LIT_fulltime2017

Entry Requirements
New Leaving Certificate Grading Scale and
revised Common Points Scale
The Department of Education and Skills introduced a new
Leaving Certificate grading scale in 2017. As part of this
process, it was agreed to change how the Leaving Certificate
examinations are graded, using fewer broader grade bands.
The 14-point grading scale in operation prior to 2017 has
been replaced by an 8-point scale as follows:
New Grades % Marks The scale now has 8
grades, the highest grade
H1 / O1 90 – 100
is a Grade 1; the lowest
H2 / O2 80 < 90
grade is a Grade 8. The
H3 / O3 70 < 80
highest seven grades 1-7
H4 / O4
H5 / O5
H6 / O6
H7 / O7
H8 / O8
60 < 70
50 < 60
40 < 50
30 < 40
0 < 30
divide the marks range
100% to 30% into seven
equal grade bands 10%
wide, with a grade 8 being
awarded for percentage
marks of less than 30%.
The grades at higher level and ordinary level are distinguished
by prefixing the grade with H or O respectively, giving H1-H8
at higher level, and O1-O8 at ordinary level.
Leaving Certificate
For students with Leaving Certificate qualifications, the
minimum entry requirements for entry to the first year of
programmes are as follows, however, applicants should also
check for the specific requirements given on each programme
page.
Higher Certificate (Level 6) programmes
You must have 5 O6/H7 grades or higher at Ordinary level in
five Leaving Certificate subjects. Two of these subjects must
include: *Mathematics and a Language (English or Irish). In
practice, entry levels are significantly above the minimum and
points are calculated from the six best subjects from one
sitting, which for Level 7 programmes must be greater than
140 points.
Bachelor Degree (Level 7) programmes
You must have 5 O6/H7 grades or higher at Ordinary level in
five Leaving Certificate subjects. Two of these subjects must
include: *Mathematics and a Language (English or Irish). In
practice, entry levels are significantly above the minimum and
points are calculated from the six best subjects from one
sitting.
Calculation of Points
Limerick Institute of Technology will award points for Leaving
Certificate grades based on:
1. Points are counted for best six subjects.
2. Points are counted from only one sitting of the Leaving
Certificate.
Leaving Certificate grading scale
(introduced in 2017):
Higher
Ordinary
Grade Points Grade Points
H1 100
H2 88
H3 77
H4 66
H5 56 O1 56
H6 46 O2 46
H7 37 O3 37
H8 0 O4 28
O5 20
O6 12
O7 0
O8 0
For students who sat the Leaving Certificate from 1992–2016,
points will be awarded as follows:
Current
(Pre 2017 LC
Grading Scale)
NEW
Leaving Certificate
Grading Scale
New
Points at
Higher Level
A1 H1 / O1 100 56
A2
B1
H2 / O2 88 46
B2
B3
H3 / O3 77 37
C1
C2
H4 / O4 66 28
C3
D1
H5 / O5 56 20
D2
D3
H6 / O6 46 12
E 33 0
New
Points at
Ordinary Level
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will be awarded to any CAO applicant who has
gained a grade H6 or higher in Leaving Certificate Honours
Mathematics.
Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8) programmes
You must have 2 H5 grades or higher in two Higher level
subjects, together with 4 O6/H7 grades or higher in four other
Ordinary level subjects in Leaving Certificate subjects. Two of
these subjects must include: *Mathematics and a Language
(English or Irish). In practice, entry levels are significantly
above the minimum and points are calculated from the six
best subjects from one sitting.
*Foundation Level Mathematics will only be accepted, as
meeting the Mathematics requirement for programmes listed in
section ‘Foundation Level Mathematics’.
Undergraduate Prospectus 2018/2019
25