HEAR admissions scheme for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college admission scheme for school-leavers from socially disadvantaged backgrounds that are under-represented in third-level education.

Under HEAR, some third-level places are reserved for school-leavers on a reduced points basis. To be eligible for HEAR, you must meet certain indicators (or criteria) related to your financial, social and cultural circumstances (see ‘How to qualify for the HEAR scheme’ below).

Third-level colleges participating in the HEAR scheme reserve a number of places on its courses for school-leavers who are eligible for HEAR. You can find details of the places available through HEAR on the websites of the participating third-level colleges. All participating colleges have a staff member who can advise you on how to apply to HEAR.

You apply for HEAR through the Central Applications Office (CAO) – see ‘How to apply for the HEAR scheme’ below.

Reduced points places

If you are accepted as eligible for HEAR, you compete for the reduced point places based on your Leaving Certificate results.

A reduced point place means that you may get a place on a third-level course with fewer than the full CAO points needed.

For example, if you are eligible for HEAR and you get 350 points in your Leaving Certificate, you may be offered a place on a course that is 360 points through CAO. However, you must meet the minimum college entry requirements and any specific course entry requirements.

Additional supports available through HEAR

If you get a place through HEAR, you will also be offered a range of supports while you are studying at college, such as:

• An orientation programme
• Extra tuition
• Study skills
• Mentoring
• Extra financial assistance (when available) and advice about grants and scholarships

The supports available will vary from college to college.

To qualify for HEAR, you must meet certain indicators or criteria related to your financial, social and economic circumstances.

You must also be under 23 years of age on 1 January of the year the course starts.

What are the indicators for the HEAR scheme?

There are 6 indicators.

1. Income
2. Medical card
3. Social welfare
4. Socio-economic group
5. DEIS school
6. Area

This page explains each of the indicators below.

1. Income

Your total family income (that is, gross income before tax and PRSI are deducted) for the year 2023 was within the HEAR income limits.

*A 'dependent child' is a child under 16 on 1 October 2024 or over 16 who is attending a full-time educational institution or is medically certified as permanently unfit for work. A dependent can also include a parent attending a full-time course in further education and training or higher education.

2. Medical card

You, your parent(s) or guardian(s) hold a medical card or GP visit card that is valid on 31 December 2024.

3. Social welfare

Your parent(s) or guardian(s) were getting a means-tested social assistance payment for at least 26 weeks in 2023.

You can find a list of eligible social assistance payments on the HEAR website.

4. Socio-economic group

You come from a socio-economic group that is under-represented in higher education, for example, children and unskilled manual workers.

5. DEIS school

You have completed 5 years of second-level education at a school in the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme.

6. Area

You are living in an area of concentrated disadvantage and social exclusion with, for example, high unemployment and poverty.

Fulfilling the indicator requirement

Of the 6 indicators above, you must meet the low-income indicator 1 and a combination of 2 other indicators.

There are 4 different indicator combinations, listed below as A, B, C and D.

What documents do I need to apply for HEAR?

As part of your application, you must provide documents to show that you meet the required indicators.

Examples of the documents you need are:

• Statement of Liability from the Revenue Commissioners for 2023. The Statement of Liability has replaced the P21. You can get a Statement of Liability through Revenue's myAccount service.
• Statement of welfare benefits received from the Department of Social Protection in 2023 (you can download the form from your online HEAR application form).
• Confirmation from your Local Health Office of a medical or GP visit card valid on 31 December 2024 (you can download the form from your online HEAR application form).

All documents must be sent by post. Faxed or emailed documents are not accepted. You can use the Access College HEAR website’s application checklist for help with figuring out which documents you need.

Keep the original of all documents and obtain a certificate of posting from An Post every time you post supporting documents to CAO. Put your name and CAO number on all documents submitted to CAO.

To get a college place under the HEAR scheme, you must apply online through the CAO. You must submit your CAO application by 5pm, 1 February 2025.

Late applications are not considered for HEAR (see ‘Table of key dates for HEAR applications 2025-2026’ below).

When completing the CAO application form, you will be asked if you wish to apply for HEAR. You will need to say ‘yes’ and then you will be directed to a separate HEAR application form. You must complete this by 5pm, 1 March 2025.

On the HEAR application form, you must answer questions about:

• Your family’s income
• Your parents’ employment status
• The schools you attended

You will be asked to submit supporting documents with your application. You must post these. These documents must reach the CAO by 5pm, 15 March 2025.

Summary of key dates for HEAR applications 2025-2026

What happens if my application is late?

No applications will be accepted after the closing dates.

The closing dates are very strict because HEAR is an additional application procedure which needs extra processing time.

When do I hear the outcome of my application?

You will be told whether or not you are eligible for the scheme by email or through the CAO portal in late June 2025 (after the Leaving Certificate exams).

If you are told you are not eligible, you can ask for your application to be reviewed.

Your HEAR application does not affect your CAO application, which will be processed in the usual way after you get your Leaving Certificate results.

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE)

DARE is an alternative third-level admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second-level education.

DARE offers reduced points places to school leavers who, as a result of having a disability, have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education.

You should apply to both DARE and HEAR if they both apply to you.

Applicants who apply and are eligible for both DARE and HEAR will be prioritised by the participating colleges and universities when offering their reduced points places.

Find out more in our page DARE admissions scheme for students with disabilities.

The CAO helpline at (091) 509 800 offers help school-leavers with their HEAR application. You can also contact the access services of the colleges participating in the HEAR scheme.

Find out more about HEAR:

• On the Access College website’s list of frequently asked questions
• In the HEAR application handbook 2025 and information leaflets

You can also watch a HEAR information session run by the HEAR programme which answers questions that students, or parents or guardians, may have about applying for HEAR.