1. The CAO

2. The Choosing a Course Course Choice Think about: Skills Interest Career l Informed decisions ensurerightresults l Informed decisions ensure right results

3. How to look for information CAO Handbook warning. Publications. Guidance Counsellors/teachers. Current students/graduates/people doing that job. Open days - College visits. Parents/older siblings. Internet & General Media.

4. Points Realistic Expectations (8% > 500 points, average = 310 points)

5. C.A.O. CAO Application Timetable EU Closing Date - 1st February (paper or on-line). Demo on CAO web site - www.cao.ie 2 lists of 10 choices - level 8 and level 6/7 Restricted Application courses Strict order of preference Study ALL preferences carefully Late Closing Date - 1st May Check Application Record Change-of-Mind 1st July (on-line)

6. Making a C.A.O. Application

8. Points to Note Select in order of preference not points. Once you have the points for a particular course all courses below are deleted. You then have to pick between your level 8 or 6 and 7 courses. You may move up your list if points drop in round two or your points increase on a re- check of papers

9. Alternative Entry Routes UCAS PLC’s Apprenticeships

10. UCAS The UK version of the CAO Closing Dates: 1 st October for Medical Courses and 1 st January for all other courses. Differences from the CAO Personal Statement Subjects Apply for 6 courses and then choose from successful applications.

11. PLC’s Irish Colleges that don’t fall under the CAO umbrella. You have to apply to each college directly. Offer some very artistic courses: Ballyfermot or Dun Laoghaire Allows re-entry into the CAO system. Courses vary in quality.

12. Questions to Ask What does the average student do after they finish the course. Does it have links in order to get me to degree level. Does this take course me to where I want to go.

13. Types of Post Leaving Cert Courses Media/Drama Outdoor & Animals Performing Arts Social Care & Childcare Travel & Tourism Science & Technology Art and Design Adventure Sports Beauty Therapy Business Computing Engineering Leisure and Recreation

14. National Qualifications Framework

15. 1: Primary Certificate 2: Primary Certificate 3: Junior Certificate 4: Leaving Certificate 5: Leaving Certificate and FETAC Qualifications 6: Higher Certificate: (HETAC, FETAC and I.T.’s) 7: Ordinary Batchelor Degree 8: Higher Batchelor Degree and H. Dip’s 9: Masters Degree 10: Doctoral Degree

16. THE ‘LADDER’ SYSTEM THIRD LEVEL EDUCATION IN IRELAND FETAC 5 FETAC 6 Higher Certificate Ordinary Degree DegreeHonours Degree Post Grad Degree 3 -6 years Post Grad 1 2 3 4 5 6+ No. of Years Further Education Institutes of Technology University

17. Apprenticeships Many Apprenticeships Offered. Seven Phases: Four “on the job” phases and three college phases. The key to getting an apprenticeship is getting a contact.

18. Conclusion Choose courses that accommodate: Skills Interest Career Research is the key to good course selection.