Government Strategy
Achieving a fair higher education system
Achieving a fair higher education system has been a policy priority for the Irish state for more than 10 years. There is an ongoing commitment to the objective of tackling social inclusion through education as well as the wider goal of supporting lifelong learning for all.
In 2003, the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education was set up within the Higher Education Authority to make it easier for groups who are under-represented in higher education to go on to third level education. These groups include those who are disadvantaged socially, economically and culturally, mature students and students with a disability. The national office works with all colleges and universities and is supported by an advisory group representing students, parents, the education sector and social partners.
Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) Developing flexible provision of courses in response to an increasingly diverse range of students has been identified as key strategic issue for the university sector. If you are a student with a disability and you may not be able to meet the points for the course of your choice due to the impact of your disability, then the supplementary admission route – the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is for you.
Students with a wide range of disabilities are eligible, including students who:
- Have a physical and mobility disabilities
- Are blind or vision impaired
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have significant ongoing health issues
- Experience significant learning difficulties such as dyslexia
- Have disabilities such as ADD, ADHD or Asperger’s Syndrome
Each college has set entry requirements to each programme; the disability officers for each institution can be contacted for further information using the following links:
DCU – http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff.php3?query=disability
NUIM - http://access.nuim.ie/disability/contact
NUIG – http://www.nuigalway.ie/administration_services/equality/access_and_disability.html
TCD – http://www.tcd.ie/disability/contact/index.php
UCC – http://www.ucc.ie/en/dss/Home/
UCD – http://www.ucd.ie/access/dss_contactdss_staffcontacts.htm
UL – http://www.dsaudiobooks.ul.ie/contactus.php
Mature Students The universities encompass diverse student bodies and actively encourage applications from mature candidates. Mature students are those aged 23 years or above, on 1st January in the year of entry.
Mature students have a wealth of knowledge and experience with which they make a valuable contribution. Many of the Institutions embrace the ethos of lifelong learning and are committed to the objective of widening participation. In order to increase participation of adult learners they continually work towards wider entry routes for mature students.
A range of support is provided within each individual university from advice on computers/technology in learning and study skills, through to health service support, child care and financial aid. For more detailed information visit the admissions pages here:
DCU – http://www.dcu.ie/future_students.shtml
NUIM – http://admissions.nuim.ie/
NUIG – http://www.nuigalway.ie/admissions/
TCD – http://www.tcd.ie/Admissions/
UCC – http://www.ucc.ie/en/ProspectiveStudents/Admissions/
UCD – https://myucd.ucd.ie/prospectivestudents/prospects.ezc
UL - http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Services/Student_Affairs/Student_Administration/Admissions