Access Course for Higher Education – School Leavers

Who is the Access Course for Higher Education for?

This course targets those students who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but who, for a variety of social and economic reasons, are under-represented at third level. Students should be highly motivated and interested in studying at undergraduate level in their chosen area.

What kind of Socio-Economic Reasons are considered?

• Long-term unemployment
• Low family income
• Little or no family tradition of progression onto higher education
• Limited study facilities at home
• Family stresses (particularly those related to family finance)

This programme is also suitable for students with disabilities, whose background education has been affected by long-term absenteeism due to their illness.

What standard of Leaving Certificate is required?

The desirable academic requirements for selection are: that you would have received, at least, two C3 grades on higher level papers, and four D3 grades at ordinary or higher level; or equivalent qualification such as a further education course. In addition, the University will require general details regarding your family's and your own financial circumstances.

Students who have completed a post-leaving certificate course of study are eligible.

The Access Course will be for selected people from schools in County Galway and surrounding regions who completed the Leaving Certificate examination in 2015, 2016 or 2017, and who did not gain the points required to enter the National University of Ireland, Galway. The course will run during the academic year 2017/2018 and will be full-time. People who successfully complete and pass the Access Course will be admitted to degree programmes in the Colleges of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies, Business, Public Policy & Law, Science, Engineering & Informatics, and Schools of Nursing & Health Sciences in September 2018.  

What are the course objectives?

• To expose Access students to introductory 'taster' courses at University level which will relate to their interests and their future subject choices which will enable them to make subject choices which are related to their ability. (For example: making students aware of the special difficulties and demands involved in choosing language courses).
• To ensure that the abilities of Access students are recognised and appropriate supports are given to them within the programme.
• To ensure that Access students acquire the necessary writing and study skills which will enable them to maximise their full academic potential at NUI Galway.
• To create an understanding amongst Access students regarding the skills and discipline necessary to manage time at University.
• To ensure that Access students have a working knowledge of Information Technology.

How is the course organised?

It is a 20 week full-time course over a full academic year, normally September - May.

What are the subjects?

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, Irish, English, Mathematics, Geography
• 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

Should I also make an application through the CAO?

All current Leaving Certificate students are strongly advised to make an application  for degrees through the CAO.