Each year Maths is one of the most challenging subjects faced by students in the Leaving Certificate, and for many the two-paper Maths exam can be difficult to negotiate when sat along with all the other subjects. Typically, almost 10% of all students fail to gain any points across Higher, Ordinary and Foundation level exams.
Many Engineering and ICT courses have at least a pass in Maths as an entry requirement. Therefore, students who fail LC Maths may feel that they have spoiled their chances of accessing these courses. However, many colleges around the country run Second Chance Maths Exams for those students who have not achieved their respective Maths requirements. These exams give students another opportunity to demonstrate their competency in Mathematics and fulfil the Maths entry requirements for a number of degree courses.
Note: Those who failed Higher Level Maths should remember that many Engineering and ICT courses which accept a pass in Ordinary Level Maths will accept a H7 grade in the Higher Level Maths exam.
*Please note that the alternative Maths exam does not apply to all courses in all colleges, please check the links of each college below for specific details on which courses they are applicable to.
You can view the entry requirements for each course on our CourseFinder. To access it, click here.
TU Dublin holds a Mathematics Competency Test (MCT) for applicants to its Level 8 (Honours) Degree Programmes which require Higher Level Maths. The purpose of the MCT is to offer candidates an alternative route to achieve this minimum entry requirement. They also offer a two day tutorial prior to this August exam.
MTU (Cork Campus) also holds a Mathematics examination for applicants who have expressed an interest in any of its programmes that require certain minimum levels of performance in Mathematics. The purpose of this examination is to provide such applicants with a “second chance” opportunity to achieve these minimum Mathematics entry requirements.
University of Galway holds an Engineering Maths Qualifying Examination for admission into the College of Engineering and Informatics. The Engineering Mathematics Qualifying Exam (EMQE) is an alternative route for prospective students to meet the minimum Mathematics requirements for undertaking an Engineering degree course. Students electing to take the exam are offered a place on the Preparatory Course (EMPC) which takes place the week before the exam.
University of Limerick provide a Special Mathematics Entrance Exam to give Leaving Certificate students a second chance to pursue a course in Science and Engineering. Candidates will only be considered if they have achieved all other entry requirements.
MTU (Kerry Campus) hold a Second Chance Maths Exam for applicants who have expressed an interest in any of its programmes that require a certain minimum grade in Maths. It is only relevant for applicants who have applied through CAO for MTU (Kerry Campus).
SETU Waterford provide a Maths Entry Exam option for any student who did not achieve the required grade in Maths. This applies to any of the programmes of study at SETU-Waterford, on the condition that students have met all other entry criteria.
TUS Midwest offer a Maths Entrance Exam for students who have not reached the required grade for their course.
SETU Carlow offer a Special Entrance Examination in Mathematics for the Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering. In advance of the examination, the college will hold an intensive preparatory course over two days in late August/early September.
ATU Sligo holds an Alternative Maths Exam for students who do not obtain a pass in ordinary level Maths in the Leaving Cert.
DkIT is running an additional maths Exam to allow applicants to pass the Maths Entry Requirements exclusively for the BEng (Hons) in Engineering (Common Entry) and the BSc (Hons) in Computing in Games Development.
ATU Galway Mayo are holding both a stand-alone Maths entry exam and a Maths Preparatory Course with Embedded Exam for students who haven't achieved the required grade in maths for admission to ATU-Galway/Mayo programmes.
ATU Donegal – will again be running an 'Enabling Maths' Course which is available to students that fail their Leaving Certificate Maths paper. The course begins on Wednesday 30th August until Friday 8th September.
CAO Courses that do not require Maths
It is also worth noting that there are over 320 CAO courses that do not require Maths. To view these courses: click here