Information for Parents and Family

If you are supporting your child in their university journey. Whether they’ve applied or are still considering their options, we’re here to help.

How Can Access UCC Support My Child in Their Journey to University College Cork?

Listed below are ways our future students can apply to University College Cork beyond the typical Central Applications Office application. These entry routes help students who may be at a disadvantage for various reasons. UCC has extra course places, and extra support available to students who qualify for these entry routes.

DARE Admissions

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) aims to increase participation from students with disabilities in third-level education. Each university that participates in the scheme allocates several places in each course for students coming through the DARE scheme and offers various supports to students once in college.

All applicants should visit the official DARE Website for full details on how to apply and to keep up to date on current DARE applicant information.

Please see the following information page below to learn more about how UCC supports DARE applicants.

HEAR Admissions

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) aims to promote wider participation among students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As UCC participates in the HEAR scheme, several places in each course are allocated to HEAR students.

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.

Incoming students should visit our HEAR Orientation Webpage for full details about HEAR orientation.

Please see the following information page below to learn more about how UCC supports HEAR applicants.

Mature Student Entry Route

The Mature Student entry route aims to widen participation from students over 23 who are returning to education. 

All applicants should visit the official Mature Students Ireland Website for full details on how to apply and to keep up to date on current Mature Student applicant information.

Please see the following information page below to learn more about how UCC supports the Mature Student route.

QQI/ FET Entry Route

The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) entry route is designed for students coming through QQI Level 5 or Level 6 Awards on the National Framework of Qualifictions (NFQ), from Colleges of Further Education. The route is for students seeking a Level 8 (NFQ) degree in University College Cork (UCC). UCC offers specific undergraduate degrees for students who have achieved the required modular distinctions in one of the linked QQI Awards. Most of our undergraduate degrees are linked to QQI level 5 and also Level 6 awards in Colleges of Further Education.

All applicants should visit the UCC Admissions Office website for full details on how to apply and keep up to date on current QQI/ FET applicant information.

Please see the following information page below to learn more about how the Access UCC office supports QQI/ FET applicants.