Northern Ireland students who are currently considering their higher education options are being encouraged to consider applying to the Institute of Technology, Sligo.
Just an hour from Enniskillen, IT Sligo is a major provider of higher education with more than 50 internationally recognised degree and honours degree programmes in Science, Engineering, Business & Humanities disciplines.
The Institute’s Student Recruitment Officer, Ms Dara McGoldrick, said that there has been a surge in interest from students from Northern Ireland, following engagement with Careers officers and schools in recent months. “We get queries from students from Northern Ireland every year, but there’s been a considerable increase in contact this year. Given the rise in university fees at many UK universities, students are considering their options and studying in the Republic of Ireland is becoming a more attractive choice.”
Students from Northern Ireland who choose to study in the Republic of Ireland do not pay tuition fees. The annual registration fee of €2,250 is currently paid for students from Northern Ireland studying in the Republic. Students are also eligible to apply for student loans and means tested maintenance grants.
Ms McGoldrick encourages any students or parents of students who are preparing for their A Levels, to get in touch with the Institute; “Students who have not already applied through the CAO system, still have time to do so. Applications are accepted until May 1st on all course options and we would be happy to advise anyone who is not familiar with the process.”
IT Sligo holds the Erasmus University Charter and all qualifications are based on the European Credit Transfer System. In addition many programmes also carry accreditation and recognition from the relevant professional bodies (e.g., ACCA, RICS, and Engineers Ireland etc.)
More than 6,000 students are registered at the Institute, which is located on a modern 70-acre campus in Sligo. There is a very strong sporting tradition and more than €50,000 is awarded annually in sport scholarships. IT Sligo also welcomes applications holding NVQ, BTEC and Foundation Degrees for ‘advanced entry.
Students Story: Fermanagh GAA Player Recommends IT Sligo
A chance encounter with an IT Sligo student literally changed the direction of Aine McHugh’s life.
Through that student, Aine, a member of the Fermanagh senior Ladies’ football team, learned about the range of courses available in IT Sligo and now she herself is a fourth year student on the BA Honours Applied Social Studies programme at the Institute.
From the beginning Aine relished the atmosphere, the state of the art sporting facilities, and the financial benefits, and being close to home meant that she never missed weekly training sessions with the senior panel.
“I did a Health & Social Care course at South West College in Enniskillen and to be honest I wasn’t aware of the range of courses available at IT Sligo,” explained Aine (22) who is a native of Kinawley, Co Fermanagh.
Keen to pursue a career in either youth or social work, she was thrilled to learn about the Social Studies programme at IT Sligo, which she soon realised was just an hour’s drive from her home.
“Because I had got a Higher National Diploma in Enniskillen, I could transfer straight into second year at IT Sligo”, explained Aine. “It was great to have the opportunity of studying for an honours degree programme at a college so close to home. I had always assumed that I would have to move away to get my degree qualification”.
Another added benefit was that residents of Northern Ireland currently do not have to pay the annual registration fee of €2,250 in the Republic, at a time when university fees in the UK have risen sharply.
As a substantial part of second and third year involved work placements, Aine opted to live at home for the two years and found that commuting was a perfect fit given her GAA commitments. The Fermanagh player regularly lines out for the Kinawley club and has been on the county senior panel for two years.
Last year Aine did a work placement with Extern, a charity which caters for families experiencing social exclusion. “I was working with young people which is exactly what I hope to do when I get my qualification”, said Aine. Graduates of the BA Honours Applied Social Studies programme typically work with organisations catering for young people, the elderly or people experiencing disadvantage, perhaps because of unemployment or disability.
“I was delighted to be able to combine my work placement and studying while also keeping up my interest in sport”, said Aine. She loved college life from the start. “There is a great atmosphere at IT Sligo, the lecturers are very friendly and helpful and the sports facilities are amazing”.
This year Aine is getting more time to savour those facilities as she is living in Sligo. “I am staying at the student accommodation in Glencarrig which is a two minute walk from the campus – and costs me just €60 a week,” she explained.
“Student life at IT Sligo is great and it is good to be able to go back into the college in the evening if you are working on an assignment. The campus gym in the Knocknarea Arena is open seven days a week – and I am also doing yoga, boxercise and pilates”.
It’s a lifestyle she recommends highly to potential students from north of the border who many not realise the range of courses on offer at IT Sligo. “Many people just have not thought of it,” she said. “When they think of Higher Education in the south of Ireland they tend to think of Dublin or Cork but every chance I get, I tell students to look into the opportunities for studying in IT Sligo. I thoroughly enjoy my course, I have made many new friends and I am close to home.
For more information, see www.itsligo.ie/northernireland or call Dara McGoldrick on 353 (71) 913 7325
Image Caption: Aine McHugh from Fermanagh is in her fourth year at IT Sligo. She travels to Sligo from her home in Kinawley, Co Fermanagh.
Fermanagh GAA Player Recommends IT Sligo
A chance encounter with an IT Sligo student literally changed the direction of Aine McHugh’s life.
Through that student, Aine, a member of the Fermanagh senior Ladies’ football team, learned about the range of courses available in IT Sligo and now she herself is a fourth year student on the BA Honours Applied Social Studies programme at the Institute.
From the beginning Aine relished the atmosphere, the state of the art sporting facilities, and the financial benefits, and being close to home meant that she never missed weekly training sessions with the senior panel.
“I did a Health & Social Care course at South West College in Enniskillen and to be honest I wasn’t aware of the range of courses available at IT Sligo,” explained Aine (22) who is a native of Kinawley, Co Fermanagh.
Keen to pursue a career in either youth or social work, she was thrilled to learn about the Social Studies programme at IT Sligo, which she soon realised was just an hour’s drive from her home.
“Because I had got a Higher National Diploma in Enniskillen, I could transfer straight into second year at IT Sligo”, explained Aine. “It was great to have the opportunity of studying for an honours degree programme at a college so close to home. I had always assumed that I would have to move away to get my degree qualification”.
Another added benefit was that residents of Northern Ireland currently do not have to pay the annual registration fee of €2,250 in the Republic, at a time when university fees in the UK have risen sharply.
As a substantial part of second and third year involved work placements, Aine opted to live at home for the two years and found that commuting was a perfect fit given her GAA commitments. The Fermanagh player regularly lines out for the Kinawley club and has been on the county senior panel for two years.
Last year Aine did a work placement with Extern, a charity which caters for families experiencing social exclusion. “I was working with young people which is exactly what I hope to do when I get my qualification”, said Aine. Graduates of the BA Honours Applied Social Studies programme typically work with organisations catering for young people, the elderly or people experiencing disadvantage, perhaps because of unemployment or disability.
“I was delighted to be able to combine my work placement and studying while also keeping up my interest in sport”, said Aine. She loved college life from the start. “There is a great atmosphere at IT Sligo, the lecturers are very friendly and helpful and the sports facilities are amazing”.
This year Aine is getting more time to savour those facilities as she is living in Sligo. “I am staying at the student accommodation in Glencarrig which is a two minute walk from the campus – and costs me just €60 a week,” she explained.
“Student life at IT Sligo is great and it is good to be able to go back into the college in the evening if you are working on an assignment. The campus gym in the Knocknarea Arena is open seven days a week – and I am also doing yoga, boxercise and pilates”.
It’s a lifestyle she recommends highly to potential students from north of the border who many not realise the range of courses on offer at IT Sligo. “Many people just have not thought of it,” she said. “When they think of Higher Education in the south of Ireland they tend to think of Dublin or Cork but every chance I get, I tell students to look into the opportunities for studying in IT Sligo. I thoroughly enjoy my course, I have made many new friends and I am close to home.”
ends