considering dropping out and trying again - costs?

Junco Partner

I'm not particularly happy in my course. It's a music technology course but the technology side ( programming,web design and maths) is crushing me. I've considered not bothering with my repeats if I fail. What I'd love to do is something in the english and history area( because everyone knows THAT'S where the jobs are:rolleyes:)). I know that by dropping out, I sacrifice my grant and free fees. what I'm wondering is can you pay over time? i know you can't graduate until all fees are paid but if I could just pay in instalments I might make it through, either that or win the lotto:(. Do you have to pay full tuition for all four years or do the free fees become reinstated after you've made it through a few years of the course and its obvious you're taking it seriously this time round ?. I dunno why I've waited this long to finally reach this conclusion it's been niggling at me since before the transfer deadline. all the trouble it would have saved me back then And what is the story with mature students? can you still get in that way if you've tried third level before? I can live without the grant, I'm working at the minute and survived fairly comfortably with nothing but my miniscule pay check all year(not even the benefit of rich parents here :P), until my first installment arrived in February , and if I hadn't lived on campus I wouldn't have needed the grant at all, what's worrying me is Tuition fees. My own laziness and indecisiveness this year and ten grand a year in college fees is gonna make sure that I make it no further in life than dodging thrown taco chips and drunken punches behind a fast food counter.:( If anyone has any experience with attempting college again and the options and obstacles that come with it I'd really appreciate some
advice.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

Hi I know there's nothing worse than being in a course you hate I've been there, so I dropped out in first year and went back. Because I only did one semester I only had to pay a semesters fees when I went back the second time. So if your in second year and you drop out and go back you will have to pay 2 years fees, then just the registration fee after that. What year are you in at the moment?

Junco Partner

i'm in the last two weeks of my second semester in first year.

TEMPLAR KNIGHT

f0ggy92 wrote: »

i'm in the last two weeks of my second semester in first year.

Well if you were to leave you would only be liable for a years fees ( that depends in what course you want to do check it up) but my advice would be If you want to get out do it sooner rather than later because there's no point wasting time and money. But just think that every course is going to have parts you don't like but you could be much happier in something else like I was then again you might not like. Best of luck though just give it a lot of thought!

meg3178

Templar Knight is correct, you'd have to only pay one year's fees. However is there a course that you are interested in whereby you can transfer? If you go to the course co-ordinators of the course you are doing and the course co-ordinator of the course you wish to transfer to they may let you proceed provided you pass your exams, without having to go back to first year. For instance if both courses are in the same faculty there is a good possibility of transferring. You can also transfer to a different college, but you will need to speak to the college this week. Hope it all goes well.

Agent_99

f0ggy92 wrote: »

i'm in the last two weeks of my second semester in first year.

Why don't you try and talk to the SU Welfare/Education officer about transferring courses if you still want to study in UL, you may be given some credit for the modules that you have completed and passed and just progress on to second year in the Arts course you might have a bit of catching up to do but I'm sure a smart kid like yourself could manage it.

Junco Partner

Would the qca come into it? I know that with transferring into courses you didn't get the cao points for you need a qca of over 2.6.. If you want to try and transfer straight into second year is there a similar qca requirement. With my 2 fails thus far my qca is kind of dire so I hope that isn't the case, thank god all the other modules are essay based,at least I'm doing alright in some things (writing essays i can manage pretty darn good at, exponential numbers and jmusic I cannot). I'd love to stay in limerick and I've found 2 courses I'd be delighted to do, in ul which I have the cao points for. I never thought of the welfare officer actually, course director just recommended that I talk to the admissions office. sound for the advice guys and/or gals.