UCC's successful access programme is in its fifth year. The college is well on its way to achieving the Points Commission national objective (5 per cent of student population by 2005) on disadvantage, writes Anne Byrne

The college's access programme comprises an access officer, a disability officer, financial support and specialist facilities and tuition.

In an interview in the forthcoming College Courier, Professor Aidan Moran, UCC registrar, says: "From our point of view, it is all about diversity - about recognising the diversity of backgrounds that people come from, whether it is a family that is poor, whether it is having a physical or mental disability, or where people have left school early and are now looking to continue their education as adults. We want to facilitate them."

A new campus, the Northside Centre for Higher Education, will provide up to 1,000 whole-time equivalent student places. A joint venture between UCC and Cork IT, it will meet the needs of a community that has been traditionally marginalised both socially and economically.

All of the colleges in the Republic have introduced a variety of measures to broaden their intake of disadvantaged students. These range from designated direct-entry places to part-time and full-time access programmes. Prospective students should contact colleges directly and ask for details.