We find ourselves in the unprecedented situation that with two (of out three) assessment sessions still to go this year, we are already considerably overbooked for both Licentiate and Associate level applications for the remainder of the year.  The demand is so high that we will now hold an additional assessment session in 2016 to accommodate the applications that are over and above the quotas for September and November this year. Our distinctions secretary, Bob Morrison, is working with applicants who applied after quotas were filled to move to an appropriate date. We appreciate your patience!

For anyone who has booked a place but now finds themselves unable to do so, please contact Bob as soon as possible so that your place may be given to someone on the waiting list.

This additional session will be held in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise on Saturday 5th March and will be for Associate and Licentiate panel adjudication only.

To check current status of any session, please go to our ‘Distinctions Dates & Availability Page‘.

Finally, one last reminder that the lifetime fee currently available at €200 for distinction holders will be suspended from August 31st 2015.  Lifetime option will be re-instated at the start of 2016 at €400.  Read more here.

Summary of 2015 & 2016 Distinction Dates

September Sitting 2015

The September 2015 sitting takes place on the 26th of the month at the NUIG Life Course Building, Galway. This is a new building on Upper Newcastle Road in Galway and will be found on the western side of the Corrib, just after the Quincentenary Bridge. We already have a full quota of applications for Licentiate and Associate levels, and now that the closing date has been reached, we are now closed for Fellowship applications also. It is likely that some Licentiate applicants will be deferred to either November or to March next, and they will be notified of this soon.

November Sitting 2015

The November 2015 sitting takes place on the 21st of the month at the Institute of Technology in Thurles. As with September, the Licentiate & Associate quota is full and there are a large number of additional applications. No further Licentiate or Associate applications will be accepted for November. Any applications already to hand that cannot be accommodated will be deferred to March. Fellowship applications will be accepted up to the closing date – October 12th.

March Sitting 2016

This additional session will take place on March 5th and will be in addition to the regular three sessions in May, September and November. Fellowship applications will not be accommodated at this session which is being run to deal with the overflow of Licentiate and Associate applications. Applicants who have already applied for September/November will be brought up to date shortly.

May Sitting 2016

The May 2016 sitting takes place on the 14th of the month at the Mullingar Arts Centre.
We will accept bookings from December onwards for this session.

September Sitting 2016

The September 2016 sitting will take place on the 24th of the month in Dublin. The venue will be announced shortly.
Date for application availability will be announced in 2016.

November Sitting 2016

The November 2016 sitting will take place on the 26th of the month at the Institute of Technology in Thurles.
Date for application availability will be announced in 2016.