Reach Programme

Applicants must also apply through the CAO for a place in one of SETU's Waterford campuses by the 1st of February 2025 CAO deadline.

• Please note that all applicants must also list a Waterford campus course for their 1st choice for both their Level 6/7 and/or their Level 8 CAO choices by the 1st of Feb 2025. Where the applicant has not done this they must use the CAO Change of Mind facility and email their renewed CAO records directly to the SETU Access Office, Waterford at [email protected] 

Please note that applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Applicant must be a 6th year student attending one of the eligible secondary schools in the South East.
• Applicants must also apply through the CAO for a place in one of SETU's Waterford campuses by the 1st of February CAO deadline. Please note, applications are only considered where, applicants list a Waterford campus course as their 1st CAO choice for both their Level 6/7 and/or their Level 8 choices by the 1st of February 2025.  

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following criteria*:

• Applicant has experienced the State care system  (e.g. foster/residential/ward of court/under care of HSE) 
• Applicant is a lone or a teen parent
• Applicant/applicant’s family is a member of an ethnic minority (e.g. Irish Traveller, Roma, migrants, refugees etc.)
• Applicant/applicants family has experience of homelessness
• Applicant/applicants family has experience of the criminal justice system
• Applicant/applicants family is a survivor of domestic violence
• Applicant’s income or applicants family income is supplemented by a social welfare payment/s
• Applicant is the first member of their immediate family that will progress to higher education (3rd level)
• Other extenuating circumstances i.e. any circumstances that the applicant believes has had an adverse impact on their education to date e.g. the applicant takes on a caring role in the family home.

*(applicants may be requested to submit proof of the criteria under which they are applying)

Applicants must:

• Applicants must apply through the CAO for a place in one of SETU's Waterford campuses by the 1st of February CAO deadline. Please note that all applicants must also list a Waterford campus course as their 1st choice for both their Level 6/7 and/or their Level 8 CAO choices by the 1st of February 2025. 
• Applicants must also attain the entry requirements for the course applied for as outlined in the SETU prospectus. Please see the SETU prospectus or refer to the SETU website for all course entry requirement details. 
• Make an application to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for a Higher Education grant.
• Must be a student attending one of the eligible secondary schools in the South East.
• From those qualified the SETU Access Office, Waterford will then select the successful candidates based on their application forms and their school references.

Information for students

• If you are interested in making an application for the Reach Programme and you are attending an eligible school, please contact your guidance counsellor or school principal.
• Students must be offered and accept a course in SETU, Waterford campuses, to be eligible for selection for Phase 2 of the Reach Programme.
• 25 applicants will be offered a place on the Reach Programme.

Information for schools

• Applications for the Reach Programme are only accepted directly from guidance counsellors, school principals or the appropriate staff member in eligible schools.
• Schools may seek the support of our additional programme partners (School Completion Programme and the Home School Liaison Programme) in identifying eligible applicants.
• Application forms are restricted, and all eligible schools will receive information, via an email to their guidance counsellor(s), on the 2025 application process in January 2025, date TBC.
• The closing date to receive applications will be in March or April 2025, final date TBC.
• Applicants who apply for nursing programmes in SETU will be interviewed. Interview dates to be confirmed but they will take place during the month of May in 2025.

1. The Reach Programme application process will open in January 2025 and will close in March or April 2025, final dates TBC.  
2. Interviews for students who have selected a Nursing course in SETU to be held in May 2025 (date TBC).
3. Phase 1 of the Reach Programme will consider all applicants for a "reduced points access offer" through Round 1 of the CAO offers subject to meeting the entry requirements for the course applied for as outlined in the SETU prospectus.
4. Please note students must be offered and accept a course in SETU to be eligible for selection for Phase 2 of the Reach Programme. 25 applicants will be offered a place on the Reach Programme after Round 1 and/or Round 2 acceptances details are finalised.

Please note: Applicants who defer their 2025-2026 offer in SETU cannot be guaranteed a deferral of their Reach Programme place. Deferrals on considered on individual merit.