The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomic disadvantaged backgrounds.

The scheme is run by a number of Higher Education Institutions, and is open to students from all 730 secondary schools in Ireland.

As well as possibly being allocated a place on a reduced points basis, students who secure a place through HEAR, are offered a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying at third level.

Below is the list of participating Institutions in HEAR...

University of Limerick www.ul.ie

Dublin City University www.dcu.ie

(incorporating St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra & Mater Dei Institute of Education).

Dublin Institute of Technology www.dit.ie

NUI, Galway www.nuigalway.ie

NUI, Maynooth www.nuim.ie

Trinity College, Dublin www.tcd.ie

University College Cork www.ucc.ie

University College Dublin www.ucd.ie

Colaiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education www.mie.ie

Church of Ireland College of Education www.cice.ie

Froebel College of Education www.froebel.ie

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick www.mic.ul.ie

Mater Dei Institute of Education www.materdei.ie

National College of Ireland www.ncirl.ie

Pontifical University, Maynooth www.maynoothcollege.ie

St. Angela's College, Sligo www.stangelas.ie

Royal College of Surgeons www.rcsi.ie/admissions/access

Important Application Dates

By 1st February:

Apply online by 17.15.

By 1st March

Complete all sections of online HEAR Application

By 1st April:

Submit photocopies of supporting documentation to the CAO.

More Information: is available on http://www.accesscollege.ie/hear/index.php

For a HEAR Application guide and workbook please click on the link below.

 accesscollege.ie/hear/index.php

Important Notice All applications must be made online at www.cao.ie

Pupils can apply for any of the courses offered by these institutions and may be offered places on a reduced points basis.

NOTE: Pupils who accept places at the University of Limerick through HEAR must attend the compulsory, residential Transition to University Course.

The University of Limerick wishes to offer you the opportunity to come to University through their Access to University Course.

This course is for you, if:

1. You are under the age of 23 years as of 1st January 2020.
2. You could be eligible to receive the Local Authority Maintenance Grant (SUSI).
3. You are not already studying at a University or IT.
4. You have completed your Leaving Certificate and have achieved the minimum entry requirements for UL, which are 2 H5's and 4 O6/H7's (including Maths, Irish or another Language and English). You must also have the subject specific requirements for the degree you wish to undertake.

This course is a full-time 13 week programme which coincides with the University of Limerick's Spring Semester. The course will run from 27th January 2020 to 1st May 2020.  THERE IS NO COURSE FEE. Even better, the Access Office will provide you with some financial and personal support.

The programme will give you academic and social skills to enable you to succeed at UL. You will also study a module from the degree you hope to start in the Autumn. An exemption in this module may be granted to you towards your degree.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE WILL GUARANTEE ENTRY TO A FULL TIME PROGRAMME IN UL IN SEPTEMBER 2020.

HOW DO YOU APPLY?

1. Fill in an application form.
2. Provide financial documentation on your family income.
3. Be available for interview in November 2019.
4. Click here to convert Old (Pre 2017) points to the new points system intorduced in 2017

If you are interested and want more information, please contact :

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY, 25th OCTOBER 2019.