Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 6

Written Answers. - Higher Diploma Places.

Mary Coughlan

Question:

216 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education the criteria used by each university to select candidates for higher diploma programmes; the number of higher diploma places that will be made available in each university for the 1996-1997 academic year. [10444/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am responding to this question on the basis that the information requested by the Deputy refers to higher diploma in education programmes.

In relation to the selection criteria, the Deputy will appreciate that the college authorities reserve the right to select the students they admit to any course.

St. Patrick's College, Maynooth allocates places having regard to academic achievement, suitability and experience as evidenced by the candidate's application and the relevance of the candidate's academic subjects to the school curriculum.

Trinity College, Dublin asseses applicants on the basis of academic results, teaching experience and performance at interview.

University College, Galway offers half the places by a random selection of qualified candidates. The remainder are filled on the basis of performance in the last university examination which they have taken. These places are sub-divided into the faculties of primary affiliation of the students and the allocation of places is related to the total number of applicants from any given faculty.

University College, Cork assesses applicants on the quality of their academic career and on relevant work — social experience.

University College, Dublin allocates half the places on a random selection basis to qualified applicants and the remaining half to students according to a weighting system that takes into account the academic achievements of the candidate, teaching experience and the subjects taken in the primary degree.

The number of places to be provided in each university for 1996-97 has been arrived at following consultation between the institutions and the Higher Education Authority. The 800 places in 1996-97 are allocated as follows:

Institution	Places
SPM	150
TCD	110
UCG	185
UCC	185
UCD	170
Total	800