not enough points

stumblina

i'm 20 hoping to go back to college and would love to do applied pyschology but dont have near enough the points for it. i started in ucc in 2007 doing early childhood studies but have decided not to finish the course. at the moment i'm taking a year out to mind my son and am doing a home course in pyschology that will award me with a fetac level 5. is there any chance if i put it on cao form would i get a place?

NyquistFreak

Hi Stumblina
The Fetac level 5 will certainly count in your favour anyway. Most colleges will have a section either in their handbook or website which deals with entry requirements, and you can always ring or visit the college you have in mind for clarification.
I'm not too sure how it works for under 23's but the Fetac should count instead of your points if you try again as a mature student anyway, where your experience with that foundation course and your own life experience will be assessed for eligibility in an interview. Considering there's more to consider for college after you actually get the place, like where you're going to live, how will you keep yourself going financially etc, you should look into the arguements for the over 23 option versus going next year too, for example grant eligibility, if you'll need childcare or if you're living away from your parents house or whatever. If you received a grant for your previous course, you may not be entitled to it again if the courses are on the same level, but if you move from level 7 to level 8 say you'd be fine.
There's a Local Employment Service office where I'm from who have trained guidance councellors who are really really helpfull with stuff like this and easy to get appointments with, your local Citezen's Information Office can probably point you in the right direction.
Best of Luck!!