Recipients of FETAC awards may apply for places in Higher Education Institutions through the CAO. For FETAC CAO applicants there are 40 higher education institutions including universities, institutes of technology and private colleges offering places on a variety of courses at HETAC Levels 6, 7 and 8.

The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) links specific FETAC Level 5 Cer tificates and some Level 6 Advanced Cer tificates to a number of reserved places on higher education courses. The Institutes of Technology and some other higher education institutions introduced the Pilot Scheme in 2005 with a pilot admission criteria and scoring system for FETAC Level 5 Certificate and Advanced Certificate applicants. Results in one sitting are generally required.

Higher Education Links Scheme
Under this scheme a number of places are reserved on named courses for applicants holding par ticular FETAC Awards with specific modules. A full award is always necessary and students with a minimum of five distinctions may be admitted on a competitive basis. The universities, DIT and a small number of other colleges operate this scheme.

The Pilot Scheme
Under this scheme students with a full FETAC Level 5/6 Award may apply through the CAO for places across a range of courses at Higher Cer tificate (Level 6), Ordinary Degree (Level 7) and Honours Degree (level 8), (with the exception of Nursing Degree courses). A full award is required and there are minimum requirements. Some courses may have specific FETAC award and module requirements. Results of the best 8 modules are conver ted to CAO points using this scale: Distinction – 50 Points; Merit – 35 Points; Pass – 20 Points and applicants are then in competition with Leaving Cer tificate students.

For full details of all progression routes visit www.cao.ie and www.fetac.ie or contact the Admissions Office of the relevant Higher Education Institution.