The CAO

The Choosing a Course

Course Choice Think about:

Skills Interest Career

l Informed decisions Informed decisions ensureensure rightright resultsresults

How to look for information

CAO Handbook warning. Publications. Guidance Counsellors/teachers. Current students/graduates/people doing that

job. Open days - College visits. Parents/older siblings. Internet & General Media.

Points

Realistic Expectations

(8% > 500 points, average = 310 points)

C.A.O.

CAO Application Timetable EU Closing Date - 1st February (paper or on-line).

Demo on CAO web site - www.cao.ie 2 lists of 10 choices - level 8 and level 6/7 Restricted Application courses Strict order of preference Study ALL preferences carefully Late Closing Date - 1st May Check Application Record Change-of-Mind 1st July (on-line)

Making a C.A.O. Application

Points to Note

Select in order of preference not points. Once you have the points for a particular

course all courses below are deleted. You then have to pick between your level 8 or

6 and 7 courses. You may move up your list if points drop in

round two or your points increase on a re-check of papers

Alternative Entry Routes

UCAS PLC’s Apprenticeships

UCAS

The UK version of the CAO Closing Dates: 1st October for Medical

Courses and 1st January for all other courses. Differences from the CAO

Personal Statement Subjects Apply for 6 courses and then choose from

successful applications.

PLC’s

Irish Colleges that don’t fall under the CAO umbrella.

You have to apply to each college directly. Offer some very artistic courses:

Ballyfermot or Dun Laoghaire Allows re-entry into the CAO system. Courses vary in quality.

Questions to Ask

What does the average student do after they finish the course.

Does it have links in order to get me to degree level.

Does this take course me to where I want to go.

Types of Post Leaving Cert Courses

Media/Drama Outdoor & Animals Performing Arts Social Care &

Childcare Travel & Tourism Science &

Technology

Art and Design Adventure Sports Beauty Therapy Business Computing Engineering Leisure and

Recreation

National Qualifications Framework

National Qualifications Framework

1: Primary Certificate

2: Primary Certificate

3: Junior Certificate

4: Leaving Certificate

5: Leaving Certificate and FETAC Qualifications

6: Higher Certificate: (HETAC, FETAC and I.T.’s)

7: Ordinary Batchelor Degree

8: Higher Batchelor Degree and H. Dip’s

9: Masters Degree

10: Doctoral Degree

THE ‘LADDER’ SYSTEMTHIRD LEVEL EDUCATION IN IRELAND

FETAC 5

FETAC 6

Higher Certificate

Ordinary Degree

Degree Honours Degree

Post Grad

Degree 3 -6years

Post Grad

1

2

3

4

5

6+

No. ofYears

FurtherEducation

Institutes ofTechnology

University

Apprenticeships

Many Apprenticeships Offered. Seven Phases: Four “on the job” phases and

three college phases. The key to getting an apprenticeship is

getting a contact.

Conclusion

Choose courses that accommodate: Skills Interest Career

Research is the key to good course selection.