CIT - Cork Institute of Technology

Cork Institute of Technology strongly encourages applications from mature candidates and is continually working towards wider entry routes in order to increase participation of adult learners. Returning to education after a break, or entering it for the first time as a mature student, is becoming very popular. The Mature Student brings with him/her life experiences along with determination and focus, all of which are conducive to successful learning. The ‘mature student’ very often becomes the ‘ideal student’.

There are a wide variety of courses at certificate, diploma and degree level to choose from within CIT. This webpage highlights for you the entry mechanisms and gives you some information on the supports available for mature students. We would like to wish you every success in your journey to third level. CIT has developed a comprehensive guide for Mature Students, please click here to download.

(1) Are you a Mature Student?

To be eligible under this category, applicants must be 23 years or older by the 1st of January of the proposed year of entry.

(2) How to apply for courses (Full-time) in CIT as a mature student

The first step for anyone interested in attending the Institute is to get a copy of the Prospectus. It lists all the full-time courses available at the Institute and also tells you how to apply for a course. To receive a copy of the Prospectus by mail, please click here .

Most of our full-time first year courses are offered through the CAO - the Central Applications Office. Applications can be made online here or by paper application. Applicants should follow the procedures as laid down in the CAO Handbook 2012. The CAO closing date is 1st February 2012.

Please note: Late applications are not accepted from Mature Students.

Application forms and Handbook are available from:
The Central Applications Office,
Tower House,
Eglington Street,
Galway
Tel: 091-509800
Fax: 091-562344

Mature Students should fill out the appropriate section of the CAO application form. Such applicants may not be required to have the minimum entry requirements. Relevant work experience, skills gained through experiential learning and other qualifications will be considered in the assessment of these applications.

If you have enquiries about CIT's admissions procedures (other than CAO enquiries), please contact:
Admissions Office,
Cork Institute of Technology,
Bishopstown,
Cork.
T: 021 433 4052
E: admissions@cit.ie

(3) Fees & Financial Supports

Tuition Fees
Tuition fees at CIT are covered by the terms of a government scheme under which the State pays the tuition fees of full-time, non-repeat undergraduate students (from Ireland and the EU) who are not graduates. Accordingly, no tuition fees are payable, except by certain categories of students such as Non-EU students, students taking a second undergraduate course or those taking a year of a course for the second time.

Details of tuition fees payable are available from the Finance Office, CIT. T: 021-4326100

Student Services, Registration and Examination Fees
An annual fee*, set by the government for student services, registration and examinations is payable to the Institute. For students who have been notified that they have been awarded a TLT Grant, Higher Education Grant or VEC Scholarship, the fee is paid on their behalf by the grant authority. Other full-time students must pay the fee by a specified date, of which they will be notified.
* (The fee for 2011/2012 was €2,000)

Registration Requirement
All students who are successful in obtaining a place are required to complete the official CIT Registration Form before commencing or continuing their studies.

Grants
Student Grant Application Forms and an online application facility is now available on www.studentfinance.ie

For the 2011/12 Academic Year, the previous grants system which was split into the Higher Education Grant, Third Level Training & Maintenance Grant and the VEC Scholarship Grant, has been replaced by a single grant which covers all three programmes.

Local Authorities (City/County Councils) or VECs administer the grant and process applications, depending on what level of programme you wish to study.

You should apply to your Local Authority if you intend to study:

1. A Level 8 Qualification (ab-initio Honours Degree)
2. A Level 9 Qualification (Postgraduate Study, including Postgraduate Diplomas & Master's Degrees)
3. A Level 10 Qualification (Doctoral Degree)

You should apply to your VEC if you intend to study:

1. A Level 6 Qualification (Higher Certificate)
2. A Level 7 Qualification (Ordinary Degree)

Generally speaking, students who are entering approved Higher Certificate and Bachelor Degree courses are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to means, age, residence, and nationality. Students who are repeating a year at the same level are generally ineligible for a grant for the year of repeat, but may resume their grant on progressing to the following year.

The closing date for receipt of applications is the 31st August. Early application is advised. See www.studentfinance.ie for more information.

Student Assistance Fund
As part of an initiative to tackle educational disadvantage, an ESF aided Student Assistance Fund has been made available to CIT by the Department of Education and Skills.

Who can apply?
Applicants must be students registered with CIT participating on a third level course of not less than one-year duration leading to an under-graduate or post-graduate qualification. Resources will be targeted at disadvantaged students most in need. Applicants on the Back to Education Allowance for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities will also be considered.

Applications are available from Deirdre Falvey, Student Services / Accommodation Office, Student Centre, CIT. All Applicants will be met by Deirdre Creedon, Access Officer.

Deirdre Falvey T: 021-4335750 E: deirdre.falvey@cit.ie
Deirdre Creedon T: 021-4335140 E: deirdre.creedon@cit.ie

Back to Education Allowance
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme for people who are unemployed, lone parents and people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The allowance can be paid to people who wish to do or take approved second or third level courses of education. BTEA is not an unemployment payment. Participants get a standard rate of payment which is not means tested. If you are signing for unemployment 'credits' only, you may qualify to take part in the scheme but you will not get a payment. For more information please contact your local Social and Family Affairs Office or refer to www.welfare.ie and navigate to ‘Back to Work / Education / Training’ and then to ‘Back to Education Allowance’.

(4) Recognition of Prior Learning

Lifelong Learning Opportunities
If you are a mature student who is interested in studying at third level, CIT has a lot to offer you. There are opportunities in all the courses described in the Full-Time Handbook, plus hundreds more courses offered on a part-time or evening basis, which are described in the "CIT Continuing Education Courses Handbook.

No Points Race
As a mature applicant (over 23) you can apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) for a full-time course. The CAO points system will not be a barrier - you are treated as a "non-standard applicant" and you will be considered by CIT on the basis of your experience and suitability for the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
CIT operates an RPL service which allows an individual with sufficient prior experience or learning to gain credit for modules on a course. RPL is based on a process of self-review and involves the production of a portfolio to compare your learning with that of the subject in question. This service is offered to registered students. Please click here to download RPL information.

ACCS: Take it in Stages
ACCS stands for "Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects". In spite of that complicated title, it is a wonderfully simple idea. Instead of studying a complete full-time course, you can take one or more modules at a time. Once you pass, it is certified individually. By accumulating modules, you can obtain an award at higher certificate, degree or honours degree level.
The Institute offers many evening courses through this system and in addition, accommodates some students on its full-time courses.

(5) Mature Student Support Network

This is a support programme for Mature Students. The Network invites Mature Students to an Introductory meeting at the beginning of term. A special programme of events is then organised annually. Events include;
▪ Study Skills sessions,
▪ Improving your Writing Skills
▪ Making the Most of Your Scientific Calculator
▪ Stress Management
▪ Maths Support Sessions – delivered by the Learning Support Centre
▪ Information on Financial Supports available
▪ Exam Techniques

(6) Specific courses designed for Mature Students

The Educational Opportunities Department

CIT's Educational Opportunities Department has the general aim of increasing participation in higher education by people such as mature students, unemployed adults and women in the fields of science and technology. Here at CIT we welcome applications from mature students to all of our courses Application for courses run by the Educational Opportunities Department is not through the Central Application Office (CAO). A special application form is required and is available from the Educational Opportunities Dept. T: 021-4335150. Email: louise.byrne@cit.ie

The Educational Opportunities Department recognises that many adults may need some assistance in getting off the starting blocks. This assistance is available in the form of educational guidance, courses with family-friendly timetabling, accelerated course delivery, together with ongoing support during your time in education. We offer a range of activities which aim to provide an accessible, friendly and supportive route to a higher education qualification. So if you are keen to get started, but unsure what to do about it, read on, we are very keen to help.

Courses offered through the Educational Opportunities Department include:
▪ Higher Certificate in Business (Designed to equip mature students with skills and knowledge to avail of new business-related employment opportunities).
▪ Higher Certificate in Science in Good Manufacturing Practice & Technology (This course aims to produce skilled technicians in the industrial sciences, with particular emphasis on manufacturing technology, an Accelerated Technician Course).

Plase click here for further information about the Educational Opportunities Department.

Department of Education Development (DEIS)

Bachelor of Arts in Community Education & Development
 

Please note: Year 1 of the BA in Community Development for the academic year 2011/2012 will not be offered, entry September 2011.
However, stages 2 and 3 of the BA in Community Development will be running as normal. The Department would be pleased to consider applications for direct entry to any of these stages from persons with appropriate levels of learning and experience in community work. Please contact Anne Deasy for further details  T: 021 4326700 E: anne.deasy@cit.ie

A broad aim of the programme of courses is to provide an opportunity for people who are active in community education and development to achieve appropriate qualifications. Course participants, therefore, will be practitioners who have at least two years experience either as a volunteer or in a paid capacity in community education or development.

The BA course aims to develop active community workers with the capacity to identify needs within communities, to develop and manage programmes and projects in the areas of community education and development in response to these needs and thereby to act as agents of change for the betterment of their communities.

These courses have been developed in partnership with community groups and consist of lectures, workshops, seminars combined with a substantial practical element, based in the community. Participants will remain within the community setting, thereby sustaining their contribution to the community while developing the capacity to add value to that contribution through supervised and supported learning in the workplace. In addition to the placement and project work, the tutorials and many of the workshops will be located in the community.

Students who, for whatever reason, do not wish to complete the full three-year programme have the option to leave on successful completion of year two with the award of Higher Certificate in Arts in Community Education and Development.

Enquiries
Patricia Anderson
T: 021 4326703
E: paddy.anderson@cit.ie

(7) Information Evening for Mature Students

Every year an Information Evening is held for mature students. At this event, prospective mature students are provided with information on Course and Career Options, Life in CIT as a mature student, Grants, Fees, Financial assistance, Student Supports & Services.

Presentations usually include:

• Introduction to CIT
• Taking Steps to Third Level Education
• The Mature Student Experience
• The Application Process
• Recognition of Prior Learning
• Supports, Grants, and Fees 

(8) Part-time courses - Continuing Education Department
 

CIT operates one of the largest programmes of part-time study in Ireland. The Institute offers alternative routes to success through education, for example, for those who entered employment on completing their second-level education. CIT provides approximately 150 courses leading to Higher Certificate, Bachelor Degree, Honours Bachelor Degree, Postgraduate, Professional and Trades qualifications.

The ACCS scheme operates for many of these courses. Many courses leading to professional qualifications are also provided as well as short courses for industry. ACCS is an acronym for “Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Modules”. This scheme allows students (for specified courses) - instead of studying an entire course - to study one or more modules of that course. Modules passed, are certified individually, and can be accumulated, leading to an award of Higher Certificate, Degree or Honours Degree.

• Details of these courses are in CIT’s Continuing Education Handbook 2011 – 2012. If you would like a copy of the current handbook, please send your postal details to adulted@cit.ie
• For information about enrolment and registerisation for part-time courses, please click here.