Higher Education Access Route Scheme
ITT is part of the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) national admissions scheme which offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers under 23 years old from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Applying for HEAR
For information about the process of applying to HEAR including the deadlines and criteria and a copy of the HEAR Application Guide, please visit the Access College website: www.accesscollege.ie
We would encourage all applicants from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who apply through the CAO to indicate and give details of your Eligibility Indicators. Giving this information is confidential and will not adversely affect your application in any way.
What HEAR places are available in IT Tralee?
ITT has a guideline quota of 5% of reduced points HEAR places on all first year full time undergraduate programmes with the exception of the BSc General/Mental Health Nursing (Level 8).Two places in total are allocated on the nursing programmes each year i.e. one place is allocated to HEAR on the Mental Health Nursing programme and one place is allocated to HEAR on the General Nursing programme. Many HEAR students get enough points for the course of their choice each year.
IT Tralee Entry Requirements
ITT is committed to helping students to avail of its courses. Students applying to IT Tralee should consult the Undergraduate Prospectus and website for full details of entry requirements and information on all our programmes. Course details are available in the ITT prospectus or at Course Search
Before choosing a course, applicants are advised to contact the relevant Department to discuss the demands of the course/s they are interested in. They should check the entry requirements for the course/s, for example the level of Maths required and/or the number of honours subjects required. Applicants should also check if there are any other requirements for the course/s such as a portfolio or interview.
How are IT Tralee HEAR Offers made?
You will be notified by email of the outcome of your HEAR application by the end of June. You may also log into your CAO application to view the outcome of your HEAR application. If you do not receive any correspondence by July 1, contact a member of the HEAR team. Full details of a recheck process are available on the HEAR website: www.accesscollege.ie If you are eligible for HEAR you will then be considered for a HEAR reduced points place under certain criteria.
To be considered for a HEAR reduced points place, applicants must meet the HEAR eligibility criteria and the course entry requirements.
IT Tralee Programme | HEAR/DARE Minimum Points Required |
Higher Certificate (Level 6) |
Within 50 points of CAO points in the relevant year |
Ordinary Degree (Level 7) |
Within 50 points of CAO points in the relevant year |
Honours Degree (Level 8) |
Within 50 points of CAO points in the relevant year |
BSc General/Mental Health Nursing (Level 8) |
Within 30 points of CAO points in the relevant year |
HEAR reduced points and merit offers are made through CAO and are in Round 1. If there are places still available, some reduced points offers are made in Round 2.
If you get a HEAR reduced points offer this will appear as a regular offer online through the CAO. You will then receive a letter from the Institute to inform you that you have received a HEAR offer.
If you accept the place you must register and attend IT Tralee’s Orientation Programme as this is part of the conditions of the HEAR offer.
HEAR Information Events 2020/21
Every year the IT Tralee will organise information evenings on the HEAR application process and will present at a range of events:
Applicants can attend any of the Nationwide Application Information Events download the HEAR/DARE Handbook for full details.
We recommend that queries about HEAR in IT Tralee should be communicated by e-mail to HEAR@ittralee.ie (please make sure to provide your name, date of birth and CAO number in your email).
Contact details of the HEAR Advisor
Véronique Lostal-Davern, Schools Access Coordinator
Telephone: 066 71 91861 / 0667195636
Mobile: 0873685935
Email: HEAR@ittralee.ie