Promoting Access to Higher Education

Mater Dei Institute (MDI) promotes access for students who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who are under-represented at third level. The three main groups of students considered are:

  1. Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)
  2. Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)
  3. Mature Students (23 years or over by the 1st January of the year of entry)

1. Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. HEAR has been established by a number of higher education institutions as clear evidence shows that socio-economic disadvantage has a negative impact on educational attainment at school and on progression to higher education.

Who is it for?

School leavers who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education and who come from socio economic groups in Irish society that are under-represented in third level.

How do I apply?

School leavers who wish to be considered for the HEAR scheme must:

  • Apply online at www.cao.ie as part of the CAO application process by 1st February 2010.
  • Indicate their wish to be considered for HEAR in the appropriate section of the application form. Applicants will then be directed to a separate online HEAR application form.
  • Complete a number of additional questions relating to:
    • his/her family’s financial situation;
    • employment status of parents;
    • school(s) attended.
  • Submit supporting documentation (e.g. P21, Notice of Assessment etc) by 1 April 2010.

From November 1st 2009 through to March 2010 CAO will operate a helpline to assist with the applicant on making a full application to HEAR. Applications for HEAR can only be made online at www.cao.ie

» To download the HEAR 2010 Information Brochure click here
» To download the HEAR 2010 Student Flyer click here
» To download the HEAR 2010 Application Guide and Workbook click here

Please Note: Making an application to HEAR after the 1st February will not be possible.

What happens after I have applied and I have submitted my supporting documentation?

  • Interview: Once application forms are assessed, the HEAR applicant will be invited to the college for an interview in due course.
  • Offers of places: Following the interview, each applicant who has presented for interview will receive a letter informing him/her of the outcome – successful or otherwise. If successful, the applicant will be included in the list of applicants who may be eligible for a place based on the leaving certificate. Offers will be subject to ranking based on the points' level achieved in the Leaving Certificate. However ranking will be used only in the event that there are more applicants eligible for HEAR places than there are HEAR places available.
  • At the same time that an offer is being made through the CAO, MDI will communicate directly with the applicants to advise if any CAO MDI offer is an offer of a HEAR place.
  • Applicants must meet the matriculation requirements (minimum entry requirements) for entry and any other requirements of the specific programme.
  • HEAR applicants seeking entry to the Bachelor of Religious Education programmes (MD201, MD301, MD401 - restricted), may be admitted with a CAO points score of forty points less than the lowest ordinary entrant to that respective Bachelor of Religious Education programme. However, the floor on cut-off points is 330 points (e.g. if the points for an ordinary entrant is 365, a HEAR applicant may only receive a points concession of 330).
  • Eligible applicants to MD500 programme may be admitted with a CAO points score of twenty points less than the lowest ordinary entrant to that respect (the floor on cut-off points is 310 points) on the BA programme.

What HEAR Post Entry Supports are available?

Students who secure places in MDI through HEAR are offered a variety of supports while studying at third level. For more information please contact the Admissions office.

 

2. Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a supplementary admissions scheme for school leavers with disabilities which operates on a reduced points basis. DARE has been established as clear evidence shows that disability can have a negative impact on educational attainment at school and progression to higher education.

Who is it for?

MDI welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities and/or special requirements.

How do I apply?

Applicants who wish to be considered for the DARE scheme must:

  • Apply online at www.cao.ie as part of the CAO application process by 1st February 2010.
  • Disclose a disability or specific learning difficulty on the appropriate section of the application form. Applicants will then be directed to the separate online Supplementary Information Form which will ask them to provide additional information about their disability or specific learning difficulty (Sections A-C).
  • Applicants must indicate their wish to be considered for DARE (final Section on Supplementary Admissions Routes).
  • Applicants must submit supporting documentation by 1st April 2010.
  • Applicants must meet the matriculation requirements (minimum entry requirements) for entry and any other requirements of the specific programme.
  • Applicants with a disability seeking entry to the Bachelor of Religious Education programmes (MD201, MD301, MD401 - restricted), may be admitted with a CAO points score of forty points less than the lowest ordinary entrant to that respective Bachelor of Religious Education programme. However, the floor on cut-off points is 330 points (e.g. if the points for an ordinary entrant is 365, a supplementary admissions applicant may only receive a points concession of 330).
  • Applicants seeking entry to the BA programme MD500, will only be admitted with a CAO points score that is the same as the lowest ordinary entrant on the BA programme.

» To download the DARE 2010 Information Brochure click here
» To download the DARE 2010 Application Guide and Workbook click here

Supplementary Information Form

There are four separate sections to the Supplementary Information Form which must be completed by the applicant, the applicant’s school and the Medical Consultant/Specialist verifying the disability. For further details please visit www.accesscollege.ie

What DARE Post Entry Supports are available?

Students who secure places in MDI through DARE are offered a variety of supports while studying at third level. For more information please contact the Admissions office.

Further Information

Further details on the HEAR and DARE schemes can be obtained from www.accesscollege.ie or by contacting the Admissions Office on 01 808 6518 or by emailing

 

3. Mature Students

Candidates who are 23 years or over by the 1st January of the year of entry, and who do not fulfil the academic entry requirements, may apply for matriculation on the basis of mature years.

  • Application is made to the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway; Tel: +353 (0)91 509 800 (www.cao.ie). Applicants must complete a personal statement and submit supporting documentation in support of their application.
  • Normally, applications must be made by 1 February. However, late applications may be considered up to 1 May 2010, except for MD401 which is a restricted course.
  • Interview: When information is received from the CAO, each mature applicant will be invited to the college for an interview. This consists of a short comprehension/writing skills exercise followed by an individual interview. The date of the interview will be scheduled for late March or April.
  • Offers: Following the interview, each applicant who has presented for interview will receive a letter informing him/her of the outcome – successful or otherwise. The formal offer of the place will come through the CAO in early July. At that stage, applicants must comply fully with CAO requirements of acceptance of the offer.
  • Within 10 days after the CAO reply date, mature applicants who have accepted the formal CAO offer will receive instructions on how to register. First year registration takes place in the third week of September.