25, no Leaving Cert. Options?

el dude

Hey there. 25th birthday is coming up pretty soon, and I'm still in between jobs, with no clear career path ahead of me. I'd really love to get back into education, but without my Leaving Cert I'm not sure what options are available to me, what courses i can apply to as a mature student etc.

Would love to go into the IT side of things, web-design, that area. But i've had a look at the CAO site, had a browse round gotocollege.ie too, and tbh, i'm a bit lost and overwhelmed by the whole thing.

So any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Larianne

Do you have any experience, work related, to the area you want to study?

I would look into doing some sort of PLC course. You might find one where you can add-on qualifications from there.

I found web design course at Claire Training centre http://www.claretraining.ie/courses.htm It doesn't say whether its FETAC or FAS. I think you need to contact them direct. PLC courses aren't as hard to get into. You just need to show an interest for the subject and be able to explain what you plan to get out of the course.

On the FAS website there is a number of courses in web design that might interest you. http://jobbank.fas.ie/servlet/Watis?SESS=28579_9&REQUEST=WWW_JS_TRAIN_SHOWCOURSES&BACK=TEMPLATE%3DWWW_JS_TRAIN_CRITERIUM_SELECT.HTM

Also, while in-between jobs you could maybe volunteer at a Youth centre. I found this http://www.clarefocus.ie/index.php/component/option,com_jobline/task,results/Itemid,53/search,voluntary/ You don't need to but it will help your application, if you do decide to apply for a degree level course.

Can't really think of anything else, but have a look at those sites and you will get a better idea of what's available to you.

Just to add to what Larianne said, you don't need to have a Leaving Cert to get into college as a mature student - most of the colleges assess you by interviewing you and on what you write on the application.

el dude

Cool guys, Thanks. Is there anything out there that i might read, that explains the different types of courses, PLC, FETAC etc in more detail?

That volunteering sounds like a good idea, something wortwhile having on a CV or application form for sure.

Larianne

No problem!

Have a look here. http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en/about_NFQ/about_the_NFQ.html Should give you an idea of everything.

stoblerone

Hi there,

your leaving cert results should not be a factor in applying for a course when you are over 23 years of age, in which case you are now considered to be a mature student.

Check out the govt-funded BSc (Hons)in Business and Info systems at the National Collegee of Ireland... and it's free


http://www.ncirl.ie/Programmes_Courses/Part-time-Courses/BSc-Hons-in-Business-Information-Systems-BSHBISENCI1

Cheers:rolleyes:

OwenM

If you are applying for a technical course (IT, web design etc) the interview board will be slow to offer you a place without leaving cert maths. It doesn't have to be honours maths but the maths in 3rd level for computer courses are not the easiest.

If you are really serious about doing IT then sign up to do leaving cert maths this winter with your local VEC (evening courses are available and they are not expensive) and apply to colleges this january through CAO. If you cannot make it through the leaving cert maths then you won't have wasted money and time in a college.

It's not as hard as you think.....the hardest part is starting and when you do start the end is always getting nearer and nearer. It will be the best thing you ever did.