Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

py · 22-09-2020 03:06PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Just got this email

What a disaster to find this out so late

What college and course?

fast_eddie · 22-09-2020 03:10PM

roro1990 wrote: »

Got accepted into a postgraduate diploma in cybersecurity today. That's thrown a spanner in the works for me. I am 30 years old and looking to retrain down a new career path. Cybersecurity interests me, but the more I've read about it, the more it seems you need good coding knowledge for it.

My bachelor's degree in actuarial science had very little coding in it. I was going to take the CompTIA Security+ cert this December to gauge whether I would actually like to work cybersecurity or not and then maybe do a higher diploma in software development next September.

My concern if I choose this postgrad course and attain the diploma is that it won't do anything for my employment prospects in cybersecurity. There will be candidates for most jobs who have solid computer science background whereas I'll seemingly be entering into the field from this random position of having a degree in actuarial science and with just a postgrad diploma to my name. Even a cursory look at the cybersecurity job postings online seems to require coding experience and general IT experience that I lack.

Decisions decisions...

@RoRo1990 - I've just started a PGDip in Cybersecurity, and as a (former) employer within IT, I believe that if a candidate has the mathematical ability and logical mindset required to do a degree in actuarial science, then the rest of the IT stuff (coding etc) can be taught.

If you want to play to your demonstrated strengths then there are some interesting avenues within security, such as encryption, which are more mathematically oriented than programming oriented.

Good luck with your decision...

22-09-2020 03:10PM

kilburn wrote: »

Brutal sorry to hear that what course was it and did you apply for others?

Maybe contact springboard to reset your applications

Very unfair to do this to you, yes contact springboard straight away and see what they are willing to do for you!

roro1990 · 22-09-2020 03:26PM

fast_eddie wrote: »

@RoRo1990 - I've just started a PGDip in Cybersecurity, and as a (former) employer within IT, I believe that if a candidate has the mathematical ability and logical mindset required to do a degree in actuarial science, then the rest of the IT stuff (coding etc) can be taught.

If you want to play to your demonstrated strengths then there are some interesting avenues within security, such as encryption, which are more mathematically oriented than programming oriented.

Good luck with your decision...

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, specializing in cryptography had crossed my mind. I am just worried that I might go through 12 months of this diploma and not really end up positioning myself as a good candidate for a cybersecurity role. I was considering just doing a higher diploma in computer science instead, but that would be over 2 years instead of 1.

Are you enjoying your course, out of curiosity?

22-09-2020 03:28PM

kilburn wrote: »

Brutal sorry to hear that what course was it and did you apply for others?

Maybe contact springboard to reset your applications

py wrote: »

What college and course?

Griffith College’s Postgraduate Diploma in Big Data Management and Analytics.

I had a bunch of other offers but they were all cancelled by accepting that one. I've got in touch with Griffith already and they seem happy to allow me to take another offer but it's a completely different field so a bit risky career-wise. Applying for a few others right now. I'm sure I'll get something.

kilburn · 22-09-2020 03:32PM

Deleted User wrote:

I had a bunch of other offers but they were all cancelled by accepting that one. I've got in touch with Griffith already and they seem happy to allow me to take another offer but it's a completely different field so a bit risky career-wise. Applying for a few others right now. I'm sure I'll get something.

Best of luck hope you get sorted out

fast_eddie · 22-09-2020 04:32PM

roro1990 wrote: »

Are you enjoying your course, out of curiosity?

Yeah thanks, shaping up nicely so far

Jet Black · 23-09-2020 12:06AM

Anyone doing a cert in computer programming in DCU know the timetable?

CBear1993 · 23-09-2020 08:39AM

I have a few offers, but I’m desperately scared to accept because of the intensity of the course. It didn’t say on springboard or the college website any indication of the timetable. But both offers are 3 evenings per week 6-10pm plus some Saturday’s.
That’s a serious commitment alongside working a full time job which doesn’t finish to 5:30/6pm each day. I can see why they are targeted at people out of work now.

I did a part time degree when I was younger, level 8 and it was 1 full day per week 9-5

bren2001 · 23-09-2020 09:37AM

Jet Black wrote: »

Anyone doing a cert in computer programming in DCU know the timetable?

Timetables are not yet finalized but the majority of the material will be asynchronous which means you can just do it in your own time. Timetables are not really a thing for first semester this year.

py · 23-09-2020 09:53AM

Jet Black wrote: »

Anyone doing a cert in computer programming in DCU know the timetable?

I've been a student in DCU Connected before. It tends to be 1 online midweek lecture and 1 on site weekend lecture per month. I'd hazard a guess that both of those will be online this year though.

Jet Black · 23-09-2020 10:49AM

Cheers, I was trying to work out the calendar and I was thinking it would be two days in the week, on set days and some Saturdays. GF is doing Mondays and Wednesdays so trying to work a schedule.

py · 23-09-2020 11:15AM

Jet Black wrote: »

Cheers, I was trying to work out the calendar and I was thinking it would be two days in the week, on set days and some Saturdays. GF is doing Mondays and Wednesdays so trying to work a schedule.

You might send me the link to that calendar via PM please. What I've found is this link which says timetables will be out on 28th September but perhaps that is for full time students.

FFVII · 23-09-2020 07:09PM

I've never done third level before but finding out if ya need books/timetables, 10 days for student advisors to reply. God, the whole thing is ridiculous. Impossible to plan anything. Great jobs these people have faffing about.

Esse85 · 23-09-2020 08:15PM

FFVII wrote: »

I've never done third level before but finding out if ya need books/timetables, 10 days for student advisors to reply. God, the whole thing is ridiculous. Impossible to plan anything. Great jobs these people have faffing about.

I'd say that's a bit harsh and they are under far more pressure than you realise.

bren2001 · 23-09-2020 10:23PM

FFVII wrote: »

I've never done third level before but finding out if ya need books/timetables, 10 days for student advisors to reply. God, the whole thing is ridiculous. Impossible to plan anything. Great jobs these people have faffing about.

Module descriptors are available in most Universities. You can read what modules are on your course and see what the recommended texts are. You'll be told in the first lecture if you should actually purchase one. The notes usually suffice. The timetable is a bit tricky at the moment....

Irish94 · 23-09-2020 10:36PM

CBear1993 wrote: »

I have a few offers, but I’m desperately scared to accept because of the intensity of the course. It didn’t say on springboard or the college website any indication of the timetable. But both offers are 3 evenings per week 6-10pm plus some Saturday’s.
That’s a serious commitment alongside working a full time job which doesn’t finish to 5:30/6pm each day. I can see why they are targeted at people out of work now.

I did a part time degree when I was younger, level 8 and it was 1 full day per week 9-5

This is interesting - it certainly is a commitment.

Out or curiosity if you have paid the 10% contribution fee and the course timetable turns out to be a lot more demanding than what was originally stated e.g. 3 evenings a week (with one evening mandatory) instead of two evenings a week (neither mandatory) as originally stated. Would you have grounds for a refund if you dropped out immediately due to being unable to give the commitment required?

CBear1993 · 23-09-2020 11:15PM

Irish94 wrote: »

This is interesting - it certainly is a commitment.

Out or curiosity if you have paid the 10% contribution fee and the course timetable turns out to be a lot more demanding than what was originally stated e.g. 3 evenings a week (with one evening mandatory) instead of two evenings a week (neither mandatory) as originally stated. Would you have grounds for a refund if you dropped out immediately due to being unable to give the commitment required?

Would doubt it, the colleges will be trying to grab all they can this winter. The lecturers will have it handy with everything online

bacondope · 24-09-2020 10:35PM

Does anyone know for the UL online lectures, must you attend for the time they are on or would you be able to do it during the evening or when you had time if you missed the orginal online lecture?

Officer Giggles · 25-09-2020 08:41AM

bacondope wrote: »

Does anyone know for the UL online lectures, must you attend for the time they are on or would you be able to do it during the evening or when you had time if you missed the orginal online lecture?

For my UL course you don't have to be online for the actual lecture, you can just watch the recording

CBear1993 · 26-09-2020 07:22AM

This is it wrote: »

That's pretty heavy alright. I've 6-10 one evening and 6-8 another with the odd Saturday per semester, and I'm going to struggle with that and the time for assignments as it is.with working full time and other commitments

Yeah I’d love to have done software development at NCI, but 6-10pm mon, wed & fri plus a number of saturdays 9-6 would have driven me into a mental breakdown I think. I don’t get finished work most nights to 6:30 as it is so at least it would have nipped that in the bud!

The other one was HDip in Business conversion but again it was Mon, Tues We’d 6-10pm with one night on campus at TU.

Cancelled them both and will now see what’s left after everything’s been picked over and a lot of deadlines have passed!

CBear1993 · 26-09-2020 07:38AM

Has anyone ever done a course with CCT college Dublin? Any reviews? (Diploma in data analytics for business L7)

I’m a bit skeptical, I’m sure they’re fine but just had never really heard of them in Dublin until springboard this year.

I saw someone else post on here that the same course was available in 5/6 colleges and they ranked in order of merit/advice of which one to pick, CCT was the bottom one

It’s also only a level 7 diploma. I’ve done a level 8 , 4 yr degree before, does it help on your cv at all or less regarded?
I am taking this course in the hope that I’ll be able to change industries into a new career. However I’m not sure if employers look upon level 7s any less, should I be challenging myself and doing at least another level 8 or a masters / postgrad level 9?

Don’t want to waste a year either,, there’s a higher diploma level 8 available of the same course that goes another semester.

smck321 · 26-09-2020 02:32PM

Started a post grad in LYIT from this scheme, going well so far although the idea of learning python with minimal programming experience is daunting to say the least.

They're already hinting at converting from the post grad included in the springboard course to a masters for an extra fee but in the grand scheme of things getting a masters for €2000 or so isn't the worst thing considering 10 grand would be the normal fee.

Certainly I can see the logic from the colleges side with the issues they'll face over the next year or so.

Brian201888 · 26-09-2020 02:35PM

CBear1993 wrote: »

Has anyone ever done a course with CCT college Dublin? Any reviews? (Diploma in data analytics for business L7)

I’m a bit skeptical, I’m sure they’re fine but just had never really heard of them in Dublin until springboard this year.

I saw someone else post on here that the same course was available in 5/6 colleges and they ranked in order of merit/advice of which one to pick, CCT was the bottom one

It’s also only a level 7 diploma. I’ve done a level 8 , 4 yr degree before, does it help on your cv at all or less regarded?
I am taking this course in the hope that I’ll be able to change industries into a new career. However I’m not sure if employers look upon level 7s any less, should I be challenging myself and doing at least another level 8 or a masters / postgrad level 9?

Don’t want to waste a year either,, there’s a higher diploma level 8 available of the same course that goes another semester.

I'm doing the level 7 with them, was a bit dubious myself but we'll see how it goes

mp3ireland2 · 26-09-2020 10:02PM

CBear1993 wrote: »

Yeah I’d love to have done software development at NCI, but 6-10pm mon, wed & fri plus a number of saturdays 9-6 would have driven me into a mental breakdown I think. I don’t get finished work most nights to 6:30 as it is so at least it would have nipped that in the bud!

The other one was HDip in Business conversion but again it was Mon, Tues We’d 6-10pm with one night on campus at TU.

Cancelled them both and will now see what’s left after everything’s been picked over and a lot of deadlines have passed!

That sounds like it won't have been tough all right! I've got 6-8 Monday and 7-8 Thursday and no saturdays so I feel lucky, it's a L9 post grad cert in Biopharmaceutical Processing

CBear1993 · 26-09-2020 10:46PM

mp3ireland2 wrote: »

That sounds like it won't have been tough all right! I've got 6-8 Monday and 7-8 Thursday and no saturdays so I feel lucky, it's a L9 post grad cert in Biopharmaceutical Processing

Do you have previous pharma experience yeah? Sounds very particular that one , innopharma ?

mp3ireland2 · 27-09-2020 11:49AM

CBear1993 wrote: »

Do you have previous pharma experience yeah? Sounds very particular that one , innopharma ?

I did chemical engineering in college but never managed to get into pharama as worked in other industries, got laid off from Oil and Gas over in Aberdeen due to downturn and home now and starting this course and starting a job next Monday so things have worked out quite well! I think you can do the course with a science or engeering degree, or if you had experience in the pharma industry already from what I recall. It's run but Sligo IT but based out of NIBRT in Dublin.

Aleece2020 · 27-09-2020 12:38PM

Applied for a course with a listed deadline of the 28th of September; it allowed me to go through with the application and submit all documentation. Seemed very smooth.

Description on the providers website said applications were due the 31st of August and course was due to start September 7th. I imagine it changed due to COVID-19 lockdown?

tv3tg4 · 27-09-2020 07:38PM

Most courses seem to be online.
Broadband coverage is poor where I am.
It is ok on mobile.
Worried about the that.

CBear1993 · 27-09-2020 10:11PM

Aleece2020 wrote: »

Applied for a course with a listed deadline of the 28th of September; it allowed me to go through with the application and submit all documentation. Seemed very smooth.

Description on the providers website said applications were due the 31st of August and course was due to start September 7th. I imagine it changed due to COVID-19 lockdown?

Wouldn’t hold my breath, the organization and communication from a lot of the designated contact details for the colleges on springboard has been nothing short of appalling.

Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

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