Changing course

KellyR18

Is it possible to transfer into 2nd year arts from 1st year general science. I would like to do Law or Psychology. Would I have to pay extra money or is it easier?

XxMCRxBabyxX

It won't be possible, particularly for the subjects that you've chosen. Neither of them can be used as basic arts subjects in 2nd year as you have to qualify into a new course going by your first year marks.

I'd imagine that to get into Arts you will have to go back to first year because you won't have done any of the basic modules needed for whatever subjects you choose otherwise.

endacl

Postgraduate conversion diplomas are available in both law and psychology. I'd suggest looking at those options. Several reasons.

1. To do another first year will be a step back.
2. To study either law or psychology at post grad will be a step forward. I know. Point 2 is just the inverse of point 1. Justification: point 1 is important.
3. To work in either field, you'll need a post grad qualification. This path will give you an extra one, assuming you subsequently continue on to a masters in either field.
4. It'll be cheaper. You won't have to pay first year fees, by avoiding the step back mentioned in point 1.
5. You'll be older, and wiser. And better placed to decide which of the two areas most interests you, and why.
6. As well as your law or psychology qualification, you'll also hold a science degree. Science is cool, ergo you will be cool. Or cooler, of course. You may in fact already be cool.

Good luck!

XxMCRxBabyxX

endacl wrote: »

Postgraduate conversion diplomas are available in both law and psychology. I'd suggest looking at those options. Several reasons.

1. To do another first year will be a step back.
2. To study either law or psychology at post grad will be a step forward. I know. Point 2 is just the inverse of point 1. Justification: point 1 is important.
3. To work in either field, you'll need a post grad qualification. This path will give you an extra one, assuming you subsequently continue on to a masters in either field.
4. It'll be cheaper. You won't have to pay first year fees, by avoiding the step back mentioned in point 1.
5. You'll be older, and wiser. And better placed to decide which of the two areas most interests you, and why.
6. As well as your law or psychology qualification, you'll also hold a science degree. Science is cool, ergo you will be cool. Or cooler, of course. You may in fact already be cool.

Good luck!

This is good advice but just to qualify one thing about law (which I think you do understand but just making it clearer): You do not a Masters to qualify into a legal career. However, there will be further exams and lots of training if you wish to qualify as either a solicitor (FE1s/Blackhall Place) or barrister (King's Inns)


Oh, and another thing that I should have mentioned in my first post is that you won't be allowed take both Law and Psychology as arts subjects due to the fact that they both have grade requirements in order to progress to 2nd year in them.

How so Joe

On point 4 above, I don't think it will be cheaper - if I recall correctly, full fees are six grand, which is €1,500 less than the fees for the masters of legal science in Maynooth, which is a two-year course to boot. It might be worth checking out similar courses in other colleges too.
Furthermore, since you're only halfway through first year, if you were to drop out and inform the college before the end of the month, you would only have to pay half fees for the year if you started an arts degree next year.
A last point - doing a science degree would take you four years, and repeating first year to go into arts would take you only three, meaning you would finish at the same time with your law or psychology degree in hand, as opposed to then having to go on to do another postgrad conversion course.

If you really feel like science isn't for you, talk to the facilities in the college about coming in as an arts student next year. Good luck, whatever you decide!