asked the Minister for Education if the universities have accepted leaving certificate grouping for matriculation purposes; if any discussions have taken place between his Department and the universities on this matter; if so, if any decisions have been reached; and what they are.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Qualification for Matriculation.
42.
The universities have each laid down their matriculation requirements without reference to grouping. The discussions which my Department has had with the universities related not to grouping but to the question of acceptance of the new leaving certificate subjects for matriculation purposes. These discussions have not yet concluded.
43.
asked the Minister for Education if the universities have decided that a student must pass six subjects in matriculation examination before being admitted to university courses and that in future leaving certificate standard of a pass with honours in two subjects will not be sufficient.
The matriculation requirements of the National University of Ireland and Dublin University are published in the universities' annual calendars. In the case of Dublin University a student must pass in six subjects in the Matriculation Examination or, if he is a holder of the Department's leaving certificate, normally have honours in at least three subjects. In the case of the National University of Ireland passes in five subjects are required at the Matriculation Examination. A holder of the Leaving Certificate who has obtained honours in two subjects is exempted from the Matriculation Examination of the NUI.
I understand that the whole question of the structure and future shape of the Matriculation Examination of the NUI is under consideration but that no decisions have been taken in the matter.