Do Your Research
Before choosing a course, applicants should contact the relevant Department to discuss the nature and demands of the course and to also consider long-term suitability for a future career. In our prospectus the contact details for each Programme Leader is listed with the course information.
Applicants are also advised to check the minimum entry requirements of each course to ensure that they will be met. Minimum entry requirements might include levels of Maths and number of Honours subjects required and any other requirements of a particular course such as a portfolio or interview – details are available in the prospectus or at: www.tus.ie/courses. Please be aware that students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for a particular course WILL NOT be offered a place, even if they are deemed eligible for DARE.
- CAO – Please call the CAO helpdesk for information about your application on 091 509800 / www.cao.ie
- DARE website: www.accesscollege.ie
- For specific TUS DARE/Disability Support queries, please read the information below on how DARE offers are made in TUS. We would also advise students and parents to attend a DARE advice clinic which goes through the application process for that year. Queries by email are recommended – Email: dare.midwest@tus.ie (please make sure to provide your name, date of birth and CAO number)
For information about the process of applying to DARE including the deadlines and criteria, please check the Access College website: www.accesscollege.ie
We would encourage all applicants with specific learning difficulties/health conditions/ disabilities who apply through the CAO to indicate and give details of your specific learning difficulty/health condition/ disability. Giving this information is confidential and will not adversely affect your application in any way.
How are TUS DARE Offers made?
DARE applicants are informed by letter at the end of June if they are eligible or not for the DARE scheme. Full details of a recheck process are available on the DARE website: www.accesscollege.ie. If you are eligible for DARE you will then be considered for a DARE reduced points place under certain criteria.
To be considered for a DARE reduced points place, applicants must meet the minimum requirements of a course. Applicants are then awarded 30 bonus points. Students with sensory disabilities (such as visual or hearing impairments) and students with physical disabilities will be prioritised when allocating DARE places.
DARE reduced points and merit offers are made through CAO and are in round 1 and sometimes in round 2 if there are places still available. If you get a DARE reduced points offer this will appear as a regular offer online through the CAO. You will then receive a letter to inform you that you have received a DARE offer and that if you accept the place you must register fully with the Access Service as these are part of the conditions of the DARE offer.
What DARE places are available in TUS?
TUSDARE applicants are awarded 30 Bonus Points.
Places on all TUS programmes are then awarded in order of points merit.
There are no quota restrictions on the number of places available to TUS DARE applicants.
Can I still get supports in TUS even if I am not eligible for DARE?
- It is important to note that DARE is an admissions scheme and students may be eligible for supports even if they are not eligible for DARE.
- We recommend that those students who are eligible for DARE and get enough points for their course should still register with the Access Service.
- Students who received an offer through DARE place must register with TUS Access Service as a condition of their offer.
- Please note that any student who declares through the CAO that they have a specific learning difficulty, health condition or disability must still register fully with the TUS Access Service in order to get supports if they come to TUS.
More information about supports for students with disabilities in TUS can be found under the FAQ section of this website.