HEAR – Athlone

What is HEAR?

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are underrepresented in higher education.

You can find full details on the Access College Webpage. This short video explains what HEAR is, and you can find full details on the Access College webpage.

Reduced Points

If you apply to HEAR and meet the application criteria (that is, are deemed eligible for HEAR) you may be offered a place even if you do not have enough Leaving Certificate points for your preferred course. Each participating college and university has a reserved number of places to offer eligible HEAR applicants at lower or reduced Leaving Certificate points. An example of a reduced points offer is that the Leaving Certificate points for a particular course is 366 points. An eligible HEAR applicant could be offered a place with a lower points score, e.g. 356 points.

This applicant would also, like all other applicants applying to college, need to meet the minimum entry requirements and any specific programme requirements before being considered for a HEAR reduced points offer.

Eligibility Criteria

HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural criteria to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support. Here is a list of all the HEAR indicators:

1. Was your household income on or below €46,790 in 2024? (Mandatory)
2. Do you or your family have a Medical Card/GP Visit Card?
3. Did your parents/guardians receive a means-tested social welfare payment for at least 26 weeks in 2024?
4. Have you attended a DEIS second level school for five years?
5. Do you live in an area of concentrated disadvantage, or have you experienced homelessness within the last two years?

HEAR Priority Groups: Applicants who wish to be considered under one or more of the following categories:

• Care-Experienced
• Member of the Traveller Community
• Member of the Roma Community
• Young Parent
• HEAR and DARE Eligible Applicant

Students wishing to apply to HEAR should do so online through the CAO website by 1st February (at 5pm) of the year of entry to college. All financial documents must be submitted by March 10th.

HEAR Students At TUS Athlone

Students who gain a college or university place through HEAR also get a range of personal, academic and social supports while they are studying at third level. Watch this video to find out more about these supports in TUS Midlands.

Each HEAR student will meet with a member of the Access Team. Keep an eye on your emails for this.