Why oh why is it so difficult to decide?

Niina

Hi there,

I'm Nina, I'm now in my final year of secondary school in Belgium and I'd like to study in Ireland next year. (I kinda forgot why though.. *ignore this, I'm in the middle of a crisis*) The problem is that I can't decide what course that I want to do. My first choice would be Early and modern Irish in Trinity but I don't know any Irish and HC3 level is required. This is what I want to do because I'm interested in celtic languages, history, folklore, literature,... and it gives you the opportunity to study Welsh and Scottish gaelic at a later stage.
Anyway, I have already accepted that I won't be able to do this course but what are my other options with these particular interests? I thought about studying at UCD for an Arts degree choosing subjects like celtic civilization, welsh and Irish folklore. Sounds good but I hear lots of bad things about the Arts degree, why?
Also, I'm really interested in studying English but I don't expect to get into English studies in Trinity (as a foreign student), I heard they might even ask new students to write an essay when they apply for it? Is this true?
Oh and I read about a course called Irish studies in Trinity, does anyone know more about this, it's a new course. And why does the admissions page say it's 'part-time'?

Lots of questions, I know, but I just don't know who to ask. I e-mailed the Admissions office of trinity but they didn't answer (yet).
If someone knows about a course that would suit my interests, anywhere, I mean Dublin, Cork or Galway, tell me! Practically Dublin would be quite handy though.
Thanks!

xeduCat

The Irish Studies course is a 'normal' full-time degree course. Some information is available in the press release from TCD.

The information on the admissions website is otherwise correct - I presume the part-time reference is just a typo.

ApeXaviour

xeduCat wrote:

The Irish Studies course is a 'normal' full-time degree course.

Well Nina it seems you've got your answer. From what you've described of your interests then this course seems tailored perfectly for you.

One reason for a lack of reply from the admissions office I'd imagine is because the offices are closed until january.

Sorry I can't help any more than that but as a science student I really don't know much more. I wish you the best of luck in your choice though and hope (if you do chose to) that you really enjoy your studies in Ireland.

Niina

It's closed, well that explains a lot.

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll take Irish Studies as my first choice. I wonder how much chance I'd have to get it. Here in Belgium we don't have to apply for courses, university is open to everybody and it isn't based on points except for medicine and dental care that is.
If you have more than the required points, I guess that gives you a good chance, right? There are only 20 places though. The problem is that the CAO first has to figure out how the Belgian point system works. I wonder if I'm the first Belgian applying for a full undergraduate degree in Ireland.
I guess I'll just go for it..

Sangre

So, a course just takes the first 50 to apply? How do they decide who gets it or not if there is too much demand?

Pet

I wonder if I'm the first Belgian applying for a full undergraduate degree in Ireland.

Not at all, I know one or two, although they did the Baccalaureate, so I'm not sure how your state exams will be weighted.

Niina

I have never heard of anyone who couldn't get into a particular course because the demand was too high. In Flanders there are 6 universities and 22 university colleges. The biggest university (in Ghent) has over 28.000 students and 11 faculties.
Anybody with a qualifying diploma of secondary education is free to enroll at any institute of higher education of their choice.

ApeXaviour

Niina wrote:

I have never heard of anyone who couldn't get into a particular course because the demand was too high. ... Anybody with a qualifying diploma of secondary education is free to enroll at any institute of higher education of their choice.

Really? I just don't see how that system would work? What if, after an article is published saying how good the psychology course is in ghent, that say 200 people apply to study there as opposed to the usual 50. Would they just allow the increase to the size of the class? How do they allow for this? Are university fees state paid there?

Niina wrote:

In Flanders there are 6 universities and 22 university colleges. The biggest university (in Ghent) has over 28.000 students and 11 faculties.

The republic is of equivalent population to flanders and we have about 44 higher educational institutes, 6 of which are universities. The largest of which has approx 20,000 students.

I've also met a couple of belgians studying here. They all did the bacclaureate too though. What are your state highschool exams called?

Niina

I'll ask around a bit about that question. I'm still a 'high school' (not sure how you call it) student myself and don't know that much about higher education tbh.
Fees are paid by the government, yes.
This document is supposed to explain the higher education system: http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/eDocs/pdf/140.pdf

Our state exam is called 'Diploma van secundair onderwijs'. I don't know anyone taking the Baccalaureate, those people probably went to a so-called 'European school'. Do you know if they are Flemish or Walloon? The recognition of my exam is my biggest concern for the moment and I don't think the CAO is very clear about it, I've e-mailed them several times. I guess I just have to fill in the name of the diplome on the form? I hope the admissions office of trinity can tell me more about it. I have to apply before the 1st of February, like most Irish students I guess?

Famous_Séamus

Id recommend the Irish Studies course! I plan on doing it next year. They teach begginers Irish as part of the course and thus encourage those from abroad, with no Irish to do the course.

Niina

Hi Séamus!
The beginners Irish is one of the main reasons why I'd like to do it.
Maybe I'll see you around then!

Corruptedmorals

Irish Studies is my second choice, if I don't get the points for AH and Arch with Hist.

I went to the Irish Studies lecture at Trinity's open day. It was really good, looks like it deals with just about everything, literature, history, geography, folklore, films etc. It was also said that there will be a number of places saved for students from abroad, and that the points will be about the 400 mark, so whatever the equivalent of that is for you!

Sangre

Yeah, that pdf says you only need one thing to get in. I still don't get it. How do courses like medicine or vet. not demand outweighing the places?

I know in NZ a course like law takes everyone in first year and then only take top 50 to continue degree based on exam results. Does it work like that?

ApeXaviour

Sangre wrote:

I know in NZ a course like law takes everyone in first year and then only take top 50 to continue degree based on exam results.

That's just evil...

Nietzschean

ApeXaviour wrote:

That's just evil...

actually i think its a far better system than ours........ not like the LC gives any indication of how better qualified any of us were to do our courses.....

ApeXaviour

That's an upside granted. But IMO it's heavily outweighed by the fact that you've gone off in your chosen direction. Maybe moved accross the country to go to college. First time away from home you may need a bit of an adjustment period (year or two) and suddenly you're kicked out. You wasted a year, dreaming of being what you wanted to be for what? Not because you're necessarily bad at what you were doing but because a fraction of people happened to be much better than you. At least the LC lets you know from the outset and doesn't let you waste an entire hopeful year of your life.

Nietzschean

ApeXaviour wrote:

That's an upside granted. But IMO it's heavily outweighed by the fact that you've gone off in your chosen direction. Maybe moved accross the country to go to college. First time away from home you may need a bit of an adjustment period (year or two) and suddenly you're kicked out. You wasted a year, dreaming of being what you wanted to be for what? Not because you're necessarily bad at what you were doing but because a fraction of people happened to be much better than you. At least the LC lets you know from the outset and doesn't let you waste an entire hopeful year of your life.

Which i dunno i'd like the opertunity to be given a shot at my dream course or whatever over being denied it cause i don't do well an entirely unrelated subject? The part about wasting a year if you didn't get into that top xx% you could say is very like the LC with people repeating to do med and such. bear in mind those cut offs are likely only to kick in for the very popular courses. I'd like to see more people in med who really excell in it rather than do amazing in french?

Niina

You do have to take an exam for entering a course in medicine, dental care and art.
Many people have to take their exams again during the summer because they failed at the end of the year and a lot drop out of a course after first or second year.