Who got BTEA and already has a 3rd level degree/qualification?

*Hank Scorpio*

I sent in my application yesterday along with my registration confirmation from my college.

Today I got a letter saying I have been approved(been unemployed all year btw).

I didnt think I'd be approved as I already have a Bachelor of Arts degree. This is because of this sentence in the BTEA booklet: ''Only in very exceptional cases is it possible to get the BTEA if you already have a Third-Level Degree'.

However when I arranged a meeting with the local education officer in my local civic centre he said that sentence generally applies to people who have a degree AND got BTEA before while doing their degree.

I'm wondering should they make that more clear in the booklet. He said if you already have a degree don't be put off from applying.

I'm thinking many people did not apply because they already have a 3rd level degree and think they'd just be rejected due to that fact.

So anyone else with a 3rd level degree get approved for BTEA?

Thanks.

sonic.trip

Hi Hank-Scorpio,

I have a Level 7 Ordinary Degree and am going back tomorrow to do a one year 'add on' to get a Level 8 degree (after being unemployed for a year after my degreee). I applied and got the BTEA. It doesn't make it very clear and nearly put me off from applying only I had a helpful FAS services officer and she put me through to the right person as they are so fookin useless in the Bishops Square office its unreal, would drive you insane-they don't even answer the phone most days!

Anyway I've been looking for info tonight-maybe someone can help while I'm here:

I'm a mature student living with my parents at the moment and didn't apply for the grant as i looked on student fiinances website and my parents were outside of the wage bracket which ruled me out.

I'm wondering do I have to pay the registration fees myself or is that covered by the BTEA? and am I still entitled to the so called 'free education' from the gov as I am furthering my education one level and never repeated in college before??

If anyone has any information I would be grateful.

I know I will have to register in college to start getting my BTEA asap so any info appreciated.

Thanks

Bluetonic

*Hank Scorpio* wrote: »

I sent in my application yesterday along with my registration confirmation from my college.

Today I got a letter saying I have been approved(been unemployed all year btw).

I didnt think I'd be approved as I already have a Bachelor of Arts degree. This is because of this sentence in the BTEA booklet: ''Only in very exceptional cases is it possible to get the BTEA if you already have a Third-Level Degree'.

However when I arranged a meeting with the local education officer in my local civic centre he said that sentence generally applies to people who have a degree AND got BTEA before while doing their degree.

I'm wondering should they make that more clear in the booklet. He said if you already have a degree don't be put off from applying.

I'm thinking many people did not apply because they already have a 3rd level degree and think they'd just be rejected due to that fact.

So anyone else with a 3rd level degree get approved for BTEA?

Thanks.

Are you doing another degree or a postgrad?

Trish2007

sonic trip, you are still liable for the registation fee. You wont have to pay fees as its an add on course. Im in the same situation, started a level 8 one year add on.

sonic.trip

I got talking to somebody last week. I have to fund the 1500 registration fees but you get a 500 euro 'book grant' in October so you can take it as you have to pay 1000 yourself.

It appears now though I have to apply for Jobseekers Allowance and then I can get the BTEA (my JB was exhausted). Don't ask me why but thats what they are saying. Only thing is JA is means tested so may not get anything in that case and don't know how its going to work as I got accepted for BTEA,, typical government :mad:

Thanks for that Trish, I hope I won't have to cough up the course fees as thats another 2500!

@blue tonic its a undergraduate 1yr course, my level 7 degree counts as the first 3 years of the course and its advanced entry to the programme only

mcgee189

Hi all,

I was just reading this thread, but it was written in 2009. I am wondering in the current climate, has anyone recently applied for BTEA and qualified, even though they already have a 3rd level degree?

I got a BA degree 12 years ago and at the time i qualified for the grant. But now i want to do a Level5/6 course at a local college and wonder am i eligible to apply for BTEC- i have been either drawing a social welfare payment or working on a CE scheme for the last two years. The course starts in September.

Does anyone have any info or ideas?

cheers:D

RoyalMarine

closed due to the fact you started a new thread about this anyway.