Free access course in St Angela’s for entry to college

ALWAYS wanted to go to college but thought you didn’t have the qualifications?

The Access Course (Diploma in Foundation Studies) is a free 26 week course in St. Angela’s College open to mature students and school leavers, who for various reasons didn’t apply to third level. The course offers an alternative route to higher education, targeting students who are under-represented at third level, such as lone parents, long-term unemployed, people with little or no family tradition of going to college, people dealing with family-related stresses, particularly financial. It is also suitable for school leavers who didn’t achieve their desired Leaving Cert results, are missing core-subjects for further studies or are not yet ready to attend college.

Access Officer Philip White explained: “The course is parttime and runs from the end of September 2018 until March/ April 2019 and is designed so students can work part-time or fulfil other family obligations while studying. Some financial help is available for students which can include travel, accommodation and subsidised meals. Cases are determined on individual basis and subject to funding. There is a free bus from Sligo town during the course.”

This pre-university course prepares students for entry into a wide range of Undergraduate Degree Programmes in St. Angela’s College and NUI Galway, subject to certain criteria.

It aims to enable students to acquire knowledge, skills and confidence in preparation for their degree programme. Core subjects include academic writing, IT and study skills. Students also choose taster modules from the following subjects: Sociology, Politics, Economics, Maths, Philosophy, Home Economics, Education, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Nursing. Previous students have commented: “Prior to doing the course I did not see any way for me to achieve my goal of going to university. This course has been a massive stepping stone… the course gives you a real insight into what university life is like.”

A Public Information Session will be held in the Glasshouse hotel, Sligo on Wednesday 17 th April from 2-4pm. Email access@stangelas.nuigalway.ie telephone 071 9195575 or call to hotel reception on arrival. Online Applications are open from April 1st-30 th.