As application deadlines loom for students who wish to secure college courses in September, IT Sligo says it expects to accept 1300 new undergraduates for 2014-2015.
Facing an initial January 20th Central Applications Office (CAO) deadline and a February 1st cut-off, Leaving Certificate students in the Republic and others in Northern Ireland are considering career options and the courses and colleges that will best suit them.
Many prospective mature students also are contemplating returning to education, some for career reasons and others simply for personal satisfaction.
An Information Session on full time study opportunities available for mature students at IT Sligo will be held in A0004, in IT Sligo on Monday, 20th January from 7.00 to 9.00pm.
IT Sligo has more than 40 honours and ordinary level Bachelor degree and Higher Certificate subjects on offer.
Gerry Hegarty, Student Affairs Manager, says: “IT Sligo’s degree programmes help prepare people for the modern workplace. This is a very important consideration for many people in making their college choice.
“With our emphasis on science, engineering, business and social science, IT Sligo offers a wide range of opportunities for people to obtain degree level qualifications in areas that are sought after by employers.”
IT Sligo has launched initiatives to support and encourage third-level participation among those who may have thought College life was beyond their reach.
Twenty per cent of places on each course at the Institute are reserved for mature students. They do not require Leaving Certificate qualifications and many supports are available to help them make a successful transition to college life.
Gerry Hegarty says: “IT Sligo has long recognised the contribution that maturity, work and life experience can give to an applicant for study here. For this reason, applicants aged 23 and over have been allowed access to courses of study here on the basis of an interview.”
“Breaking the Mould” (www.itsligo.ie/access) is a programme which recognises that because they come from a socio-economically disadvantaged background, some current or recent school-leavers will have found it hard to achieve their potential in the Leaving Certificate or get the required points for their preferred course.
It is open to applicants up to age 22 who have attended a post primary school or education centre in the Border, Midland & Western region.
IT Sligo’s Access Officer, Catherine Mc Nelis, explains: “Breaking the Mould offers eligible students a place on their chosen course if they achieve the minimum entry requirements and are within 10% of the points required for their chosen course. Supports include a free two summer school transition programme, one-to-one mentoring in first year and a bursary to assist with initial costs of third level.”
Photo captions:
Eyes to the future: new graduates at the IT Sligo Conferral Ceremonies.
Jubilant graduates in BA Interior Architecture following their conferrals at IT Sligo in November
The Salmon of Knowledge sculpture at the entrance to the Main Buildings at IT Sligo