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Access Course for Higher Education - Mature Students

• Course Information

• Applying to Course

• Application Form

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Closing Date for Applications:                Friday 18 May, 2012

 

    

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Course Information

Aims:

The Access Course is a 1 year part-time daytime/evening course that aims to provide mature students with the opportunity to prepare, personally and academically, for an undergraduate course of full-time study of at least three years duration at NUI, Galway. The course is designed to meet the learning needs of the adult student; to provide individual attention and assistance where appropriate; and to provide financial support, contingent upon funding.

Intended for:

The Access course is designed specifically for people who may not have the conventional educational requirements and/or who come from socio-economic backgrounds that are under represented at third level.  The aims of the course is to enable students to acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence to compete on an equal footing with those students who enter NUI  Galway through the conventional entry channels. Currently there are programmes running at three Access centres:

1. Galway (Campus, NUI  Galway);
2. An Ceathrú Rua(Outreach bi-lingual programme),
3. Sligo (St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill).

Course Content

The course content consists of two supporting elements: core subjects and academic options.

Core subjects include Study Skills, Applied Writing, Information Technology, and Educational Guidance.

Academic Options: provide students with introductory university courses as a prelude to continuing their studies to a higher level. Students generally study four options (two per semester) from the following subjects *:

• College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies: Philosophy, Sociology, History, Philosophy, Irish, English, Mathematics, Legal Science, and Spanish.
• College of Science: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• College of Engineering & Informatics: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• College of Business, Public Policy and Law: Economics/Accountancy, Mathematics

Entry Requiremements:

There are no specific entry requirements, such as Leaving Certificate or Aptitude tests, but typically candidates will have a keen interest in reading and learning in general, and will aspire to continue their education to degree level and/or beyond.

Applicants must be 22 years of age or over on 1st January of year of application.

Application Procedure:

The application procedure consists of:

• Completion of an application form
• Recommendations by two referees (sent directly to us)
• An interview (15- 20 minutes)
• A short written piece (on day of interview)

Through these means, students will demonstrate their interest and ability in pursuing third level studies.

Duration/Attendance Requirements:

The Access course for mature students is a 1-year (part-time daytime/evening) course which aims to provide mature students (applicants must be 22 years of agoe over on 1st January) with the opportunity to prepare, personally and academically, for an undergraduate course of full-time study (3+ years duration) at NUI Galway and St. Angela's College, Sligo.  It is designed for people who may not have the conventinal educational requirements and/or who come from socio-economic backgrounds that are under-represented at third level. Classes are held on two / three days/evenings per week  and one Saturday per month (10a.m - 4.30 p.m.) Private (home) study is an integral and important part of the course, and students have the opportunity to attend some undergraduate lectures on campus (by arrangement).

Assessment:

The criteria for successful completion of the Access course involve satisfactory attendance and performance in all elements of the programme, which include written / oral assignments and essays. Students’ academic progress is measured through a process of continuous assessment - written and oral - as well as end of term examinations.

Award

Participants who successfully complete the Access Course will receive a Certificate of Completion from NUI,Galway, and will be eligible to apply for direct entry (via the CAO) to full-time University degree courses* in the faculties of College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies; College of Science; College of Engineering & Informatics; College of Business, Public Policy and Law: (* in certain instances, interviews with the Department / College Head may also be required).

Costs

Course costs for those selected are borne by the University, contingent upon funding.

Further Enquiries to:

NUI Galway Campus
Imelda Byrne, Access Courses for Higher Education - Mature Students, 
National University of Ireland, Galway

Direct tel No: 091 493553
E-mail: imelda.byrnenuigalway.ie or accessnuigalway.ie

Áras Mháirtín UI Chadhain, An Cheathrú Rua
Alma Uí Fhlannchadha,
An Cúrsa Rochtanna do Mhic Léinn Lánfhásta,
Cill Chiaráin, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe.
Teil:  087 7998675
Riomhphost:  alma.clancynuigalway.ie

St Angela’s College, Sligo:
Karen Kennedy, Access Programme Co-ordinator,
Education Department,
St Angela’College, Lough Gill, Sligo.
Tel No: (071) 9195575
E-mail: kkennedystangelas.nuigalway.ie

http://www.stacs.edu.ie/

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Applying to Course

Making an Application

• Before you complete the application form you might like to study the programme of your choice by referring to the Undergraduate Prospectus of the National University of Ireland, available free of charge from the Admissions Office, National University of Ireland, Galway.
• You should complete all relevant sections of the application form, fix a passport sized recent photograph of yourself to the front page, also enclose a second photograph and complete the acknowledgement card.
• If you are a Non-National you will be required to submit documentation pertaining to your citizenship status (and proof of residency within the E.U. for three of the last five years).
• You should give a referee's questionnaire to two referees. Referees should not be family related and should be one of the following:
  • A tutor/teacher from a course you have attended, e.g. part-time day courses, literacy scheme, VTOS, evening course, etc.
  • A supervisor from a place of work, e.g. full-time, part-time, CE scheme, etc.
  • An employee of a local Resource/Information/Unemployed Centre who has been working with you on your career and educational options.
  • Chairperson or Committee member of a local community/voluntary organisationwith which you are involved, e.g. Credit Union, Parents Association, Unemployed Centre, Parish Activities, etc.
    Ask your referees to return the questionnaire directly to : 
    
    Programme Co-ordinator, Access Courses for Higher Education - Mature Students, NUI, Galway
    
    before the closing date : Friday, 18th May, 2012
    
    Inform your referees that they may be contacted by phone for further information.

In order to justify financial support from the University, the following financial documentation must be forwarded with your completed application.  Use the checklist to ensure all information relevant to your application is included.  You can send in completed forms anytime in May but by the latest date of Friday 18 May, 2012.

(a)               P.A.Y.E Employee:

Copy of Form P60 from employer(s)/pension source for year ended 31^st December, 2011

(issued by your employer each year)

AND

Copy of Form P21 for the year ended 31^st December, 2011 (available from your local Revenue Commissioner's office ).

           

(b)               Self-employed and Persons engaged in Farming Activities:

Where a person is self employed, a copy of Notice of Assessment in respect of the year ended  December 2010 (available from your local Revenue Commissioner's office).

AND

Copy of Accounts (i.e. Trading/Profit and Loss Account, Capital Account & Balance Sheet) for each business for year ended 31^st December, 2010.

(c)                Social Welfare Recipient:

Where you (the candidate) are in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs a statement from your local Social Welfare Office showing the total amounts received for the year ended 31^st December, 2011.

            AND

Copy of Form P21 for the year ended 31^st December, 2011 (available from your local Revenue Commissioner's office ) low-call 1890 777425 http://www.revenue.ie/ ).

 

(d)               Any other financial documentation which will assist your eligibility for the programme

(e)               Have attached 2 clear photographs

(f)                 Have filled in family income tables of estimated income along with sending on official financial information

( g)               Have signed the form

(h)               Have contacted your referees with reference report (to be sent directly to the Access Office)

This information is strictly confidential and will be used for the purpose of ascertaining eligibility for the Access Programme for Mature Students.  Under no circumstances will it be disclosed to any other agency or body. All original documents will be returned in due course.

NOTES:

• Closing Date for receipt of completed Applications is Friday 18th May, 2012.
• Completed Applications should be returned to: Mature Access Co-ordinator, Access Programme for Mature Students, National University of Ireland, Galway.
• Interviews will take place during the month of  June 2012
• Offer of places will be made in mid-July 2012.
• Course runs from mid-September 2012 - Apr/May 2013.

Important Links

http://www.revenue.ie/ 

http://www.galway.ie/en/Services/Education/

student.finance.ie

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PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL DOCUMENTS ARE PRINTED AND RETURNED INCLUDING 2 COPIES OF THE REFEREE AND QUESTIONNAIRES (TO BE RETURNED DIRECTLY TO THE ACCESS OFFICE BY REFEREE )

Application Forms

Application Form 2012 - 2013
Making an application Guidelines - 2012 -2013
Referee and questionnaire 2012 - 2013 (please print out 2 copies)
Additional Documentation
Guide to Financial Support for Further & Higher Education
Grants and Funds available for Mature Students

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