Students applying for engineering degrees in most cases need to have a C in higher level maths to qualify - regardless of their points. Students who have failed to achieve this grade in the Leaving Cert can sit an alternative special maths exam in a number of colleges. Success in this exam will be accepted as an alternative to the Leaving Cert Higher C - but only for that particular college and not for points purposes. National University of Ireland, Galway (UCG): An exam to gain entry to five different engineering courses here will take place next Friday starting at 10 a.m. and finishing at 4.30 p.m. The courses are civil engineering (GY004), industrial engineering and information systems(GY005), electronic engineering (GY007), mechanical engineering (GY006) and a newly-introduced course entitled electronic and computing engineering, which has yet to be assigned its CAO course code. The application fee for the exam is £5 and enquiries should be directed to the Admissions Office at 091 750437.

Dublin Institute of Technology: The exam for electrical/electronic engineering (FT221) is to be held on Wednesday, August 27th, at 2 p.m. at DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8. The deadline for applications is next Friday. Applicants should apply by letter (including the examination fee of £5) to the Exams Office, DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8. For information phone the DIT Admissions Office at 01-4023445.

Athlone RTC: Exam for Polymer Technology (AL030) engineering degree will be held next Friday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. No fee. Enquiries should be directed to the Admissions Department at 0902-24489 or the Engineering Department at 0902-24456.