“What’s done cannot be undone” is a famous quote by Shakespeare – someone many students may not care for now that the Leaving Cert is over. The work is most definitely done and, as of yesterday, the countdown to the results is over.

Of course, the most pressing matter on the minds of Leaving Cert students and their parents over the past few weeks has been the looming results and whether their points will secure them their preferred course.

Evidently, points for the majority of courses will change based on the number of applicants and their grades, along with many other factors, but students should not despair as points may go down as well as up. If you genuinely feel a certain course fits your aptitude and interests but you are obstructed by a shortfall of points, there is a range of alternate options to help you progress to the course you really want and thus lead you to the career you want.

The further education sector in Ireland offers huge opportunities, not only for those looking for additional skills, or as a pathway to employment, but also as an unconventional route for gaining access to third-level education.

For example, if you want to study agricultural science in UCD but did not get enough points, you could do a one-year post-leaving cert (PLC) FETAC course in Applied Science Laboratory Techniques (5M3807) or Animal Care (5M2768) in community colleges or colleges of further education around the country.

If you achieve a minimum of five distinctions in course-specific modules in one of these courses, you may be eligible for one of the places reserved for FETAC applicants on UCD’s agricultural science programme. The best way to get information on all PLC courses is by using search tools such as careersportal.ie, qualifax.ie or by contacting the colleges directly. To find out more about these FETAC programmes and the locations where they are offered, search www.careersportal.ie or www.qualifax.ie, or contact institutions offering post-leaving cert qualifications directly.

Advanced-stage alternative entry routes include HETAC progression routes, which allow students to apply to enter programmes during later stages of the degree. Depending on the level of qualification completed, progression may be possible into stage two or three. Taking UCD’s agricultural science programme (DN250) as an example again, on completion of a Higher Cert in Agriculture (HETAC Level 6) applicants may be eligible to apply for admission to stage two of a number of options on the agricultural science programme. Such courses are provided in agricultural colleges around Ireland.

Various Level 7 degree programmes, which are approved progression routes and allow applicants to apply for admission to stage three, are offered in institutions around the country, including CIT, Dundalk IT, GMIT and WIT. Eligible applicants must satisfy entry criteria and interested students are encouraged to contact UCD directly for more information.

So, for those students not entirely happy with their points yesterday, rest assured that your dream course or job is not defined by the results you got in your Leaving Cert.

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CAO special 2016