In This Section
- Alternative Entry Supports
- Support while Studying
- Community Outreach
- Research and Impact
- Information for staff
- About
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Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme.
This page is designed to help you understand what DARE is, the application process, and the resources available to you. By reading this guide, you'll gain valuable insights into how the DARE scheme can help students with disabilities overcome educational challenges and gain admittance into third-level education. It's a must-read for school leavers, parents, guidance counselors, and anyone interested in inclusive educational opportunities.
Please follow the links below to locate the specific information you need on this page.
What Is DARE?
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education.
A student applying to the DARE scheme needs to provide evidence of:
- their disability/learning difficulty/significant ongoing illness
and - how their condition has impacted negatively on their education.
The Disability Support is there to support students with disabilities within University College Cork.
How Do I Apply for DARE?
- Apply to the CAO and indicate that you have a disability/specific learning difference/significant ongoing health conditions
- You will then be directed to an Online form and asked to submit evidence of your disability.
- Follow this link to the official DARE website and explore the steps to making an application.
Please note a very important change to the DARE application timeline this year.
All supporting documents for a students DARE application must be sent to the CAO by March 10th 2026.
DARE Clinics
Access UCC’s Disability Support has organised live online advice clinics to disseminate information on the DARE application process. Parents/prospective students/guidance counsellors and other interested parties will be afforded an opportunity to get advice on applying for the DARE scheme. For the first 30 mins approximately, there will be a presentation giving an overview of the DARE scheme with an opportunity for questions and answers afterwards.
Booking is essential for our online DARE clinics & once you have booked, you will receive a reminder and link 24 hours before the clinic.
UCC DARE Online DARE Clinics will be held on the following dates:
| Date |
Day |
Time |
Link |
| October 21st |
Wednesday |
5 to 7 pm |
|
| November 12th |
Thursday |
3 to 5 pm |
|
| December 9nd |
Wednesday |
3 to 5 pm |
|
| January 21st |
Thursday |
5 to 7 pm |
It is ESSENTIAL to book.
Access UCC will also host an in-person Access UCC Open Evening on November 25th from 5 to 7pm in the Dora Allman Room in the Student Hub.
All are welcome, and no booking is required for this in-person event.
This is to support students applying to UCC through the:
The Munster in-person DARE and HEAR clinic will be held at MTU Cork Campus on January 9th. No booking is required.
How Can I Contact Disability Support?
The Disability Support Department is located on the 1st floor, The Hub Building, UCC Main Campus, College Road, Cork, UCC.
Please contact dare@ucc.ie with your full name, surname and CAO number if you have any queries and we will get back to you within 1-2 working days during regular daytime office hours.