Matriculation requirements: Irish Leaving Certificate
To be considered for admission to the University you must:
- Present six subjects, three of which must be at grade C or above on higher Leaving Certificate papers or at least grade C in the University Matriculation examination
The six subjects above must include:
- A pass in English
- A pass in mathematics and a pass in a language other than English
OR
- a pass in Latin and a pass in a subject other than a language
Notes:
- A pass means grade D or above on ordinary or higher papers in the Leaving Certificate and grade D or above in the University Matriculation examination.
- Irish at foundation level is not acceptable for matriculation, course requirements or for scoring purposes. Mathematics at foundation level is acceptable (excluding nursing) for matriculation purposes only.
- Students may combine grades achieved in different sittings of their Leaving Certificate/Matriculation examinations for the purpose of satisfying matriculation and/or course requirements, but not for the purposes of scoring. This is not permitted for Medicine (see Course specific requirements).
- Combinations of Leaving Certificate subjects not permitted:
- Physics/Chemistry may not be presented with physics or chemistry
- Biology and agricultural science may both be used for scoring purposes but biology may not be presented with agricultural science as the two higher level subjects required for Dental science, Earth sciences, Medicine, Medicinal chemistry, Physiotherapy or Science. In addition, Biology and agricultural science may not be presented as two of the three HC3 (or above) grades required for matriculation purposes.
- Art and music may not be offered as two of the three higher Leaving Certificate grades for matriculation purposes but both may be used for scoring purposes
Leaving Certificate scoring system
| Grade Level | Higher Level | Ordinary |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 100 | 60 |
| A2 | 90 | 50 |
| B1 | 85 | 45 |
| B2 | 80 | 40 |
| B3 | 75 | 35 |
| C1 | 70 | 30 |
| C2 | 65 | 25 |
| C3 | 60 | 20 |
| D1 | 55 | 15 |
| D2 | 50 | 10 |
| D3 | 45 | 5 |
- Bonus points for higher level Mathematics
Students presenting Leaving Certificate Mathematics at honors level will be credited with an additional 25 points for achieving a grade HD3 or above. Full details are available here.
An applicant's six best results from one sitting of the Leaving Certificate will be counted for scoring purposes. Applicants may combine results from the Leaving Certificate and the Trinity Matriculation examination of the same year for scoring purposes.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules are accepted for scoring purposes only and are awarded the following points: Distinction 70, Merit 50, Pass 30.
The minimum entry levels (points) are available to download.