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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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Study at SETU Waterford

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

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Students

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

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Schools

SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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International

The Office for International Relations co-ordinates the admission, administration and support for international students throughout the course of their studies at SETU Waterford.

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Research

SETU Waterfordis recognised as the leading research performer in the institute of technology sector with research activities that are internationally benchmarked, strategic, and economically relevant. Find out about the amazing multi disciplinary research under way

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About

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

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News

Uncover the research discoveries, student and staff achievements, human stories, community spirit, global links and external engagement news at SETU Waterford

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Events

From virtual events to conferences, talks, public lectures and happenings in on-campus venues SETU Waterford is a hub of activity. Stay up to date with our calendar of upcoming events.

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To be eligible for consideration under the scheme, the applicant should meet the following criteria:

  • The applicant has applied to SETU through the CAO application process for 2023 entry.
  • The applicant has achieved the required points for entry into their chosen programme of study and met all other criteria set for the programme (except maths requirement).
  • The applicant has not achieved the required grade in their mathematics examination for entry.
  • Note: You are eligible to sit the exam if you failed maths (Higher, Ordinary or Foundation levels)

Application opens Friday August 25th 2023 @ 12 noon

Application closes Wednesday 30th August @ 12 noon

Maths Entry Exam date takes please 31st August 2023 @ 9.30

The examination will follow the standard format of the existing leaving certificate with two papers based on the existing leaving certificate ordinary level. Applicants can expect the questions to reflect the standard of the leaving certificate ordinary level examination.  There is no access to previous SETU Maths entry exam papers.


Exam Details

DATE

The date for the SETU Maths Entry Exam is 31st August 2023. The Examination will take place at the SETU, Cork Road, Waterford or the SETU, Kilkenny Road, Carlow  campus. Please note this date and location is provisional and may be subject to change. You can select your campus in your online application form once this opens. 

TIME

Paper 1: 9.30am - 12.00am
Paper 2: 2.00pm - 4.30pm

MEETING POINT

Waterford Campus: Meet in the Main Atrium on the Cork Road Campus, Waterford at 9.15 a.m. 

Carlow Campus: Meet at the main reception desk of the Kilkenny Road Campus, Carlow at 9.15 a.m.

You will be brought to the exam room by the exams team. 

NOTE: You must bring photo identification with you (e.g. Passport, Garda Age Card)


Results

Results will be emailed to you within 5 working days. There is no appeals process.  Eligible applicants will receive offers in the next available round of CAO offers.

Mock Papers

There is no access to previous SETU Maths Entry exam papers for revision purposes, please use past Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate papers - SETU Maths Entry Exam follows this format and standard. 

I have applied for a course at SETU Waterford and/or SETU Carlow/Wexford, can I use the Maths Entry Exam result for any of the campus'?

If you have applied for a course at SETU you can sit the Maths Entry Exam at either the SETU Waterford or SETU Carlow campus and the result can be used for eligibility for all SETU courses to which the maths entry exam applies, regardless of which campus you sat the exam on. You will be offered the highest preference course for which you are eligible – having achieved the required grade in the Maths Entry Exam and met all other qualifying criteria for the programme.

Can I get mock or past SETU Waterford Maths Entry Exam papers?

There is no access to previous SETU Maths Entry exam papers for revision purposes, please use past Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate papers - SETU Maths Entry Exam follows this format and standard.

What is the CAO statement?

This is the list of programmes the student has applied for through the CAO.  This can be submitted as a screenshot.

Can I apply if I have already passed maths in the leaving certificate?

Yes.  The scheme is based on the maths entry requirement for your chosen course.  For example, if the maths entry requirement for your first-choice programme was O5 or better, but you only received an O6, then you could take the examination and obtain a place on your chosen programme if you achieved an O5 or better.

Can I apply if I failed my maths in the leaving certificate?

Yes.  The Maths Entry Exam gives you an opportunity to improve upon your maths grade attained in the leaving certificate.

Can I apply if I sat Foundation Level maths in my leaving certificate?

Yes. The Maths Entry exam is open to all Leaving Certificate applicants.

Can I apply if I have already received a place at SETU?

Yes, if you received a place that is a lower preference because you did not meet the maths requirement for the higher preference place.

Can I study at SETU if I have an offer from another college?

Yes you can but only if:

  • Your chosen programme at SETU is a higher preference on your CAO list than the programme at the other college, and

  • You achieve the required grade in the Maths Entry Exam and meet all other qualifying criteria for the programme

You will not be entitled to a place at SETU if you received an offer for a programme at another college that is a higher preference than the SETU programme.

 

Is there a fee for taking the examination?

No, there is no fee for taking the examination in 2023.


Will I get additional leaving certificate points if I get a higher grade?

No. Your leaving certificate points total will not be altered as a result of the Maths Entry Exam. The examination merely deals with the entry requirements and not your CAO points requirements. If you have not obtained the cut-off points for your preferred programme, then you should not take the exam.


If I become eligible for a number of programmes, which one will I be offered?

You will be offered the highest preference programme for which you are eligible.


Are there any programmes excluded from the Scheme?

The following programmes are excluded for the scheme is SETU Waterford: 

  • All nursing programmes (WD116, WD117 and WD120)

In SETU Carlow, there is a list of programmes that consider the maths entry exam for entry, a listing of these eligible courses can be found here

 

Can I use my result from the Maths Entry Exam that I sat in a previous year to be considered for entry this year? 

Yes, you can use the results achieved in your Maths Entry exam/Second Chance Maths exam from a previous academic year to be considered for entry in the current academic year. 

 


Can you give me some examples?
 

CASE STUDY 1

John wants to do the Bachelor of Business (Hons) at SETU Waterford. He has achieved 350 points which is greater than the cut-off points for entry into the course and met the other criteria with the exception of maths.

John obtained an O6 in maths. As he does not meet the maths requirements of O5, he is not offered a place. If John sits the Maths Entry Exam at SETU and scores an O5 or better, he will then be offered a place.

CASE STUDY 2

Linda wants to do the BA (H) Psychology. She has 290 points which is below the CAO cut-off points for the programme. She does not get an offer of a place. Since she is below the CAO cut-off points, there is no benefit to Linda of attempting the Maths Entry Exam at SETU.


CASE STUDY 3

Barry has not applied through the CAO to study at SETU. As he cannot change his CAO preferences, he will not be offered any place at the University and there is no benefit in him attempting the Maths Entry Exam.