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 10^th 2026.

How Do I Understand More About DARE?

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:

It is ESSENTIAL  to book.

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.