HEAR Admissions

What Is HEAR?

The Higher Education Access Route to Education (HEAR) is a third-level alternative admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points, and extra college supports to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland.

HEAR Applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support.

Applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements and achieve a minimum of 300 points; Applicants must achieve at least 85% of the points required for the course and meet any additional requirements, where they exist. Please visit the following link to download the UCC HEAR Admissions Policy.

The PLUS Programme looks after HEAR-eligible students who are offered a place at University College Cork.

What Support Can I Get as a HEAR-Eligible Student at UCC?

• A dedicated Support Officer from the ACCESS UCC PLUS programme to help your transition to university life and onward progress to finishing your degree.
• A customised, mandatory Connection Day for first-year HEAR students will take place in-person, on-campus (full details will be emailed to you after you receive your CAO offer) with tours of our location in the new HUB building.
• Academic support (if required) in the form of extra tuition.
• Workshops to help you with essay writing, study skills, time management, and money management amongst others.
• Access to a dedicated PLUS Programme student Resource Room in the new HUB building. 
• Use of computer equipment including the loan of computer laptops.
• An allocation of free printing credit loaded onto your student card when you register for College, for use in the Resource Room. 
• On-going personal support and guidance from academic mentors and the PLUS Programme Staff.

How Do I Apply for HEAR?

• Follow this link to the official CAO website and explore the steps to making an application.
• Indicate in your CAO application that you wish to apply for the HEAR scheme and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR application form.
• Once you have completed the HEAR application form, you will get a checklist which tells you which documents you need to supply. 
• Post your supporting documents to CAO.

How Can I Learn More About HEAR from UCC?

Advice Clinic: We host In-Person advice clinics to provide information about the HEAR application process. These sessions are open to parents, prospective students, guidance counselors, and anyone else who may be interested. The clinics will run from November to January. If you miss a clinic, don't worry! There are plenty of resources available online, including on this page. Please click here to watch a video giving an overview of the HEAR scheme.

DEIS Schools Visits: One of our ACCESS UCC Schools Outreach Coordinators will virtually or where possible, visit in-person UCC's 33 Linked DEIS Secondary Schools across Cork, Kerry and Waterford, providing information on the HEAR Scheme. Please contact your Guidance Counsellor to find out if and when your school visit is on and make sure to be there.

Check Out the Offical HEAR Website: All applicants should visit the official HEAR website for full details on how to apply and to keep up to date on current HEAR applicant information.

Where Do I Find the PLUS Programme?

The PLUS (Providing Links to Underrepresented School Leavers) Programme is located at the ACCESS UCC Reception, 1st floor, The Hub Building, UCC Main Campus, College Road, Cork, UCC.

Please contact hear@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.