From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today welcomed the publication of a Universities Ireland report, recommending changes to requirements for students from Northern Ireland to access education in Irish universities.
The report, prepared by Universities Ireland, has recommended changes to the CAO points assigned to A Levels grades, which will enhances the opportunity for students from Northern Ireland to apply for courses in Irish universities.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“This report has recommended significant and important changes to address points equivalencies between the Leaving Certificate and A-Levels. The recently published ESRI of on North-South higher education student mobility highlighted the negative impact of current points assigned to A Levels. It noted that it is only possible to achieve the maximum 625 points by taking four A-Levels and one of them has to be Maths. However, the number of students taking 4 A Levels is very small, thereby restricting number coming from Northern Ireland.
“I welcome the recommendations that A-Level candidates be allowed to use the best three A Levels, in combination with a fourth A Level or an AS Level or an extended project. There are further issues to work through but I believe this is a very good step.
“My thanks to Professor Pól O Dochartaigh, Deputy President of University of Galway who chaired this project.”
The report’s recommendation must now be accepted by each University’s Academic Council, and it is the Minister’s hope that this revision will be in place for the students looking to start their studies in September 2024.