Access Courses for Higher Education -  School Leavers

• Course Information

• Applying to course 

Course Information

What is the Access Course for Higher Education - School Leavers?

The Access Course for School Leavers is a course specifically designed for students who have a real desire to study at third level, but are unable due to financial or social reasons. This scheme facilitates school-leavers from all schools in the BMW region and County Clare.

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?

Students will normally have a minimum of 2C (higher level) and 4 (ordinary level grades) to demonstrate their ability to manage academically. Students cannot always be guaranteed entry at this level. Students who have completed a post-leaving certificate course of study are eligible.

How do I apply for the Access Course for Higher Education?

There is a special application form available in your school or from the Access Office, NUI,Galway (see below). Completed applications must be returned to the Access Office after the Leaving Certificate results are published, to arrive no later than Friday, 31st August 2012. 

The application form includes a personal statement and financial information. School reports and financial documents will be required in support of the application. Interviews will be held for this course.

Should I also make an application through the CAO?

All students are strongly advised to make an application through the CAO.

If my application for the access course is successful when will I know?

Places are generally offered to students 2/3 weeks after the interviews.

What happens next?

Once a place is offered the student is given a number of days to accept the offer. Students who accept an offer are required to attend a full time Access Course in NUI Galway.

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 October - May.

What are the subjects?

The Core Subjects:

• Study Skills Course: aims to equip the students with the skills needed to succeed at third level.
• Applied Writing Course: is designed to help the students get into practice of writing regularly and in the different styles necessary for third level study.
• Information Technology: will give students an appreciation of the importance, real and potential, of Information Technology in their lives. It will give students the skills required to use Information Technology resources effectively.
• Educational Guidance: helps students understand their starting points, identify their goals and enable them to adjust within an educational environment. It offers a process which supports students in acquiring the skills they need to make choices and decisions about their future.

How to gain entry to University

Participants who successfully complete an Access course will be eligible to apply for direct entry to full-time University degree courses in the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, Law and Health Sciences (Nursing Studies & Occupational Therapy). The criteria for successful completion of the Access course involve satisfactory attendance and performance in all elements of the programme.

Costs

Course costs are borne by the University, contingent on funding.

What other supports are there?

Students are provided with relevant support while on the Access course and as undergraduates:

• Academic Support (if required) in the form of additional tutorials in new or challenging subjects
• On-going support and guidance from academic mentors and the Access Programme Office.

For further details contact Imelda Byrne, Access Officer
Tel: (091) 493553
Fax: (091) 494573, E-mail: Imelda Byrne

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Applying to Course

The National University of Ireland, Galway runs an Access Course for School-Leavers. Students for this programme will be selected on the basis of socio-economic status and academic potential. The purpose of the Access Course is to give an alternative opportunity of entering the University to students, who, for financial or related reasons, did not achieve the necessary points for entry on the basis of their Leaving Certificate examination results.

The Access Course will be for selected people from schools in County Galway and surrounding regions who completed the Leaving Certificate examination in 2009, 2010 or 2011, and who did not gain the points required to enter the National University of Ireland, Galway. The course will run during the academic year 2011/2012, and will be full-time. People who successfully complete 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 2012.  

The academic requirements for selection are that you would have received, or been close to, two C3 grades on higher level papers, and four D3 grades on ordinary or higher level papers. In addition, the University will require general details regarding your family's and your own financial circumstances.

How to apply:

1. Complete the application form.
2. Attach a clear passport size photograph.
3. Get two referees from your school to complete questionnaires;
   these should be returned by the referees directly to the Access Officer, and will be treated with the strictest confidence.
4. Return completed application form to:
   Imelda Byrne, Access Officer, National University of Ireland, Galway.

Closing date for receipt of completed applications: Friday, 31 August 2012. 

Interviews will be held 1 - 2 weeks later.

Making an Application

1. Before you complete the application form study the programme of your choice by referring to the National University of Ireland, Galway Prospectus (available free of charge from Admissions Office, NUI Galway).
2. The applicant/student should complete pages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the application form and his/her parent(s)/guardian should complete pages 6, 7 and 8. Both the applicant and the parent(s)/guardian should sign page 8.
3. Your completed application form accompanied by a copy of your Leaving Certificate results must be returned to the Access Office, National University of Ireland, Galway to arrive by Friday, 31 August 2012.
4. Financial documentation (as listed below) must be forwarded with your completed application form to the Access Office, National University of Ireland, Galway to arrive by Friday, 31 August 2012.
5. Non-nationals will be required to submit documentation pertaining to their citizenship status.
6. The following financial documents relating to income must be submitted in support of your application:

   (a) P.A.Y.E Employee:
   Copy of Form P60 from employer(s)/pension source for year ended 31^st December, 2010
   (issued by your employer each year)
   AND
   Copy of Form P21 for the year ended 31^st December, 2010 (available from your local Revenue Commissioners office).

   (b ) Self-employed and Persons engaged in Farming Activities:
   Where a parent or guardian is self employed, a copy of Notice of Assessment in respect of the year ended 31^st December, 2010.
   (available from your local Revenue Commissioners 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 the parent(s) or guardian 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, 2010.
   AND
   Copy of Form P21 for the year ended 31^st December, 2010 (available from your local Revenue Commissioners office).

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

Application Package

Please ensure you print out and complete all documents including 2 copies of referees and referee questionnaires.

Applicant Letter

Application form

Making an application guidelines

Referee letter (Please print out 2 copies)

Referee questionnaire  (Please print out 2 copies)

Checklist

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