College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences

College of Business & Law

College of Science, Engineering & Food Science

College of Medicine & Health

All students in the College of Medicine & Health are subject to Garda Vetting and Health Screening.   The nature of the Health Screening tests is reviewed in line with medical best practice and may include tests for Hepatitis and TB. 

A LEVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are two stages in the evaluation process:

1.  The first stage requires an applicant's results to meet the Minimum Entry/Matriculation Requirements and specific subject requirements of a programme. If you are presenting subjects through a GCE/GCSE examination programme ensure that you refer to the National University of Ireland listing of which A-level/GCSE subjects are mutually exclusive for basic eligibility.

2.  The second stage requires an applicant's results to meet the Minimum Points Requirements of a programme.  The Points Requirements for each individual programme are determined by the demand for that programme as well as the standard of school leaving examination results of all applicants for that programme.  All EU applicants will compete on Points Equivalences as outlined in the tables which follow.

1. Minimum Entry/Matriculation Requirements:

Applied A-Level/Vocational subjects are not accepted for matriculation or entry purposes. 

Single Sitting: A-level Grades taken over a single sitting may be combined with AS Grades from the same year or 1 year previous for scoring purposes. 

English Language Competence:  Grade C at GCSE level or equivalent English Language competence

Points Equivalences:

Bonus Points

25 additional points will be awarded for a Grade E or better in A2 Mathematics.  This will apply to only ONE Mathematics subject of the following:  Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics, and only where that subject is used as one of the subjects for scoring purposes.   NB:  Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.

Table Key for A Level Requirements below: 

 A-Level Specific Subject Requirements/2016 Entry Points Requirements

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

College of Business and Law

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

College of Medicine and Health

Teaching in UCC is normally through the medium of English; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of Competence in English Language. Applicants who have not passed English as a subject in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination must provide evidence of equivalent Competence in English Language through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for particular programmes) in a recognised English language test, as outlined below:

The appropriate minimum score in the following English Language Examinations

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):  90 Internet based (no less than 20 in each section); A minimum score of 600 administered by Princeton University, with Test of Written English at 465+. 

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS):  Test Patterns A and B, with an average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.00 in each band.

• University of Cambridge: 180+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 175 in each skill and use of English, i.e.: 
  • Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)
  • Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)
  • First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR LEvel C1)

• English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP): With grade C1 or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)

UK Examining Boards/Bodies

• GCE O Level English Language at Grade C or above
• GCSE English Language at Grade C or above
• GCSE English Literature at Grade C or above
• CSE Grade 1 Pass in English

University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES)

With English at grade C or above (incorporating the Oxford Examining Body’s English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)

EU Countries’ Matriculation Examination

Matriculation Examinations from European Countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved. Where the examination has been taken more than 2 years previuosly, candidates may be required to take a proficiency test. Where an English proficiency test which is scored on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is presented as part of a school-leaving qualification, grade must be C1/C2. 

Pearson English language test) (PTE Academic) 

minimum of 63 (with at least 59 for each item).

Trinity ISE

Trinity ISE 3 with at least merit in each skill category

QQI FETAC ESL

Distinction in the module 'English as a Second Language'

Or an equivalent level of English in a recognised examination. 

Proficiency tests are used to meet entry requirements but do not count towards points scores. For all proficiency tests, the results must normally have issued within two years prior to the start of your course. Where an applicant shows evidence of hearing impairment which meets the requirements for access, the English language requirements can be met without the hearing and speaking components.

Application process

Applicants must apply through the Central Applications System (CAO). Complete information on the CAO system is available in the CAO Handbook and is also available on the CAO Website at www.cao.ie. Each application must be accompanied by appropriate documentation as outlined below.

Documentation to be submitted with CAO Application Form

When submitting an application to the CAO it must be accompanied by the following documentation (or followed by the documentation if applying on-line):

• Certified true copy of official transcripts of academic results
• In some cases, the final school report is also required (to show the full range of subjects taken)
• A certified English translation is required in the case of qualifications not issued originally in English or Irish, in addition to the certified A4 photocopies of the documents themselves.

In the absence of these documents and translations the application may not be processed. Applicants who are awaiting current year examination results must forward their results as soon as they become available to the CAO For applicants who are successful in their application, the HEI will require will require that the original documentation be presented at registration for verification. Offers of places are provisional until such time as all Registration formalities have been completed within the University.

Application Process:

Applications must be submitted by 14 July 2017 and must be accompanied by:

• Original or certified true copy of Birth Certificate
• Original or certified true copy of third-level academic transcripts to date
• Appropriate application fee 

To be considered for transfer: 

• There must be a vacancy in the course for which the student has applied
• Applicants must have previously registered in an appropriate Honours Degree programme in their own institution
• The courses must be compatible in regards to the modules covered between what the applicant has studied/is studying and what is taught in UCC. 
• Applicants must have passed all previous years in their previous University.
• It is highly unlikely that any applicant would be granted transfer entry into the final year of an undergraduate degree (other than the special entry route into BSc (Hons) Architecture (note 6 below)). Please contact the Admissions Office for any specific queries.

The following transfer application paths are available:

1.     Entry into the second year of the Early Childhood Studies programme is available to holders of the following:

a)     Three or four-year, full-time Diplomas/Degrees of QQI HET (HETAC) Ordinary Bachelor Degree in:

• Diploma in Pre-School Care and Education 
• Diploma in Social Care 
• Diploma in Humanities in Montessori Education
• HETAC Degree in Humanities in Montessori Education

b)     Two year, full-time Higher Certificate in Pre-School Care from QQI HET (HETAC) with Merit or Distinction.

c)     The two year, full-time or three year, part-time Irish St. Nicholas Montessori qualification with an award of Distinction or Highly Commended.

d)     The two year, full-time AMI Montessori Diploma with a minimum of two Grade Cs and one Grade B in the written theory examination, the written practical examination and the oral practical examination.

e)     Qualifications deemed to be the equivalent of any of 1 to 4 (above).

f)      Recognition of Prior Learning

Candidates applying under this category will be selected on the basis of their prior learning - certified and experimental.

A minimum full-time equivalent of 5 years practice experience in a recognised Early Years and Childhood setting will be required 

PLUS

Evidence of ongoing commitment to personal and professional development (CPD)

In addition, prospective candidates will be required to submit at the application stage [and will be assessed on] a 2,000/3,000 word written assignment on an assigned topic.

Students deemed eligible will be allowed to undertake the supervised placements in second and third year in their own settings if desired.

There are up to 20 places available on the programme.  Application forms are available from the Admissions Office.

 2.     Entry to the second year of the BComm (Hons) Degree (CK201) and the BComm (International) with Chinese Studies (Hons) (CK211) Degree is available to holders of:

a)     The one year QQI FET(FETAC) Level 6 Business (6M4985) or QQI (FET)FETAC Level 6 Management (6M4587) (having previously successfully passed a one year QQI FET(FETAC) Level 5 qualification in Business Studies or equivalent) and who have met the following requirements:

Distinctions (i.e. 80% or greater) in 5 modules in the QQI FET(FETAC) Level 6 which must include the following: 

b)     The two-year Institute of Commercial Management Diploma in Business Studies and who have met the following requirements:

• Obtained at least grade B in all 6 subjects taken in the Summer Examination
• andobtained at least 3 A grades across all 6 subjects

It is expected there will be up to 5 places available for students presenting with the above qualifications. If the number of applicants exceeds the quota, applicants will be ranked on the basis of their overall results having met the criteria outlined above and the places will be offered to the top ranked students. In the event there are students with the same ranking, then these students will be ranked on a random number basis within the relevant ranking.

For applicants applying for entry to CK211 Commerce (International) with Chinese Studies, The School of Asian Studies reserves the right to interview prospective students to assess their level of language.

 3.     Entry at a level beyond first year from holders of QQI HET(HETAC) Ordinary Bachelor Degree qualifications

A number of places are allocated each year at a level beyond first year to those holding relevant QQI HET (HETAC)/NCEA/DIT qualifications. Interested students should contact the Admissions Office in May of the year of proposed entry. The level at which students are admitted depends on the course concerned. If interested, you should apply directly to the Admissions Office for an application form. 

 4.     Direct Entry into Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) in Science Education for degree holders in Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

Applicants who hold a degree in Physics, Chemistry or Biology may apply for entry to Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) in Science Education.  If interested, you should apply directly to the Admissions Office for an application form. 

5.     Advanced Entry into Medicine for Dental Graduates beyond First Year

Dental graduates who have a demonstrated intention of following a career in Oral Medicine and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery including full completion of MFD/MFDS will be considered for admission to Medicine beyond First Year and should apply in writing to the Admissions Office, University College Cork. The closing date for application is 1st March each year. Late applications cannot be considered. Dental graduates may be called for interview. This is subject to the availability of places.

Full details on the application procedure may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

6.     Direct Entry to Year 4 of the Joint UCC/CIT BSc (Hons) Architecture programme

Suitably qualified applicants may apply for direct entry to Year 4 of the UCC/CIT BSc (Hons) Architecture programme. Application forms and full entry requirements are available from the Admissions Office.

7.     Entry at a level beyond first year for Medicine & Dentistry

The School of Medicine and the School of Dentistry do not accept students transferring from other programmes.

The Mature Student Guide for entry in 2017 is available for download here.

To request a copy of the Mature Student Guide 2017 please contact the Mature Student Office at 021 490 1873 or email: mso@ucc.ie

Information on Undergraduate Degree Programmes is available here.

See the Entry to Medicine Brochure for more more information: 2017 Medicine UG Entry (1,127kB)

For undergraduate entry to medicine, school leavers, in addition to the application through the CAO, must also apply directly to ACER to complete the HPAT-Ireland test. The only sitting of the HPAT-Ireland test for 2017 will take place on the 25 February 2017. HPAT-Ireland results can be used for application to Medicine for one year meaning that if an applicant sits the test in 2017, the resulting score is valid for 2017 entry only.

For school-leaving applicants who meet the minimum subject entry requirements and the 480 points criterion in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination, allocation of places for Medicine will be determined on the basis of the weighted combination of the Leaving Certificate Examination points and the HPAT-Ireland score.

The HPAT test measures a candidate’s logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, non-verbal reasoning and the ability to understand human thoughts, behaviour and intentions. It does not test academic knowledge and candidates do not require specific understanding of any academic discipline. However, some familiarity with the question types typically presented would be an advantage. Sample questions are available on the HPAT-Ireland website along with information about how to purchase further HPAT-Ireland Practice Materials. The test results will complement the Leaving Certificate Examination assessment for selecting applicants for admission to an undergraduate Medical School course.

2016 results:

For entry to Medicine from 2017, points scores above 550 will continue to be moderated. Scores above 550 will be rounded up to the nearest 5 points and moderated as per the table below. For instance, a score of 562 will be rounded up to 565 and so will result in a moderated score of 553. 

The maximum achievable score is 865. 565 is the maximum score in the Leaving Certificate after adjustment and the maximum HPAT score is 300.

*Please note that BTEC Music Technology is not acceptable for entry to CK104. 

**Only relevant programmes will be considered.

Decisions on the suitability of applications for entry to degree programmes in the College of Science, Engineering & Food Science will be taken by the College.

‌New Leaving Certificate Grading and Points Scales from 2017

The new Leaving Certificate grading system will be implemented from 2017 onwards. The new grades will range from a H1-H8 and an O1-O8.  The new grade system and how it corresponds with the scheme up to 2016 is outlined below:

From 2017, the minimum entry requirements will be two H5 and four O6/H7 grades.

The revised common points scale will apply for those presenting the Leaving Certificate:

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Link Modules

UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:

While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.

Scoring for pre-2017 Leaving Certificate applicants

All students applying through the CAO from 2017 will be awarded points under the new scale, no matter when they sat the Leaving Certificate. 

The pre-2017 E grade band covers from 25-39% and does not map directly to the H7 grade, which covers the range 30-39%. Therefore, the points awarded from a pre-2017 higher level E grade will be less than for a H7 and have been calculated mathematically on the non-linear scale at 33 points.

Matriculation Requirements

The general NUI matriculation requirements and booklet are available at the following link:

http://www.nui.ie/college/entry-requirements.asp

Exemptions

Applicants who wish to gain exemptions from Irish and/or the Third Language requirement should consult the above NUI website for further details. The NUI exemption application form required for these exemptions is available on the NUI website.

NB: A Department of Education and Science exemption will not suffice; it must be an NUI exemption.