Second chance student - clarification please

Tzetze

From citizensinformation.ie

Have attended but not successfully completed an approved course and are returning following a break of at least 5 years in order to pursue an approved course at the same level in the academic year in question. In this instance, you will be considered a Second Chance Student

I have a National Certificate (Soft Dev) which I got in '98 while at GMIT. Then dropped out of the Diploma year in '99. I received maintenance grant and BTEA (TLA back then) payments for the full 3 years. Dropped out by default by simply not attending exams (didn't officially drop out via any paperwork).

Now, I'm looking into applying for a higher degree science course (not computing) in NUIG for the 08/09 academic year.

The BTEA qualifications also mentions this;

Note

If you already hold a third-level undergraduate qualification, you can only apply for a BTEA to take an equivalent undergraduate course in very exceptional cases.

I have two questions; Do I qualify as a 'second chance student'? & Is it possible (supposing that in '08 I meet the unemployment longevity requirements) that I might qualify again for BTEA?

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that you wouldn't be applying for the same level of qualification. Since you didn't complete a degree before, I don't believe there'll be a problem with pursuing it again as a second chance student, especially since it's over 5 years since you dropped out. Of course, I'm not 100% on this and the only people to tell you for sure would be the Dept. of Education.

I can't really comment on the BTEA since I don't know that much about it. But of course it's possible

I assume you've looked into getting a grant again?

Tzetze

Myth wrote:

I assume you've looked into getting a grant again?

I've looked into all of the qualifying requirements, yes. That's what lead me to the question regarding the second chance. I wasn't sure if it only applied to a 'resuming from where you left off' scenario or not.

Hmm, as a sidethought... the course I'm planning to apply for is physics and astronomy. Do you know where I might find information reqarding courses/societies/activities that might increase chances of acceptance to science/astronomy courses?

Although somehow I'm an associate member of the Institute of Physics, I couldn't tell you. There's a few knowledgeable folk over at the Physics & Chemistry forum who might help you out.