Groundbreaking new courses offer students an escape from the points race – Dolan

New educational pathways are offering students an exciting alternative to the traditional Central Application Office (CAO) system, according to a Fine Gael Senator.

For the first time, groundbreaking changes now allow undergraduate students to pursue a university degree without the pressure of CAO points.

Senator Aisling Dolan, Seanad Spokesperson on Education and Further and Higher Education, said: “As students across the country receive their CAO offers, the stress and pressure they face is undeniable.

“But today, I want to send a clear message: there are new and viable alternatives to the points race.”

“Last year, we introduced the first-degree courses outside the points system through the National Tertiary Office (nto.ie). This year, we’ve doubled the offerings, expanding to 40 courses that include visual art, music, stage and screen design, business, computing, nursing, science, media production, culinary arts, engineering, hospitality, and construction.”

“Applications for the 2024/25 academic year open on February 1st and will be accepted until the end of September—so there is still time to apply.

“While set CAO points are not required for entry, applicants may need to provide evidence of educational achievement, and depending on the course, submit a portfolio or participate in an interview.

“These new pathways mean that young people can pursue careers that matter to them and their future, without the anxiety of CAO points.

“Students begin their degree at a college of further education (FE) under the education and training boards (ETBs) all across the country and, after one or two years, transfer seamlessly to a higher education institution in the same region to complete their studies—pending completion of exams.”

“This student-centred approach not only supports a diverse range of professions but also bridges geographical gaps in higher education, eliminates the stress of the points race, and opens up new opportunities for students to achieve their career ambitions,” Senator Dolan concluded.