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Fetac level 5 v Mature access course

  • 24-02-2012 6:29pm
    #1
    risteard7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 879 ✭✭✭


    Are these courses similar? Or which would be better to do to go on to third level? Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Digitaljunkie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 349 ✭✭Digitaljunkie


    For Fetac L5 you would need to check with each uni you are thinking of entering. They all have different criteria. Maybe you could look at a vetos access course, most vec's do these.


  • #3
    implausible
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 ✭✭✭implausible


    You haven't given much detail, but Mature Access courses are run by 3rd level colleges as a general preparatory year (with some faculty-specific modules) to get into those institutions. You get a cert and then apply through the CAO.

    A FETAC Level 5 course gives you a stand-alone qualification and are run by VEC secondary schools, voluntary schools, Further Education centres and Adult Ed. services. One of the options when you're finished is to apply for limited FETAC places on certain linked courses e.g. Pre-nursing courses are linked to Nursing courses. Another option is to use your FETAC module results as points to gain entry into ITs.

    It depends on what you want. If you wish to get a degree from a university, go for the mature access. If you wish to give yourself the option of going into employment or just gaining a qualification, go for a FETAC Level 5 course.


  • #4
    Further Ed.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 414 ✭✭Further Ed.


    There are several different routes for you to use a FETAC Level 5 course to progress onto an University or Institute of Technology (IoTs) - some of the routes have limited places (like Nursing) but the majority of the IoTs use the pilot scheme where you compete again Leaving Cert students for places but using your FETAC points (Distinction (ie over 80%) is 50 points), this has resulted in some courses having more non-Leaving Cert students on them than Leaving Cert.


    The advantage of completing a FETAC course as against an Access course is that you get a recognised qualification at Level 5 where is Transferable to other colleges etc, but then a specially designed access course geared towards one university or IoT can be very good preparation. Investigate both routes and talk to students who have completed both options.


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