Spare Time On Your Hands?
Why not learn new skills and gain qualifications
Education
Another day lockdown, are you finding it difficult to stay motivated or feel like you don’t have anything to be motivated for? Why don’t you use this extra time to learn something new. The government’s July Stimulus package has provided funding for part and full time postgraduate courses in Universities, Institutes of Technology, and private colleges all across Ireland. What’s more, a lot of these courses are starting this coming semester and will be fully online so it won’t matter if the provider is Letterkenny IT or UCC or AIT or another provider around Ireland you can study safely from your home. These courses are free for people who are unemployed and 90% funded for those who are employed. Some start in January 2021 and are not full so act quickly and investigate these opportunities. For example GMIT have a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting starting in January 2021 or Letterkenny IT has courses such as Higher Diploma in Science in Counselling Skills and Higher Diploma in Computing in Business Systems Analysis and Design.
Some courses will run again next September but can fill up fast so I suggest you get researching courses of interest and apply before March.
Not ready to commit?
If you don’t have the time or are a little apprehensive about returning to education, then a short course can ease you back into education without the commitment of full-time courses over a number of years.
The July stimulus package also funds modular courses. These are shorter courses which can help reintroduce an individual to student life without a long daunting commitment. For example why not try Athlone’s Institute of Technology short courses starting in January 2021 you can study a Certificate in Social Media and E-business or Certificate in Supervisory Management Skills for Team leaders and there are even more to choose form on their website. GMIT have modular courses such as Principles of Food and Nutritional Science or Human Nutrition and Metabolism and many more. Alternatively, NUI Galway have modules such as The Lean Organisation and Technology and Business Strategy.
The pandemic has made online learning more accessible and affordable. Webites such as MOOC- Massive Open Online Courses (https://www.mooc-list.com/countries/ireland ) , https://www.futurelearn.com/ Also check out your local ETB (education training board) or www.ecollege.ie
Planning to return to education in Sept 2021?
If you are thinking about returning to full time or part time education in September 2021, I would advise the following:
Start researching today: there are thousands of courses available out there so it can be difficult to make a decision in choosing just one. Often people get overwhelmed and give up. Therefore, I would advise you to write down your interests and then use and education research website such as www.quaifax.ie. Using the search course tool on this website where you can select the level of education you wish to pursue e.g. postgraduate, undergraduate, PLC QQI or short course, enter the area of interest e.g. business or animals or computing etc and search courses. Examine the course locations and most importantly the modules the course is made up of. Do not choose a course based on the course name, ensure you examine and are happy with the modules in the course.
Ask Questions: If you have any queries don’t hesitate to contact the course director or admissions office of the college you are interested in. The contact details will be on the course webpage. Questions might include; what previous qualifications are required for this course? What are the career opportunities after completing this course?
Your Application: Most applications for postgraduate courses open 9 -10 months before the course starts and for some popular courses the deadline for applications can be 6 months prior to the start of the course for e.g. PME (Professional Masters of Education to become a primary or secondary school teacher) closes their application in early February. To get your application complete for a Postgraduate course you usually are required to submit your undergraduate degree transcripts which show all the modules you studied, a personal statement and sometimes your CV.
Personal Statement: This should be 500-700 words and outline the reason you wish to apply for the course, why you have chosen the course and college, what skills, experiences and qualifications you have that make you suited to the course and what are your future plans after you finish the course. Keep this statement evidence based e.g. I have excellent leadership and communication skills which were developed while working/ volunteering as….
Funding: It is important to explore all free courses available firstly and I also would advise people who are returning to education after a long break to start small and commit to a short course and even better if the course is free such as the July Stimulus Government funded courses and the Springboard courses. www.Springboardcourses.ie are undergraduate and postgraduate free government funded courses through the Human Capital Initiative. If you wish to choose an undergraduate (CAO, PLC QQI, or mature student) course or Postgraduate course that is not funded by the Government then fees are using €3000 per year (undergraduate) and usually between €7000- €10000 for Postgraduate courses. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. Student’s can be offered a grant which would cover the course fees and maintenance while studying. This is means tested and takes into account the students socio-economic background. You can check your eligibility for this grant on www.susi.ie. There is also a number of scholarships available to students which can be researched on the various college websites.
Making decisions
Some people find it difficult to make decisions especially if you are worried about funding or unsure if you are ready to commit or be academically able for a course full time or part time. The important thing to remember is that you are not making a decision by applying you are only putting yourself in a position to make a decision. It is only when you receive an offer for that course or that job you applied for that you then have to make a big decision.
If you don’t get the offer, you should explore and take note of how you feel, are you unperturbed or very disappointed. If it is the later then it is time to explore what can you do to ensure you get the offer the next time? Ask for feedback, seek help if required (www.carolkeenanguidance.com ) and develop an action plan for success. If you do get the offer, don’t accept immediately. Think about the commitment, cost, and course content. It is the right offer for you? Is it the right time? How will you make it work? Then make a decision and be proud of the offer, and your decision. Inconclusion, do not be afraid of the application, go for and make the true decision later.
