Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

After 17 years I will be going back to college to do a HDip Level 8. My Degree kind of limits me to what courses I can do on the SpringBoard list.

Covid has completely interrupted my work so I’ll be going back studying full time.

I’m nervous about studying again but I can’t pass up the opportunity as I wouldn’t have the money to pay the full amount.

Thanks OP and if this one goes well then I might do another one.

shanec1928 wrote: »

The whole point of springboard is that you can Re-skill into a different field. Your not limited to doing something that relates to your initial degree.

The other colleges I applied to didn’t seem to accept my degree and or work experience and letter of interest.

py wrote: »

I do think that there should be a review of the system. Something like a series of rounds with deadlines for offering/accepting courses. Having the deadlines on a course by course basis does neither the college or the potential student any favours when it comes to planning. Though perhaps with everyone in 3rd level working from home, it has altered the way it's usually handled.

My understanding from talking to others is this is the way it has always been handled

Vetch wrote: »

I have two applications in with NUIG. They've both been downloaded a gazillion times. Would love to know what they're doing with them.

mine also!

Burgo wrote: »

Congrats! Doing the same. Have you heard anything from them?

Yeah I'm the same as well, haven't heard any more from them since

absolutegroove wrote: »

After 17 years I will be going back to college to do a HDip Level 8. My Degree kind of limits me to what courses I can do on the SpringBoard list.

Covid has completely interrupted my work so I’ll be going back studying full time.

I’m nervous about studying again but I can’t pass up the opportunity as I wouldn’t have the money to pay the full amount.

Thanks OP and if this one goes well then I might do another one.

I went back to do a level 8 a few years ago, trust me, the fear is worse than the reality. What mature students dont seem to account for is how much life experience plays in learning. All our group were older, we all had the same fears initially. Got accepted for a masters through springboard this year and whilst im nervous, i know that it is doable. Best of luck with it!

kilburn wrote: »

Anyone know the level of programming etc that would be expected for a Masters in Data Science

Pretty high I would say. Think about what the Masters is vs what a BSc or HDip are?

But you're best to check the college website and module listings for better guidance and email the department involved.

absolutegroove wrote: »

After 17 years I will be going back to college to do a HDip Level 8. My Degree kind of limits me to what courses I can do on the SpringBoard list.

Covid has completely interrupted my work so I’ll be going back studying full time.

I’m nervous about studying again but I can’t pass up the opportunity as I wouldn’t have the money to pay the full amount.

Thanks OP and if this one goes well then I might do another one.

absolutegroove wrote: »

The other colleges I applied to didn’t seem to accept my degree and or work experience and letter of interest.

It really depends on the individual circumstance though. It's hard to know without knowing your full details.

Eg. I was not considered eligible for a Masters in Data Science in Carlow despite being "qualified" based on their criteria.

I inquired and essentially their were others ahead who were more qualified. C'est la vie. But now when I do this HDip and if I apply for the MSc next year, I will no doubt get accepted.

Clareman wrote: »

Your initial degree has NOTHING to do what you're doing on Springboard, you've a degree and 17 years experience, you'd be a MASSIVE addition to any course you apply for

17 years experience in Retail Management for example and then going to MSc in Computer Science is doomed to failure in most cases. The colleges would encourage you to to do a level 8 HDip etc and work your way up.

You can't expect to just change career trajectory "just like that".

The system is set up to encourage us to change but that doesn't mean shortcuts should be taken.

py wrote: »

I do think that there should be a review of the system. Something like a series of rounds with deadlines for offering/accepting courses. Having the deadlines on a course by course basis does neither the college or the potential student any favours when it comes to planning. Though perhaps with everyone in 3rd level working from home, it has altered the way it's usually handled.

I don't see how they could do that given the time sensitive nature of everyone's lives. I don;t want to be waiting around til September to be told I got my 4th choice and th colleges want to box off these places ASAP.

It's not like the CAO when EVERYONE is in the same generic boat more or less. There's a sense of responsibility on you to research and make sure you're choosing the right courses rather then the scattergun approach of applying for everything and anything. And with the fact that these are low-cost/free, it's doubly important that the drop out rate is miniscule.

Clareman wrote: »

In my experience what happens is loads of people apply for the courses when they are released, then applications are sorted and sent out to people. Then people get the applications and think "oh **** I don't have the time, didn't think I'd be accepted, I don't want to do that course", then they reject the application, then it goes to round 2, rinse and repeat for a few rounds.

Last course I did had 24 places accepted but only 8 people actually did the course.

^^^EXACTLY THIS^^^

chicken foot wrote: »

I went back to do a level 8 a few years ago, trust me, the fear is worse than the reality. What mature students dont seem to account for is how much life experience plays in learning. All our group were older, we all had the same fears initially. Got accepted for a masters through springboard this year and whilst im nervous, i know that it is doable. Best of luck with it!

Thanks Chicken Foot - that has definitely made me feel better about it.

I always wanted to study more and eventually get a Masters but I just needed the push as I got a bit to comfortable in life. Maybe there is life in the old dog yet ;-)

Congratulations on your studies and best of luck with the Masters.

Augeo wrote: »

No need to get so p1ssy about it.
There are courses described as full time that folk working full time are doing.

I'm not getting pissy. I'm giving you the facts.

You're the one who came into the thread with your "whiff" of conspiracy.

FT courses are so called because of contact hours. Whenever those hours happen is irrelevant.

I was talking to CCT for example and they have organised their FT courses in such a way that those in employment can do them without too much hassle.

Augeo wrote: »

It was a query, and you resorted to a slight against other courses ..........

It's widely accepted there are bums on seat courses in many 3rd level colleges (Folk not up to mech eng can do a degree in manufacturing technology etc etc for example.)so to suspect that the Springboard options don't include some to get the cash in isn't a conspiracy theory IMO.

Right, so you're just gonna be miffed that I apparently slighted courses that are not part of a scheme that is solely concerned about upskilling people in areas that we need to have more expertise in?

I don't get why you have a "whiff" to "suspect" anything about Springboard.

The scheme literally has these logos on the header:

Augeo wrote: »

I'm not miffed at all, iirc it was you who was getting p1ssy. An Arts qualification is measured on the same ladder as these Springboards courses, presumably you know that

You literally don't seem to get at all what I'm getting at all. No more than you get what "whiff" is.

Best just to leave it if you think my initial response was a slight on someone who did Geography and Spanish in UCD.

Sheesh.