STARTING THIRD-LEVEL EDUCATION is often one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life, and it’s made all the more exciting by getting onto a course that speaks to your interests.

While CAO points are certainly a very useful guideline when it comes to understanding how many points you need to get in your Leaving Cert, students shouldn’t become overly concerned with chasing the course with the highest points.

David Kilmartin, Senior Manager of Student Success at TU Dublin, advises: “The best starting point for choosing the right course is interest in the subject and career area, not Leaving Cert points. 

“Luckily, there are now many pathways and routes to allow you to realise your career potential.  So be open to these differing pathways and don’t allow bias around course level to distort your decision about which course to choose. Remember, enjoyment and effort come from interest in the course, not the course level.”

The right college course for you will help you foster that passion and set you on a pathway towards a career in the field that brings you the most fulfilment, and there’s no one set way of getting there. TU Dublin offers a range of third-level courses, including Level 8 and Level 7 courses. Level 7 courses are typically three years and confer upon the student an Ordinary Bachelor’s degree. Depending on your needs, Level 7 courses can offer you more flexibility and can lead on to Level 8 courses (Honours Bachelor’s degree) if you want to continue your studies further. 

When filling out the CAO form, it’s important not to worry about what anyone else is going for and instead think carefully about what interests you and what you want to do with your life. Students at TU Dublin benefit massively from courses that involve hands-on industry experience, meaning that once you’ve gotten into your course, it won’t be long before you’re making connections and developing practical experience in your chosen field — setting you up for success from the earliest stages. 

This approach has already borne success for so many TU Dublin students, with the university now ranking number one in Dublin for graduate employment. 

The CAO Change of Mind deadline is this Wednesday, 1 July at 5pm. To learn more about studying at TU Dublin and explore the wide range of courses available to you when filling out your CAO, visit TU Dublin’s CAO Hub.