CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme

Applications for the CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme 2025-26 are now open.

Up to 10 places across all undergraduate programmes will be reserved for outstanding applicants who have achieved a very high level of sporting performance and who are committed to continuing to develop their sporting and academic careers.

Criteria

Successful applicants who meet all the necessary entry requirements and who also meet the sports assessment criteria, may be eligible for a points reduction of up to 40 points below the First Round CAO points cut-off for the programme they have applied for.

To be considered for this entry scheme, applicants must:

1. Have applied for a programme at MIC through the CAO
2. Meet the minimum entry requirements of their desired level 8 programme
3. Come within 40 points of 1st Round CAO points for their nominated programme
4. Be expected to act as ambassadors for MIC in terms of their participation in their chosen sport or other activities as requested by the College for the duration of the programme by which they entered
5. Participate in a sport recognised by the Irish Sports Council
6. Be able to provide evidence that they are competing at the highest available level in their chosen sport and have identifiable potential for further improvement.

The following minimum standards of participation will apply to both this CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme and the Elite Sports Scholarship Scheme:

• Gaelic Games: Minor County level and capable of competing at a higher age level
• Hockey: Interprovincial/International representation
• Athletics: Schools/Celtic Games or Junior international representation
• Rugby: Schools/age grade international, provincial and/or international representation/provincial academy/Sub-Academy/Overseas or UK equivalent
• Soccer: Schools/age grade international and/or provincial representation/emerging talent programme/Overseas or UK equivalent
• Basketball: Super League Level and/or National Junior squad representation
• Rowing: Junior national representation
• Other Sports: As defined by the recognised sporting body and evidence of a strong competitive record at the highest level of their chosen sport.

How to Apply

Applications for the CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme 2025-26 are now open.

Undergraduate Applicants

Incoming undergraduate applicants apply for their programme of choice as normal through the CAO. Applicants will then also apply directly to MIC for the scheme(s) via the English Application Form, or Irish Application Form, depending on the applicants preference.

Deadline for receipt of applications is 1 May 2025.

Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully before completing the application form.

All Awardees are expected to act as ambassadors for MIC in terms of their participation in their chosen sport or other activities as requested by the College for the duration of the scholarship.

Canvassing will automatically disqualify applicants.

Applicants may apply for both this scholarship scheme and the Elite Sports Scholarships Scheme.

Please refer to MIC Sports Schemes Terms & Conditions/ Scéimeanna Spóirt Téarmaí agus Coinníollacha before completing the application.

Sports Schemes

MIC is offering two types of Sport Schemes:

1. Elite Sports Scholarships in memory of Noreen Lynch and Leonard Enright

MIC will offer five Elite Sports Scholarships. The value of each scholarship will be delivered through a conditional bursary and additional benefits as follows:

• Gold Scholarship x 1: Valued at €4,000 (€180 gym, €120 sports clothing & €3,700 towards MIC student debt (fees/accommodation) in the first instance and remainder paid out by bursary. Open to all applicants.
• Silver Scholarship x 2: Valued at €2,000 each (€180 gym, €120 sports clothing & €1,700 towards MIC student debt (fees/accommodation) in the first instance and remainder paid out by bursary. Open to all applicants.
• Bronze Scholarship x 2: Valued at €1000 each (€180 gym, €120 sports clothing & €700 towards MIC student debt (fees/accommodation) in the first instance and remainder paid out by bursary. Restricted to incoming CAO applicants only.

The value of the gym & sport clothing cannot be converted to a monetary award.

Successful applicants must meet the Sports Assessment Criteria as outlined below.

The duration of the Elite Sports Scholarship is for one Academic Year only. However, successful applicants may apply for successive years.

Students in receipt of a Postgraduate Studentship / Assistantship are ineligible to apply for the Elite Sports Scholarships.

Application Procedure Elite Sports Scholarships

To be considered for the Elite Sports Scholarships the following procedures apply:

Incoming Undergraduate Applicants:

• Should apply for their programme of choice as normal through the CAO
• Should apply directly to MIC for these scholarships via the online application form, quoting their CAO Number
• Must meet the Sports Assessment Criteria (see below).

Incoming Postgraduate Applicants and Current MIC Students:

• Should apply directly to MIC via the online application form, quoting their quoting their postgraduate application payment reference ID number or MIC student number as applicable
• Must meet the Sports Assessment Criteria (see Sports Assessment Criteria below)

2. CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme

Successful applicants who meet all the necessary entry requirements, and also meet the Sports Assessment Criteria (see below), may be awarded a points reduction of up to 40 points below the Round One CAO points cut-off for their selected programme of study.

Application Procedure CAO points Concession Scheme

To be considered for this entry scheme, applicants must:

• Have applied for a programme of their choice at MIC through the CAO
• Meet the minimum entry requirements of their desired Level 8 programme
• Come within 40 points of Round One CAO points for their nominated programme
• Apply directly to MIC for these scholarships via the online application form, quoting their CAO number

Sports Assessment Criteria

The following minimum standards of participation will apply to both schemes:

• Gaelic Games: Minor County level and capable of competing at a higher age level
• Hockey: Interprovincial/International representation
• Athletics: Schools/Celtic Games or Junior international representation
• Rugby: Schools/age grade, international, provincial and/or international representation/provincial academy/Sub-Academy/Overseas or UK equivalent
• Soccer: Schools/age grade international and/or provincial representation/emerging talent programme/Overseas or UK equivalent
• Basketball: Super League Level and/or National Junior squad representation
• Rowing: Junior national representation
• Other Sports: As defined by the recognised sporting body

Those applying to the Elite Sports Scholarship must clearly demonstrate that they have the potential to, or are already, performing at Adult Inter County level with respect to Gaelic games; Adult International or achieved the highest level of participation within the sport category.

Criteria for MIC Sports Schemes

1. Applicants may apply for both schemes (you will indicate on the online application form if you are applying for one or both schemes)
2. All awardees are expected to act as ambassadors for MIC in terms of their participation in their chosen sport or other activities as requested by the College for the duration of the scheme.
3. All awardees must display at all times an appropriate standard of conduct and sportsmanship. Awardees shall never engage in any activity, which may potentially bring the College into disrepute. MIC retains the right to withdraw the award should the recipient be in breach of the MIC Code of Conduct for Students.
4. In the event that the successful applicant(s) is/are injured in the year for which the award is offered, the recipient will be required to complete all ambassadorial duties at a later date.
5. The successful applicant(s) is/are expected to attend and represent MIC at a minimum of three promotional events in the year the award is granted.

Adjudication Process

MIC Sport Schemes MIC has a dedicated Sports Scholarship Committee who will consider and oversee the application process for both the CAO Concession Scheme and the Elite Sports Scholarships. The decision of the Committee is final. Canvassing will lead to disqualification.

Adjudication Process CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme

• The Committee will review all applications and create a shortlist of suitable applicants for both schemes following the application deadline of 1 May.  
• All applicants for the CAO Points Concession Sports Scheme shall be notified of the outcome of their application before 1 July.

Adjudication Process Elite Sports Scholarships

• The Committee will review all applications and create a shortlist of suitable applicants who will be invited for interview following the application deadline of 1 May.
• Interviews for the Elite Sports Scholarships will take place in mid-July.
• A letter of offer will be forwarded to successful applicants of the Elite Sports Scholarships following the interviews.