1916 Dublin Event
We are delighted to invite students from the Dublin region to our 1916 event "The Student Rising - honouring a past Ireland and changing her future" which is taking place in Trinity College Dublin on Friday the 26th of February.
We extend this invitation to 2 students from each second-level school in Dublin. Student's must complete the registration form below to attend. Make sure to complete the Parental / Guardian consent form which will be emailed to you and bring this with you on the day!
If you have any questions please contact our offices at 01 443 4461 / info@issu.ie
[mbuttons color="b_pink" transition="Write buton-1 or ...buton-6" url="https://form.jotform.com/supportingstudentvoice/1916"]*1916 Dublin Registration*[/mbuttons]
CAO Applications - Deadlines & top tips!
What you need to know about the CAO
It's that time of year again when 6th year students are deciding upon their college options. The CAO officially opened for online applications on November 5th 2015.Start filling out your CAO as soon as you think you're ready, don't rush into it but don't leave it until the last minute. It's easier (cheaper) and quicker to fill out your application online on the CAO website. It would be wise to register early and get the discounted online rate of €25 before January 20th @ 5.15pm. Once you've registered you can go back later and add or change courses until the first closing deadline; February 1st. After this date any changes made incur a fee.
Dates for your diary
January 20th at 5:15pm- Closing date for early bird price €25 CAO application (it is €40 after this date).- Closing date for early bird HPAT-Ireland price €120 (it is €190 after this date).February 1st at 5:15pm- Closing date for €40 CAO application.- Late registrations for HPAT-Ireland are accepted costing €190. The HPAT-Ireland test will talk place nationwide on February 27th 2016.
Restricted Courses - make sure you apply in round one
For anyone who's interested in restricted courses i.e. courses that require a portfolio, interview or aptitude test you need to make sure that your choice is listed before February 1st – it may be too late after that date for restricted courses.Don't panic, once you've register you have until March 1st @ 5.15pm to submit your final round 1 application. Late applications are accepted up to and including May 1st – but try not to leave it this late if you can – extra fees apply. You should expect to receive a paper copy of your statement of applications during the last week in May.After the Leaving Cert you have until July 1st to change your CAO if you're really unsure of a course. Always consult your career guidance counsellor before making changes like this at such a late stage. CAO round offers will be made available at 6:00 am on the 22nd of August 2016.
Deciding what to apply for:
* Look at lots of college brochures and get an idea of what courses interest you. If your school doesn't have prospectuses ask them to order some or phone the college yourself and ask to be sent one.* Make sure to check the basic entry requirements for the courses you're interested in. This info will be in the prospectus. For example, many Irish universities require that you have minimum grades in Irish and English as well as the necessary points.* Consider what you want to study AND where you'll be happy living. If you want a taste of city life then check out Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Derry and UK universities. If you're more comfortable living somewhere smaller look at what's on offer in places like the University of Ulster at Coleraine or Sligo I.T.* Once you have an idea of what you're interested in, call the colleges and ask if there's someone you can talk to about the courses on offer.* If possible, visit the universities or colleges you plan to apply for. Most universities have open days, which give you an opportunity to visit the college. There is usually a tour of the facilities and information about everything the university has to offer.* You can usually download the university or college prospectus from their website.
Useful websites:
QualifaxCareers Portalwww.cao.ie
Top Tips!
* When filling in your CAO make sure to put the course you really want to do as first choice. NOT what you think you'll have the results to study!* Fill out the CAO form in plenty of time. Don't forget there is a ‘change of mind' form that you can use if you decide you want to apply for different courses.* Practice filling in the CAO. Make a photocopy of each one and get a teacher or family member to check that everything is filled in properly before you post them off. Or apply online and get someone to look over the application before you finalise it.* The more research you do, the more confident you'll feel when you finally get to that chosen college!* Finally, this is important so swallow your pride or shyness and ask the career guidance teacher to help you. Spend time researching the best options and deciding what you really want to do!
Christmas Greetings!
On behalf of all of us here in the Irish Second-Level Student's Union, we would like to say Thank You for all of your work for students and young people in 2015. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you in 2016!The Irish Second-Level Students' Union office will be closed from 5:00pm on Wednesday 23rd of December until Monday 4th of January 2016. Please email info@issu.ie with any enquiries. Enjoy the holidays!
17th November International Students Day
The ISSU fully supports and encourages International Students Day through our European body the Organising Bureau of European School Students' Union (OBESSU). We feel that all second-level Irish students should see and understand the benefits of what International Students Day brings. For instance, it fights for;- the freedom to live in dignity- freedom of movement- freedom to studyWe may not all understand the importance of the freedom of movement, however, we need to support our neighbors students in countries far and near who don't have this simple but necessary right.The freedom to study is one we can all relate to. In Ireland we have a constitutional right to learn. Join us and millions of other European and International Students from across the globe to celebrate student rights and International Students Day on Tuesday the 17th of November. You can post photos to social media and use the hashtags #free2learn and #free2move to connect with students worldwide!For more information see The International Day of Students website!Gearóid Dardis, International Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students' Union
Regional Councils 2015
Registration is now closed!!
For information email info@issu.ie
Survey: Leaving the Leaving Cert / Ag fágaint na hÁrdteiste
We're gathering students thoughts on completing the Leaving Certificate exams and we want to hear students honest opinions of their recent exam experiences.Please complete our ISSU Leaving the Leaving Cert survey and help shape ISSU policy! Táimid ag bailiú smaointe faoin Árdteist ó na daltaí a ndearna é i mbliana (2015).Le do thoill, comhlánaigh ár suirbhé Ag fágaint na hÁrdteiste agus cabhráigh linn polasaí AMLDE a chruthú!