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Leaving Certificate Students can apply to the University of Limerick through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Details about the University of Limerick, including a full list of courses and course requirements, can be found in the Undergraduate Prospectus.
Due to the number and calibre of applicants to the University of Limerick, qualified candidates to all undergraduate degree courses are placed in order of merit based on a points system.
**Candidates may fulfil course requirements and minimum entry requirements from more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate.**
Age requirements
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the 15 January of the year of entry.
- If a candidate below that age wishes to enter the University of Limerick, a special application must be made to the University via the Admissions Appeals Process.
Course Specific Entry Requirements
- Please see course specific entry requirements.
Minimum Entry Requirements for Degrees (Level 8)
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include:
- Two H5 (Higher Level) grade, AND
- Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades OR four H7 (Higher Level) grades.
Minimum Entry Requirements for Certificate/Diploma (Level 6/7)
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of five subjects which must include:
- Five O6 (Ordinary Level) grades, OR
- Five H7 (Higher Level) grades.
Entry Requirement Details
- Subjects must include:
- Irish or another language
- Mathematics
- English - An F6 (Foundation Level) grade in Mathematics can be used as an alternate to an O6 (Ordinary Level) grade and can be used to satisfy the Mathematics subject requirement.
- Candidates who have a hearing impairment or a specific learning difficulty may apply for an exemption from the second language requirement. A language exemption can only apply to those programmes where the second language requirement is an O6 (Ordinary Level) grade or a H7 (Higher Level) grade.
| Foundation Maths | Foundation Irish | LCVP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulfilling Minimum Entry Requirements | Yes | No | No |
| Fulfilling Specific Subject Requirements | No | No | No |
| Included in Calculating Points Scores | No | No | Yes |
Subject Combination for Points Scores
There are restrictions in the use of combinations of certain Leaving Certificate subjects for the purposes of satisfying Minimum Entry Requirements.
- Any combination of Home Economics (scientific and social), Home Economics (general), and Home Economics (single course) counts as one subject.
- English and English Composition count as one subject.
- Any combination of Music, Music & Musicianship, Music & Musicianship A, and Music & Musicianship B, counts as one subject.
- Physics, and Physics & Chemistry count as one subject.
- Chemistry and Physics & Chemistry count as one subject.
- Physics, Chemistry, and Physics & Chemistry count as two subjects.
Who can apply for a Second Language Exemption?
- If you are applying to UL but do not meet the second language requirement, you can apply for an exemption. The exemption does not apply to courses which have a specific language requirement.
- If you do not take Irish, but do take another language apart from English (e.g. French, German) you do not need to apply for a language exemption for UL.
Three categories of applicants may qualify for a UL Language Exemption:
| Category | Who may apply? | Application details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applicants with a Department of Education and Skills (DES) Language Exemption from primary or post primary school | Applicants submit the UL Language Exemption online application with the following evidence of eligibility:
|
| 2 | Applicants without a DES Language Exemption but are exempt from taking a language due to the findings of a psychological report | Applicants submit the UL Language Exemption online application with the following evidence of eligibility:
|
| 3 | Applicants educated / part-educated outside of the Republic of Ireland (ROI). You may be eligible for an exemption if you were either:
| Applicants submit the UL Language Exemption online application with the following evidence of eligibility:
|
How to apply?
Applications are only accepted online. The closing date for applications is 1 July 2025.
- Complete the UL Language Exemption online application.
- Category 2 and 3: Download and complete the UL Language Declaration Form and submit it with your UL Language Exemption online application.
Other required information:
To complete your online application you will require the following:
- CAO Application Number
- PPS Number/ National Insurance Number
- Contact Details including email address and phone number
- Have a legible scanned copy/digital photograph of your relevant supporting documentation ready to attach to your application.
Applications must be made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) in accordance with the rules and guidelines contained in the CAO handbook.
The current schedule of closing dates is as follows:
| Normal Closing Date | Late Application Date | Change of Mind |
| 1st February | 1st May | 1st July |
The CAO, in conjunction with a number of Higher Education institutions, offers third level admissions schemes for school leavers requiring additional support.
Higher Education Access Route (HEAR)
HEAR is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds.
Students who secure a place through HEAR may be allocated places on a reduced points basis, and are offered a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying at third level.
Visit the UL Student Affairs website for more information.
Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)
DARE is a third level admissions scheme for students from non-traditional learning backgrounds, including students with disabilities.
Students eligible for the DARE scheme may be allocated places on a reduced points basis, may apply for a language exemption, and are offered additional supports while studying at third level.
Visit the Disability Services Office website for more information.
HEAR / DARE average lowest offers:
The Special Mathematics Examination is for applicants who have not achieved the required grade in Higher Level Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate for entry to the Faculty of Science and Engineering undergraduate courses. It is only open to applicants who have chosen Faculty of Science and Engineering undergraduate course(s). It is not available for entry to any other UL course.
In order to apply for the Special Mathematics Examination you must have the following:
- Sufficient CAO entry points for your chosen Faculty of Science and Engineering undergraduate course(s) and
- Satisfy all other entrance requirements for Faculty of Science and Engineering undergraduate course(s).
Candidates who pass this Special Mathematics Examination are deemed to have satisfied the Mathematics entry requirement. The Special Mathematics Examination will be corrected on a pass/fail basis and no additional bonus points will be awarded.
For more information please visit the Science and Engineering website.
HOW TO APPLY
Leaving Certificate students must apply to the
University of Limerick via the Central Applications Office (CAO)
Contact Academic Registry
Main Building, E0-001
University of Limerick
The information provided here is as a guide only, and may be updated from time to time. You are advised to consult official documentation, including the University of Limerick Academic Regulations, as the authoritative version
Data Protection: We will process your Personal Data in accordance with our Student Privacy Notice.