donnchadh
There are two types of Higher Education Institutions available to apply for on the CAO. There are public funded institutions and a number of private colleges with a range of courses available to CAO applicants.
Publicly funded universities usually ask students to pay the student contribution fees when entering the college. It is also known as a registration fee and it covers student services and examinations. The amount of the contribution varies from one institution to another. Tuition fees are covered by the Higher Education Authority.
However, private colleges ask students to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees in private colleges available on the CAO range from €3,250 to €6,500 per year depending on the course and the college.
Fees between €3,000 and €7,000 per year are tax deductible at a range of 20pc, while no tax can be claimed back on the student contribution charge in publicly funded universities for one student. Families who pay student contributions for more than one student in a year can claim tax relief on the second and subsequent contributions.
Taking all this into account, the cost difference in a publicly funded institution and a private college is smaller than many people expect.
Private college students are not covered by the SUSI grant scheme, therefore they will not qualify for the grant and students will have to pay the fees themselves. According to SUSI the courses in the following private colleges are not eligible for funding: American College, ICHAS, CCT, DBS, Dorset College, Galway Business School, Griffith College, ICD Business School and Portobello Institute.
Most of these private colleges are in Dublin with some in other cities such as Cork, Limerick and Galway. They are smaller than universities, technological universities and ITs, which many students prefer but they still provide clubs and societies and other social activities that students would expect from a third level institution. Many offer full and part time courses as well as level 6 (higher certificate), level 7 (ordinary degree) and level 8 (honours degree) courses.
Many of these degrees are very popular and accredited by the necessary body including Law. These courses are generally available with lower CAO points than in universities. In 2022 Law in Trinity College was 589 points in the first round of the CAO whereas Law in Griffith College was 242 points. The Griffith College law graduates are eligible to sit the Law Society of Ireland, Final Examinations (Part 1) and the law degree is recognised by the Honorable Society of Kings Inns.
Private Colleges also offer courses that are not listed on the CAO and applications for entry are made directly to the college. For example, Portobello Institute offers a Level 8 three year degree in PE Teaching. This degree allows graduates to apply for the PME in PE Teaching in UL or the UK. Applicants can only apply for this course directly to Portobello Institute because it is not available to apply for through the CAO.
Contact the relevant institution for more information on courses on the CAO and direct entry courses.
