The IUA welcomes the additional 1250 higher education places, in addition to the detail on the Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades process announced today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris T.D. and Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D.
In relation to the additional university places the Irish Universities have worked together with the Department and Minister to identify courses where demand from students is higher such as healthcare and teaching and where additional capacity can be added.
Commenting on the additional 1250 higher education places, an IUA spokesperson said: “We welcome Minister Harris’ announcement today of 1250 additional spaces for college courses on the understanding that these are fully funded from an additional allocation. We look forward to welcoming these students to our universities this autumn, including an increased number of students from the National Access Plan priority cohorts, including through both the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) and Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) schemes and our other admissions routes.
In relation to the detail provided on the Leaving Certificate Calculated Grades process, the IUA spokesperson added: “We welcome the level of detail provided today by Minister Foley on the calculated grades system being used to award this year’s Leaving Certificate. We are pleased to see the emphasis given to ensuring students are treated fairly and we believe this process will support the long-term credibility of the Leaving Certificate and the results awarded to students in 2020.
The Irish Universities are working with the relevant bodies and the CAO within the tight timeline to fill as many available course places as possible during the first round of CAO offers. The detail provided today supports this timeline and will allow the universities to commence our own admissions processes, to ensure students can begin the 2020-21 academic year without further delay.
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For more information contact:
Lia O’Sullivan Head of Communications IUA lia.osullivan@iua.ie 085 7141414