Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

FazyLucker · 31-08-2021 9:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117427189#Comment_117427189

Graduated earlier this year from Postgrad Diploma in Data Analytics in NCIRL (Level 9).

The core course content was very good for the most part. Became very proficient with Python in particular which was what the bulk of the course was based on. A small bit of R as well but not even remotely close to the level of Python.

As I say, the core content was good - the elective modules were ATROCIOUS. It felt like these 2 modules were just after-thoughts and the calibre of lecturing in both was very questionable.

I would also add, the general comms from the college was quite poor. Students needed to kick up a stink before stuff was acted on, in particular in the elective modules. 1-2 students always stood up for the class which was admirable of them. I think 1 student complained about a lecturer and one of the admins came on to a call and said "Pat is complaining about the lecturer about....."!!!!

Be under no illusions though, the course is a serious undertaking. The level of work involved is very significant (if you want to get a good result). As I was working full-time, I spent most evenings studying or working on projects. The deadlines come thick and fast and no sooner have you a breather from one, than the next one is on the horizon. It would be a tough subject to bluff your way through.

I am glad I completed the course though, I did learn a lot. But of the class of 50, I think about 22-23 finished.

jinish · 01-09-2021 7:01am

Dear All,

I have been offered a place in the DCU for Higher Diploma in Software Development. The deadline to accept the offer is the 3rd of Sep (this Friday).

I had also applied for Higher Diploma in Science in Computing from NCI But did not hear anything from them yet.

I have absolutely no background in CS and I am full-time healthcare professional.

I read that the DCU program has a particular focus on Android App development, whereas the NCI course is more general.

I would really appreciate any feedback from those who studied one of these programs.

Thanks a Mil

Dogtanian07 · 01-09-2021 3:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830544#Comment_117830544

Hi, thanks for the info.

I am doing the HDIP in Data Analytics in NCI starting this month. I believe the difference between the two courses is a project at the end. Therefore I am wondering if you shared the same classes with the HDIP students? Im curious if the workload is the same in the HDIP

Also apparantley the course content is changing this September to be more relevant and updated following industry consultation

doc22 · 01-09-2021 6:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117833622#Comment_117833622

they are not the same, there's hdips on the PGD, one is a level 8 the other level 9. needless to say one is far harder than the other

Dogtanian07 · 01-09-2021 6:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117834333#Comment_117834333

Thanks, yes I know its a level 9 v level 8 and its possible after the HDIP to advance to the level 9 with a project + paying the fee.

The modules in both are very similar and I am wondering if the HDIP and Masters students are in the same class for python etc. Because I am curious about the workload mentioned. Did you do either course yourself?

FazyLucker · 02-09-2021 11:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117833622#Comment_117833622

No, we had no HDip candidates in our classes.

We also had no project at the end, just projects at the end of each module. Maybe that is changed this year but they should have had much more focus on PowerBI and Tableau, the guy lecturing on this module didn't have a clue what he was at and had no plan other than "yeah, download Tableau, there's a data set in there, go in and play around with it and I'll be back in about 40 minutes". He was absolutely brutal.

One guy who I work with started the HDip last year and dropped out after a couple of weeks. Wasn't able for Stats/Python so a word of advice, you do need a mathematical and coding type mind - otherwise the course will be hell.

Dogtanian07 · 02-09-2021 1:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117837547#Comment_117837547

Thanks for the info and heads up on stats/python. Thats very bad about the lecturer. Sorry I should have mentioned, I am doing the 2 year online HDIP so hopefully a little more manageable. There was an open day and they are redoing the modules this year based on industry feedback so hopefully its much improved. I believe it will be Python heavy but I didnt see any mention of R

Esse85 · 02-09-2021 3:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117781933#Comment_117781933

Sorry, quoted the wrong post.

Seems like the quality of lecturers is overall poor on the Springboard courses from what I read on here.

Is it a case of, give them the poorer tutors because it's only Springboard or what?

fast_eddie · 03-09-2021 10:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117838687#Comment_117838687

Not my experience - on the PGDip I did last year through Springboard, most of the lecturers we had were "good" to "very good"...

There wasn't a separate Springboard class - Springboard people are dotted into "normal" classes.

IwishIknew2020 · 03-09-2021 4:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117841484#Comment_117841484

This. There aren't special Springboard courses, there are Springboard places within courses that anyone can apply to.

Blizzard · 03-09-2021 9:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117801706#Comment_117801706

I did a Diploma in Change Management with NUIG (Oct 2020-May 2021). Found them to be organised and helpful; course was all online. The course had three modules with different lecturers for each and each had their own style of teaching--all completely different. For example, the first module we had classes and assignments due every 10 days or so and the lecturer expected a lot from us (hard for those of us who were entering third level for the first time in decades or ever); the second module consisted of 1.5 days online (it was recorded for those who couldn't attend the daytime classes) with a large assignment due a number of weeks later and lecturer was very easy-going/laidback style; the last module also consisted of two days online with two small assignments but the lecturer was organised and thorough and very specific. It was tough at times but I found it worth it. HTH

Junior · 05-09-2021 3:20pm

How long after you accept a course do the next steps take ?

Pete123456 · 05-09-2021 7:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117850040#Comment_117850040

Usually the college will reach out once it comes time for induction etc. You should hear at some stage starting this coming week but some courses don't start until mid October depending on the college

Jeffrey Lebowski · 14-09-2021 9:18am

Anybody get a place on a DCU course ? I was sent an email asking me to register with DCU but the form requires a CAO/PAC/DCU Application Portal number but as a springboard applicant, you dont have any of these. Anybody else having this issue ?

DeadSkin · 14-09-2021 1:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888602#Comment_117888602

I received a separate email (from "RegistryNoReply") before getting the email to register, with my DCU Student ID number. About a week later I got an email from "DCU Registry" to register for the course.

Jeffrey Lebowski · 14-09-2021 1:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117889949#Comment_117889949

Thanks @DeadSkin. I don't seem to have gotten the other email.

zep · 15-09-2021 4:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117838687#Comment_117838687

I'd disagree with this statement, as a general rule I found the lecturers to be very good, some were in fact excellent.

But different techniques etc might not be to everyone liking, this would be similar in full time courses.

Skidfingers · 16-09-2021 4:33am

I am looking at moving to Canada in October for 2 years and I've already been approved and enrolled on a Springboards course. Can I still continue with this course?

Berty · 16-09-2021 8:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117897901#Comment_117897901

Maybe two answers

Theoretically yes as long as the Lecturers allow you be remote. I'm on a course right now and it's back to face to face, no recordings etc so If I miss a class I miss a class. Maybe yours is online and recorded, maybe it's not.
The crux here will be often in Semester 2(when the college/uni) look to Springboard+ to pay them the next set of fees you're asked to prove again that you're eligible and depending on how they ask and how you answer you might not be acting in good faith or being honest. Last College year in AIT I had to resubmit and confirm my details/particulars hadn't changed sometime in January. I'm now in UL and the process was completely different.

Blizzard · 16-09-2021 7:38pm

For those who've taken a Springboard course, do the colleges usually provide the text books / e-books to the students OR did you have to buy/source them yourself?

tritium · 16-09-2021 7:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901248#Comment_117901248

generally the books aren't covered but the college will have a library that should mean you don't have a big expense there. NCI had a lot of stuff available as ebooks. For many of the topics you may find course texts free online also.

Pete123456 · 16-09-2021 9:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901248#Comment_117901248

I think it depends on the course. I’ve done a BSc, MSc, SDip and working on another Msc all in different Universities/ITs and I’ve never bought a textbook. I’ve never had a university require the purchase of a book but I know courses like English and Law would be different. Some of the textbooks I “needed” were €200+ and people whinged when they ended up collecting dust after the first few weeks.

I have always found the internet to be the most valuable resource - YouTube, Elsevier etc etc, again, depending on the subject.

Most courses will provide some level of notes, others will have pdf textbooks or additional reading material. Finally, as the previous poster said - make use of the library, which should have a book - even if they don’t, ask the librarian and they will order a few copies if the course requires them.

it really depends on your knowledge of the topic and your learning style.

i do suggest going in as early as possible in the semester - sometimes people grab the books and hoard them and waiting lists can build up.

I don’t know if this would work for you, but if you take a video and slowly move and turn through all of the pages of a book, you should be able to pause the video and read a particular page. This has worked very well for me, and you can scan through the video because you’ve followed the order of the book. The main drawback of this is the large file size of the video - but the college should provide some sort of OneDrive or cloud storage etc. That way you may only need access to the book for an an hour or two. Especially useful for short loan books.

if you feel you want to buy a book, depending on the topic, likely the previous edition or two will only have very very minor differences and should be significantly cheaper, particularly second hand.

Blizzard · 16-09-2021 11:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117901649#Comment_117901649

Thanks so much for those tips, Pete, very useful. I've taken a course before (with Springboard) and the college supplied codes for e-books. Doing another course now with six modules this term and each advising of 'essential' reading materials but don't provide it and some aren't available in the college library so I'll be taking your advice. Thanks again.

Skidfingers · 17-09-2021 4:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898302#Comment_117898302

On 1st point - this course is online and the lectures will be recorded so this will be fine.

on 2nd point - how do they ask to prove I’m in the country? I did a Springboard’s course last year and I was only asked in summer 2020 to prove I was in the country, I wasn’t asked to prove again for the 2nd semester

FazyLucker · 17-09-2021 8:52am

Don't buy any books. Almost every piece of information you need will be provided in lecture notes, case studies, etc. As somebody said, if it is a technical subject then YouTube, etc is your friends.

And there's also "other" places to get plenty of pdf of books, etc online.....

But the overall thing of purchasing books is a scam for me.

chases0102 · 17-09-2021 8:57am

Hi all,

Has anyone here from an education background enrolled in a Springboard course that they could recommend?

I see someone above completed one in Change Management, wondering if those principles could be applied to education.

Berty · 17-09-2021 8:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902223#Comment_117902223

I was in AIT last year and in January(start of Semester 2) they stated we needed to go back to springboard when prompted and "confirm" we were still working/unemployed/in country etc and highlight if anything had changed. I'm now in UL so I don't know their own process yet, might not be the same at all.

shannon82 · 18-09-2021 7:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902028#Comment_117902028

Also don't forget your local library. I was able to get some from the essential reading list and it was so handy. I was able to order them in, just did it well ahead of the module starting in case someone else had the same idea :)

shannon82 · 18-09-2021 7:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902223#Comment_117902223

I think if you prove your residency at at the start (when applying) that's the only time they ask.

Clareman · 20-09-2021 7:56pm

For textbooks, there's often a recommended reading list but almost everything should be available via the college library and if it's not they should be able to get it.

FazyLucker · 21-09-2021 5:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117909140#Comment_117909140

I had to do this at least twice at the NCI if I remember correctly.

Blizzard · 24-09-2021 7:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902689#Comment_117902689

Almost 95% on the course were working in the ETBs all over the country (course was 100% online) so I would have to say yes that the principles could be applied to education.

IwishIknew2020 · 09-10-2021 5:48pm

Hi,

Anyone doing a Springboard and not enjoying it? I did a level 8 last year and loved it. Doing a level 9 in the same subject different Uni. and I just can't get into it.

Not enjoying it and thinking of quitting, I was so determined last year and got a first in my degree. I don't know what to do. I've paid all my fees too.

Any advice.

Pete123456 · 09-10-2021 8:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117998331#Comment_117998331

Could you talk to your lecturers or the course coordinator about your concerns?

why is it that you don’t think you can get into it this time around?

seems a shame to forfeit the fees, especially if you got a first for a similar course elsewhere

lordymosh · 28-10-2021 11:39am

Hi everyone. Currently doing a level 9 post grad diploma with innopharma/Griffith college, medical device technology and business through springboard.

I mainly undertook this course to get into medical device sector (currently in semiconductor industry). However I recently got offered the role I wanted before doing this course. I am leaving my current role in semiconductor industry and will join a medical device company as a senior materials engineer.

I am not sure if I will be able to hack the amount of work the course would bring along with the new role. I am finding it hard to do the course at the moment anyway, didn't anticipate the amount of work. My current role was 10 min walk away one way but my new medical device role is 40 mins by bus one way so even less time to commit to the course.

I was thinking of withdrawing from the course but there are two things that put me off.

1. I will not be able to do a springboard course again.

2. I brought up that I was doing the course during my interview so not sure if this pushed them for hiring me and would look badly to them if I withdraw from it.

Any advice appreciated!

Esse85 · 28-10-2021 12:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118084754#Comment_118084754

You'll learn more on the job than you will on the course I bet.

So what if you can't do another SB course, I'm sure you'll survive just fine without it. Sounds like FOMO is kicking in.

Enjoy your new role and don't be worrying about courses would be my advice.

Oranage2 · 28-10-2021 12:50pm

How long is the course? Could you hack it? Maybe do half? Like the previous poster said, people do courses to get the job, you've got it so if working and studying gets too much you've to prioritize the most important one.

If it's just 9 months then try to finish half, when you're more comfortable pay to do the other half

lordymosh · 28-10-2021 4:06pm

Thanks guys! Yeah its on till next September. 3 semesters so no summer off. 2 exams (1 in Jan and 1 in the summer), plus individual assignments and group assignments. The course is on 2 evenings per week, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (online for the whole course) and some Saturday tutorials (online for the moment but will be in person after Xmas so will have to commute to Limerick/Dublin from Cork those Saturdays).

I've already paid for the full year, was the only option. 10% was €645. I would not be refunded if I left but can't do anything about that.

I'll see how I get on over the next few days but I'm leaning towards withdrawing. I just think it would be too much and I'd be half assing both the course and new job. Also if I miss my commute back home on the bus, I'll miss the start of the Tuesday and Thursday classes.

Hopefully my new employer won't mind me withdrawing but they would prefer I had 100% focus on the new job obviously.

shannon82 · 28-10-2021 4:24pm

ok, couple of things could you use your 40 minute commute to do some work for the course. You also mention if you miss your bus you will miss the start of the class...its online can you not log on via your phone? Are the classes recorded?

you mention about withdrawing and hopefully your new employer won't mind. Did you say in the interview that you were doing the course? I know a lot of employers do hold those qualifications in high regard.

I think you need to decide whether you want to do it or not. I've done a postgrad so appreciate the volume of work and reading that is needed to be done. A lot of my work was done on a bus.

Did you recently reconfirm your springboard application?

lordymosh · 28-10-2021 4:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118086449#Comment_118086449

Yes it's on Zoom but I like taking notes during the class. Yes they are recorded but it will eat into my assignment work time if I don't watch it live.

Yes I did mention I was doing it in the interview. But I have a PhD in materials science which I think was more the reason they hired me than the level 9 medical device course I started. I did reconfirm my springboard application recently unfortunately.

mp3ireland2 · 28-10-2021 7:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118086494#Comment_118086494

I was in this position last year, moved from oil and gas to pharmaceutical sucessfully got a contracting role just before I started the L9 biopharmaceutical processing course. It was very demanding due to the work project I am on, at times I was working till lunch on a Saturday and then spending the afternoon doing assignments, my only consolation was it was during lockdown! If you were able you could maybe do enough to get by on the course, start it and see what you think. The work expericne could enable you to pass the course without even doing the lectures. I told myself I would do enough "Just to pass" but found it too hard to do something half heartedly and gave a lot of commitment and got 80% overall.

Have you got kids? A significant other (They best be patient!) I found the hardest part doing literaray reviews and essays etc as hadn't done any acadmeic reading in years, it got easier once I got used to it, but with your Phd you'll probably find that not as daunting.

Start it for a couple of weeks, see what you make of it and then decide, you've nothing to loose as you've already registered etc.

lordymosh · 28-10-2021 10:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118087177#Comment_118087177

Thanks for the advice. You are right. I might as well see how it goes. It'll be tough but it won't be forever. Atleast the new job will compliment the course. I was a bit taken a back at first because I don't have a biology background. If I find it too much, I can always do the bare minimum to pass it. I have a week off before I start my new role so I can really work on my first assignment. Thanks!

mp3ireland2 · 29-10-2021 12:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118088020#Comment_118088020

Yeah try not to let assignments build up too much and get them out of the way when possible so if other things get in the way you've got a bit of leeway.

NabyLadistheman · 16-06-2022 10:30am

Do we know when these are available for September onwards?

FFVII · 16-06-2022 10:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119210297#Comment_119210297

https://springboardcourses.ie/

they've been up a week like???

Very little level 6 this year...they had to ruin it eventually i guess

Sligo should be banned out of it. Crap courses, some are 3 months advertised as a year. Watch them.

AngryLips · 16-06-2022 1:41pm

Notice that the courses this year are much more specific too, which is good. Very few generic 'entrepreneur' or 'innovation' type courses compared to prior years

questionmark · 18-06-2022 8:12am

Is that all the course or will more be added ? Was looking to do a course (classroom based) in Limerick but only like 3 showing up :(

FFVII · 18-06-2022 8:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119218698#Comment_119218698

Thats it, sh1te this year, money was spent on Oireachtas wine instead i guess

go4it · 18-06-2022 1:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119218698#Comment_119218698

sounds to me that you filter the courses based on Delivery methods: classroom ; and keyword search: Limerick

You need to dig deeper : most full time courses are classroom based and some courses are having a 'blended' approach : you're welcome to attend in classroom, join the live class through Zoom/Teams or switch to full remote when restrictions are coming back.

Look what's the offering from 'providers' in your area ( colleges , Uni's) - if you see something interesting, might contact them and ask what's the attendance policy

FFVII · 18-06-2022 2:01pm

Download the excel

Springboard courses. Free college courses sponsored by the Irish Government

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