4th year Architectural Technology add-on course

professorA

Hi guys!

Which 4th year Architectural Technology add-on Honours degree course is better? The one in WIT, or the one in CIT?:)

archtech

As WIT has accreditation for its course CIAT( not sure if it applies to those currently within the system) I would be inclined to go there and has had from the RIAI for many years. Accreditation from professional bodies is becoming more important in assisting in gaining and maintaining employment. CIAT is an internationally regionised organisation for Architectural Technology so there are benefits of attending a CIAT accreditation course and membership of the institute.

Supertech

archtech is correct professorA, accreditation has been an important issue for some time and will only become more important in the future. While there are routes to membership of the various bodies for those from unaccredited courses, they tend to be longer or more arduous. I'd jump for the course which is accredited.

No6

Me too, Its a pity that theres so many courses with no accreditation and only a few with RIAI an only one with CIAT & RIAI accreditation. The courses are doing their students a great diservice in my opinion by not getting all the accreditation thats available!!

professorA

Thanks guys,

Got offer from both of them. WIT it is!

nmcbrearty11

professerA,

How did you manage to apply for WIT? I emailed them but got no word back. Am after finishing a 3 year ordinary degree course in this in LYIT.

professorA

I applied online on their website using the Advanced Entry Form before May or there abouts. Did you send them a copy of your final exam results straight after receiving them? Fingers crossed for ya, you might get an offer yet...

writetojd

Ill see you in september then Prof!

Best of luck nmcbrearty11

Paterson

Anyone aware of scottish or english courses that have CIAT & RIAI accreditation?

Mellor

The CIAT website list all the courses, there are plenty in the UK (inc. NI afaik)

sydthebeat

just a quick note to say the new DIT level 8 honours degree course has started at 380 points... im assuming thats with no add on points for interview / assessment... (if they still do that?)

what do people think? about right??

when i got the old level 7 diploma course it was 430 points with interview and assessment....

Supertech

How does that compare with the other AT courses Syd ? I wonder was there a big drop off in numbers applying for construction related courses this year ? Last year was a bit deceptive as a lot of people availed of the BTE allowance to do level 8 add ons in AT or to commence alternative degres. I wonder how numbers are this year.

sydthebeat

theres no previous year for the dit level 8.

carlow IT level 7 is 285 (wexford) and 275 carlow, same as 2 previous years
level 8 sustainable AT in carlow is 310 (wexford campus) down from 330

cork IT level 8 370 same as previous 2 years

waterford level 7 is 245, down from 280

limerick 'materials and AT' level 8 440 down from 445... and 40 points more than architecture in LIT!

letterkenny AT is 120 points, down from 125.. is this level 6?

BIM in blanch is 235 for level 8!!


any other courses ive missed?

professorA

IT Carlow (Carlow Campus) Level 6/7 : 275 no change from 2009

IT Carlow (Wexford Campus) Level 6/7: 285 no change from 2009

GMIT (Galway Campus) Level 6/7: 290 down from 340 in 2009

CIT Level 6/7: 350 gone up from 320 in 2009

CIT Level 8: 370 no change from 2009

WIT Level 6/7: 245 down from 280 in 2009

LYIT Level 6/7: 120 down from 125 in 2009

DIT Level 8: 380


I think DIT's Course is reasonable enough with 380 points.

I can't believe CIT's Honours Degree is so high compared to WIT. I thought WIT is better as its 3 year Ordinary Degree is accredited by the RIAI.

Maybe CIT is a better course than WIT, what do ye think?

Mellor

professorA wrote: »

I can't believe CIT's Honours Degree is so high compared to WIT. I thought WIT is better as its 3 year Ordinary Degree is accredited by the RIAI.

Maybe CIT is a better course than WIT, what do ye think?

The points have no reflection on the actual course, just the popularity of the course. CIT is more popular than WIT, even though WIT would likely be the better course. The points are decided by leaving cert students, by no means infallible.

GreenTech

I agree with Mellor on this one. Cork is more popular for general student life and therefore points are higher to reduce numbers applying for the course and ultimately get the cream of the crop. CITs lack of interest to engage with professional bodies doesn't help in promoting their course, although students are probably not aware of this before starting first year. I live in Cork and I'm thinking about going back for the 4th year and I'm not considering CIT without RIAI or CIAT accreditation. Lets not forget that the accreditation body sets a standard for the course! I wouldn't specify a product without agrément certification so on the same basis I wouldn't accept an educator that doesn't provide any accreditation for their course!
I think WIT and DIT have produced some excellent graduates and they are probably top 2 colleges for Architectural Technology... it would be down to a flip of a coin if I were to decide on one of the two.

No6

DIT only have RIAI accreditation, WIT has both RIAI and CIAT, if I was going back I know where I'd go. Personally I think courses that are not getting all the professional accreditation available for their courses are doing their students a serious diservice.