mature student guide 2021 - university of limerick · 2020. 10. 9. · 9 mature student profiles 71...

Mature StudentGuide 2021

Entry & Access Pathways to UL

NOTE: The contents of this guide are for information purposes only and should not be viewed as the basis of a contract between a student and the University. No guarantee is given that courses, fees or regulations may not be altered, cancelled, or otherwise amended at any time.

All enquiries in relation to admission of students on undergraduate programmes should be addressed to:

Academic RegistryUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland

+353 61 202015

https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/about/contact-us https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK / OLLSCOIL LUIMNIGH

Mature StudentGuide 2021

Entry & Access Pathways to UL

SECTION 1: WELCOME2

we extend a warm welcome

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK / OLLSCOIL LUIMNIGH 3

1 WELCOME 5

2 IMPORTANT DATES FOR ENTRY IN 2021 6

3 MATURE STUDENTS IN UL 8 Mature Student Office 8 Who is considered a Mature Student? 10 What can I apply for? 10 WherecanIgetinformationoncourses? 10 Whataretheentryrequirements? 10 HowmanyMatureStudentsareinUL? 11 Whendocoursesstart? 11 Whatlevelofcommitmentisrequired? 11 WelcomeProgrammeforMatureStudents 11 InformationforMatureStudentparents 13

4 PREPARATORY PROGRAMMES FOR MATURE STUDENTS 15 MatureStudentAccessCertificate 16 MathsforSTEMCertificate 18 QQI/FurtherEducationProgrammes 19 OtherAccessCoursesinLimerick 20

5 MAKING AN APPLICATION 22 Initial steps to consider 23 How to apply 26 Writingapersonalstatement 27 How are applications assessed? 27 CanIdefermyplace? 29

6 COSTS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORTS 30 Programmefees 31 Cost of living 32 Financialsupport 32

7 APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 37

8 LEARNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN UL 67

9 MATURE STUDENT PROFILES 71

10 TOP TIPS FROM UL MATURE STUDENTS 76

Table of Contents

SECTION 1: WELCOME4


Welcome to the University of LimerickULiscommittedtoimproving access to higher education for adults andwewelcomeapplicationstoallofourundergraduateprogrammesfrommaturestudentapplicants.

Maturestudentsonfull-timeundergraduateprogrammesaretypicallystudentswhocommencehighereducationstudies,forthefirsttime,whentheyareaged23orover.Manyadultschoosetostudyincollegeasmaturestudentsforavarietyofreasons.Somearemotivatedbyaninterestincareerdevelopmentorinnewemploymentopportunities,whileothersareinterestedintheirownpersonaldevelopment,orinfulfillingalifelongambitionbyundertakingthird-levelstudy.Whateveryourownmotivation,backgroundorexperience,maturestudentsarehugelywelcomedandvaluedbyeveryoneinUL.

Manyofyouwillbejugglingvariousrolesasyoutakeonyetanotherone-thatofmaturestudent.Manyofyouwillhavebeenawayfromformalstudyforanextendedperiodoftime.Yourtaskmayappeardauntingandwewilldoourverybesttoassistyoubyprovidingasupportiveenvironment.Thisguideisintendedasashortinformationguideformaturestudentswhoarethinkingofreturningtothird-levelstudy.ItdetailssomeofthesupportswhichareavailableinUL,aswellasgivinginformationonhowtogoaboutapplyingtoUL,helpingyoutomakeaninformeddecisionaboutreturningtothird-leveleducation.

Again,averywarmwelcomeisextendedtoyou.ItismysincerestwishthatifyoudodecidetocometoULthatyourexperienceherewillbeanenrichingandrewardingone,andthatultimatelyyouwillachieveyourownpersonalgoalsandwillenjoyanexcitingandfulfillinglearningjourney.

RHONA McCORMACKMature Student Officer

EM021,MainBuilding,UniversityofLimerick 061-213481 [email protected] www.ul.ie/mso Twitter@MSO_UL

1 2 3 4 5 76 8 9 10 11 12 1413

Register with CAObetween5th November 2020 and 1st February 2021.

Rememberto place your course choices in genuine order of preference.

PostallsupportingdocumentationtotheCAOby1st March 2021.

Screening of applications and schedulingofmaturestudentinterviews,wheretheseareheld,takesplacebetween April and June 2021.

If applying for Nursing & Midwifery programmes,youmustapplytowww.publicjobs.ie during the first few weeks of February 2021 in order toregistertositawrittenassessmenttestformaturenursingplaces.The test is usually held in mid-April. See yellow box below*

Input your course choices using the ‘My Application’ facility before 1st February 2021 at 5.15pm.Notethatbecauseofassessmenttestsyoumustapplyby1stFebruaryforthefollowing courses: •LM089Sport&ExerciseSciences•LM100Physiotherapy•LM102Psychology•LM103ParamedicStudies•LM150Nursing(General)•LM152Nursing(MentalHealth)•LM154Nursing(IntellectualDisability)•LM156Midwifery

LateapplicationsbymaturestudentsforsomecoursesinULmaybemadethrough the CAO up to 1st May 2021.CheckwiththeAdmissionsOfficeforprogrammeswhichacceptlateapplications. Note exceptions in Step 2.

1

2 4 6

3 75

SECTION 2: IMPORTANT DATES FOR ENTRY IN 20216

Important datesfor entry in 2021IMPORTANTDATESINBOTHTHECAOAPPLICATION&ULASSESSMENTPROCESSES:

*IfapplyingforLM089,LM100 or LM102,youmustregisterfortheMatureStudentAdmissionsPathwaytest(MSAP)byearly February.The test is usually held in early March.

1 2 3 4 5 76 8 9 10 11 12 1413

MatureapplicantswithfullLeavingCertificateorrelevantQQIawards,whohavealreadymadeaCAOapplication,mayamendtheirprogrammechoices up to 1st July 2021,inordertobeassessedforplacesbasedsolelyontheirLeavingCertificatepointsorQQIaward.MatureapplicantswiththeMSACmayamendtheirprogrammechoicesupto1stJuly2021fordirectentryprogrammesonly.

OffersofplacestomatureapplicantsbasedonfullQQIawardsorLeavingCertificatearemadeattheendofJulyandmid-Augustrespectively.

End August / early September 2021: Orientationforallfirstyearstudents.Studentswillbenotified of the relevant datefortheirprogramme.

Formatureapplicantswhohadappliedby1stFebruary,theCAO‘change of mind’facilitymaybeusedbetween5th and 12th May 2021 to include additional ULprogrammes(otherthanprogrammeslistedinStep2)onyourCAOlist.

Offers of places to matureapplicantsaremadeinRound‘A’,inearly July 2021.

Late August 2021:ULWelcomeProgrammefornewMature Students who have accepted theirCAOoffers.

Early September 2021: Classes commenceforallstudents.

8 10 12 14

This chart is provided as a reference guide only.

9 11 13


SECTION 3: MATURE STUDENTS IN UL8

Mature Students in ULMature Student Office TheMatureStudentOffice(MSO)ispartoftheStudentAffairsDivisioninULandtheworkoftheofficeisguidedbyacommitmenttoequityofaccessforalltothird-leveleducation.WeaimtosupportallmaturestudentstofullyparticipateinyourstudiesinUL,regardlessofyourbackground,prioreducationalachievementsoryourlifecircumstances.TheofficealsoactsasaguideformaturestudentsastohowbesttousetheservicesandsupportsavailablewithintheUniversity.TheworkandsupportsprovidedbytheMSOfocusprimarilyonsupportingthetransitionofmaturestudentstothird-levelstudiesandtocreatinganinclusiveenvironmentformaturestudentsinUL.


Rhona McCormackMature Student Officer

061-213481 [email protected]

Lucy McGrathOffice Administrator

061-202735 [email protected]

Our main areas of work within this transition period include:• Offeringinformationandadvicetoprospectivematurestudentswhoareconsidering

comingtoULviainformationsessions,outreachvisits,opendaysandpersonalenquiries• Co-ordinatinganddeliveringtheMatureStudentAccessCertificate• Co-deliveringtheMathsforSTEMCertificatewithLimerickandClareEducationand

TrainingBoard• HostingaWelcomeProgrammeforincomingfirstyearmaturestudentsinAugustevery

year• Helpingmaturestudentstoavailofthewiderangeoflearningandothersupportsavailable

intheUniversityofLimerick&connectingmaturestudentswitheachother

TheMatureStudentOfficesupportsmaturestudentswhoareregisteredonfull-timeundergraduateprogrammesinULaswellasstudentsontheMatureStudentAccessCertificate.Itisaplacewherematurestudentscancometotalkandbelistenedto,inafriendlyandempatheticenvironment.TheMatureStudentOfficeislocatedintheMainBuildingontheULcampusinRoomEM019a(nearEdenRestaurant).

Some of the other supports we offer include:• UL40MatureStudentScholarshipScheme(seep32)• MatureStudentCoffeeMornings• Regularemailstoallmaturestudentsadvisingofrelevantevents,deadlinesandsupports


Who is considered a Mature Student?Amaturestudentissomeonewhois23yearsofageorolderon1stofJanuaryinthecalendaryearofentrytoafull-timeundergraduateprogramme.

What can I apply for?MaturestudentapplicantscanapplytoanyofUL’sprogrammesuptotheclosingdateof1stFebruary.IndividualswithintheEuropeanUnionmustmakeanapplicationthroughtheCentralApplicationsOffice.Someprogrammesofstudymayacceptapplicationsafter1stFebruary.PleasecontacttheUndergraduateAdmissionsOffice(see below)forfurtherdetails.IndividualsfromcountriesoutsideoftheEuropeanUnionshouldcontacttheInternationalEducationDivision(T: +353-61-202414 F: +353-61-213062 E: [email protected])

Where can I get information on courses?InformationonallundergraduateprogrammesofferedbyULcanbefoundintheULprospectus.Theprospectusisavailableonlineatwww.ul.ie/courses/ or contact the UndergraduateAdmissionsOffice(T: 061-202015 https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/about/contact-us)foraprintedcopy.

What are the entry requirements?Eachmaturestudentapplicationisconsideredonanindividualbasis.Academicqualifications,workandlifeexperience,motivationandoverallpotentialtobesuccessfulonyourchosenprogrammeofstudyareconsideredandevaluatedfromyourwrittenCAOapplicationandsometimesalsoaninterview.MaturestudentapplicantsarenotassessedforplacesonthebasisofLeavingCertificatepoints.However,ifyouhaveLeavingCertificateresultsand/orarelevantQQILevel5/6award,youmay,ifyouwish,submityourapplicationtotheCAOtobeconsideredforentryunderthesepathways,aswellasunderthematurestudentpathway.

Asamaturestudentapplicant,someprogrammesinULdolookforspecificacademicrequirementspriortoentrye.g.someEngineeringprogrammesrequirematurestudentapplicantstohavehigherlevelLeavingCertificateMathematics,orequivalent.PleaseseeSection7ofthisguideforfurtherinformationonapplicationandassessmentcriteriaforindividualprogrammes.

Ifyoualreadyholdathird-levelqualificationandwishtoapplyforadvancedentrytoUL,orifyouwishtobeconsideredforentryunderUL’sRecognitionofPriorLearningPolicy,seehttps://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/transferring-another-3rd-level-institutionforfurtherinformation.


How Many Mature Students are in UL?ThenumberofmaturestudentsstartinginULcanvaryfromyeartoyear.In2019/20therewereapproximately460maturestudentsregisteredacrossallfouryearsofalldegreecoursesinUL.Thisequatedtoabout5%ofallfull-timeundergraduatestudents.ULreservesupto15%ofplacesonfulltimeundergraduatecoursesformaturestudents,howevernotallcourseswillnecessarilyfilltheseplaces,assomeprogrammesaremorepopularthanothers.

When do courses start?Allfull-timeundergraduateprogrammesinULstartinSeptemberofeachyear.ThemostuptodateinformationontheULacademiccalendarisavailableon: www.ulsites.ul.ie/academiccalendar/

AnacademicyearrunsfromearlySeptembertomidMay.Therearetwosemesters(orterms)ineachacademicyear.Eachsemesterlastsfifteenweeks–twelveteachingweeks,followedbyonestudyweekandthenaperiodoftwoweekswhenexaminationsareheld.

What level of commitment is required?Undergraduateprogrammesrequireasignificantlevelofcommitmentfromstudents.Full-timestudentscanexpecttohavebetween10and20ormoreclasscontacthoursperweek,dependingontheprogrammeyouareenrollingfor.Thesehourscanbemadeupofacombinationoflectures,tutorials,andlaboratoryorotherpracticalsessions.ClassesarescheduledanytimefromMondaytoFriday,between9.00amand6.00pm.Thereforestudentsneedtobeavailabletoattendclassesonafull-timebasis.Inaddition,youcanexpecttodosupplementaryreading,study,projectandassignmentworkoutsideofclasstime.

Welcome Programme for Mature StudentsTheMatureStudentOfficehostsaWelcomeProgrammeformaturestudentseachyearattheendofAugust.Thisprogrammeisheldover2daysandoffersincomingfirstyearmaturestudentstheopportunitytovisittheULcampusinadvanceofthegeneralfirstyearOrientationprogramme.Yougettolearnmoreaboutservicesandsupportsavailabletostudentsoncampus,meetwithothernewmaturestudentsandwithkeysupportpersonnel,andundertakeanintroductiontosomekeylearningskills(e.g.studyskills,writingskills)tokick-startyourlearningjourneyinUL.


Information for Mature Student ParentsManyofyoumayalreadybeparentsbythetimeyoudecidetoreturntothird-leveleducationoryoumaybecomeaparentduringyourtimeincollege.Onewayortheother,itisundoubtedlyasignificantchallengeforanyonetocommittofull-timestudyforanumberofyearswhileparenting,buthopefullyyouwillfindthatitisalsoarewardingandpositiveexperience,bothforyouandforyourchildren,andthatyouwillgettoconnectwithothermaturestudentparentsoncampus.

TherearemanysupportsandservicesavailablewithinULtostudentparentse.g.StudentHealthCentre,Counselling,Chaplaincy,StudentLife(whomanagethechildcarebursaryandcanofferadviceonsocialwelfareentitlements),someorallofwhichmightberelevanttoyouifyouarealreadyaparentorifyoulearnthatyouaretobecomeaparent,dependingonyourparticularneed(medical,emotional,financial).MoredetailedadviceandinformationisalsoavailablefromsourcessuchasCitizensInformation(www.citizensinformation.ie)andtheDepartmentofEmploymentAffairsandSocialProtection(www.gov.ie).

Someofthemostrelevantfinancialsupportsformaturestudents,includingstudentparents,aredetailedinsection6ofthisGuide.TheseincludetheBacktoEducationAllowance,SUSIGrant,StudentAssistanceFund,1916BursaryFund(loneparents,inparticular,areaspecificsub-groupconsideredwithinthe1916BursaryFund),andthechildcarebursaryfromUL’sFinancialAidFund.

SILVER APPLES CRÈCHESilverApplesCrècheislocatedontheULcampusandbothstudentsandstaffcanapplyforplacesinthisfacilityonafirstcomefirstservebasis.Childrencanbefrom13weeksolduptoschoolgoingage(5yearsold).Openinghoursarefrom8.30amto6pmMondaytoFridayfor49weeksintheyear.Themajorityofplacesofferedarefull-timehowevertheydofacilitatepart-time(2/3daysperweek).Fees(as of Jan 2019)are€175perweeklessanygovernmentsubsidy.StudentsmaybeentitledtoapplyforthechildcarebursarythroughULStudentLife(seep35ofthisGuide)forfurtherassistancewiththesefees.Tomakeanenquirypleasecontact E: [email protected]


MOTHER AND BABY ROOMThereisamotherandbabyroomoncampusforbothstaffandstudentswhowishtofeed/changetheirbaby.TheroomislocatedintheMainBuilding,RoomE0-010aandaccessisprovidedbyUL’sHumanResourcesDepartment.TheMatureStudentOfficeishappytoreferyouifyouwishtoaccessthisservice.

BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE VS ONE PARENT FAMILY PAYMENTIfyouarealreadyonOne-ParentFamilyPayment(OPFP)youwillneedtocalculatewhetheritismorebeneficialforyoutoapplyfortheBacktoEducationAllowance(BTEA)onreturningtoeducationortoremainonyourcurrentpaymentandapplyforastudentgrant.Youshouldfactoryourchild/ren’sageintothisdecisionwhenplanningforincomesupport.IfyouareeligibleforSUSI,youmayreceivethemaintenancecomponentoftheSUSIgranttogetherwithyourOPFP,whereasyoucannotreceivebothBTEAandthemaintenancegrantsimultaneously.However,ifyouarenearingtheendofyourOPFP,BTEAmaybeofgreaterbenefittoyoubecauseitispaidforthedurationofyourprogrammeofstudy.Seehttps://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/formoreinformation.

15UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK / OLLSCOIL LUIMNIGH

Preparatory Programmes for Mature Students

SECTION 4: PREPARATORY PROGRAMMES FOR MATURE STUDENTS16

Mature Student Access Certificate TheMatureStudentAccessCertificate(MSAC)isaoneyearfull-timepre-degreecoursedesignedformaturestudentswhowishtodeveloporrefreshkeylearningskillsbeforeapplyingdirectlyforadegreecourse.

TheMSACwillfacilitateyoutodevelopcoreskillswhichwillbeveryusefultoyouinthird-level,suchasstudyskillsandITskills,andgivesyouanopportunitytostudyaspecialistsubjectareasuchasHumanities,ScienceorEngineering.YoualsogettoexperiencelifeoncampusinULasafulltimeregisteredstudentbeforecommittingtostudyonafour-yeardegreeprogramme.

The modules offered on the programme include the following:

A. CORE MODULES completed by all participants

1. Mathematics/EngineeringMathematics2. ComputerSkills3. StudySkills4. Educational Guidance

B. ELECTIVE MODULES choose one of the modules below

1. Humanities:History,Politics&PublicAdministration,Sociology,EnglishLiterature;2. Science:Biology,Chemistry&Physics;3. Engineering:IntroductiontoEngineering,ManufacturingTechnologyandComputerAided

Design(CAD).


PROGRESSION FROM THE MATURE STUDENT ACCESS CERTIFICATEStudentswhosuccessfullycompletetheMSACareguaranteeddirectentryonto17degreeprogrammesinULintheHumanities,Science,EngineeringandBusinessdisciplinesandtoonedegreeprogrammeinMaryImmaculateCollege.TheprogressionopportunitiesavailablearedependentontheelectivemodulechosenbythestudentontheMSAC.Seebelowforalistoftheseprogrammes.

StudentsmustachieveanoverallQCAof2.6oraboveontheMSACinordertosecureaguaranteedplaceonyourchosendegreeprogramme.YoualsohavetheoptionofapplyingonacompetitivebasistoanyotherprogrammeofyourchoiceinUL,outsideofthedirectprogressionlist.

Candidatesmustbeatleast22yearsofage,by1stJanuary2021toapplyforentryinSeptember2021.Therearenostandardeducationalentryrequirementsbutevidenceofamotivationtoprogresstothird-leveleducationisdesirable.EvidenceofEnglishlanguageproficiencymayberequiredwhereEnglishisnotthefirstlanguageofapplicants.

UL programmes to which progression is guaranteed from the MSAC:

Science and EngineeringLM068 Food Science and HealthLM077 AeronauticalEngineeringLM082ConstructionManagementandEngineeringLM093EquineScienceLM115 Chemical&BiochemicalEngineeringLM116 EngineeringLM118 Electronic&ComputerEngineeringLM121 ComputerScienceLM122 CreativeMedia&InteractionDesignLM123 Biological&ChemicalSciencesLM125 PhysicsLM180 Certificate/DiplomainEquineScience

Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesLM002 ArtsMI002 Arts(MaryImmaculateCollege)LM039 Journalism&DigitalCommunicationLM040 European Studies BA/DiplomaArts(Evening)

BusinessLM063 TechnologyManagementLM050 BusinessStudies


Maths For Stem CertificateLeadingtoQQIMathsforStemLevel5SpecialPurposeAward(5S2246)

ThisprogrammeisofferedbytheFurtherEducationandTrainingDivisionofLimerickandClareEducationandTrainingBoardinpartnershipwiththeUniversityofLimerick(UL).ItisdesignedforlearnerswhowishtoimprovetheircompetencyandknowledgeinmathematicsparticularlyasitrelatestoworkorstudyintheSciences,Technology,EngineeringandMathematics(STEM)disciplines.

TheMathsforSTEMCertificateisrecognisedbyULasequivalenttoHigherLevelLeavingCertificateMathematics(HLLCM)forthepurposesofmeetingtheminimumentrymathsrequirement,formatureapplicants,tocertaindegreeprogrammes.AMeritintheMathsforSTEMCertificateisdeemedequivalenttoaH4inHLLCM,whileaDistinctionisdeemedequivalenttoaH3.

The course content is set out in the Award Specification for the QQI Maths for STEM Award (5S2246)(see:https://qsearch.qqi.ie/WebPart/AwardDetails?awardCode=5S2246).Thefollowingmathematicaltopicsarecovered:

1. MathematicalProficiency2. Number3. SetTheoryandLogic4. Algebra5. Functions and Calculus6. GeometryandTrigonometry7. ProbabilityandStatistics

The Mature Student Access Certificate will facilitate you to develop core skills which will be very useful to you in third-level .


PROGRESSION FROM PROGRAMMEAllmature-ageparticipantsinthiscoursewhowishtoprogresstoadegreeprogrammeinULarerequiredtoapplyviatheCAOby1stFebruaryintherelevantyear.AchievementoftheminimumrequiredgradeintheMathsforSTEMCertificatedoesnotguaranteeparticipantsaplaceonarelevantdegreeprogramme.Participantswillstillbeassessedonacompetitivebasis,asnormalforallmatureapplicantstoUL(seeSection7ofthisGuide).

PROGRAMME DELIVERYThecourseisdeliveredviablendedlearning.ClassestakeplaceinUL’sAccessCampusonWednesdayevenings.Anadditionalthreehoursofonlinelecturecontentandmaterialswillalsobedeliveredeachweek.ParticipantsonthecourseareregisteredlearnersofLimerickandClareEducationandTrainingBoard.

Applicant requirements for entry in September 2021:• Mature-ageapplicantsmustbeaged22yearsorolderby1stJanuary2021.• HoldaminimumofaDistinctioninaQQI/FETACmathsawardatLevel4oraPassin

OrdinaryLevelLeavingCertificateMathematicsorequivalent• HavegoodITskillsandgoodEnglishlanguageskills

QQI / Further Education ProgrammesCompletingafurthereducationprogrammeisanotherexcellentwayofpreparingyourselfacademicallybeforeprogressingontoafull-timedegree.ULhasdevelopedanumberofentryroutestothefirstyearof14ofourdegreeprogrammesforstudentswhohaveachievedarelevantQQIaward.TheseentryroutesaretoprogrammesintheHumanities,Nursing,LawandBusinessdisciplines.

FurtherinformationontheseQQIlinkedprogrammesisavailablefromtheUndergraduateAdmissionsOfficeatT: 061-202015 https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/about/contact-us or on https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/prospective-students/pathways-ul


Other Access Courses in LimerickBothMaryImmaculateCollege(MIC)andLimerickInstituteofTechnology(LIT)alsoofferaccesscourseswhicharedesignedspecificallytopreparematurestudentsforentrytothird-leveleducation.MICoffersthreecourses:

• Pre-UniversityProgramme• FoundationCertificateforMatureLearners• TeacherEducationAccessProgrammeforMatureLearners

FurtherinformationonthesecoursesisavailablefromtheMICAdmissionsOffice, T: 061-204348, E: [email protected]

LimerickInstituteofTechnologyoffersoneaccesscourse:

• CertificateinTransitiontoHigherEducation(FoundationProgramme)

FurtherinformationonthiscourseisavailablefromtheLIT’sFlexibleLearningDepartment, T: 061-293802,E: [email protected]


returning to third-level study

SECTION 5: MAKING AN APPLICATION22

Making anApplication


Initial steps to consider ThereareanumberofkeystepswhichareadvisableformaturestudentstoundertakepriortomakinganapplicationforanundergraduateprogrammeinUL.

1. RESEARCH PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST HavealookattheULprospectus(availableonlineatwww.ul.ie/courses/ orrequestaprintedcopyfromtheUndergraduateAdmissionsOfficeT: 061-202015)toseethevarietyofprogrammesonofferandthinkaboutwhatarea(s)areofmostinteresttoyou.Taketimetolookatthedetailofprogrammesandnotjustthetitles,astheinformationthetitleprovidesyouwithcanbelimited.Lookathowaprogrammeisstructured,whatsubjectsaretaught,whethertherearespecificentryrequirements(suchashigherlevelLeavingCertificateMathsforEngineeringprogrammes),andwhatcareeroptionsareavailableafterwards. Ifyouareinterestedinwhereaparticulardegreemaytakeyou,havealookattheUsingYourULDegreepageontheCooperativeEducation&CareersDivisionwebsite (www.ul.ie/cecd/students/careerservices/options).

2. EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE ‘Guidance’referstoarangeofactivitiesdesignedtoassistpeopletomakeappropriatelearningchoices.Itcanbeveryusefultomeetwithaguidancecounsellortotalkthroughyourlearningoptionsbeforemakingyourapplication.Aguidancecounsellorcanhelpyoutoidentifythewiderangeofopportunitieswhichareopentoyouandcanhelpyoutoconsideryourdecisiontoreturntothird-leveleducationfromaholisticperspectivee.g.Haveyoutakenintoaccountthekindsofsupportyouwillneedathome?Haveyoulookedatpossiblepart-timeoptions?Haveyoufullylookedatthefinancialimpactofreturningtostudy?Haveyouconsideredstudyoptionsavailableindifferentcolleges? TheUniversityofLimerickhasadedicatedCareersAdviserformaturestudents.PatsyRyanworkswiththeCooperativeEducationandCareersDivisionandmaybeavailable,outsideofacademictermtime,tomeetwithoradviseanyprospectivematurestudentwhoisconsideringapplyingtoUL. PatsycanbecontactedatT: 061-234227 or E: [email protected]. AdultEducationGuidanceServices(AEGS)arealsoavailableinmostcountiesinIrelandandprovideguidanceandinformationservicestovariousdesignatedclientgroups.Seewww.aegai.ieforcontactdetailsforyournearestservice.AEGSinformationservicesaregenerallyopentomembersofthepublic.


3. OPEN EVENINGS & INFORMATION SESSIONS ULhostsanumberofOpenDaysduringtheyear.OpenDaysin2020/21willtakeplaceonThursday15thandFriday16thOctober2020andSaturday16thJanuary2021.ProspectivematurestudentsareencouragedtoattendtheseeventsastheyprovideanopportunitytomeetwithteachingandsupportstaffworkinginULandtolearnmoreaboutthevariousprogrammesonoffer.ChecktheMatureStudentOfficewebsite(www.ul.ie/mso)forfurtherdetails or www.ul.ie/courses/ul-open-day. SomeeveninginformationsessionsarealsoofferedbytheMatureStudentOffice,usuallyinApril,tohelpmatureapplicantstoprepareformaturestudentinterviews.Detailsareupdatedon www.ul.ie/mso.

4. COMPLETE AN ACCESS COURSE OR OTHER PROGRAMME OF STUDY IfithasbeenalongtimesinceyousatyourLeavingCertificate,orifyoudidn’tcompleteyourformalschoolingwhenyouwereyounger,itcanbeagoodideatoconsiderdoingsomepreparatorystudybeforeapplyingforadegreeprogramme.Bydoingthis,youwillgetanopportunitytobuildupyourconfidence,particularlyinrelationtoyourlearningskills.Itcanalsogiveyoutheopportunitytoexperiencethecommitmentrequiredtoundertakestudyonafull-timebasis. Usefulcoursestoundertakebeforeapplyingfordegreeprogrammescanbethird-level‘access’courses,suchasUL’sMatureStudentAccessCertificate;QQIprogrammes(offeredbypost-leavingcertcollegesoradulteducationcentres);orLeavingCertificatesubjectswhichcanbestudiedforeitherindependentlyorthroughyourlocaladulteducationcentreorVTOSprogramme. ULhasalsodevelopedanumberofentryroutestothefirstyearof14degreeprogrammesforstudentswhohaveachievedarelevantQQIaward.TheseentryroutesaretoarangeofprogrammesintheHumanities,Nursing,LawandBusinessdisciplines.Theinformationonthelinkedprogrammesinthesedisciplinesmaybeusefultomaturestudentswhoareconsideringundertakingsomepreparatorystudybeforestartingonadegreeprogramme. FurtherinformationontheseQQIlinkedprogrammesisavailablefromtheUndergraduateAdmissionsofficeatT: 061-202015 https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/about/contact-us or on https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/prospective-students/pathways-ul


5. COMPUTER SKILLS Beingcomfortableusingcomputersbeforeyoustartonadegreeprogrammewillmakeyourlifesomucheasier!Computerskillsreallyare‘lifeskills’whenitcomestostudyinginthird-level.Itishighlyrecommended,ifyoudonotcurrentlyhavegoodcomputerskills(e.g.familiaritywithusingemail,theinternet,Word,andExcel),thatyouundertakeabasiccomputerskillscoursebeforestartingyourdegreeprogrammeastheskillsyoudevelopwillbeinvaluabletoyouduringyourtimeatULandwillgiveyoumuchmoreconfidencewhenstartinginfirstyear.

6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS English Language Requirements: FormatureapplicantsforwhomEnglishisnottheirfirstlanguage,proofofcompetenceintheEnglishlanguagemayberequiredaspartofyourapplicationtoUL.ForfulldetailsregardingacceptablequalificationsandspecificEnglishlanguagerequirementspleaseconsulttheUniversityofLimericklanguagecentrewebsiteatwww.ul.ie/languagecentre.WhereassessmenttestsorinterviewsareheldinEnglishhowever,aspartofthematurestudentapplicationassessment,successinthesemaybedeemedsufficientproofofEnglishlanguagecompetency. Non-EUapplicantstoULshouldapplythroughtheInternationalEducationOfficeat: T: 061-213034 E: [email protected] W: www.ul.ie/international Foreign Language Requirements: MatureapplicantswhoareapplyingforprogrammeswitharequirementtohaveLeavingCertificatelevellanguage,orequivalent,priortoentry,arestronglyrecommendedtospendtimeimprovingtheirlanguageskillsintheyearpriortoentrytothedegreecourse.Thiscanbedonebyattendingrefresherlanguageclassesinlanguageinstitutesoradulteducationcolleges;immersingthemselvesinspeakingthelanguageinthecountryoforigin;orattendingsocialclubsorlanguagecircleswherethelanguageisspoken.Interviewsfordegreeprogrammeswherealanguageisasignificantcomponentofthecourseofstudy,willmorethanlikelybeheldinthelanguagetobestudied.

7. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Considerthefinancialimplicationsofcomingbacktostudyonafull-timebasisforuptofouryears.Furtherinformationoncostsandfundingareavailableinthenextsectionofthisguide.


How To Apply ALL PROGRAMMESTosubmitanapplicationforconsiderationasamaturestudent,thefollowingstepsmustbecompleted:

• MatureapplicantsmustapplyonlinethroughtheCentralApplicationsOffice(CAO)by1stFebruary2021.

• MatureapplicantsmustindicateintheirCAOapplicationthattheyareamatureapplicant.Theywillbethendirectedtoanadditionalsectionoftheonlineformforcompletion.

• Allsupportingdocumentation(personalstatements,evidenceofqualifications,employmentetc)mustbepostedtotheCAOby1stMarch2021.

See https://www.ul.ie/academic-registry/prospective-students/applying-UL/mature-students forfulldetailsonthesupportingdocumentationrequiredfordifferentprogrammes.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME PROGRAMMES • ApplicantstoLM038PsychologyandSociologyarerequiredtosubmitanessaytothe

CAOaspartoftheirsupportingdocumentation.• ApplicantstoLM089SportsandExerciseSciences,LM100PhysiotherapyandLM102

PsychologyarerequiredtoregisterfortheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)testbyearlyFebruaryeachyear,withthetestgenerallytakingplaceinearlyMarch.Furtherdetails,includingtestvenues,areavailablefromhttps://msap-ireland.acer.org/. Performanceinthistestistheonlybasisonwhichplacesontheseprogrammesareallocatedtomaturestudents.

• ApplicantstoLM103ParamedicStudiesarerequiredtositanassessmenttest.Furtherinformationontheassessmenttestisavailablefromwww.ul.ie/gems/para.Interviewsarealsoheldforthisprogramme.

• ApplicantstoallNursingandMidwiferyprogrammesmustalsoapplytothePublicAppointmentsService(PAS)www.publicjobs.ie-inordertoregistertositawrittenassessmenttestwhichPASrunsonbehalfoftheNursingandMidwiferyBoardofIreland.Thewrittenassessmenttakesplaceononedateonly,usuallyinApril.PerformanceinthistestistheonlybasisonwhichplacesonNursingandMidwiferyprogrammesareallocatedtomaturestudents.Furtherinformationisavailablefrom www.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to-Apply/Mature-Applicants.

Lateapplicationsmaybeconsideredforsomeprogrammesupto1stMay2021,otherthanforallprogrammesabovewhichholdassessmenttests,orprogrammeswhichreceiveasufficientnumberofapplicationsby1stFebruary.

Non-EUapplicantsshouldcontacttheInternationalEducationDivisionT: +353-61-213034 F: +353-61-213062 E: [email protected]


Writing a Personal Statement Some,butnotall,programmesrequireatailoredpersonalstatementfrommaturestudentapplicants.Apersonalstatementgivesyouanopportunitytoprovideadditionalinformationonwhyyouwishtopursueadegreeprogramme.Thisisyouropportunityto‘sell’yourselfandtoemphasisetheexperienceand/orinterestsyouhavewhicharerelevanttoyourchosencourse.Apersonalstatementisimportant,especiallyifyouareapplyingtoacompetitiveprogrammeforwhichthereisahighdemandforplaces.Insuchcases,ifatailoredpersonalstatement(ifspecifiedasanapplicationrequirement)isnotincludedwithyourapplication,youmaynotbeshort-listedforconsideration.Bespecificandproactivelydemonstratehowyourexperienceoryourinterestsmatchthecourseyouareinterestedindoing.

YourpersonalstatementshouldbenogreaterthanonesideofasingleA4pageandcoverthe following areas:

1. ReasonsforwishingtoundertakeLMXXX.2. Programme’spotentialcontributiontoyourfuturecareerorlifeplans3. Highlightrelevantexperiencesorskillsgainedthroughemployment,voluntarywork,or

personalinterestswhichhavepreparedyoutoundertakeLMXXX.4. Yourknowledgeandunderstandingofthecareerareainwhichyouareinterested5. AnyspecificpreparationyouhaveundertakeninanticipationofcommencingLMXXX.

• Titleyourdocument‘PersonalStatementforLMXXX’• EnsurethatyouincludeyourCAOnumberonyourPersonalStatement

How are Applications Assessed? GENERAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATIONMaturestudentapplicationsareassessedbyacademicstafffromtheprogrammetowhichyouhaveapplied.Eachmaturestudentapplicationisconsideredonanindividualbasis.Academicqualifications,workandlifeexperience,motivationandoverallpotentialtobesuccessfulonyourchosenprogrammeofstudyareconsideredandevaluatedfromyourwrittenCAOapplicationandsometimesalsoaninterview.Applicantsmaybeshort-listedifthenumberofapplicationsreceivedforaparticularprogrammeishigh.PleasebearinmindwhenapplyingthatsomeprogrammesinULmaylookforspecificacademicrequirementspriortoentrye.g.someEngineeringprogrammeswillrequireapplicantstohavehigherlevelLeavingCertificatemathematics,orequivalent.Seesection7forfurtherinformationonapplicationandinterviewassessmentcriteria.


SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT INFORMATIONIn the case of LM038 Psychology and Sociology applicants are assessed on the essay that theyincludewiththeirapplication,aswellasonthequalityoftheirwrittenCAOapplication.For LM089 Sports and Exercise Sciences,LM100 Physiotherapy and LM102 Psychology,applicantsareassessedbasedontheirperformanceintheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)test.Thetestisdesignedtoassessarangeofcompetenciesconsideredimportantforsuccessinhighereducationstudies.Thepurposeofthetestistoassessabilitytounderstandandanalysematerial,tothinkcriticallyaboutissuesandtoorganiseandexpressthoughtsinalogicalandeffectiveway.Furtherdetailsareavailablefrom msap-ie.acer.edu.au.

Applicants to LM026 Performing Artsareexpectedtoundertakeaninterviewandauditionaftertheyhavesubmittedtheirapplication.

Applicants to LM099 Architectureareexpectedtosubmitaportfolioofpersonalworkaftertheyhavesubmittedtheirapplication.

For LM103 Paramedic Studies,applicantsarerequiredtositanassessmenttestandattendaninterview.Furtherinformationontheassessmenttestisavailablefrom: www.ul.ie/gems/para.

For LM028 Criminal Justice and LM029 Law Plus,applicantswillbeinvitedtocompleteawrittenassessmentinUL,priortobeingshort-listedforinterview.

For LM076 Product Design and Technology,applicantswhoareshort-listedforinterviewwillberequestedtobringaportfolioofworkwiththem.


Can I defer my place?Astudentwhoisofferedaplacemay,undercertainconditions,deferentryforoneyear.Inordertodeferentry,onreceiptofanofferofaplacefromtheCentralApplicationsOffice(CAO)astudentshould:

• Write/emailimmediatelytotheUndergraduateAdmissionsOfficesettingoutreasonsfortherequest.Mark“DEFERREDENTRY”clearlyontheenvelope/messageline.

• Theletter/emailmustarriveintheUndergraduateAdmissionsOffice,atleasttwodaysbeforethe“ReplyDate”shownontheOfferNotice.Pleasequoteyourname,CAOnumberandcourseintheletter/email.

• ApplicantsshouldnotaccepttheofferthroughtheCAO.• Inordertotakeupthedeferredplace,re-applythroughCAOby1stFebruaryofthe

succeedingyearplacingthedeferredcourseasthefirstandonlychoice,andtickthedeferredindicatorboxontheCAOapplicationform.

Adecisionontherequestwillbecommunicatedtotheapplicant.

Matureapplicantswhochoosenottodefertheirofferofaplace,andwhoapplyforthesameprogrammeagaininafutureyear,cannotbeguaranteedtoreceiveafutureoffer,asoffersofplacesinanyyeardepend,forexample,ontheassessmentcriteriaapplied,andthenumberofmaturestudentplacesavailableontheprogrammethatyearvis-a-visthenumberofapplicationsreceived.

Mature Student Applications are assessed by academic staff from the relevant faculty or programme to which you have applied. Each Mature Student Application is considered on an individual basis.

3030

Costs and Financial Supports

SECTION 6: COSTS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORTS


Programme Fees Forfull-timeundergraduateprogrammes,therearethreemaincategoriesoffeeswhichapply:

• TUITION FEES• STUDENT CONTRIBUTION CHARGE• STUDENT CENTRE LEVY

TUITION FEES Tuitionfeesforwhichyouareliablearebasedonanumberofcriteriaincludingcitizenship,residency,courseandprioreducation.Typicallyifyouareafirst-timeentranttohighereducation,havebeenresidentintheEUfor3ofthe5yearspriortostartingyourcourse,andyoufulfiltherelevantcitizenshipcriteria,youwillbedeemedeligiblefor“freefees”,i.e.theIrishGovernmentcoversthecostofyourtuitionfees.Tuitionfeesmaynotbepaidforstudentswhoarepursuingasecondundergraduateprogramme,repeatingayearofstudyorwhoholdapostgraduatequalification.

FurtherinformationoneligibilityfortheFreeFeesInitiativeisavailableon www.studentfinance.ie.InformationonthetuitionfeespayableforULcoursesisavailablefromtheULFeesOffice,T: 061-202026;E: [email protected]

Ifyoudohavetopaytuitionfeestaxreliefmaybeavailableforstudentsonapprovedfull-timeandpart-timeundergraduateprogrammes.Programmesmustbeofatleasttwoyearsduration.Toqualifyforrelief,fulltuitionfeesmustbepaidbytheindividualonhis/herownbehalforonbehalfofaspouse,childorpersonforwhomtheindividualisthelegalguardian.Asclaimsshouldbemadeontheindividual’staxreturntotheRevenueCommissioners,proofoffeepaymentmustbesubmittedwithyourclaim.

STUDENT CONTRIBUTION CHARGEAllfull-timeundergraduatestudentsarerequiredtopaytheStudentContributioncharge,eveniftheyareeligibleforfreetuitionfees.ThischargehasbeenEUR3,000forthepastnumberofyears.EligiblestudentsmayapplytotheStudentUniversalSupportIreland(SUSI)tohavethischargepaidontheirbehalf(seeHigherEducationGrantssectionoverleaf).

STUDENT CENTRE LEVYThisannualchargeisEUR92forthe2020/21academicyearandisexpectedtogoupinincrementsofEUR2peryeartoreflectinflation.ItispayablebyallstudentsandisnotcoveredbytheSUSIGrant.Thislevycontributestothedevelopmentofanumberofstudentprojects.See www.ulstudentlife.ie/leave-a-legacy-project/formoredetails.

SECTION 6: COSTS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORTS32

Cost of Living Thecostoflivingassociatedwithbeingafull-timestudentverymuchdependsonyourindividualcircumstances.Typicalcostscanincluderent,utilities,food,travel,booksandmaterials,clothes,medicalcostsandsocialcosts.Asamaturestudentyoumayneedtoalsofactorinadditionalcostssuchasyourmortgage,childcarecosts,familysupportcostsandsoon.

Itisstronglyadvisablethatyouspendsometimeworkingoutthepotentialcostsassociatedwithbeingafull-timestudent.Thefollowingwebsitehasusefultoolsforhelpingyoutoworkoutabudgetbasedonyourindividualcircumstances:www.nca.ie/tools-calculators.

Financial Support Therearearangeoffinancialsupportswhichareavailableforfull-timeundergraduatestudentsinthird-level.Anexcellentsourceofinformationonalloftheseis www.studentfinance.ie.

BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE TheBacktoEducationAllowance(BTEA)isakeyfinancialsupportformanymaturestudents.TheBTEAallowsqualifyingpersons(whoareinreceiptofcertainsocialwelfarepayments)toretainthosepayments,subjecttoregularmeans-testingwhereapplicable,whilstreturningtofull-timeeducationinapprovedcourses.

Ingeneral,toqualifyfortheBTEAparticipantsmustbeaged21yearsorover,andbeinreceiptofspecifiedsocialwelfarepaymentsforatleastninemonthspriortostartingthefirstyearofanapprovedthird-levelcourse.PersonsawardedstatutoryredundancyunderIrishlegislationmayhaveimmediateaccesstotheBTEAscheme(orwithinoneyear)oftheawardofthestatutoryredundancy,providedanentitlementtoarelevantSocialWelfarepaymentisestablishedpriortocommencinganapprovedcourseofstudy.

FullinformationontheBTEA,andonhowtoapply,canbeobtainedfromyourlocalDepartmentofSocialProtectionOfficeorfrom:www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/353_Back-to-Education-Allowance.aspx


STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND (SUSI) ThestudentgrantisanotherprimarysourceoffinancialhelpavailablefromtheIrishStateforstudentsonfull-timehighereducationcourses.SupportisavailabletoeligiblestudentsinmostcollegesinIrelandaswellaseligibleIrishstudentsinmanycollegesinNorthernIreland,theUKandotherEUStates.

SUSI–StudentUniversalSupportIreland(www.susi.ie)–istheonlineapplicationsystemforallhighereducationgrantsforfull-timestudents.Foreligiblestudentsthegranthelpswiththevariouscostsofparticipatinginfurtherorhighereducation.Studentsonpart-timecourses,accessorfoundationcourses(inhighereducationinstitutions)andshortcoursesarenoteligibletoapplyforastudentgrant.Asthegrantsaremeans-tested,familyand/orpersonalincomeisakeyfactorthatwillbeassessedwhenyouapplybuttherearealsosomeotherconditions.

Ifyouthinkyouareeligibleforthestudentgrant,youdonothavetowaituntilyoureceiveanofferofaplaceorenrolincollege.YoushouldmakeyourapplicationasearlyaspossibleaftertheAprilopeningdate.YoucanrevieweligibilitycriteriaforSUSIbyusingtheEligibilityReckonerontheSUSIwebsitewww.susi.iewhereyoucanquicklyandeasilyself-assesswhetheryoumaybeentitledtoafullorpartialgrantdependingonyourcircumstances.YouareadvisedtomakeyourapplicationassoonaspossibleasonlywhenyourapplicationhasbeencompletedinfullandsubmittedtoSUSIcanyoureligibilityforfundingbedetermined.

TheSUSIgrantmaycoverthestudentcontributionfeeortuitionfees,ifthesearepayable,andalsopossiblyamaintenancegrant.StudentscannotreceivebothamaintenancegrantandtheBTEA.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND TheStudentAssistanceFund(SAF)providesfinancialsupporttofullorpart-timestudents(otherthanstudentsonaccessprogrammes)whoareexperiencingfinancialdifficultieswhileattendingcollege.TheSAFisdesignedtoprovideasourceoffinancialsupportinadditiontoaSUSIgrantandisavailabletohelpwithcostssuchas:booksandclassmaterials,rent,heatingandlightingbills,food,essentialtravel,childcarecosts,andmedicalcosts.ThisFundismanagedbytheAccessOfficeinUL.

ApplicationstotheFundcanonlybemadeafteryouregisterasastudentinSeptember.TheMatureStudentOfficeadvisesallregisteredmaturestudentswhenthisFundopens.

TheStudentAssistanceFundisfundedbytheIrishGovernmentandpart-fundedbytheEuropeanSocialFundProgramforEmployability,InclusionandLearning(PEIL)2014-2020.


FINANCIAL AID FUND InconjunctionwithULStudentLifeandthePostgraduateStudents’Union,theUniversityadministerstwotypesoffinancialaid.TheFinancialAidFundissupportedbygiftsfromULAlumnithroughtheULFoundation’sAlumniAnnualFundAppealandthroughULStudentCapitation.Thisschemeisdesignedtohelpstudentswhoexperienceshort-termfinancialproblems.Ifthestudentqualifiesforassistance,she/hewillreceiveaninterestfreeloan.Thisloanisrepayableinfullpriortograduation.

Additionally,studentparentswhoareexperiencingfinancialdifficultiescanapplyforaChildcareBursarytosupportthemwiththeirchildcare/child-mindercosts.

Ifastudentisexperiencingfinancialdifficultyandwishestoapplyforeithertypeoffunding,theyareencouragedtocontacttheULChaplaincyService(email [email protected]),theWelfareOfficerintheStudentsUnionortheStudentInformationandSupportCoordinator,email [email protected].

FUND FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TheFundforStudentswithDisabilitiesallocatesfundingtofurtherandhighereducationcollegesfortheprovisionofservicesandsupportstofull-timestudentswithdisabilities.TheFundaimstoensurethatstudentscanparticipatefullyintheiracademicprogrammesandarenotdisadvantagedbyreasonofadisability.

YoudonothavetobeinfirstyearofacoursetobeeligibleundertheFund.Applicationforthefirsttimecanbemadeonyourbehalfduringanyyearofstudyonanapprovedcourse.AclaimundertheFundismadeonbehalfofaneligiblestudentbyULfollowinganassessmentofneedbytheDisabilitySupportService.ApplicationscannotbemadedirectlytotheFundbystudents.Studentswithdisabilitiesenrolledinpart-timecourses,accessorfoundationcoursesinhighereducationinstitutionsorshortcoursesarenoteligibleforconsiderationundertheFund.

TheFundforStudentswithDisabilitiesisfundedbytheIrishGovernmentandpart-fundedbytheEuropeanSocialFundProgramforEmployability,InclusionandLearning(PEIL)2014-2020.


SCHOLARSHIPS DetailsonallscholarshipsavailablewithinULareavailablefromtheULprospectus (www.ul.ie/ courses/about-ul/scholarships).Themostrelevantscholarshipsformaturestudentsarelistedbelow.

• UL40 Mature Student Scholarships TheUL40ScholarshipSchemeformaturestudentsoffers10scholarships,worth€2,000eachasaone-offpayment,tonewentrantmaturestudentsinfirstyearofafull-timeundergraduatecourse.Twoscholarshipsareawarded,inorderofmerit,tostudentspresentingMatureStudentAccessCertificateresultsinthecalendaryearofentrytotheirundergraduateprogramme.Theremainingeightscholarshipsareawardedonacompetitivebasistofirstyearmaturestudents.ApplicationscanonlybemadeafteryouhaveregisteredasastudentinSeptember.Applicationdetailsandeligibilityguidelinesarecirculatedtoallfirst-yearmaturestudentsbytheMatureStudentOffice.

• 1916 Bursary Fund The1916BursaryFund,fundedbytheDepartmentofEducationandSkills,commemoratesthecentenaryof1916aspartofanoverallseriesofmeasurestoencourageparticipationandsuccessbystudentsfromsectionsofsocietythataresignificantlyunder-representedinhighereducation.Bursariesworth€5,000perannumforthedurationofstudiesareavailable.Applicantsmustbeassessedassocio-economicallydisadvantagedtobeeligible.20%ofthe1916Bursariesarereservedforstudentswhoareloneparents.Seehttps://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/1916-bursary-fund/forfurtherdetails.

• University of Sanctuary Bursaries TheUniversityofSanctuaryBursariesofferopportunitiesforthosefromrefugeeandasylum-seekingcommunitiestostudyattheUniversityofLimerick,includingnewmaturestudents.Thebursaryofferssupporttowardsthecostsofhighereducation,includingfeewaivers,ifapplicable.Ifyouareanewentranttofirstyearonanyfull-timeundergraduatecourseinULandmeettheeligibilitycriteria(internationalprotectionapplicantorhavebeengrantedinternationalprotection)pleaseseefulldetailson www.ul.ie/ul-university-sanctuary.

• Uversity Higher Education Scholarships for Adult Learners Uversity’sScholarshipsareintendedtounlockadultlearners’potential.Byprovidingmulti-annualfinancialsupport,Uversity’sScholarshipsaimtoremovethefinancialbarrierstopursueaBachelor’sdegreeforthefirsttime.Scholarshipsarenotlimitedtoparticularsubjectareasandwillenableindividuals23yearsoroldertocompleteaBachelor’sdegreeinoneoftheparticipatinginstitutionsintheRepublicofIrelandorNorthernIreland.Seewww.u-versity.eu/forfurtherdetails.

37UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK / OLLSCOIL LUIMNIGH

Application and Interview Assessment Criteria

SECTION 7: APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT CRITERIA38

Code Programme / Group Of Programmes

Reserved Mature Student Places 2020*

Minimum Entry and/or Application Requirements

Application Assessment Criteria Interview Assessment Criteria

LM038 BA PSYCHOLOGY & SOCIOLOGY 5 SubmissionofessaywithCAO application

•Prioreducation•Work/lifeexperience•Transferableskills• Essay

Nointerview.Placesawardedonbasisofapplication&essayonly.

LM089 BSC SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCES

11

N/A

ApplicantsarerequiredtoundertaketheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)test.See https://msap-ireland.acer.org/ for test dates, details on how to register and prepare for the test.

Nointerview.PlacesawardedonbasisofperformanceintheMSAP.

LM100 BSC PHYSIOTHERAPY 4

LM102 BSC PSYCHOLOGY 8

LM090 BSC PHYSICAL EDUCATION WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

11 SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM090withCAOapplication

•Prioreducation•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Teaching and/or coaching awards• Evidence of desire to do this course•Overallapplicationquality

•Personalinformationandbackground•Knowledgeoftheprogramme•Relevantlife/workexperience•Copingwiththeprogramme

LM091 BA LANGUAGES WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

3 HB3(H3)inoneofthecorelanguages(French/German/Irish/Japanese/Spanish) SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM091withCAOapplication

•Prioreducation–Leavingcertificateperformanceand additional educational/professional qualifications

•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Evidence of desire to do this course•Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenature

and philosophy of languages education•Overallapplicationquality

•Understandingofteachinglanguages as a career

• Evidence of language proficiency•Communicationskills•Relevantknowledgeandexperience•Knowledgeofcourseand

preparedness for third-level

Education and Health Sciences

* Guideline only. These figures may differ slightly for 2021 as they are calculated from the total number of places available on a programme in any year. However, not all mature student places may be filled, as it depends on the number and quality of applications received in any year.






LM038 BA PSYCHOLOGY & SOCIOLOGY 5 SubmissionofessaywithCAO application

•Prioreducation•Work/lifeexperience•Transferableskills• Essay

Nointerview.Placesawardedonbasisofapplication&essayonly.

LM089 BSC SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCES

11

N/A

ApplicantsarerequiredtoundertaketheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)test.See https://msap-ireland.acer.org/ for test dates, details on how to register and prepare for the test.

Nointerview.PlacesawardedonbasisofperformanceintheMSAP.

LM100 BSC PHYSIOTHERAPY 4

LM102 BSC PSYCHOLOGY 8

LM090 BSC PHYSICAL EDUCATION WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

11 SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM090withCAOapplication

•Prioreducation•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Teaching and/or coaching awards• Evidence of desire to do this course•Overallapplicationquality

•Personalinformationandbackground•Knowledgeoftheprogramme•Relevantlife/workexperience•Copingwiththeprogramme

LM091 BA LANGUAGES WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

3 HB3(H3)inoneofthecorelanguages(French/German/Irish/Japanese/Spanish) SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM091withCAOapplication



and philosophy of languages education•Overallapplicationquality

•Understandingofteachinglanguages as a career

• Evidence of language proficiency•Communicationskills•Relevantknowledgeandexperience•Knowledgeofcourseand


2021 Entry






LM092 BSC SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION (Biology with Physics or Chemistry or Agricultural Science)

10 HC2(H4)inatleastoneLeavingCertSciencesubjectANDOC2/HD3(O4/H7)inLeavingCertMathematicsorequivalent

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM092/LM096withCAOapplication

•Prioreducation-LeavingCertperformanceandadditionaleducational/professionalqualifications


and philosophy of science education•Overallapplicationquality

•Understandingofteachingscienceas a career

•Communicationskills•Relevantknowledgeandexperience•Knowledgeofcourseand


Interviewsmaybeconductedinperson or over the phone

LM096 BSC SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION (Physical Sciences with Physics and Chemistry)

3

LM094 BTECH MATERIALS AND ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

10


•Prioreducation,includinganythird-levelqualificationsorothercoursescompleted

•Personalstatement•Preparednessforteaching•Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenature

and philosophy of technology education

Nointerview.PlacesawardedonbasisofapplicationandPersonalStatement.

LM095 BTECH MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

8








LM092 BSC SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION (Biology with Physics or Chemistry or Agricultural Science)

10 HC2(H4)inatleastoneLeavingCertSciencesubjectANDOC2/HD3(O4/H7)inLeavingCertMathematicsorequivalent


•Prioreducation-LeavingCertperformanceandadditionaleducational/professionalqualifications


and philosophy of science education•Overallapplicationquality

•Understandingofteachingscienceas a career



Interviewsmaybeconductedinperson or over the phone

LM096 BSC SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION (Physical Sciences with Physics and Chemistry)

3

LM094 BTECH MATERIALS AND ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

10


•Prioreducation,includinganythird-levelqualificationsorothercoursescompleted

•Personalstatement•Preparednessforteaching•Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenature

and philosophy of technology education

Nointerview.PlacesawardedonbasisofapplicationandPersonalStatement.

LM095 BTECH MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

8

2021 Entry






LM097 BSC MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

4 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathematicsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)orPassinULSpecialMathsexam

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM097withCAOapplication.


•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Evidence of desire to do this course•Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenatureandphilosophyofmathematicseducation

•Overallapplicationquality

•Understandingofteachingmathematicsandcomputerscienceas a career


preparedness for third-level Interviewsmaybeconductedinpersonoroverthephone.

LM103 BSC PARAMEDIC STUDIES 12 A valid provisional C1 or fullC1licenceisrequiredpriortoofferofaplaceontheprogramme.ApplicantsmustproduceafullC1licencebytheendofYear1.Penaltypointsmayprecludeprogression.

Please note this is anentry requirement, proof of licences will be requested.

Applicantsarerequiredtoundertakeanassessmenttest.Applicantsarerankedonthebasisofperformanceinthetestandthetop24arecalledtointerview.

See www.ul.ie/medicine/programmes/bsc-paramedic-studies for further details on the test.

•Demonstrationoflifelonglearningthroughexamples

•KnowledgeoftheperceivedattributesofamodernParamedic

•Knowledgeofthemodern Paramedicrole

•Examplesofcalmnessanddecisionmakingunderpressure

•ExamplesofcommonconditionsencounteredbyParamedicsinIreland

•StudentsadmittedtotheprogrammearerequiredtoundergoandsuccessfullycompleteaGardaVetting process and an Occupational Health Clearance








LM097 BSC MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

4 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathematicsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)orPassinULSpecialMathsexam



•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Evidence of desire to do this course•Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenatureandphilosophyofmathematicseducation


•Understandingofteachingmathematicsandcomputerscienceas a career


preparedness for third-level Interviewsmaybeconductedinpersonoroverthephone.

LM103 BSC PARAMEDIC STUDIES 12 A valid provisional C1 or fullC1licenceisrequiredpriortoofferofaplaceontheprogramme.ApplicantsmustproduceafullC1licencebytheendofYear1.Penaltypointsmayprecludeprogression.

Please note this is anentry requirement, proof of licences will be requested.

Applicantsarerequiredtoundertakeanassessmenttest.Applicantsarerankedonthebasisofperformanceinthetestandthetop24arecalledtointerview.

See www.ul.ie/medicine/programmes/bsc-paramedic-studies for further details on the test.

•Demonstrationoflifelonglearningthroughexamples

•KnowledgeoftheperceivedattributesofamodernParamedic

•Knowledgeofthemodern Paramedicrole

•Examplesofcalmnessanddecisionmakingunderpressure

•ExamplesofcommonconditionsencounteredbyParamedicsinIreland

•StudentsadmittedtotheprogrammearerequiredtoundergoandsuccessfullycompleteaGardaVetting process and an Occupational Health Clearance

2021 Entry






LM105 BSC IN EXERCISE AND HEALTH FITNESS MANAGEMENT

5 (additionalspacesmaybeavailable

dependant on application numbers)

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM105withCAOapplication

•PriorEducation•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience•HealthFitness/Sportrelatedawards•Personalstatementoutliningwhyyouwanttotakethecourseandhowyouintendtouseit


•Knowledge/understandingofcoursecontentandcommitmentrequired

•Personalknowledgeandexperience•Relevantlife/workexperience•Relevantlife/work/professionalcompetencies

LM150 BSC NURSING (General)

8

NA

•MatureapplicantsmustapplytothePublicAppointmentsService(PAS)-www.publicjobs.ie -inordertoregistertositawrittenassessmenttest.ThistestisusuallyheldinApril.

Furtherinformationisavailablefromwww.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to- Apply/Mature-Applicants.

Nointerview.Placesawardedonbasisofassessmenttestperformanceonly.

LM152 BSC NURSING (Mental Health)

11

LM154 BSC NURSING (Intellectual Disability)

7

LM156 BSC MIDWIFERY 4








LM105 BSC IN EXERCISE AND HEALTH FITNESS MANAGEMENT

5 (additionalspacesmaybeavailable

dependant on application numbers)

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM105withCAOapplication

•PriorEducation•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience•HealthFitness/Sportrelatedawards•Personalstatementoutliningwhyyouwanttotakethecourseandhowyouintendtouseit


•Knowledge/understandingofcoursecontentandcommitmentrequired

•Personalknowledgeandexperience•Relevantlife/workexperience•Relevantlife/work/professionalcompetencies

LM150 BSC NURSING (General)

8

NA

•MatureapplicantsmustapplytothePublicAppointmentsService(PAS)-www.publicjobs.ie -inordertoregistertositawrittenassessmenttest.ThistestisusuallyheldinApril.

Furtherinformationisavailablefromwww.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to- Apply/Mature-Applicants.

Nointerview.Placesawardedonbasisofassessmenttestperformanceonly.

LM152 BSC NURSING (Mental Health)

11

LM154 BSC NURSING (Intellectual Disability)

7

LM156 BSC MIDWIFERY 4

2021 Entry






LM058 BSC FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS

4 HB3(H3)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorDistinctioninQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556) orPassinULSpecialMathsexam SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM058withCAOapplication.

•Demonstratedmathematicalability•Prioreducation•Relevantworkexperience•Personalstatement•Interestinprogramme

Inrarecases,aninformalinterviewmaybescheduledtoclarifyquestionsarisingfromtheapplicationmaterial.

LM063 BSC TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

5 OB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalent


•Prioreducation- key subject performance (business, engineering, technology / construction) with a proven ability to engage and deliver

•Othercoursescompleted•Interestinprogramme-evidenceofunderstandingwhattheprogrammeinvolves

•Personalstatement-clearlyshowadesiretoreturntoeducation

•Work/voluntaryexperience-candidatetoshowaprovenabilitytobemotivatedtowork.Relevantexperiencetobehighlighted,transferableskillstobenoted

•Preparednessforthird-level,particularlythepaceatwhichdifficultmaterialiscovered

•Relevantknowledgeandexperience

•Communicationskills

Science & Engineering







LM058 BSC FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS

4 HB3(H3)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorDistinctioninQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556) orPassinULSpecialMathsexam SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM058withCAOapplication.


Inrarecases,aninformalinterviewmaybescheduledtoclarifyquestionsarisingfromtheapplicationmaterial.

LM063 BSC TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

5 OB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalent


•Prioreducation- key subject performance (business, engineering, technology / construction) with a proven ability to engage and deliver







2021 Entry






LM082 BSC CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING

7 N/A •Prioreducation-keysubjectperformance(business,engineering,technology/construction)withaprovenabilitytoengageanddeliver

•Othercoursescompleted•Interestinprogramme–evidenceofunderstandingwhattheprogrammeinvolves

• Evidence of desire to do this course•Work/voluntaryexperience-candidatetoshowaprovenabilitytobemotivatedtowork.Relevantexperiencetobehighlighted,transferableskillstobenoted




LM068 BSC FOOD SCIENCE & HEALTH

7 SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM068withCAOapplication.

•Applicationformandpersonalstatement•Evidenceofsufficientabilityinscienceandmathstocompleteprogrammesuccessfully

•Othercoursescompletedandworkexperience

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplicationalone.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.Withinthis,motivationforapplication,relevantacademicandworkexperience,preparedness for third- level educationandcommunicationskillswillbeassessed.

LM076 BSC PRODUCT DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

7 Portfoliosubmission •Demonstrableinterestinprogramme•Understandingofdesignasacareer•Prioreducationandlearninge.g.educationalqualifications,ITskills,transferableskillsetc.

•Portfolioofworkthatdemonstratescreativeand/orproblemsolvingability(e.g.sketches,designedobjects,3Dimensionalwork,photography,TechnicalDrawingsetc.)

• Evidence of desire to do the course

•Demonstrateanunderstandingofthe course

•Evidenceofcreativethinkingandproblem-solvingability


•Preparednessforthirdlevel•Communicationskills








LM082 BSC CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING

7 N/A •Prioreducation-keysubjectperformance(business,engineering,technology/construction)withaprovenabilitytoengageanddeliver

•Othercoursescompleted•Interestinprogramme–evidenceofunderstandingwhattheprogrammeinvolves

• Evidence of desire to do this course•Work/voluntaryexperience-candidatetoshowaprovenabilitytobemotivatedtowork.Relevantexperiencetobehighlighted,transferableskillstobenoted




LM068 BSC FOOD SCIENCE & HEALTH

7 SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM068withCAOapplication.

•Applicationformandpersonalstatement•Evidenceofsufficientabilityinscienceandmathstocompleteprogrammesuccessfully

•Othercoursescompletedandworkexperience

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplicationalone.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.Withinthis,motivationforapplication,relevantacademicandworkexperience,preparedness for third- level educationandcommunicationskillswillbeassessed.

LM076 BSC PRODUCT DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

7 Portfoliosubmission •Demonstrableinterestinprogramme•Understandingofdesignasacareer•Prioreducationandlearninge.g.educationalqualifications,ITskills,transferableskillsetc.

•Portfolioofworkthatdemonstratescreativeand/orproblemsolvingability(e.g.sketches,designedobjects,3Dimensionalwork,photography,TechnicalDrawingsetc.)

• Evidence of desire to do the course

•Demonstrateanunderstandingofthe course

•Evidenceofcreativethinkingandproblem-solvingability


•Preparednessforthirdlevel•Communicationskills

2021 Entry






LM077 BE AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

6 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalent

or

MeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)

or

PassinULSpecialMathsexam

•Prioreducation-keysubjectperformance(business,engineering,technology/construction)withaprovenabilitytoengageanddeliver






•Communicationskills•Understandingofprogramme

LM115 BE CHEMICAL & BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

4

LM116 BE ENGINEERING Common entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:• Biomedical Engineering• Mechanical Engineering• Civil Engineering• Design and Manufacture

25

LM118 BE ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

8

LM093 BSC EQUINE SCIENCE 3 HC2(H4)intwoLeavingCertificatesubjectsatleastoneofwhichmustbeclassifiedasasciencesubject

•Relevantworkexperience•Othercoursescompleted• Evidence of desire to do this course

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplication.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.

LM180 CERT/DIPLOMA EQUINE SCIENCE

2 N/A •Evidenceofexperiencestudyingscience•Relevantworkexperience•Othercoursescompleted• Evidence of desire to do this course









LM077 BE AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

6 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalent

or

MeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)

or

PassinULSpecialMathsexam

•Prioreducation-keysubjectperformance(business,engineering,technology/construction)withaprovenabilitytoengageanddeliver






•Communicationskills•Understandingofprogramme

LM115 BE CHEMICAL & BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

4

LM116 BE ENGINEERING Common entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:• Biomedical Engineering• Mechanical Engineering• Civil Engineering• Design and Manufacture

25

LM118 BE ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

8

LM093 BSC EQUINE SCIENCE 3 HC2(H4)intwoLeavingCertificatesubjectsatleastoneofwhichmustbeclassifiedasasciencesubject

•Relevantworkexperience•Othercoursescompleted• Evidence of desire to do this course


LM180 CERT/DIPLOMA EQUINE SCIENCE

2 N/A •Evidenceofexperiencestudyingscience•Relevantworkexperience•Othercoursescompleted• Evidence of desire to do this course


2021 Entry






LM099 BARCH ARCHITECTURE 5 Portfoliosubmission+ULMinimumentryrequirementsLink to FAQs and the Procedurefor CAO Leaving Cert, CAO Mature and Transfer Applicants: http://saul.ie/ admissions/undergraduate- students/

Portfolioassessmentcriteria:•Overallcontentandquality•Presentation• Creativity•Potentialabilitytothinklaterally•Writtenstatement

LinktoPortfolioGuidelines:http://saul.ie/admissions/undergraduate-students/

•Portfoliosubmission•Personalinformationandbackground

•Knowledgeoftheprogramme&architecture-related careers

•Relevantlife/workexperience•Transferableskills•Preparednessforcoursedemands•Abilitytocopewithacademicworkload

LM121 BSC COMPUTER SCIENCECommon entry with choice to pursue defined DegreeOptions in any of the following:• Computer Systems• Computer Games

Development• Mobile Communications

and Security

14 EvidenceorcertificationfromanappropriateonlineprogrammingcoursesuchasthoseprovidedbyCourseraorUdacity,etcORQQIlevel5or6qualificationinoneofthefollowingdomains:Web/Internet, Software, Programming, with a minimum of a Distinction grade in the programming components

•Programmingportfolio - related to programming course undertaken

•Mathematicalcompetency•Prioreducation•Work/voluntaryexperience•Personalstatement•Othercoursescompleted•Interestinprogramme

•Discussionofprogrammingportfolio(relatedtoprogrammingcourseundertaken)

•Abilitytocopewithmathematicalconcepts

•Preparednessforthird-levelandassociatedworkload

•Personalinformationandbackground

•Knowledgeoftheprogramme&related careers

•Relevantlife/workexperience

LM122 BSC CREATIVE MEDIA & INTERACTION DESIGNCommon Entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:• Digital Media Design• Music, Media &

Performance Technology

5 N/A •Prioreducation•Othercoursescompleted•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience•Personalstatement•Understandingofandinterestinprogramme&

career plans•Overallapplicationquality


• Good understanding of the programmeandofpotentialfuturecareers

•Relevantlife/workexperience•Transferableskills•Preparednessforthird-level








LM099 BARCH ARCHITECTURE 5 Portfoliosubmission+ULMinimumentryrequirementsLink to FAQs and the Procedurefor CAO Leaving Cert, CAO Mature and Transfer Applicants: http://saul.ie/ admissions/undergraduate- students/

Portfolioassessmentcriteria:•Overallcontentandquality•Presentation• Creativity•Potentialabilitytothinklaterally•Writtenstatement

LinktoPortfolioGuidelines:http://saul.ie/admissions/undergraduate-students/

•Portfoliosubmission•Personalinformationandbackground

•Knowledgeoftheprogramme&architecture-related careers

•Relevantlife/workexperience•Transferableskills•Preparednessforcoursedemands•Abilitytocopewithacademicworkload

LM121 BSC COMPUTER SCIENCECommon entry with choice to pursue defined DegreeOptions in any of the following:• Computer Systems• Computer Games

Development• Mobile Communications

and Security

14 EvidenceorcertificationfromanappropriateonlineprogrammingcoursesuchasthoseprovidedbyCourseraorUdacity,etcORQQIlevel5or6qualificationinoneofthefollowingdomains:Web/Internet, Software, Programming, with a minimum of a Distinction grade in the programming components

•Programmingportfolio - related to programming course undertaken

•Mathematicalcompetency•Prioreducation•Work/voluntaryexperience•Personalstatement•Othercoursescompleted•Interestinprogramme

•Discussionofprogrammingportfolio(relatedtoprogrammingcourseundertaken)

•Abilitytocopewithmathematicalconcepts

•Preparednessforthird-levelandassociatedworkload


•Knowledgeoftheprogramme&related careers

•Relevantlife/workexperience

LM122 BSC CREATIVE MEDIA & INTERACTION DESIGNCommon Entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:• Digital Media Design• Music, Media &

Performance Technology

5 N/A •Prioreducation•Othercoursescompleted•Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience•Personalstatement•Understandingofandinterestinprogramme&

career plans•Overallapplicationquality


• Good understanding of the programmeandofpotentialfuturecareers

•Relevantlife/workexperience•Transferableskills•Preparednessforthird-level

2021 Entry






LM123 BSC BIOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL SCIENCESCommonentrywithchoice(subjecttorestriction)topursuedefinedDegreeOptions in any of the following:• Pharmaceutical and

Industrial Chemistry• Industrial Biochemistry• Environmental Science• Bioscience

24 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorMeritin QQI Maths for STEM (5S2246/5N0556)andHD3/OD3(O6/H7)ineitherPhysics,Chemistry,PhysicswithChemistry,Engineering,AgriculturalScienceorBiologyOROB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorPassinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)withHC2(H4)inoneofthefollowing:AppliedMaths,Physics,Chemistry,PhysicswithChemistry,Biologyor AgriculturalScienceORTheapplicantmusthavesignificantworkexperience(numberofyears)inanindustryofdirectcorrelationwithPharmaceuticalandIndustrialChemistryor equivalent ORTheapplicanthascarriedoutpostsecondlevelcourses,trainingorpartcompletionofapreviousdegreethatwouldbedeemedequivalentoftheentryrequirementsoutlinedabove

Itmustbeclearfromtheapplicationformandpersonalstatementthattheapplicanthasarealinterestinthecourseandhasdemonstrablebackgroundinachemistryrelatedfieldeitherthroughstudyorworkexperience.

•Interestinprogramme•Aptitudeforprogramme•Numericalskills








LM123 BSC BIOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL SCIENCESCommonentrywithchoice(subjecttorestriction)topursuedefinedDegreeOptions in any of the following:• Pharmaceutical and

Industrial Chemistry• Industrial Biochemistry• Environmental Science• Bioscience

24 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorMeritin QQI Maths for STEM (5S2246/5N0556)andHD3/OD3(O6/H7)ineitherPhysics,Chemistry,PhysicswithChemistry,Engineering,AgriculturalScienceorBiologyOROB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorPassinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)withHC2(H4)inoneofthefollowing:AppliedMaths,Physics,Chemistry,PhysicswithChemistry,Biologyor AgriculturalScienceORTheapplicantmusthavesignificantworkexperience(numberofyears)inanindustryofdirectcorrelationwithPharmaceuticalandIndustrialChemistryor equivalent ORTheapplicanthascarriedoutpostsecondlevelcourses,trainingorpartcompletionofapreviousdegreethatwouldbedeemedequivalentoftheentryrequirementsoutlinedabove

Itmustbeclearfromtheapplicationformandpersonalstatementthattheapplicanthasarealinterestinthecourseandhasdemonstrablebackgroundinachemistryrelatedfieldeitherthroughstudyorworkexperience.

•Interestinprogramme•Aptitudeforprogramme•Numericalskills

2021 Entry






LM124 BSC MATHEMATICSCommonentrywithchoicetopursuedefinedDegreeOptions in any of the following:• Mathematical Sciences• Mathematics & Physics• Economics & Mathematics

6 HB3(H3)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorDistinctioninQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556) orPassinULSpecialMathsexam


Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplicationalone.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.

LM125 BSC PHYSICSCommonentrywithchoicetopursuedefinedDegreeOptions in any of the following:• Applied Physics• Mathematics & Physics

3 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556) orPassinULSpecialMathsexamANDHC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateinanyoneofthefollowing:Physics,PhysicswithChemistry,Engineering,AppliedMathematicsorequivalent

•Demonstratedmathematicsandphysicsability•Prioreducation•Relevantworkexperience•Personalstatement•Interestinprogramme









LM124 BSC MATHEMATICSCommonentrywithchoicetopursuedefinedDegreeOptions in any of the following:• Mathematical Sciences• Mathematics & Physics• Economics & Mathematics

6 HB3(H3)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorDistinctioninQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556) orPassinULSpecialMathsexam



LM125 BSC PHYSICSCommonentrywithchoicetopursuedefinedDegreeOptions in any of the following:• Applied Physics• Mathematics & Physics

3 HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556) orPassinULSpecialMathsexamANDHC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateinanyoneofthefollowing:Physics,PhysicswithChemistry,Engineering,AppliedMathematicsorequivalent

•Demonstratedmathematicsandphysicsability•Prioreducation•Relevantworkexperience•Personalstatement•Interestinprogramme


2021 Entry






LM002 ARTS 65 Applicants who wish to study a languagemustholdaminimumHC2(H4)LeavingCertificateorequivalentinthatlanguage,unlesstakingbeginnersGermanorSpanish.

•Personalstatement•Interestinprogramme

•Prioreducation•Workexperience• Evidence of interest•Generalsuitability

LM019 BSC SOCIAL SCIENCES 5 (Newcoursefor2021)

N/A •Personalstatement•Interestinprogramme

•Prioreducation•Workexperience• Evidence of interest•Generalsuitability

LM028 BA CRIMINAL JUSTICE 5 SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM028/LM029with CAO application

•PriorEducation•Work/voluntaryexperience•Evidenceofinterestintheprogramme•Generalsuitability•ITskills•AllapplicantswillbeinvitedtoULtocompleteawrittenassessment(essay)priortobeingshort-listedforinterview

•Prioreducation•Work/voluntaryexperience• Evidence of interest•Generalsuitability

LM029 LLB LAW PLUS 8

LM039 BA JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

3 N/A •Prioreducation•Applicationform•Personalstatement•Relevantworkexperience

•Prioreducation•Workexperience/journalism• Evidence of interest•Generalsuitability

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

* Guideline only. These

mature student guide 2021 - university of limerick · 2020. 10. 9. · 9 mature student profiles 71...

Documents