These are collated answers from our helpdesk. For all the questions, visit the helpdesk at http://liveblog.irishtimes.com/e054173c0e/LIVE-Results-2013-Helpdesk/
MATHS: What are the openings for my son who has failed OL Maths and got 250 points overall? It seems most of the colleges want a pass in Maths for any degree course.
While many colleges may look for maths as an entry requirement it is not an entry requirement for every course. It is wise to double check the course entry requirements to be sure.
If your son has only applied for CAO courses requiring Maths to gain entry then he will receive no offers unfortunately this year through CAO. It is important to check if it is an entry requirement. There are approx. 200 courses in the CAO system according to qualifax that do not require ordinary level maths.
However, he may have other options including:
Special maths exams organised by individual colleges over the next week, to give students a second chance to fulfill the entry requirements - check the college website for more information. Some colleges include UL, DIT, CIT, NUIM, NUIG, WIT. Some of these tests are just for specific courses while others are for all courses.
Non CAO courses which may not need maths as an entry requirement - check out all the non CAO courses (some may not need maths) using this link http://careersportal.ie/courses/simple_search_direct_entry.php
He may wish to repeat his Maths only to meet the entry requirement or indeed he may consider repeating 6 subjects and going for a better points total as well as trying to pass his maths.
FETAC courses (PLC) which may be still accepting applications - these may be used as progression routes the following year depending on the course and performance. You can search using qualifax or careersportal. http://www.careersportal.ie/members/auth/courses/plc_search.php
What are the options for my son who has a points total overall of 440 but failed Higher level maths?
While many colleges may look for Maths as an entry requirement it is not an entry requirement for every course. It is wise to double check the course entry requirements to be sure.
However, he may have other options inculding: special maths exams organised by individual colleges over the next week or so., to give students a second chance to fulfill the entry requirements. The colleges that offer this lifeline are CIT (Aug 20th), DIT (Aug 21), NUI Galway (August 21), NUI Maynooth/ degree in engineering but dont' have the required LC higher level C3 ( Aug 23) UL, faculty of Science and Engineering( Aug 22) and WIT, courses (except nursing or B Eng Electronic Engineering, Aug 30.) The exams vary between colleges and some colleges run preparatory courses to help students get a handle on what to expect. Fees may be payable and information is on college websites.
The answer to your question is a yes. There are PLC courses in both Science and Computer Science. Research the information available from the link below. PLC courses can be used as a progression route the following year . Check out this link
http://careersportal.ie/members/quth/cpourses/plc_search.php
Also look at the FETAC website for more progression routes and the Pilot scheme and teh LINKS scheme. Some colleges allow students enter using their FETAC results and some even keep reserved places for tehm, which are allocated based on a merit system if more students apply than places exist
http://www.fetac.ie/fetac/learners/learners.htm
Your son has the option of repeating just Maths and Biology in order to satisfy minimum entry requirements provided that he has the necessary points. THowever, there is no guarantee that this years points, 2013, will be suffice for next years entry.
Some colleges give students who failed their Maths exam a second chance. Certain colleges ( see above) offer a lifeline in the form of a special exam, providing students with a second chance to meet the particular entry requirements for a course. Please see more on this above.
If your son is unhappy with his Biology maybe he should view his script and then decide on whether to appeal it or not?
The best of luck.
No. Your daughter has not failed her Leaving Cert. She still has many options. Please see answers to questions below regarding the failure of Maths.
While many colleges may look for Maths as an entry requirement it is not an entry requirement for every course. It is wise to double check the course entry requirements to be sure.
If she does not recieve any offers on Monday go to www.cao.ie and view vacant places. Here she could apply for courses 9no maths requirement) that she had not previously considered.
She may wish to repeat Maths only to meet the entry requirements or she may consider repeating 6 subjects and going for a better points total as well as trying to pass her Maths.
If she is unhappy with her score and feels that it is not a true reflection of her performance on that day she could view her script and appeal it.
Hope that I have answered your question. The best of luck.
An exam for students who did not achieve the necessary grade for the Faculty of Science and Engineering degrees will take place on Thursday, August 22. So if you did not achieve the grade necessary for your desired course you have been given a second chance. Check this out on teh college website.
You don't know what you will be offered or not offered until Monday. So hold tight.
I would suggest that if you are disappointed or surprised with your results you could maybe request to view all your scripts and then maybe appeal them?
Another option would be for you do go back and repeat . Is repeating the right choice for you? Do you feel that you have it in you to imrove second time round?
If you don't get offered your first or second choice you could do a PLC course and see if there is a progression route into your course of choice at UL. Please see details regarding PLC in answers below. You can still get into college you are just taking the scenic route.
You may get offered choices further on down your list that you moight be happy with?
Weigh up all your options after Monday but in the meantime start researching PLC, could you give it more the second time round?, would I be happy to pursue the course that I have been offered.
We are here to help all day tomorrow and again next Tuesday and Wednesday. Get in touch if needs be.
Well done on what I think is a great Leaving Cert result. It is a score well above the average.
Mathematics (Min OB3/HD3 in LC) is a requirement for this course. Therefore, you will not receive an offer.
UCD does not offer a special maths exam for students who failed to meet the minimum requirement.
You could repeat maths seperately next year or reapply to CAO listing courses where Maths is not a requirement. Repeating Maths would give you more options than the latter.
The best of luck.
Count the one that gives you the most points. It sounds like Maths is the one to be counting. Don't forget to add in your 25 bonus points!
Well done and the best of luck over the next few weeks.
Your prayers have been answered. You do not need Maths to study Arts in UCC, ck108.
Enjoy the celebrations.
Are you counting Maths in one oof your best six subjects? If so then yes the bonus points still come into play regardless of what course you are applying for.
If that person is applying to the same cousre and both of you satisfy other entry requirements well then the answer is No.. You will get in before her as you have higher points. She might also get in depending on the cut off points.
Some do but others only apply to higher level as they require a minimum of a higher C3 to begin with such as the Level 8 (honours) engineering programmes in DIT.
I would advise you to contact the admissions officer in the particular HEI that interests you.
Mathematics (Min OB3/HD3 in LC) is a requirement for this course. Therefore, you will not receive an offer.
UCD does not offer a special maths exam for students who failed to meet the minimum requirement.
You could repeat maths seperately next year or reapply to CAO listing courses where Maths is not a requirement. Repeating Maths would give you more options than the latter.
The best of luck.
