Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 In this FAQ Section we have strived to answer the most frequently asked questions from prospective students, however if there is a question you wish to ask and it is not listed below do not hesitate to contact us in the Adult & Continuing Education Office on 091 492062 or email: adulteducationnuigalway.ie.

  Programme Applications

1.         How do I apply for an adult education programme?

Generally, you complete an online application form available at www.nuigalway.ie/apply.  For students who may experience difficulties in using the online application process, a hard copy application form is also available from the Adult and Continuing Education Office or your programme coordinator.  However, your programme coordinator can also assist you in completing your form online, so you should firstly contact the named coordinator for assistance in working through this online process. 

2.         What do I need to provide?

In the application form, you provide contact details, outline your educational background, any previous courses undertaken and any additional information that may be required to assess your suitability for the programme for which you are applying. You will also be required to provide a copy of your birth certificate, a passport-sized photo and the programme application fee (non-refundable), which is circa €30.  This application fee is non-refundable and can be paid by bankdraft/postal order only. 

Please note as the online application process is in pilot phase during 2011/12, online application fee payment will not be available until 2012-13.

If applying online you submit your application form by using the "submit button" and if you are returning the application form in hard copy, you return it to the designated office (which is generally the Admissions Office) on or before the stated closing date. 

Please note that if you are applying online you will also need to forward separately to the Admissions Office, the required documentation of birth certificate or any relevant course documentation.

  3.         What is the closing date for applications?

While the closing date for applications is typically in mid to late June, the actual closing date for each programme differs. Check the closing date specified on the programme brochure or website and make sure that you adhere to this date.

  4.         What happens to my application form after I apply?

Applications are processed by the Admissions Office and forwarded to the various College offices for assessment in accordance with selection criteria.  Successful applicants are informed via email or in writing by the University. To accept your place you will be required to return a deposit within the specified time frame – the deposit is offset against the full fee payment. The process of assessing applications and offering places may take between 3 and 4 weeks. Additional registration details and communication from the relevant department will be issued to all applicants approximately 2 weeks before the programme commences, informing you of the registration date and lecture times for the programme.

  5.         When do courses begin?

The majority of courses commence the first week of September of each academic year. Lectures normally take place Monday to Thursday from 18:00 hours onwards or on Saturdays from 9:00-13:00. However, if you opt for a Blended learning programme, that is, a combination of self-instructional materials and classroom tutorials, you may find that your Classroom-based tutorials take place entirely on weekends.

  Fees

1.         What is the schedule of fee payment?

Once a student accepts a course place an advance booking deposit (portion of course fees) is paid initially. This is a non-refundable deposit which becomes part of the overall fee once registered. The deposit is circa €535 and must be paid using a postal order or bank draft when you accept your course place. The remaining fee may be paid in two instalments.

2.         Tuition fees

The EU fee for each course is listed in the programme section of this prospectus. Non-EU students may be obliged to pay higher fees than those payable by EU students. You should contact the Fees Office directly for further information on this.  Tuition fees are payable for each year of the course. EU fees can be paid in full prior to registration or in two equal instalments, 50% prior to registration in September and 50% by the following January. Non-EU fees must be paid in full prior to registration. Fees can be paid by bank giro at your local bank branch or online using your credit card.  You should retain the receipt stamped by the bank and/or online payment confirmation number, as evidence of payment. As online fee payment is the recommended route of payment, students who would prefer to pay via the bank should request a fees giro form from the Fees Office by sending an email to feesnuigalway.ie and state their name and student number.

3.         If I change my mind about a programme, are fees refunded?

Once registered, you are liable for full course fees regardless as to whether you complete/attend the course.  The University accepts no obligation to refund any fees or part thereof. However, if you wish to appeal this decision please contact the Fees Office directly in writing or by email to feesnuigalway.ie.  It is essential that you appreciate clearly the various requirements of the programme for which you are registering for and it is recommended that you contact the programme coordinator for guidance on programme suitability.

4.         Is funding available for these programmes?

In certain cases employers may sponsor tuition fees where the programme of study has direct relevance to the workplace, while other students may seek support from local community or development organisations.  Students in employment may be eligible for income tax relief on certain programmes at the standard rate of tax.  This is in accordance with the Taxes Consolidation Act of 1997. For specific details on this scheme, contact your  local tax office or visit the Revenue website on www.revenue.ie.

  Academic Credits and Qualifications

1.         Can I obtain credit for previous courses undertaken by me?

The University acknowledges that all learning is valuable and that courses previously undertaken by students may be considered for the award of credit and possible subject exemptions against a new programme of study through the RPL process (Recognition of Prior Learning).  If you feel that you have covered some of the course material previously, the RPL process allows you to gain admission to a programme of study, or to gain exemptions from some parts of a programme, based on demonstrated learning achieved prior to admission. This means that you will have a lighter course load for some elements of the programme and in some cases, complete your award over a shorter period.

 RPL includes:

• Recognition of Prior Certified Learning: Where an applicant has already been awarded a certificate for a formal      programme taken at another institution or training organisation, this prior learning can be recognised and may entitle the applicant to exemptions from some parts of a programme.

         Certain courses are deemed eligible for the award of credit:

• Extra-mural or Adult Education Certificates or Diplomas
• University programmes, full-time or part-time 
• Other third-level programmes

Where such credit is granted it is normally limited to a maximum number of credits. The award of credits applies to specific programmes only – check with the relevant programme coordinator regarding the exemption policy of a specific programme.

• Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning: This involves the awarding of credit for learning from experience. In this case, the candidate must prove the learning by producing a portfolio to support the claim for admission, exemption, or credit. As a general principle, credit is given for learning, not for experience per se.

 Some of the programmes in this prospectus may consider RPL applications. For further information please contact the programme coordinator.

2.       What are ECTS (credits) and what value do they have?

To quantify learning and to place a value on it, courses are divided up into credit units, under a system called the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits may vary however, they represent a standard number of class contact hours and average workload for a programme.   Courses are allocated a standard number of credits within the following general guidelines:

• Certificate 15 ECTS (credits)

• Diploma (Special Purpose) 30 ECTS (credits)

• Diploma (Arts/Business - Minor award) 90 ECTS (credits)

• Degree 180 ECTS (credits)

 The use of the term credits is a common one among the third-level sector and provides a “currency” with which students may transfer from one course to another or gain exemption from elements of a particular programme.

3.       What can I do with an NUI Galway qualification?

All programmes at NUI Galway reflect the highest academic standards of the National University of Ireland.  These programmes have been devised in response to the professional training needs of different community and corporate organisations and are recognised, stand-alone qualifications. Having attained this initial qualification, you may wish to progress to further study in a particular area or alternatively progress to a Degree programme having already completed a Diploma programme.

 A number of our Diploma programmes have follow-on Degree options. For example, students of the Diploma in Community Development Practice may progress to the new BA in Community and Family Studies. Students from the various single-subject Diplomas in the Humanities, for example, Archaeology, English Literature or History, may progress directly with credit exemptions to the part-time Bachelor of Arts programme. Apart from the possibility of progressing to further study, students completing an adult education programme improve their writing, reading and oral presentation skills. These skills are invaluable in the workplace in all sectors and help improve the career prospects of these individuals.

4.       What student support services can I avail of?

NUI Galway has a wide range of student support services which are available to Adult & Continuing Education students. It is important for students returning to education or for those who have been out of education for some time to avail of these services to enable them to make the most of their time as students in NUI Galway. Some of the support services offered to students returning to education include additional study, examination techniques, applied writing, reading skills and memory technique workshops. These are provided outside regular class hours and assist students in preparing for end of semester examination. While these workshops are optional, students are encouraged to attend as many as possible, particularly during the first year of their study programme. Students who attend these workshops regularly comment on how useful the workshops are, particularly in providing valuable study tips and techniques.

  Entry Requirements

1.       What are the mature student entry requirements for these programmes?

Part-time programmes

Students applying to complete a part-time course at NUI Galway under the age of 21 may, in certain circumstances, be asked to fulfil the matriculation requirements for the University, which include a pass in at least six subjects (including Irish, English and another language) at the Leaving Certificate Examination, with at least grade C3 in two subjects on the higher course and at least grade D3 (ordinary or higher course) in the remaining four subjects. Students who do not meet this matriculation requirement may be allowed submit applications for some courses and are assessed for suitability of entry on a case-by-case basis.  Students aged 21 years or over by 1st January of the year of admission to a part-time programme may matriculate on the grounds of mature years alone. Therefore, many of the programmes detailed in this prospectus state that there are no formal entry requirements involved.

  Full-time programmes

Students applying to the CAO for full-time courses on the grounds of mature years alone must satisfy the NUI regulation and be of mature years (at least 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry to first year lectures in a constituent university or recognised college). Students who are under 23 years of age are assessed for entry though the CAO on the basis of their Leaving Certificate points only.

2.       Are there any restrictions on the numbers of places available for mature students on the full-time programmes?

  Arts:  There are 200 places available in arts, GY101 to GY120 excl GY104 and the Irish degrees. Entrance is based solely on the MSAP exam held in February for GY101 to GY120.  Please refer to the following website for full details:  http://www.nuigalway.ie/mature/prospective.html   

  Commerce - about 35 places are available in the daytime Bachelor of Commerce programmes (GY201 – GY207) on an annual basis. Evidence of educational attainment in the business area is desirable. A pass in Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate or in an equivalent examination is required.

  Engineering - about 30 places are available across all programmes, excluding Information Technology programmes, in the College of Engineering and Informatics. Applications are considered on an individual basis.  Some knowledge of mathematics and science is highly desirable. 

  Computer Science and Information Technology (Engineering) - about 10 places are available. Applications are considered on an individual basis. Some knowledge of mathematics is highly desirable.

  Science - about 50 places available across all programmes in the College. However, an intake limit of ten per cent of the quota for each programme applies. Applications are considered on an individual basis. Knowledge of mathematics and at least one science subject is desirable. By way of preparation for entry to a Science programme, a Foundation course is available.

  Law - 4 places are available in GY250 and 8 places in GY251. Applications are considered on an individual basis and other criteria in addition to examination results are also taken into account.

  Nursing & Midwifery Studies - 15 per cent of places in the General Nursing programme in Galway and Portiuncula (GY525) and 40 per cent of places in Psychiatric Nursing Western Health Board (GY526) are available to students applying on mature grounds. Twenty per cent of places in the Midwifery programme are available to mature applicants. Further details are available from the Nursing Careers Centre or from An Bord Altranais, phone (01) 6398500, website: http://www.nursingcareers.ie/.

  Medicine & Health Sciences - Application on mature grounds only are not accepted for Medicine (GY501). Two places are reserved for mature applicants annually in Occupational Therapy (GY502), in Speech and Language Therapy (GY503) and in Podiatry (GY504).  Applications on mature grounds are invited in the normal way for University entrants through the Central Applications Office (CAO), Eglinton Street, Galway. You can contact this office by telephone on 091 509800 or through its website, www.cao.ie. The closing date is 1st February each year. However, CAO encourages mature applicants to submit applications in advance of this date if possible.

  General

1.       How do I know which is the right course for me?

Choosing the right course is difficult, particularly in light of the range of part-time programmes which are available to you. Ideally, you should consider what your interests and strengths are, take a look at the programme content and method of delivery to see if this meets with your needs. You should also contact the programme coordinator for some further details on the programme and make your decision on the balance of information available. Many of our courses have a Certificate option after one year’s study or a Diploma after two, so you do have an exit option (with an academic award), if you wish to change your course of study or if you wish to finish your studies after one year.

2.       I’m not sure if I want to start a full College course – what can I do?

The University offers a number of foundation programmes in Science & Technology, Business and Humanities which allow you to taste these subject areas at foundational level for one year. Each subject area has a follow-on Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts degree programme which you can follow on completion of the foundation programme, should you wish to continue your studies in this area and provides an ideal preparation for University life.

3.       What are the tutorial and class schedules?

Class schedules vary according to the programme you select. However, in general terms, Classroom-based courses run lectures in the evenings from 6.00pm onwards, Mondays to Thursdays and occasionally offer tutorials on a Saturday morning. If you choose a Blended learning programme, you will be required to attend face-to-face lectures on an occasional basis, once every three to four weeks for 1-2 full days. Often these classes take place on a Friday or at the weekends. For programme specifics you are advised to contact the programme coordinator.

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility