DARE Admissions

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 department 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 difficulty.
• 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.

How Do I Understand More About DARE?

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 link 24 hours before the clinic.

UCC DARE Online DARE Clinics will be held on the following dates:

Access UCC are also hosting joint DARE/HEAR in person clinics in The Hub, UCC, Dora Allman. These in person DARE and HEAR advice clinics will be held on the following dates:

No booking is necessary for in person clinics.

It would be very beneficial to view the following videos on the DARE and HEAR schemes before the in person clinics.
Please click here to watch a video giving an overview of the DARE scheme.
Please click here to watch a video giving an overview of the HEAR scheme.

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.