Mature students at Trinity

2tel1

I'm just wondering about a few things. I've searched and haven't really found what I'm looking for...

I'm 23 next year. I want to go back and study possibly something in business? I didn't do business for the leaving but in the past couple of years it's interested me. I know you don't have to do it for your Leaving to do it a third level.

Anyway my Leaving was OK. Definitely not amazing. I did a 2 year course in engineering and got top marks for this. I'm currently getting some good experience work wise and hope that may help? Is it possible to do a one year entry course to get in?

Any information on getting as a mature student at Trinity would be great.

Cheers in advance.

Time Magazine

As far as I know, if you're a mature student, you can pretty much just walk into any undergraduate course you like.

If you're interested in doing Business, you'll study it though BESS (CAO code TR081 if my memory serves me from all those years ago).

For more general information regarding getting into college, have a look www.tcd.ie/Admissions and specifically the mature student entry here.

John

Most courses have a certain amount of places put aside for mature students. If there is a lot of demand for some courses in terms of the number of mature student applicants, then they might have some sort of interview system put in place to decide who gets the places. I might be wrong but I think the likes of BESS doesn't have a huge demand for mature student places so maybe get in contact with someone in admissions (see Ibid's link above) and find out what the story is. It's never too late to go back, especially if you're interested.

Crash

max you'll have to do is an interview. the aim of this interview will be less knowledge, and more your interest in the subject. so basically, if you do have to prove anything to the university it'll be just how much you're interested you are in the subject, through an interview. From talking to a few mature students, they have zero expectations, simply because they have no idea what background or interests to expect.

Check with the Admissions Office in the link Ibid provided about the age requirement. I think it might still be that you have to be 23 or over on the 1st of January in the year you apply to do the course in.

thestarrover

I'm currently a 'mature' in trinity, and it's a great idea, the sooner the better you go back to education as it will pay you back many times over when it comes to job prospects , and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Depending on your background/outlook though you might find the Bess course a bit of an ordeal at times. The course is good and the lecturers are fine, but your classmates can do your head right in if your not into the dyed hair /skin /teeth look. Many a time I felt 'loike' blowing my brains out sitting next to the D4 guys and gals yapping away to themselves with their phoney accents.

Course not all of the class are like that but it seems to attract an inordinate amount of them. Anyway there is an excellent forum on boards.ie for mature students, which should answer most of your queries.

Everybody in the final cut is called for interview, and this is where the decision is made whether you are let in or not. Far from it being a walk in the park as refered to above, I think at the end of the application process only about 10% or so of the original applicants get in. It's not that difficult but they want to know if you have a brain and are able to stick it out for the 4 years, many 'matures' leave early, esp' for money reasons.


If you can't find the answers you're looking for feel free to pm me.

2tel1

Nice one. What are the fees like? I never qualified for a grant due to the fact that my old man was, loike, loaded and stuff. Seriously though is that not taken into account once you get past 23? Are they paid for you?

What's the interview like? I've some pretty impressive places that I've worked on my CV from abroad. I don't have a language but could learn one in the mean time. As stated above do you have to be 23 after the first of January or something

Cheers for the information

2tel1

Just going to bump this to get a response.

Cheers

thestarrover

2tel1 wrote: »

Nice one. What are the fees like? I never qualified for a grant due to the fact that my old man was, loike, loaded and stuff.

Ha Ha you'll fit right in.The way it works is that the gov' pays for 4 years of 3rd level education.So if you did another course say for two years (even if it was private) then they'll cough up for the other two and after that you're on your own. Fees I think, (but don't quote me here) are about 4.5k a year.

The interviews are informal affairs mine lasted for half an hour and they will ask the obvious questions. The main thing is that they don't want you dropping out in later years. The interviewers decision is final I believe.

I've no idea what kind of person they will accept it depends on who you get I suppose. I had the impression that the college has been pushing for a wider socio-economic mix in interviews. Meself being from a very working class background helped me I'm sure. But that's because the college gets separate funding for mature students then for the main body of students. And will take those who didn't have the chance the first time around to go to college. But if you can pay your fees then it's a lot easier I'd say, as they will have an eye on the extra cash.

There is an open day coming up in the next few weeks, I'd recommend you go! If not possible go into the admissions office and ask for some literature if they have it. Its the door to your right after you go in the main gate facing the grass. I think there is a signpost. You have to fill in your application before March if I remember well.

You'll have to be 23 from the 1st of Jan' so that probably will knock you out till the year after but you should make enquiries anyway. Hope this helps!!!

thestarrover

Oh yeah I forgot, if you go to the open day there will be the a stand for the mature students society and they'll be able to answer all your questions.