Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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2007.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in 2023 that were denied a place on their course of choice due to the ‘third language’ criterion enforced by universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35513/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Department does not hold the specific data requested by the Deputy, however in 2023 there was a significant increase generally in the proportion of students receiving a first preference offer, i.e., 59% of Level 8 offers were for first preference courses, and 85% were for a first, second or third preference course. This was an increase of 5% and 3% respectively from 2022.

As the Deputy may be aware Higher Education Institutions are autonomous and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes including admissions, examinations, programmes of study and awarding degrees and other qualifications. My Department has no role therefore in setting the entry requirements for third-level courses. I am aware that in the case of language requirements, students may apply for an exemption to this criteria. The details of how to apply for this exemption are available on the CAO website:

www.cao.ie/?page=exemptions&bb=studentresources

Further information is also available on the NUI website: www.nui.ie/college/entry-requirements.asp

Matriculation requirements (or minimum entry requirements) are intended to set the minimum level of prior academic achievement, which a student must have in order to have a good prospect of completing their chosen higher education programme. Matriculation requirements in the university sector are currently determined by individual universities and vary from institution to institution. Language requirements may also be in place for specific courses with a language component in other higher education institutions.

Entry requirements for NUI institutions are detailed here: www.nui.ie/college/entry-requirements.asp.