – Applying for CollegeDuring the Leaving Certificate year your son or daughter will make decisions about what they’d like to do after they finish secondary school.

After the Leaving Certificate (established) your son or daughter might choose to apply for a Higher Certificate (QQI Award Level 6); Bachelor Degree (QQI Award Level 7); or, anHonours Degree (QQI Award Level 8) (formerly known as HETAC awards) at CIT by making an online application through the CAO system. Entry to these courses will depend on your son or daughter’s results at Leaving Certificate level. For more information on entry requirements go to page 5 of this booklet.

Your son or daughter also has the choice to apply to a Further Education college directly after the Leaving Certificate (established) to study at QQI Award Level 5/6; with an option to apply to CIT through the CAO on successful completion of their FE course.

After the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) your son or daughter can choose to apply to study QQI Award Level 5/6 at a further education (FE) college (these were previously known as FETAC awards) by directly applying to their chosen FE college. FE colleges accept online applications for September entry as early as January during the Leaving Certificate year so check out their websites for details of how and when to apply (more information on page 11). Your son or daughter may also have to do an interview.

TIP: Once your son or daughter has completed a full award at QQI Award Level 5 or 6 at FE they can then apply to study at CIT through the CAO system.

Contacting the higher education colleges in Cork:

CIT Access Service/DARE 021 433 5138

CIT Admissions 021 433 5037

UCC PLUS+ 021 490 3282

HEAR/DARE www.accesscollege.ie

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The following tables (1 and 2) explain choices available to your son or daughter depending on the Leaving Certificate they have completed.

Table 1: After the Leaving Certificate (established)

Table 2: After the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)

Leaving Certificate – Study Options

Higher Education – CITEntry Level 6, 7 or 8 QQI Award Level 6

Apply directly to college for L6

CAO

QQI Award Level 5Apply directly to college for L5

CAO

CAO

LCA – Study Options

Higher Education – CITEntry Level 6, 7 or 8 QQI Award Level 6

Apply directly to college for L6

CAO

QQI Award Level 5Apply directly to college for L5

CAO


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Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Course Providers/Further Education Colleges in Cork City and County

There are a number of independent colleges and Youth Reach centres that provide Further Education courses in Cork. For more information on QQI Award Level 5 and/or Level 6 courses and providers in Cork please visit the website www.qqi.ie

Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Cork www.csn.ie (021) 4961020

Cork College of Commerce www.corkcollegeofcommerce.ie (021) 4222100

CityNorth College of Further Education www.citynorthcollege.ie (021) 4391782

St John’s Central College, Cork www.stjohnscollege.ie (021) 4255500

Carrignafoy Community College, Cobh www.cobhcc.com (021) 4811325

Clonakilty Community College www.clonakiltycc.ie (023) 8833877

Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy www.c-chraoibhin.ie (025) 31633

Davis College, Mallow www.mallowcollege.ie (022) 43309

Kinsale College of Further Education www.kinsalefurthered.ie (021) 4772275

McEgan College, Macroom www.mcegan.ie (026) 41076

St Brogan’s, Bandon www.sbc.ie (023) 8841120

St Colman’s Community College, Midleton www.midletonvec.ie (021) 4631696

St Fanahan’s College, Mitchelstown www.stfanahans.ie (025) 24314

Rossa College, Skibbereen www.rossacollege.ie (028) 21644

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What can CIT offer your Son or Daughter?

Cork Institute of TechnologyWebsite: www.cit.iePhone: (021) 432 6100

Student support, clubs and societiesCIT is highly rated for its facilities and for its student support, clubs and societies. With more than 50 clubs and societies to choose from, students are spoiled for choice. We encourage first year students to sign up to clubs and societies at the beginning of the year. We have excellent sports facilities and boast a state-of-the-art library.

CIT offers a wide range of programmes of study in the following schools:Business and HumanitiesEngineeringScience and InformaticsNational Maritime College of IrelandCIT Cork School of MusicCIT Crawford College of Art and Design

Students can study for a variety of qualifications including:Higher Certificate (Level 6);Bachelor Degree (Level 7);Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8);Master Degree (Level 9); andPhD Degree (Level 10).

The college year in CIT is very different to post primary school. We use a system of modularisation and semesterisation. This means that we break the academic year into two semesters (or terms). Students study six modules (or subjects) per semester and sit their exams at the end of each semester. This allows students to spread their workload throughout the year. For a full breakdown of modules and semesters visit http://www.cit.ie/courses


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CIT’s Ladder of Progression We allow students to go through the different levels of qualifications along a ‘ladder of progression’. A student, in some programmes of study, can begin by studying a Level 6 Higher Certificate and progress to a Level 8 Honours Degree and even higher. There is also flexibility that allows students to ‘step off’ the ladder after completing a level and walk away with a qualification.

* For some three-year Bachelor Degree courses, students who successfully complete Year 2 and who do not wish to progress to Year 3 will receive a Higher Certificate award.

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CIT support servicesWe take great pride in providing supports and services for our students. Some of these include:

Access ServiceDisability Support ServiceAcademic Learning CentreAccommodation OfficeGood Start ProgrammeCareers ServiceCounselling ServiceChaplaincy and Student Support TeamMedical Centre with doctors, physiotherapists and nursesSocieties OfficeSports OfficeStudents’ UnionStudent OmbudsmanStudent Induction Programme


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Access to Education – CIT Progression Routes

QQI Award Level 5 or Level 6For CIT full time courses holders of a QQI Award Level 5 and/or Level 6 major award should apply directly through the CAO system for entry to first year of CIT. CAO points are allocated to each module; QQI Award Level 5 and/or Level 6 candidates can score a maximum of 400 CAO points.

How to Calculate CAO points from a QQI Award Level 5/6The scoring scheme applies only where all the requirements for a full (major) QQI Award Level 5/6 (formerly FETAC) are met and a minimum of 120 credits are achieved. Each component is given a score based on the credit value of the component and the weighting of the grade achieved. For more information see http://www.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf

Note: from 2017 changes for entry to HE from FE will come into effect. For more details on scoring system see www.transition.ie

Cork Colleges Progression Scheme (CCPS)The CCPS is an additional scheme that allows QQI Award level 5 or 6 candidates progress to CIT where certain criteria are met. All CCPS applicants must apply through the CAO for entry to first year of a course; a CAO application is not necessary for applying to the second year of a course but is advised as a second year place is not guaranteed.

Further Education Students’ Progression Routes to CIT

I want to apply to 1st year of a course at CITYou must hold either a QQI Award level 5 or 6 major award (complete 8 modules)You must have achieved at least 120 creditsYou must apply to the CAO by 1st FebruaryYou must meet minimum entry requirements (check www.cao.ie for QQI Award Level 5 and/or Level 6 minimum entry requirements for CIT)You can also make an application to the CCPS (talk to your guidance counsellor about this) – you must meet minimum entry requirements = 5 merits at QQI Award Level 5 and/or Level 6 for CCPS

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Further Education Students’ Progression Routes to CIT continued

I want to apply to 2nd year of a course at CITYou must hold a QQI Award level 6 major award (complete 8 modules) in a cognate area (the QQI-Award Level 6 must be related to the specific course in CIT, for more information go to: www.cit.ie/ccps) You must make an application to the CCPS (talk to your guidance counsellor about this)You must meet minimum entry requirements = 5 merits at QQI Award level 6You should also strongly consider making a CAO application for 1st year of your chosen course, as a 2nd year place is not guaranteed.

Additional entry routes to CIT for post primary students

Progression Scheme for linked schools (applies to CIT)This is a CIT Access Initiative where students from linked schools can apply for a limited number of places on a reduced-points system. If your son or daughter is applying through the Progression Scheme (PS) they must meet the minimum entry requirements. Your son or daughter must supply supporting financial documents such as a P21, copy of social welfare payments, copy of medical card, and so on. Students must still apply through theCAO system to be considered for this scheme. You can check with your son or daughter’s school if it is a linked school.

For qualifying criteria and for information on linked schools please contact our CIT Access Service by phoning (021) 433 5138.

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)DARE is for school leavers under the age of 23 as of 1st January, on the year of entry, who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education, but who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of a disability or ongoing illness. For more information please visit www.accesscollege.ie

Where entry to a third-level course requires a student to have a certain mark in Irish at the Leaving Certificate examination, students who have been exempted from the study of Irish may also be exempted from this requirement. This is a matter for each individual college. The student should contact the college(s) that they plan on applying to and make enquiries about this.


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Student Grant – SUSI

The student grant also called SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the main source of funding for full time students in Higher and Further Education in Ireland. Since 2012 there is an ONLINE ONLY application for the student grant. Family income is the key factor that is assessed when applying for the grant, but there are also some other conditions. If you think your son or daughter is eligible for the student grant then you are advised to apply early. You do not need an offer of a college place to apply for the grant.

TIP: Full details on how to apply for the grant are available from www.studentfinance.ie

How to applyYou must go to www.studentfinance.ie where you can complete the application form ONLINE.

How will payments be made?If eligible, payments will be made monthly into your son or daughter’s bank account, once your son or daughter continue to attend college regularly; this will be confirmed by the college. The contribution charge awarded is paid directly to the college by SUSI.

Student Assistance Fund (SAF):CIT has a fund available to assist students who experience financial hardship; students may be eligible for financial assistance towards college costs such as accommodation, transport & class materials. Students who are registered in CIT on a full time third level course of not less than one-year duration are eligible to apply for the SAF. Resources will be targeted at students most in need.

For more information on the SAF: www.mycit.ie/saf

TIP: students can apply for the SAF as soon as they register in college and there are four closing dates during the year.

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Cork City Buses to and from CIT

No 205 From city centre to CIT.No 208 Mayfield to the city centre and then to CIT.No 201 Orbital route serving Mayfield, Blackpool, Knocknaheeny and Bishopstown.No 219 Orbital route serving Mahon, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Togher and Bishopstown.

For more information on Cork City Services visit: www.buseireann.ie and choose timetable information (Cork City Services).


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Abbreviations

CAO Central Applications OfficeCIT Cork Institute of TechnologyCCPS Cork Colleges Progression SchemeQQI Quality and Qualifications IrelandLC Leaving CertificateLCA Leaving Certificate AppliedLCVP Leaving Certificate Vocational ProgrammeNFQ National Framework of QualificationsSUSI Student Universal Support Ireland

Common College Terms

Bachelor Degree When a CIT student successfully completes 3 years of a full-time course, they receive an ordinary degree award which is called a Bachelor Degree.

Undergraduate A student who is studying for a qualification up to QQI level 8.

Campus College grounds.

Modularisation and CIT uses a system called modularisation and semesterisation.Semesterisation

Semesters Each year, a full-time course is divided into two equal parts called semesters. Each semester is 15 weeks long. Semester 1 begins in September and ends in January. Semester 2 begins in February and ends in May.

Modules A module, which is sometimes called a subject, is completed in one semester. Students normally study 6 modules in each semester.

Prepared by the Access Service at CIT.

The information contained in this booklet was correct at the time of publishing. We encourage you to keep informed of any changes.

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