MEDIA RELEASE
May 2015
Universities agree revised model for converting A-Level grades to Leaving Certificate points
The Irish Universities have agreed a revised model for converting A-Level grades to Leaving Certificate points for the purposes of entry to universities in the Republic of Ireland. Under the new model, which will be applied in 2016, the points for an A* grade in an A2 subject will rise from 150 to 180, the points for an A will go up from 135 to 150, while the points for other A2 subject grades will be adjusted slightly. Points will be also awarded in recognition of achievement in a fourth A2 or a fourth AS subject.
Commenting on the new scheme, Prof Andrew Deeks, President of UCD and Chair of IUA, said “this necessary work was undertaken to ensure fair and equitable access for UK applicants, and to satisfy our desire to encourage greater numbers of these applicants, particularly from Northern Ireland”.
The revised model was developed by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) Task Group on Reform of University Selection and Entry (TGRUSE), following a detailed review of grade distributions between UK and Irish examination data by university admissions officers.
The model will remove what was increasingly being seen in both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom as a significant disincentive for A-Level candidates who consider applying to universities in the Republic of Ireland. A majority of these candidates only sit three A-level exams, which means they could not realistically compete for many of the more high-demand courses in the Republic of Ireland. The new model is weighted in favour of the first three A-Levels, as a large majority of A-Level students sit only three A-Levels, while additional points will also be awarded in recognition of achievement in a fourth A-Level or for a fourth AS-Level.
| First three A-Levels (A2) | Fourth A-Level (A2) | Or AS | |
| A* | 180 | 60 | |
| A | 150 | 50 | 30 |
| B | 130 | 45 | 25 |
| C | 100 | 35 | 20 |
| D | 65 | 20 | 15 |
| E | 45 | 15 | 10 |
Table 1: revised model for converting A-Level grades to Leaving Certificate points, to be applied from 2016
| A-Level (A2) | AS | |
| A* | 150 | |
| A | 135 | 65 |
| B | 120 | 60 |
| C | 100 | 50 |
| D | 75 | 35 |
| E | 40 | 20 |
Table 2: outgoing model for converting A-Level grades to Leaving Certificate points
N.B. The existing arrangements regarding additional points for a grade E or better in Mathematics at A2 level, and regarding the additional admissions test (HPAT-Ireland) for applicants to medicine, will continue to apply to A-Level applicants under the new model above.
Ends.
For more information contact:
Mr Lewis Purser, Director of Academic Affairs, IUA, 01 6764948