Third Level Education (Page 1)
Third Level Education is an important area for disabled people as it sets the course for their future career. In Ireland, third level education comprises education in Universities and Institutes of Technology. In recent years, since the late 1990's, these institutions have become more accessible to disabled people. This includes access to buildings, lecture halls, labs and rooms, disability toilets, disability officers, assistive technologies, special needs assistants, access courses for those lacking secondary school qualifications, and the opening up of academic courses to disabled people. Great progress has been achieved since the late 1990's and this progress is ongoing. In addition, the Central Applications Office (CAO) has included Equal Access initiatives into the application process for Universities and Institutes of Technology which is allowing disabled people to gain entry at reduced points or gain entry through a one year access course.
You can choose one of the following options for studying at third level:
(i) full-time course. This is usually grant aided by the government.
(ii) part-time course. These may or may not be grant aided by the government. You will need to view the grants section on this web site for details.
(iii) a distance education course. This includes the Open University and the distance education courses in Irish Universities and Institutes of Technology. These are not usually grant aided by the government. You will need to view the grants section on this web site for details.
We have provided information on the Applications bodies and the many facilities which third level institutions offer to disabled people.
The Central Applications Office (CAO) is the national office for processing applications to enter undergraduate courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology in Ireland. You must apply through the CAO for all courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology. There are dates and deadlines for applying to and accepting offers from third level institutions, and these are listed on the CAO website. The application forms and other forms can be downloaded from the CAO website.
In recent years, the CAO has introduced Equal Access initiatives into the application process. This enables disabled people and people from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to University and Institutes of Technology and gain entry to courses even though they have lower points or in some cases no points. These initiatives include DARE, HEAR and SIF.
CAO website: http://www.cao.ie/index.php
CAO Equal Access application forms: http://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=hddownloads
Various Equal Access initiatives: ..DARE.......HEAR....
Explanation of Equal Access initiatives: http://www.hea.ie/en/node/1124
Special Access courses for those people with little or no secondary school education: See NUI Galway "Access Course for School Leavers" below.
CAO Address: Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway city, Ireland
Telephone: 091-509800
Fax: 091-562344
The Postgradruate Applications Centre (PAC) processes all postgraguate applications for the following third level institutions:
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Dublin City University
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University College Cork
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NUI Galway
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NUI Maynooth
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Trinity College Dublin
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Waterford Institute of Technology
Some third level institutions make special provisions in the postgraduate application process for disabled people. You will need to contact them about this.
PAC website: http://www.pac.ie/index.php
Address: The Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway
Telephone: 091-549260
Fax: 091-563056
NUI Galway is the only University in Galway. The student body is very diverse and includes able-bodied and disabled students from all over Ireland and from foreign countries. NUI Galway is inclusive and has access to buildings, lecture halls, labs and rooms, disability toilets, disability officers, assistive technologies, special needs assistants, access courses for those lacking secondary school qualifications, and has opened many academic courses to disabled people. Here are some of their facilities for disabled students:
NUI Galway Disability Office:This provides highly skilled disability officers, special needs asistants, tutor services, a library assistant, mentoring, study skills, exam skills, provision of assistive technologies for disabled students, special library areas and booths and assistive technologies for disabled people, information about access to buildings and rooms on campus. They also operate special facilities for exams to meet the needs of disabled students.
Website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/disability/
DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a college and university admissions scheme which offers places on a reduced points basis to school leavers with disabilities. DARE has been set up by a number of colleges and universities as evidence shows that disability can have a negative effect on how well a student does at school and whether they go on to college. DARE is for school leavers 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 their disability.
To speak to a DARE expert in the Disability/Access Office of each of the participating institutions please use the following contact details:
NUI Galway
Elizabeth Walsh
Email: elizabeth.walsh@nuigalway.ie
Telephone: 091 493541
Going to College Project: NUI Galway is now offering places for eight persons with intellectual disabilities to go to university as part of the Going to College project. Students will start in September 2011 for two years. The aim of the project is to help each student to grow and develop, to take part in the life of the university, and to get the skills that will help them live a more independent life as part of their own community. (Source: NUI Galway website)
Website: http://www.nuigalwaycki.ie/news.asp?id=201
Access Course for School Leavers: The Access Course for School Leavers is a course specifically designed for students who have a real desire to study at third level, but are unable due to financial or social reasons. This scheme facilitates school-leavers from all schools in the Border Midlands and West region and County Clare. This course targets those students who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who, for a variety of social and economic reasons, are under represented at third level. Students should be highly motivated and interested in studying at undergraduate level in their chosen area. (Source: NUI Galway website)
Website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/access/school_leavers.html
Access Course for Mature Students: The Access Course is a 1 year part-time evening course that aims to provide mature students with the opportunity to prepare, personally and academically, for an undergraduate course of full-time study of at least three years duration at NUI, Galway. The course is designed to meet the learning needs of the adult student; to provide individual attention and assistance where appropriate; and to provide financial support, contingent upon funding. (Source: NUI Galway website)
Website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/access/mature_student.html