Two PRIVATE Dublin-based colleges - LSB college and Dublin Business School - have merged, bringing together 4,000 full-time students. This year's students are not affected. Anyone applying through the CAO for courses in either college should apply as they normally would by placing the relevant course code on their CAO application form.
LBS is holding an open afternoon in the college on Wednesday, January 26th, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m..
RCSI offers up to five scholarships through course code RC002. This includes fee remission and an annual bursary of £1,000. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of achievement in the college's scholarship exam. You must apply for this exam before March 31st. The entry fee is £185 and a copy of the regulations and the entry form can be obtained from the college's examinations office. This is the last year this exam will be held.
There are also up to five scholarships available this year through course code RC003. These are awarded on the basis of Leaving Cert points. In future, the 10 scholarships will be awarded on this basis only.
The unfortunate side-effect of offering scholarships through the CAO, using different course codes, is that students could waste three CAO choices just applying to the RCSI. If students are willing to accept a place without a scholarship, they must list RC001. Then, if they wish to compete for scholarships on the basis of the Leaving Cert and the college's own exam, they must list the two other course codes - RC002 and RC003.
UCD is increasing the number of scholarships it will offer to a minimum of 60 this year. These are spread across the various faculties with minimum threshold Leaving Certificate points levels. The college has not used alternative CAO codes - perhaps RCSI might take a leaf out of their book?