Welcome to NUI’s online Exemption Application Form
This form should be completed if you are seeking an exemption from presenting Irish or a third language in the Leaving Certificate.
The standard entry requirements for NUI institutions are as follows;
To be eligible for entry to an NUI institution on Leaving Certificate results, six subjects are required in all cases. Prospective students must achieve a minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and at least Grade H7 or O6 in four other subjects. The subjects must include English, Irish and a Third Language (where necessary).
Notes for All Applicants
Please read the following carefully before submitting your application.
Postal applications are no longer accepted. It can typically take two or three weeks for an application to be processed. Once an application is processed, we will contact all applicants with the status of their application.
Please collect all necessary supporting documentation (details below) and have a scanned copy/digital photograph ready to attach to your application. Please ensure that all scans/photographs of supporting documentation are clear and legible before uploading. Depending on your grounds for exemption, your school principal and/or a relevant professional may be required to complete a NUI declaration form. These signed forms are to be submitted with your application. There is no facility to save a partially complete application. If you do not complete your application fully, the detail will be lost and you will have to begin your application again.
Applications can be submitted at any point in Senior Cycle, but applicants that submit in advance of having a Current CAO Application Number will need to advise NUI of their Current CAO Application Number (once received), for the exemption to be linked to their CAO application.
Identifying your grounds for Exemption
Please select the option which best describes your grounds for an exemption.
1.
I was born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties) but am living in and being educated in the Republic and wish to apply for an exemption from presenting Irish only.
Under this section only an exemption from Irish can be granted. You will need to attach a jpg or pdf copy of your Birth Certificate when making this application.
If you have the jpg or pdf file on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
If you have the jpg or pdf file on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
2.
I was born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties), but intend to present Irish as a Leaving Certificate subject to fulfil the requirement to present a language other than English. E.g., a student born in Northern Ireland or another jurisdiction can apply to NUI to present Irish as a third language for the purposes of matriculation.
Under this section you can, if born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties), present Irish to fulfil the third language requirements. You will need to attach a jpg or pdf copy of your birth certificate when making this application.
If you have the jpg or pdf file on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
If you have the jpg or pdf file on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
3.
I wish to apply for an exemption from presenting Irish only, as whilst I was born in the Republic of Ireland, all my primary education was outside Ireland or I have spent 3 continuous years outside the Republic of Ireland education system across primary and post-primary.
Under this section you can apply for an exemption from Irish if (a) all your primary education was outside Ireland or (b) 3 continuous years across primary and post-primary education was outside Ireland. You will need to attach a declaration from your school principal as a jpg or pdf and provide details of your schooling to date.
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have the signed declaration form from your school principal in jpg or pdf format on this computer or device, you can proceed with your application.
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have the signed declaration form from your school principal in jpg or pdf format on this computer or device, you can proceed with your application.
4.
I wish to apply for an exemption from presenting Irish and/or a third language because of either dyslexia, a Specific Learning Disability or any other condition impacting on your schoolwork. I have previously received a Department of Education/school exemption.
Under this section you can apply for an exemption from Irish and/or a third language, only, if you have a Department of Education exemption granted on either the basis of dyslexia, a Specific Learning Disability or any other condition impacting on your schoolwork . You will need (a) a copy of the exemption which you should have received from the school and (b) a completed declaration form from your school principal.
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have the jpg or pdf versions of the exemption and the declaration from the school principal on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have the jpg or pdf versions of the exemption and the declaration from the school principal on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
5.
I wish to apply for an exemption from presenting Irish and/or a third language because of a Specific Learning Disability. My school has not provided me with a Department of Education exemption but I have a professional diagnosis of a Specific Learning Disability.
Under this section you can apply for an exemption from Irish and or a third language because of a Specific Learning Disability. You will need to provide a professional report, a completed copy of the NUI Certification form signed by the professional and a completed declaration form from your school principal.
NUI Certification Form
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
NUI Certification Form
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
6.
I wish to apply for an exemption from presenting Irish and/or a third language as I have a hearing impairment or other disability that is affecting my schoolwork. I have a professional diagnosis that highlights that this is impacting on my schoolwork.
Under this section you can apply for an exemption from presenting Irish and or a third language as you have a hearing impairment or other disability that is affecting your schoolwork. You will need to have a copy of the professional diagnosis, a completed copy of the NUI Certification form signed by the professional and a declaration from your school principal.
NUI Certification Form
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device you can proceed with your application. If you have a Department of Education exemption please consider applying under Ground 4 instead.
NUI Certification Form
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device you can proceed with your application. If you have a Department of Education exemption please consider applying under Ground 4 instead.
7.
I have been educated in the UK system and wish to apply for an exemption from the third language requirement on the grounds of a Specific Learning Disability.
Under this section you can apply for an exemption from a third language because of a Specific Learning Disability. This section is only for candidates educated in the UK education system. You will need to provide a professional report, a completed copy of the NUI Certification form signed by the professional and a declaration from your school principal.
NUI Certification Form
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device, you can proceed with your application.
NUI Certification Form
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device, you can proceed with your application.
8.
I was born outside the European Union and will be presenting the Irish Leaving Certificate combined with a non-EU language to satisfy the NUI Third Language requirement for the purpose of Matriculation.
Under this section you can apply to combine the Irish Leaving Certificate along with a non-EU language examination to satisfy the matriculation requirements. You will need to attach a declaration form from your school principal, a copy of your Birth Certificate and details of the examination taken with supporting documentation.
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
School Principal Declaration Form
If you have these documents in pdf or jpg on this computer or device you can proceed with your application.
Still not sure of your grounds for an exemption?
If you have a query and would like some assistance or clarification, please feel free to contact us on exemptions@nui.ie. We would endeavour to be able to respond to you within 72 hours. If your query is urgent please contact the NUI office on +353 1 4392 424.
