Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

roro1990 · 29-08-2020 09:43AM

I applied via Springboard for a postgrad diploma in Cybersecurity but I'm second guessing myself now after I saw a detailed post on reddit saying you need solid coding skills to get a job in that field (I have zero coding skills beyond basic SQL queries).

un5byh7sqpd2x0 · 29-08-2020 09:53AM

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Am I missing something as the below is on the website? So as understand you'd have to pay 10% as you are considered employed?

If you are getting COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you will be required to pay 10% of the course fee to the course provider

Aye, this is also on the eligibility page:

“People in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) can apply for a Springboard+ part-time course. The fee will be waived for these applicants. It is however the responsibility of the applicant in receipt of a PUP payment to discuss retaining a DEASP payment with their case officer in their local INTREO office when their offer is accepted and before they complete first registration for the course through www.springboardcourses.ie“;

And this or similar is what you’ll get back from INTREO:

“It has been advised that those in receipt of PUP who apply for part time Springboard courses can only retain a weekly welfare payment if they transfer to a qualifying payment. This is to ensure that these applications will have an alternative source of income on cessation of PUP.”

MrsBean · 29-08-2020 10:10AM

I applied for two Policy courses in DCU and last week was told my applications were unsuccessful. I emailed to ask if it failed on eligibility grounds or whatever just so I'd know for future. They replied saying my application was 'strong' but they had a large number of applications this year. No indication of a waiting list. Anyone know what the likelihood is of a second round offer if some of those accepted drop out or do something else? Or am I holding on to false hope?

py · 29-08-2020 11:03AM

roro1990 wrote: »

I applied via Springboard for a postgrad diploma in Cybersecurity but I'm second guessing myself now after I saw a detailed post on reddit saying you need solid coding skills to get a job in that field (I have zero coding skills beyond basic SQL queries).

I wouldn't discount it just yet. There's a wide variety of areas within Cybersecurity such as privacy, risk etc. where you wouldn't need coding skills. They're something you can learn anyway. Don't give up before you start

mp3ireland2 · 31-08-2020 03:40PM

Got the Bill from NIBRT today for 10%, was looking forward to getting this invoice as meant all had got to plan!

Skidfingers · 31-08-2020 03:57PM

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

Got the Bill from NIBRT today for 10%, was looking forward to getting this invoice as meant all had got to plan!

When did you do your online registration?

oopsies · 01-09-2020 10:09AM

Anyone know much about the Digital Marketing Institute?
I got accepted onto their Postgrad Level 9 program, but wondering if its worth it? Or maybe Id be better looking into CIM...?

mp3ireland2 · 01-09-2020 12:02PM

Skidfingers wrote: »

When did you do your online registration?

Last Monday, Aug 24th, so got invoice a week later

onrail · 01-09-2020 03:42PM

Has anyone completed, or is anyone completing the HDip in Science in Data Analytics in NCI (Blended - 1 year) while working a full-time job?

I've been accepted to the course (subject to me confirming), but having second thoughts as to how feasible it is to complete well while working full time with a young child.

Also wonder what the likelihood is of there being actual classroom sessions this year? I've applied with the hope that all will continue to be delivered fully online, as I live about 90 mins from the campus.

Skidfingers · 02-09-2020 07:05PM

If you decide to drop out/don’t pass the course/decide you don’t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

kilburn · 02-09-2020 07:12PM

Skidfingers wrote:

If you decide to drop out/donâ€™t pass the course/decide you donâ€™t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

To be honest if you have doubts don't take the place lots of people on waiting lists who would miss out if people drop out after starting.

Just make sure you pass at a minimum easier said that done I know.

Officer Giggles · 02-09-2020 07:18PM

Skidfingers wrote: »

If you decide to drop out/don’t pass the course/decide you don’t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

No but you will be prevented from using springboard for a number of years. You can withdraw an offer you have accepted before the course starts and apply for any other course that is still taking applications.

Skidfingers · 02-09-2020 07:21PM

Officer Giggles wrote: »

No but you will be prevented from using springboard for a number of years. You can withdraw an offer you have accepted before the course starts and apply for any other course that is still taking applications.

I’m happy to take this course And I think I’ll enjoy it, but I just want to ensure incase there’s a slim chance I don’t like it or feel it.

Vetch · 02-09-2020 07:33PM

Did anyone get an invoice from NUIG? I got an email last week saying an invoice would be sent shortly and was to be paid by 4 Sept. No sign of it though.

kilburn · 02-09-2020 07:36PM

Vetch wrote:

Did anyone get an invoice from NUIG? I got an email last week saying an invoice would be sent shortly and was to be paid by 4 Sept. No sign of it though.

Not yet but when I do will let you know

tv3tg4 · 02-09-2020 07:51PM

Officer Giggles wrote: »

. You can withdraw an offer you have accepted before the course starts and apply for any other course that is still taking applications.

They added a course the other day that I am interested. I have already accepted another course.

I'll see.

Esse85 · 02-09-2020 08:18PM

Skidfingers wrote: »

If you decide to drop out/don’t pass the course/decide you don’t like the course, will government come looking for the amount they paid?

No they won't.
I'm sure there's 101 reasons you can come up with that sound genuine.

I'm also sure the drop out rate is quiet high given that people get the course for free or only pay 10%, therefore they don't value it or commit to it as much as they would if they were paying the full amount themselves.

If after a couple of months the course isn't as described and you feel it's not gonna benefit you, then by all means pull out and save your time.

cefh17 · 02-09-2020 08:28PM

Vetch wrote: »

Did anyone get an invoice from NUIG? I got an email last week saying an invoice would be sent shortly and was to be paid by 4 Sept. No sign of it though.

I haven't heard a thing since the initial email from NUIG back at the start of August yet registration were supposed to be open at the end of Aug

Blizzard · 02-09-2020 09:08PM

cefh17 wrote: »

I haven't heard a thing since the initial email from NUIG back at the start of August yet registration were supposed to be open at the end of Aug

I contacted the course coordinator at NUIG on 26 August enquiring about same and was told this about my course: "Course commences in October, details still to be finalised. I will be in touch in the coming weeks."

bennyx_o · 02-09-2020 09:10PM

Still waiting to hear from Sligo regarding payment etc. Did say it would be late August or start or September when I accepted the course

kenyard · 03-09-2020 09:44AM

I have a start end of September.
Got an email Tuesday with details.
It says I have payment due but when I login to pay it says there's a balance of 0.
If you are in October I'd wait a week or 2 yet. Looks like 3-4 weeks notice

tritium · 03-09-2020 10:26AM

onrail wrote: »

Has anyone completed, or is anyone completing the HDip in Science in Data Analytics in NCI (Blended - 1 year) while working a full-time job?

I've been accepted to the course (subject to me confirming), but having second thoughts as to how feasible it is to complete well while working full time with a young child.

Also wonder what the likelihood is of there being actual classroom sessions this year? I've applied with the hope that all will continue to be delivered fully online, as I live about 90 mins from the campus.

Its doable but its hard work. I've done evening college pre-kids with a lot of dads and mums who were going back. We were all fitting it around work.. It definitely was harder for them in terms of making time than it was for anyone who didn't have those responsibilities. That said, most of them had a organised approach and managed fine.

I wouldn't let that concern hold you back tbh. There'll always be something that makes it difficult but the upside to completing a good qualification makes it worth the effort. I'm figuring on my side its going to be a lot of hours and hard work (signed up for the postgrad diploma in NCI) but hopefully it will give me something pretty valuable at the end and so is worth doing

DK man · 03-09-2020 10:36AM

Gadge wrote: »

Anyone here doing science in computing 2 year PT in TU Dublin Blanch? Need to get a rival gang going

Hi Gadge - I'll join your gang

Blanch rocks!

shanec1928 · 03-09-2020 10:49AM

bennyx_o wrote: »

Still waiting to hear from Sligo regarding payment etc. Did say it would be late August or start or September when I accepted the course

likewise, emailed admissions about it and received a vague in the next few weeks type answer.

bennyx_o · 03-09-2020 11:02AM

They had an online event a few weeks ago and said registration for online courses was happening and would continue right up until 28th, but also said induction would be the week preceeding 28th September - would assume any online Springboard courses fall into this category also

onrail · 03-09-2020 01:07PM

tritium wrote: »

Its doable but its hard work. I've done evening college pre-kids with a lot of dads and mums who were going back. We were all fitting it around work.. It definitely was harder for them in terms of making time than it was for anyone who didn't have those responsibilities. That said, most of them had a organised approach and managed fine.

I wouldn't let that concern hold you back tbh. There'll always be something that makes it difficult but the upside to completing a good qualification makes it worth the effort. I'm figuring on my side its going to be a lot of hours and hard work (signed up for the postgrad diploma in NCI) but hopefully it will give me something pretty valuable at the end and so is worth doing

Excellent thanks! I can’t find mention anywhere of how many hours of ‘autonomous learning’ are recommended in addition to lecture time? That might swing it for me

chicken foot · 03-09-2020 01:11PM

cefh17 wrote: »

I haven't heard a thing since the initial email from NUIG back at the start of August yet registration were supposed to be open at the end of Aug

Also havent heard a thing from NUIG. My status has gone to "accepted" and my application has been downloaded multiple times - most recently 21st August. I also expected to hear before now but ill sit tight another day or two.

kilburn · 03-09-2020 01:45PM

onrail wrote:

Excellent thanks! I canâ€™t find mention anywhere of how many hours of â€˜autonomous learningâ€™ are recommended in addition to lecture time? That might swing it for me

If you contact the course director they will give you an idea

cefh17 · 03-09-2020 02:41PM

chicken foot wrote: »

Also havent heard a thing from NUIG. My status has gone to "accepted" and my application has been downloaded multiple times - most recently 21st August. I also expected to hear before now but ill sit tight another day or two.

I'm not sure did you get word today, but my course admin got in touch with my ID# and to register as soon as possible. Hopefully yours will be soon too

Gadge · 03-09-2020 03:00PM

DK man wrote: »

Hi Gadge - I'll join your gang Blanch rocks!

Everyone else sucks!

Have you heard anything lately from them? Last communication to me was to take my deposit. I've emailed them a few times with regards to modules etc as I wanted to get a head start but they're useless to get back. I don't eve. Have a start date.

Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

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