Free fees... Would I qualify?

Liverbird18

Hi,
I am Irish but moved from the country 10 years ago (like most of my class that year!).

I am currently studying via the Open University on a BSc. (Distance learning/part time) We are emigrating back to Ireland next year. However, I would like to enrol in a traditional brick University.

Would I qualify for the free fees? I will be in year 2 of my BSc. with the OU (ideally I want to graduate from this plus do the traditional brick)

If anyone can offer any guidance this would be greatly received! Thank you

DeeAvery

First you would have to have been resident in the EU, 3 out of the Last 5 years.

Second regarding the course your doing what’s important is it’s level. As in you can only to a level once and you have to show progression. So if you want to do the same level in a physical university you’ll only get the free fees for the years you have not yet completed. So you’d have to transfer or do advanced entry. If you are awardaward the BSc you will get nothing. I doesn’t matter where you did your course as in they are treated all the same whether you got it from a distance, private or approved free fees institution.

Other option is to stop the open university course, without finishing it and in 5 years apply as a second chance student.

It ain’t right, Education should always be free but that’s the way it is unfortunately.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html
The above suggests that you can't have done a full time course - having done the OU part time might be ok.

Why do you want to do two undergraduate degrees one after the other?
I would understand if there had been a big gap between them or if you hadn't finished the first.

DeeAvery

Deleted User wrote: »

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html
The above suggests that you can't have done a full time course - having done the OU part time might be ok.

Why do you want to do two undergraduate degrees one after the other?
I would understand if there had been a big gap between them or if you hadn't finished the first.

It doesn’t matter how you got the qualification at whatever level, it can be private, part time or distance etc. What it means by full time is only full time qualifications are eligible for free fees and part time are not. But if you already have the same level qualification you are not a first time student so you still can’t get it.

danielleabeth

Hi,
Just wondering if someone could answer a query I have about fees for a second course. I am currently looking at returning to college to complete a nursing degree. I previously went to college and obtained a level 8 (back in the 90's). For that course, I was in receipt of a susi grant and had fees and contributions paid. That qualification was in finance. But I'm looking at changing career completely.
Will I have to pay full fees (contribution and tuition) for each year of the new course? Is there any allowance for the 25 year gap?
Thanks

DeeAvery

danielleabeth wrote: »

Hi,
Just wondering if someone could answer a query I have about fees for a second course. I am currently looking at returning to college to complete a nursing degree. I previously went to college and obtained a level 8 (back in the 90's). For that course, I was in receipt of a susi grant and had fees and contributions paid. That qualification was in finance. But I'm looking at changing career completely.
Will I have to pay full fees (contribution and tuition) for each year of the new course? Is there any allowance for the 25 year gap?
Thanks

No, unfortunately, once you have completed a qualification, no matter what, where and when you got it, you can't repeat the same level qualification for free. You'd have to pay both the contribution and tuition fees. There are other options but they might not suit you. For example, a loan, getting an employer to sponsor you, studying in a country that has cheeper fees/living costs, working along studying, get a postgraduate qualification instead, and there are also Springboard courses that are free for everyone no matter what (Don't think they have ever offered a Level 8 Degree in Nursing though).

danielleabeth

DeeAvery wrote: »

No, unfortunately, once you have completed a qualification, no matter what, where and when you got it, you can't repeat the same level qualification for free. You'd have to pay both the contribution and tuition fees. There are other options but they might not suit you. For example, a loan, getting an employer to sponsor you, studying in a country that has cheeper fees/living costs, working along studying, get a postgraduate qualification instead, and there are also Springboard courses that are free for everyone no matter what (Don't think they have ever offered a Level 8 Degree in Nursing though).

Thanks for replying.
Unfortunately there isn't much option in travelling elsewhere as I have a young family. Also, as I've been unemployed and at home with the kids for the past 4 years, an employer sponsoring me isnt an option either. Could work while doing the degree, but would mean I'd never see my family.
My degree is so dated now, I doubt it would have much relevance in the current job market.
I've looked at the springboard courses and there are some good ones there which could bring me current in specialised areas. Think that's probably a more viable option.

DeeAvery

danielleabeth wrote: »

Thanks for replying.
Unfortunately there isn't much option in travelling elsewhere as I have a young family. Also, as I've been unemployed and at home with the kids for the past 4 years, an employer sponsoring me isnt an option either. Could work while doing the degree, but would mean I'd never see my family.
My degree is so dated now, I doubt it would have much relevance in the current job market.
I've looked at the springboard courses and there are some good ones there which could bring me current in specialised areas. Think that's probably a more viable option.

Yeah, the options are pretty slim unless you're rich and have no responsibilities lol. You can get SUSI for postgraduate qualifications as well (as you'll be progressing from level 8 to 9) so I would look into that too and see if that would suit you. You wouldn't be stuck to just what Springboard offers. Also if you are into tech look into Women ReBOOT. It's an initiative for mothers returning to employment.