HEAR admissions scheme for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
What is the HEAR scheme?
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is an admissions scheme for students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
You must be under 23 years of age on the 1st of January of the year the course starts. You may qualify as a parent who is applying for education courses or one of your children may qualify.
The scheme aims to improve access to college for school-leavers from socio-economic backgrounds that are under-represented in third-level education. Under the HEAR scheme, a number of third-level places are allocated to school-leavers on a reduced points basis. To be eligible for the scheme you must meet certain criteria related to your financial, social and cultural circumstances.
You can find details of the places available through HEAR on the websites of the participating third-level colleges.
If you get a place through HEAR you will also be offered a range of supports such as study skills and mentoring. The supports available will vary from college to college.
How do I apply?
To get a college place under the HEAR scheme you must apply online through the CAO
