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A-Levels

A-Level Entry Requirements

There are two stages in the evaluation process:

1.  The first stage requires an applicant's results to meet the Minimum Entry/Matriculation Requirements and specific subject requirements of a programme. If you are presenting subjects through a GCE/GCSE examination programme ensure that you refer to the National University of Ireland listing of which A-level/GCSE subjects are mutually exclusive for basic eligibility.

2.  The second stage requires an applicant's results to meet the Points of a programme.  The Points Requirement for each individual programme is determined by the demand for that programme as well as the standard of school leaving examination results of all applicants for that programme.  A-Level applicants compete on Points Equivalences as outlined in the tables which follow.

1. Minimum Entry/Matriculation Requirements:

Level 8

2 Subjects at GCE A-Level Grade C and 4 other subjects at GCSE Level Grade C
OC = GCSE Grade C
AC = A2 Level, Grade C
AB = A2 Level, Grade B

Applied A-Level/Vocational subjects are not accepted for matriculation or entry purposes. 

Single Sitting:

A-level Grades taken over a single sitting may be combined with AS Grades from the same year or 1 year previous.

Consecutive Autumn (November), Winter (January) and June (Summer) results, in that order, would be considered part of the same examination 'sitting' only.

For Medicine Applicants: A-Level applicants must satisfy minimum entry requirements for the programme within three consecutive years, e.g. GCSE (2022), AS Levels (2023) and A-Levels (2024).

English Language Competence:  Grade C at GCSE level or equivalent English Language competence

Points Equivalences: 2024 Entry

  First 3 A-Levels Fourth A-Level (A2) Or AS-Level
A* 185 45  31 
A 156 38 26
B 131 32 22
C 106 26 18
D 84 20 14
E 63 15 11

*Extended project (EPQ) is scored as an AS level and A* is available in this.

Notes Universities and associated colleges

  1. A maximum of four different recognised subjects, which are not mutually exclusive, will be counted.
  2. If 4 A-levels are presented, the lowest grade is scored at a lower rate.
  3. Only A-level grades awarded at the same date can be considered for computation.
  4. Applicants are scored on the basis of their best four A-levels, or three A-levels and an AS level in a different subject from the same or preceding year. (note one A-level grade from the previous year may be substituted for an AS grade but will only be scored as an AS).
  5. Grades in the same subject in A2 and AS level cannot be combined.
  6. Please note that these points equivalences are indicative only. In the case of high demand programmes such as Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, a numerus clausus may operate.
  7. Please note that A-level scoring will be reviewed before year entry.

Bonus Points

25 additional points will be awarded for a Grade E or better in A2 Mathematics.  This will apply to only ONE Mathematics subject of the following:  Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics, and only where that subject is used as one of the subjects for scoring purposes.   NB:  Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.

Documents to be sent to CAO:

If you are applying on the basis of GCE/GCSE exams to be taken this year, you must provide the Exam Board, Centre Number, Candidate Number, Subject(s) and Level in the spaces provided. For any GCE/GCSE examinations which you have already completed, and for which a certificate has been issued, you must post certified A4 photocopies (certified by a school stamp) of the appropriate certificates to CAO. Please Note: Certificates or statements of results must be issued by the exam boards (containing the exam board logo). Documents produced by schools will not be sufficient. Boards other than CIE, CCEA, UCLES, WJEC, OCR, EDEXCEL, AQA, and AEB must be entered

Table Key for A Level Requirements below: 

*Finished on Random

** Students must present AC in either a Laboratory Science subject, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics

***AC in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics;  if the AC is in Applied Mathematics, a D at A2 Level in Mathematics is also required

#Plus Selection Test/Interview

FR - French; GE - German; IT - Italian; IR - Irish; SP - Spanish; LA - Latin; GR - Greek                                                                                                                         

 

To compare the subject requirements in terms of Irish Leaving Certificate as specified on the UCC website, use the following table:

                                               Subject Grade Comparison:

                       NB NOT for points conversion  -  for this see separate table below   

Leaving Cert  A-level (A2) AS          Leaving Cert A-level (A2) AS       GCSE  
H1 A   O1 C B 9/A* 
H2

B

 

O2

C C 8/A 
H3  B   O3 D C 7/A
H4  C   O4 E D 6/B
H5  C   O5 E D 5/C
H6  D  C O6 E D 4/C
H7 E  D        

 

2024 A-Level Subject Requirements

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

Programme English Other Language Maths Lab Science Other
CK101 Arts OC* OC      
CK102 Social Science  OC OC      
CK104 Arts-Music #  OC OC     Restricted Entry/Entrance Exam
CK105 Film and Screen Media  OC OC      
CK108 Arts (International)   OC OC      
CK109 English  OC OC      
CK110 World Languages  OC AB      
CK111 Early Years & Childhood Studies  OC OC      
CK112 Theatre & Performative Practices #  OC  OC      Restricted Entry/Entrance Exam 
CK113 Criminology  OC  OC       
CK114 Social Science (Youth & Community Work) OC  OC       
CK115 Social Work - Mature Applicants Only  OC  OC      Mature Entry Only 
CK118 Digital Humanities and Information Technology  OC  OC        
CK120 Applied Psychology  OC  OC       
CK121 Psychology and Computing  OC  OC  OA/AD     
CK122 Government and Political Science  OC  OC       
CK123 Anthropology  OC  OC       
CK124 Education-Gaeilge  OC  OC      AB in Irish  
CK125 Physical Education, Sports Studies & Arts  OC  OC       

 

College of Business and Law

Programme English Other Language Maths Lab Science Other
CK201 Commerce OC  OC  OC     
CK202 Accounting OC  OC  OC     
CK203 Business Information Systems OC OC OC    
CK204 Finance OC  OC  OC     
CK212 Applied Economics OC  OC  OC     
CK213 Food Marketing & Entrepreneurship OC  OC  OC     
CK215 International Business with Languages OC  OC  OC    AB in a Language Other than English 
CK301 Law (Pathways) OC  OC       
CK302 Law with French OC  AB French       
CK304 Law with Irish OC  OC      AB Irish 
CK307 Law and Business OC OC OC    

 

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

Programme English Other Language Maths Lab Science Other
CK401 Computer Science OC    OA/AD     
CK402 Biological and Chemical Sciences OC    OC  AC**   
CK404 Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences OC    OC  AC**   
CK405 Genetics OC    OC  AC Biology   
CK406 Chemical Sciences OC    OC  AC**   
CK407 Mathematical Sciences OC    AB     
CK408 Physics and Astrophysics OC    OC  AC**   
CK411 Data Science & Analytics OC    AB     
CK412 Agricultural Science OC    OC  AC**   
CK413 Science Education OC    OC  AC**   
CK504 Nutritional Sciences OC    OC  AC**   
CK505 Food Science OC    OC  AC**   
CK600 Engineering OC    AC***  OC   
CK606 Architecture (Joint Programme with MTU) OC    OC     
MT871 Biomedical Sciences (Joint Programme with MTU) OC    OC  AC   

 

College of Medicine and Health

Programme English Other Language Maths Lab Science Other
CK701 Medicine # OC  OC  OC  AC Chem and either Physics or Biology  HPAT 
CK702 Dentistry OC  OC  OC  AC Chem and either Physics or Biology   
CK703 Pharmacy OC  OC  OC  AC Chem and either Physics or Biology   
CK704 Occupational Therapy OC  OC  OC  AC   
CK705 Speech & Language Therapy OC  OC  OC  AC  AC in Language other than English 
CK706 Public Health Sciences OC  OC  OC  AC**   
CK707 Medical and Health Sciences OC    OC  AC Chem and OC in  either Physics, Biology or Agricultural Science  AC in another subject 
CK708 Paramedicine OC    OC  AC   
CK710 General Nursing OC    OC  OC   
CK712 Children's & General Nursing (Integrated) OC    OC  OC   
CK720 Mental Health Nursing OC    OC  OC   
CK730 Intellectual Disability Nursing OC    OC  OC   
CK740 Midwifery OC    OC  OC   
CK791 Graduate Entry Medicine #         GAMSAT 

BTEC Entry

If you are applying to UCC with a BTEC Award, you can find out more about your application here.

Admissions Office

Iontrálacha

1st floor, West Wing, Main Quadrangle, T12 K8AF

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