Language exemptions are granted to students with specific learning difficulties affecting language acquisition and this can happen in primary or secondary school.

Exemptions for college entry may also be granted to students who were born outside of Ireland or had a minimum amount of their education abroad. See www.nui.ie for details.

There can be some confusion around how language exemptions impact on college applications and it is very important that students and parents are clear on what they need to do at this stage to make sure that the CAO is aware of an exemption. Every year there are applicants who are disappointed on the day of the CAO First Round offers because they don’t receive an offer in spite having the required points. One of the reasons why this can happen is because an applicant has forgotten to process their language exemption. They often assume that having an exemption from language in school means that colleges and universities are aware of that, but this is not the case.

Some, but not all, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have general entry requirements regarding languages other than English and they are not the same in all colleges and universities. It is important to note that the language requirements are not in place for all programmes in these HEIs so it is really imperative that applicants check the general entry requirements and specific course requirements for the programmes they are applying for.

There are four universities that come under the National University of Ireland (NUI); UCC, UCD, Maynooth University and NUI Galway, as well as member institutions which include Royal College of Surgeons, St Angela’s College, Sligo and National College of Art and Design. To apply for exemptions from any NUI college you need to complete the relevant form which can be downloaded from www.nui.ie and post it back to NUI. It is recommended that you do this 21 days after opening your CAO account but if you haven’t done so, it is not too late. CAO are notified of the exemption by NUI and it should appear on your CAO account one month after being processed. To apply for language exemptions for courses in Trinity College (TCD), UL or Mary Immaculate College, you will need to contact the relevant Admissions Offices directly. Exemptions for TCD should appear on your CAO account by the end of May. You will receive a Statement of Application Record in May from CAO instructing you to check all your details including language exemptions, which are recorded in the Qualifications and Assessments section. If it is not there you will need to contact CAO immediately. CAO do not record exemptions granted by UL or Mary I so contact their Admission Offices directly for guidance.

Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, and Chairperson of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She is also a Career Consultant. For details see www.mycareerplan.ie.