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CHANGES TO THE University application process for students from the north will make it easier for them to study in universities in the Republic of Ireland.
The changes follow a report by Universities Ireland, an organisation consisting of 11 university presidents on the island of Ireland and which promotes north and south cooperation.
The move follows criticism of how universities in the Republic treated A-level exams that are sat by students in the North.
A-levels are the equivalent of the Leaving Cert and usually students in the North undertake three A-levels – only around 3% of students opt to undertake four A-levels.
However, it was previously only possible for students in the North to achieve maximum CAO points if they sat four A-levels, one of which had to be maths.
While Maths is a core subject in the Leaving Cert, students in the North don’t have to study maths for their A-levels.
However, now students in the North will be able to achieve maximum CAO points without undertaking four A-levels.
The report’s recommendation must now be accepted by each University’s Academic Council.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said he hopes this revision will be in place for the students looking to start their studies in September 2024.
A Universities Ireland working group was established to look at the issue and its report was today accepted by Minister Simon Harris.
In its report, Universities Ireland noted that the number of students from the North who are enrolled in Higher Education Institutions in the Republic is “barely higher than the number who are domiciled in Co Leitrim”.
Only 0.6% of students in higher education in the Republic come from Northern Ireland, while in the North, 2.4% of students come from the Republic.
The report highlighted “Leaving Certificate and A-level equivalencies” are one of the “main inhibitors of movement from North to South”.
Additional factors were said to be overall cost of living differences between the two jurisdictions.
The new arrangements mean it will no longer be necessary for students in the North to take four A-levels – one of which must be maths – in order to achieve maximum points under the CAO system.
Rather, students in the North will be able to use their best three A-levels, along with a fourth A-level or an AS subject (A-levels take two years to complete, but an AS-level takes one year).
This will mean that applicants can attain a score of 600 points with three A-levels and one AS, and 625 points if one of the A Levels is maths.
Students in the North will also be considered for a place in a university in the Republic by applying with two A-levels and one or two AS levels.
The Universities Ireland Working Group was chaired by University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh.
He said “the new system offers a fairer system than before”, adding: “It makes it easier for students from the north to come to the Republic to study, to learn and to experience our wonderful, energetic university communities.”
Meanwhile, Minister Simon Harris welcomed the move as a “very good first step” but said “there are further issues to work through”.
The move has also been welcomed by the SDLP.
Its economy spokesperson and Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said she’s “delighted Minister Harris has taken steps to address this”.
She added: “There has been great frustration for some time that the only way pupils here could maximise their chances were through extra A-Levels and this decision will remove a significant amount of pressure from our young people.”
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So they do three subjects and we do 6 subjects including maths? It don’t look like a level playing field to me? Correct me if I’m wrong
@Science: it does not I mean
@Science: says Yoda
@Science: A levels per subject are a much higher standard than leaving cert. People in UK would only do 2 or 3 A levels, and then off to Uni. We do more subjects, but easier exams. I would have much preferred to have sat A levels, tho doubtless I would have done just as badly
@Science: A Levels are a far higher standard than LC.
@Science: Yes, you’re wrong. An A level subject is studied much more intensively than a Leaving Cert subject. When I was at university, it was equivalent to a 1st year uni course. Three A level subjects require as much study as six Leaving Cert ones.
Anyone with any knowledge of the A levels will agree the standard is incredibly low, lower even than the USA equivalent which is pretty poor. Irish students passing the LC with high marks are far better “tested” than their British counterparts, so I think it’s very unfair for them to be given equal access having only taken 3 A levels
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: agreed. Also we haven’t enough college places for our own never mind adding another load. Where are these students going to live? Another stunt by the government putting the horse before the cart. Foreign students are already at an advantage with every language available to be taken as an exam.
@Nurse On Call.: foreign?????
Common sense is prevailing ,Wount be long now before we get the 32
@Kevin O Brien: Polls this week suggest otherwise.
@Brendan O’Brien: united naturally through ecomonics the way God intended its to late to stop it now Brendan money rules the world
We have penalty points for motorist and we pay road tax. About time cyclist’s start paying a road tax 17 years old on wards and have a penalty point system. A lot of these cyclist’s are a law to themselves and don’t seem to know what a red light is. Deliveraroo Uber Just eat all should be fined each time a cyclist’s with a bag on their carrying their name break the law. They seem to the biggest offenders on the road and also blocking up path ways.
So a message to cabbage head sleepy ryan we pay are share as motorist tax these cyclist’s its a money spinner to help pay for the bike lanes.
@Paddy Geoghegan: There is NO road tax here. And are you suggesting than a 10 year old cycling to hurling training has to pay tax?
@Paddy Geoghegan: You don’t pay “road tax”. It’s a pollution tax, and it doesn’t go to pay for the roads.
So now we have a 2 tier points system just to benefit Northerners?.On what planet is Harris living on? I mean, seriously, as though this Republic isn’t a big enough joke.
May this young lady rest in peace and her family find some comfort in their loss.
If it wasn’t for meeting Northern protestants in University (albeit middle class ones as opposed to hard-line loyalists) I’d struggle to have any idea of who they are as people in all honesty. Yes I have work colleagues but I can’t ask them the honest, ignorant questions.
Shame on me for that. But at the same time, I would suggest they’re a bit of an enigma for many people in the Republic. Which shouldn’t really be the case in this day and age.
You look up there and see red-faced aul lads like Jim Allister and Sammy Wilson that seem to have a complete hatred of the South that’s all you know. Loyalist bogeymen. Sad to say. Co-education is important. Don’t belittle it.
Are these people not immigrants. Out with them. The right wingers will demand.
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