College course

Tusky

I know this doesnt belong in After House but I cant find the correct forum under Education. There doesnt seem to be one for college advise...they all seem to be for individual colleges.

Im looking for a good media studies course that doesnt require more than about 330-340 points (Can't remember exactly what I got, how I wish I had worked!). Does such a thing exist ? Anyone here done media studies and got any thoughts on the subject ?

Cheers.

jdivision

what do you want to do afterwards. If you want to work in the media you're not going to get the points to do communications or journalism in University at 330-340 points so you might be better off doing an arts degree and getting involved in the college newspaper/radio station etc with a view to doing an MA. Alternatively Ballyfermot has produced some good people. There's media courses in Griffith College but I haven't heard of anybody who went there who's done anything afterwards.

jimi_t

jdivision wrote:

Alternatively Ballyfermot has produced some good people. There's media courses in Griffith College but I haven't heard of anybody who went there who's done anything afterwards.

I'd say scope out DIT as a first preference, then move onto the likes of Maynooth and more rural IT's. I'd leave Ballyfermot or Griffith/DBS as the last possible option for a degree with any sort of credibility (no offence intended to current/past students, just the opinion of my parents who are heavily involved in 2nd and 3rd level education).

Dudess

Yep, I agree with those recommendations. Ballyfermot does excellent media courses.
There's also Coláiste Dhúlaigh, which has a "bridging" scheme - it facilitates you to go on and do a degree in Britain. Maybe the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire might be worth checking out. What kind of media studies course do you want to do though? Journalism or more production or film or what?

I got 430 points - not enough for DCU or DIT. But I did arts in UCC and then did a masters in journalism in DCU. In between the two, I did a PLC course in Media Production at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa (kinda like Cork's Ballyfermot College). You usually have to start freelancing but the snowball effect kicks in after a while. I'm getting plenty of radio work now.

Yeah I wouldn't bother with Griffith College.

Tusky

Not sure what I want to do to be honest. Im 22 now and want to go back to college while im still a young un, fed up with working 50 hours a week! I just thought I would enjoy media studies.

If you're 23+ you wont even need your LC results anymore to do college courses. If this applies to you, you should look at the Mature Student option in all colleges.

Dudess

jimi_t wrote:

I'd say scope out DIT as a first preference

Don't know if the OP would have the points for it - although DIT does offer a certificate course in media production, which might not require high points. I presume you can progress to diploma/degree level then, once you get the marks.
Don't know if those points would be enough for all arts courses though. Although I think they'd be enough for Maynooth. Then again, it's many years since I did the leaving and I think arts points have dropped a good bit since.

OP, well done on the decision. You're dead right. I did the college thing at 18 but dropped out at 20 - too lazy, too much partying etc. But went back at 23. Had a fantastic time.

jimi_t

Dudess wrote:

In between the two, I did a PLC course in Media Production at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa (kinda like Cork's Ballyfermot College).

That's actually a solid enough little place, hear good things from people doing portfolio PLC's and the like there. Only thing is you might turn into a complete stoner if the stories I hear are true

Dudess

There's no "might" about it!

Yep, great college. Loved it.

connundrum

Dudess wrote:

Ballyfermot does excellent media courses.

I endorse this product/service.

Gator

Ballyfermot is full of knackers - burn them all

scojones

Deleted User wrote:

If you're 23+ you wont even need your LC results anymore to do college courses. If this applies to you, you should look at the Mature Student option in all colleges.

This is the best advice on here, and IMO it's what you should do. Go back as a mature student and you can also get rent allowance, etc. It would definitely be worth your while waiting and taking this option as there are alot of benefits.

Dudess

Yep OP, it's only a year away. Worth waiting - you'll have more options. And while finishing work September twelve months rather than next September seems an awful drag, look at it as an opportunity to save ****loads of money. Although when are you 23? You have to be 23 on or before the January 31 before the course starts. So if your birthday is after that date, you won't qualify as a mature student til 2009. If that is the case and it's too far away for you, do a PLC course in media and try and get some unpaid work experience in the area (even just answering phones or something). I did that and worked part-time in a newspaper (just typing) and got involved with community radio, which resulted in some work with a commercial station. This all happened over a matter of months. It gives you more of an edge when you're going for your course as a mature student (if that's what you want to do of course). If it's general media that interests you, rather than journalism, Communications in DCU is a fabulous course (three years). You do radio, film, video production, photography, graphic design and lots of interesting social/cultural studies (I went for that after doing my PLC course and getting my bits of work experience - got a place on it, but turned it down as I decided I'd prefer to stay in Cork at the time for personal reasons). There's Media Arts in DIT also, but that doesn't look as good (in my opinion). Only thing, you won't walk into a job after the communications degree, so try to get part-time/summer jobs in the area during the course (if you get it). Then you'll have experience when you graduate.

connundrum

Gator wrote:

Ballyfermot is full of knackers - burn them all

I take secondary offense to this comment and request that you be burned.

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Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Ballyfermot has an amazing reputation in Media Studies. Think that the interview plays a huge part in whether you are admitted.

The Masters in Journalism in DCU would be widely regarded as one of the best 4th level courses (although i know that is not what you are currently looking for).

Tusky

Thanks for all the advise. I wont be 23 on or before January 1st so that would mean I would have to wait another year. I like the idea of going as a mature student though. I went to college at 18 and completed one year and dropped out in second year.

Whats the points for Ballyfermot like ?

scojones

Points don't matter when you are a mature student.

connundrum

Tusky wrote:

Whats the points for Ballyfermot like ?

Tis a PLC so points are irrelevant, and as scojonesy pointed out - when you're a mature student, points don't matter anywhere.

Sad Professor

Ballyfermot's media courses are quite decent and the facilities are excellent compared to most plc colleges. If you have to do a plc course anywhere you should do it there. As already mentioned admittance is based on interview and it's fairly easy to get accepted. If possible try and get into one of the 2-year courses as the one year "taster" course is a terrible bore.

looksee

If you move REALLY fast you might even get a PLC interview immediately (I mean call in tomorrow and make enquiries)

Dudess

Tusky wrote:

I wont be 23 on or before January 1st so that would mean I would have to wait another year.

I could be wrong about all that though, so maybe do a bit of research.

Tusky

looksee wrote:

If you move REALLY fast you might even get a PLC interview immediately (I mean call in tomorrow and make enquiries)

Will do. Anything after 22nd is counted as a late entry though it seems. There seems to be a lot of courses under the title of media studies.

MND National Diploma In Media
MGH Higher National Diploma In Media
MPH Higher National Diploma In Presentation And Performance
MPM Ba(Hons) Degree In Media Production Management
MRH Higher National Diploma In Media Production (Radio)

any thoughts on the above ?

Giblet

What are the points for IT Tallaght Audio/Visual Media?

randylonghorn

Dudess wrote:

I could be wrong about all that though, so maybe do a bit of research.

No, you're right ... to qualify as a mature student for third level, you must be 23 or over by 1st January in the year of admission.

Mind you, in this kind of area, a good PLC will often give you a stronger practical foundation ... go on to do a degree then for the theory top-up and the "snob" value in terms of employment.

There may even be possibilities of some small credit transfer from one to the other ... though we haven't gone very far down this road yet in Ireland. With the new NQF, it will gradually happen ...

Rockiemalt

I just finished audio visual media in ITT.. i think its about 360..
the course is grand, you do a bit of everything but don't get to specialise in anything in particular. Most people end up concentrating on one area themselves and do more work in that than other areas of the course..

Jan555

im after applying for a course in Colaiste stiofain Naofa, in Cork and just wondering is it near Cork City centre as im looking for accommodation in the centre at the moment..

You're better off asking in the Cork forum tbh.

phasers

http://www.qualifax.ie/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=16


I have that third on my CAO, it seems like a decent course

Oh also there is a general college forum, and the LC forum would be helpful too