Student Grant Scheme

Dear Guidance Counsellor,

The Department of Education and Skills published the Student Grant Scheme for the 2011/12 academic year on the www.studentfinance.ie

website on Monday 27th June 2011.

As always, the emphasis is on getting students to apply as early as possible for a grant so as to avoid long delays in processing applications- many students simply don't apply until after they have received a CAO offer. Often students don't properly complete forms or send in the correct supporting documentation. This causes significant delays too. To alert school leavers to the fact that the Scheme has been published and the Student Grant Application Form is now available an e-mail alert has been arranged to issue to CAO applicants.

Up until now, there were four grant schemes. In the first major step to overhaul the student grant system, the four schemes have been replaced by a single unified scheme this year. This will make it far easier for students to apply for a grant.

Students should visit www.studentfinance.ie

to access information about student grants and to complete or download a Student Grant Application Form. Guidance notes on completing the application form are also provided for download.

A new system providing students with an online student grant application facility is currently available in 35 grant awarding authorities.

Access to the on-line application form together with a full list of the grant awarding authorities accepting on-line applications is also available on www.studentfinance.ie

As soon as students have made their final course acceptance they need to complete the relevant course acceptance form and return it to the local authority/VEC office where they submitted their student grant application.

If students have any queries in relation to their grant application they should contact the grants section of their local authority or VEC.

Please find below for your information a link to the completing an application form page on www.studentfinance.ie

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9532/completing-a-student-grant-application/index.html

Thank you for your on-going support and assistance,

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Healy,
Higher Education - Equity of Access,
Department of Education and Skills,
Portlaoise Rd,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly.

057 9324387

H.Dip. in Arts in Post-Primary Education - Hibernia College

H.Dip. in Arts in Post-Primary Education

Information Webinar

On Wednesday, 29 June, at 7pm, Hibernia College is holding an information webinar about its new Higher Diploma in Arts in Post-Primary Education.
To register for the event, click here

Hibernia College’s Higher Diploma in Arts in Post-Primary Education was established to encourage a broader range of people to consider teaching as a profession by providing a more flexible route to becoming a fully qualified post-primary school teacher.

The design of the programme, blending online and face-to-face tuition, is ideal for those who want to continue working while studying for their teaching qualification. The programme is also ideal for anyone who does not have easy access to one of the traditional education providers or who doesn't have time to spend commuting to and from lectures daily.

The programme is accredited for the following 13 teaching subjects: Gaeilge, English, Modern Languages, History, Geography, CSPE, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Business and Economics. The College will initially take applications for Accounting, Business and Economics as teaching subjects for programmes beginning in 2012. The College reserves the right, based on applicant demand, to not offer every subject at every programme start date. Any application fees paid for programmes that are subsequently not offered will be refunded.

The programme results in a HETAC Level 8 award and is fully recognised by the Teaching Council. To see a diagram explaining the National Framework of Qualifications, click here

.
Key Information

· Accreditation: HETAC (Level 8.)

· Recognition: Teaching Council

· Min. duration: 2 academic years

· Next intake: October 2011

· Tuition fees: €8,950 (tax relief available)

Note that there is no deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis all year long and are considered for the next class with available places.

UCAS - Getting Ready for Your UCAS Results

Did you apply to UCAS?
If so check out this guide to getting ready for your results.

http://www.ucas.com/students/results/preparing

P.S.
Hope the exams going well.

HEAR and DARE Applicants

Letters informing all HEAR and DARE applicants whether they are eligible or ineligible to compete for a HEAR or DARE place will be posted out at the end of the leaving cert to arrive no later than Friday June 24th.

If an applicant for either scheme is ineligible they have the ability to request a recheck of their application form if they believe an administrative error has occurred.

Applicants must request a recheck by Thursday, 30 June 2011 at 17:15 pm.

If some of your students have applied to either or both schemes please make them aware of this date so they can make appropriate arrangements about holidays etc.

They will find the online Recheck Form by logging into their CAO application using the ‘My Application’ facility of the CAO website on www.cao.ie

Kind regards,

HEAR & DARE Operating Teams

Lia O’Sullivan

Communications and Projects Manager

Irish Universities Association

+353 1 7996022

www.iua.ie / www.twitter.com/IUAcomms

Looking for accommodation in Trinity next year?

http://www.qualifax.ie/attachments/-01_Are_you_hoping_to_go_to_Trinity_in_September_2011_2_col_1.pdf

SLIGO COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

NEW COURSES FOR September 2011

Horticulture Level 5

Community Development Level 5

Advanced Certificate in Community Development Level 6

Phone: 071 9145480
Email: scfe@sligovec.ie
Web: www.ballinodecollege.com

CareersPortal now on Facebook and Twitter

There's no escaping the popularity of social media websites, especially for second and third level students! With Facebook now dominating many of our users' time online, and with so many of our visitors active in the evening, we now join them with interesting and timely snibbits of careers related information. Check our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Some Trivia - April 2011

Most popular CAO courses (April 2011):

MI005 - Education Primary - Mary Immaculate
PD101 - Education (Primary) - St. Pats, Drumcondra
MH001 - Education - Primary Teaching - NUI Maynooth
AL029 - Veterinary Nursing - Athlone IT
DT425 - Pharmacy Technician Studies - DIT

Most Popular PLC courses (April 2011)

Fashion Buying & Merchandising - Crumlin College of Further Education
Hairdressing - Carlow Institute of Further Education
HealthScience, Pre-Nursing - Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education
Sports Therapy & Physiotherapy Assistant - Cavan Institute
Childcare & Teaching Assistant - Limerick College of Further Education

Lidl

Applications are now being accepted for Lidl’s Retail Management Degree until May 31st 2011. Applications should be made directly to Lidl via the website www.lidl-degree.ie. Full details of the programme, course content, entry requirements and online application can be found on the website. For more information call the Lidl degree helpline on +353 (0) 45 440 467.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

BIM are currently recruiting for:

FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Commercial Fishing,
FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Aquaculture and Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport
Engineer Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 3 training programmes commencing in September 2011.

Interviews for the courses will take place at BIM's National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal on Monday 4th July 2011.

For further details of all BIM's training courses, check out www.bim.ie or email: training@bim.ie BIM's Coastal Training Unit will be delivering training in Dingle, Co. Kerry during May.

New Mobile Technology Course Colaiste Dhulaigh

Please find attached a leaflet giving details of our new course to start in September. Entry is based on Leaving Certificate and Interview. Mature students welcome. Year One is a Level 5 course and Year Two is a Level 6 (FETAC).

Please get back to me if you need any further details.

With thanks for your help

Kind regards

Denise Doyle

Follow link for flyer ...

http://www.qualifax.ie/attachments/-01_CD%20Mobile%20Devices.pdf

NUIM - Law Updates

I would be grateful if you could advise guidance counsellor colleagues that we have received approval from the Honorable Society of King's Inns that the University's 4 year Law (LLB) degree (MH119) has received recognition to be added to its list of approved degrees for graduates who wish to sit their entrance examinations.

This degree joins our other two Law programmes (BCL) Law and Arts

(MH115) as well as the BBL Law and Business (MH406) on the approved qualifications list.

Best regards,

John Mc Ginnity

Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar

NUIM Updates

1. Introduction of 'Accounting' and 'Finance' as two new subjects available in MH101 Arts and other related Arts degrees from September 2011.

We are pleased to advise that both 'Accounting' and 'Finance' have been added to the Arts degree listings, and will be available for students entering the University this September. Accounting is in Group 8 and Finance is in Group 6.

Further details regarding the modules in each of these subjects are available at: http://www.nuim.ie/courses/

Students taking Accounting, Mathematical Studies and Economics (not

Finance) may transfer to the second year of the Finance and Accounting

(MH403) degree (subject to passing first year and achieving 60% in the Accounting subject is first year), or the Finance and Economics (MH401) degree.

Currently the Teaching Council is undertaking a review of the process in relation to applications for subject approval from colleges for teaching purposes. When the process opens, we will be making an application for the approval of Accounting through Arts for recognition. The Finance and Accounting degree does have Teaching Council approval with Accounting in Arts following a similar suite of modules in Accounting.

2. Due to the introduction of Accounting as a first Arts subject, the combination of Finance and Economics (MH401) or International Finance and Economics (MH408) with a minor in Mathematical Studies, Chinese or French is no longer available. We are writing to applicants to these degree programmes to advise them of this change. Students wishing to take these subjects in combination with Finance may do so via the Arts degree (MH101), with the option of a third year abroad in either China or France and obtain a BA Finance (International) degree.

3. The University Day which consists of a range of mini-lectures in each academic discipline/course as well as aspects regarding student life will take place on Saturday, June 25th. Further details on http://gomaynooth.ie/

Best regards,
John Mc Ginnity
Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar

AIT (Athlone IT) Launches Degree in Sports Science

A new degree in sports science has been developed by Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). The BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology is scheduled to commence in September and application can be made to it through the CAO’s change of mind facility (course code AL837).

The four-year degree will equip students with the necessary skills to meet the needs of elite athletes, as well as the health and fitness requirements of the general population. The programme combines areas such as performance testing, nutrition, exercise therapy for recovery, analytical techniques used for screening performance-enhancing drugs, and biomechanics.

Dr Don Faller, Head of the Department of Life and Physical Sciences at AIT, said: “Sports science is a vibrant area that combines the magic of the playing field and running track with the excitement of analytical science. Students will discover how sporting performance can be enhanced though nutrition, through training programmes and an analysis of biomechanics. In order to give our students the very best educational experience, we are investing in a state-of-the-art sports science laboratory which will contain the latest performance analysis instrumentation.”

“The sport industry is a growing source of employment,” Dr Faller continued. “More than 38,000 people are employed in the sports sector and sport-related spending contributes €1,830 million to the Irish economy. There is also a growing awareness of the importance of physical activity as a contributor to public health. This again creates opportunities for graduates, in addition to developments in the elite performance area,” he said.

The degree also includes modules on sports psychology and coaching. Students will be facilitated in acquiring coaching qualifications in their chosen sporting activity by liaising with the relevant national governing body with training sessions being timetabled accordingly.

Students will undertake a four-month work placement in their third year, which will provide them with experience of the working environment in the sports science and exercise physiology field.

It is expected that graduates will be eligible to pursue employment in areas such as the testing and monitoring of elite performers, coaching education, sport and exercise consultancy, health promotion, research and in sports journalism.

AIT has invested millions of euro in its indoor and outdoor sporting facilities. The sporting infrastructure on campus includes an IAAF-approved athletics track and a FIFA 2-star astro-turf pitch, while the new indoor sports arena will be completed in 2012. The indoor facilities will include an athletics track, a multi-sport arena (suitable for futsal, basketball, etc.), as well as comprehensive support facilities for elite athlete training.

A new fully equipped sports science laboratory at AIT will feature treadmills, exercise bikes designed for resistance training, ergometers, Douglas bags and gas analysis systems, blood chemistry analyzers, a force dynamometer for vertical jumping and gait analysis and sphygmomanometers.

Application to the degree must be made through the CAO’s change of mind facility and for September 2011 is restricted to applicants applying with Leaving Certificate results. Applicants must hold a minimum of Grade C3 at higher level in two subjects, plus a minimum of Grade D3 at ordinary level in four other subjects. Two of these six subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

Applicants will also be required to obtain Garda clearance through the Garda Central Vetting Unit (TGVCU).

Further information about the degree is available online at www.ait.ie and by email to dfaller@ait.ie.

For further information contact:
Brian Lynch
Communications and Marketing Manager
Athlone Institute of Technology
Tel 090 644 2595
Mobile 087 122 0361
Email brianlynch@ait.ie

CAO Change of Mind - some useful tips

CAO Change of Mind - some useful tips Click Here

Columba College of Further Education, Killucan, Co. Westmeath

Currently enrolling for the following FETAC Level 5 courses

1. Horticulture

2. Business Studies

3. Sport and Recreation

4. Pre- Nursing

5. Applied Social Studies

To apply phone 044-9374107 or call to our office for an application form

Closing Date 13-05-2011

Free Online Maths Resource For All Leaving Certificate Mathematics (Ordinary) Students

Dear Guidance Counsellor,

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of a new comprehensive online resource for Leaving Certificate mathematics students.

This resource supplements the successful revision classes delivered by Griffith College in Dublin, Cork and Limerick in April. Thanks to your support and communication, over 700 students attended these revision sessions. It was wonderful to experience the students’ consistent attention, politeness and engagement throughout the eight-hour days.

The days were split into 90 minute sessions. Each session covered a specific topic in its entirety, including all examination questions on that topic since 2000. The sessions were recorded on video and are now available to all students at www.maths.gcd.ie The site contains a complete set of revision notes, summaries and videos for each question topic on the Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Mathematics. While the site has only been live for a few days, many students throughout the country have individually spent over 10 hours using and re-using the resource.

In providing the online resource in bite-sized chunks, much like a dictionary, Griffith College hopes it will help students to fill in any particular gap they may have in their understanding, while recognising the extensive knowledge and skills they have already mastered. By providing the resource free, it balances the opportunity for all students, regardless of their financial means.

I hope that the above information is of interest to you and your Leaving Certificate students.

Many thanks for your support,

Kind Regards,

Richard Murphy

Student Recruitment & School Liaison Officer

Dunboyne College of Further Education

Dunboyne College of Further Education

Dunboyne , Co Meath

www.dunboynecfe.ie

Last Date for Applications: 10th May

Interviews for all courses: 16th May to 20th May at the College (Students will be notified of time by email or text)


Late Applications Anyone who applies after 10th May will be interviewed for any vacant places that may arise in Spetember.


More information on www.dunboynecfe.ie

or on 01-8026577

Drogheda Institute of Further Education

"Drogheda Institute of Further Education is accepting applications for May Interviews up to and including 10th May, 2011, in relation to FE/PLC courses starting in September. Interviews will be held in late August/early September if places are available."

Thanks.

Teresa Stack
DIFE

Senior College Dun Laoghaire

You and your students are invited to our Open Day on Wednesday 11th May from 2 - 8.



You are also invited to our Design Exhibition. This will be of particular interest to any students interested in interior, landscape and/or web design.






Odette Lawlor
Student Counsellor

Counselling & Career Service

Senior College Dun Laoghaire
College of Further Education
Eblana Ave
Dun Laoghaire
Co Dublin
Tel: 01-2800385
Fax: 01-2800386
www.scd.ie

Dear Careers Advisor/Counselor,

The Professional Flight Training Exhibition is an exciting career exhibition aimed at any student considering a career as a commercial airline pilot. Our research has highlighted little is known outside aviation circles on how to become a pilot, so this event aims to bridge this knowledge gap for both students, career advisors/counselors and parents/guardians.

This is an ideal opportunity to meet with airlines and experts from leading flight training companies from Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe under one roof and get student careers on the flight deck heading in the right direction.

There is also a fantastic presentation programme featuring Irish based airlines Aer Lingus and Aer Arann. Each will give a unique insight into what they look for when recruiting student pilots, life as a pilot and the typical pilot career structure.

Other presentations will cover pilot/student selection and what pilot training actually involves.

Just some of the questions which can be answered at the exhibition include:

What are costs?
What exam grades/topics are required?
Can you combine a University degree with professional flight training?
What are the medial requirements?
What are the job prospects as a pilot and who are the employers?
What are the salaries?
When can you start?

We have introduced a student concession of just €6 per student and any teachers attending get in FREE. Tickets can be bought at the door on the day.

For more information and online ticket booking (if preferred) visit www.flyer.co.uk/exhibitions. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact myself if you wish to discuss the event in more detail or want to arrange a group booking.

Kind regards,

Darran Ward
Exhibition Manager
darran@flyermag.co.uk
T: ++44 (0) 1225 481440

Naughton Foundation is awarding sixteen scholarships in 2011

The Naughton Foundation is awarding sixteen scholarships in 2011 to promote the study of engineering, science and technology at third level by students in Ireland. The first place award in each county will be €4,000 for each year of that student’s third-level course. The second place award in each county will be €2,000 for each year of that student’s third level course. Each of the winning schools will also receive €1,000 towards the school’s science lab.

Applications are invited from all second-level students who are attending a second level school in Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan or Sligo and who are a 2011 applicant applying for admission to an engineering, science or technology related course in any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland.

Full details on who is eligible to apply for a scholarship and the application form are available for completion on the Foundation’s website www.thenaughtonfoundation.ie

We would kindly ask all Guidance Counsellors and / or Principals or Science Teachers, to please remind all interested students that the closing date for receipt of applications is next Saturday 7th MAY 2011.

Please do not hesitate to contact us as info@thenaughtonfoundation.ie if you have any queries at all in the meantime.

With kind regards.

Yours sincerely,

Rachael Naughton

From the NUI Maynooth website

We hope you got through the Leaving Certificate exams in one piece. You are very welcome to attend our University Day for any questions you might have in relation to the CAO, courses at NUI Maynooth, accommodation, living costs, life at college and so on. You can find out about links that we have with FETAC/PLC courses and also how to transfer from Institutes of Technology and other Universities both in Ireland and abroad.

For more info click on Link Here

FREE Maths Revision / Arthur Griffith Scholarship Programme / Griffith College Open Days

The following email was received from Griffith College Dublin

1. FREE Maths Revision Courses for Leaving Certificate Students

There are no catches! Once again, we are providing free maths revision courses for students in April. We've chosen Ordinary Level Mathematics as it is a core requirement of most level 7 and 8 degree programmes and will be of benefit to all students.

The presenter for the programme is Tomás Mac Eochagáin, the College’s Director of Academic Programmes. Tomás has over 25 years experience of teaching mathematics and in securing excellent pass rates for learners in external examinations.

The free revision courses are being provided on the following dates:

Dublin: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th April 2011

Limerick: Tuesday 26th April 2011 (South Court Hotel)

Cork: Wednesday 27th April 2011

All sessions will be recorded on video. This will enable students who attend the revision courses to view all sessions while they prepare for their examinations in June.

As more than 600 students attended last year, advance booking is essential. Accordingly, the College will only be in a position to accommodate those who have registered in advance. Students can register for the courses in all centres by clicking on www.gcd.ie/free-support-day-in-mathematics/

2. Arthur Griffith Scholarship Programme

Each year the College provides a number of scholarships. Called the Arthur Griffith scholarships, they provide free tuition for students who would otherwise be unable to avail of third level education. Depending on the needs of the learner, full scholarships for the entirety of their degree programmes may be provided. Further information and an application can be found at

www.gcd.ie/scholarships-sponsorship/

The closing date for applications is Friday 20th May 2011.

3. Open Days

Griffith College will be hosting an Open Day for students at each of its constituent colleges in Dublin, Cork and Limerick on Wednesday 4th May 2011. The schedules will operate as follows:

GC Dublin: South Circular Road: Wed. 4th May 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

GC Limerick 31/32 Upper William Street Wed. 4th May 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

GC Cork Cove Street, Sullivan’s Quay Wed. 4th May 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

I hope that the above information is of interest to you and your students. I would be most grateful if you would communicate it to those students for whom it is most likely to be of direct benefit.

If you or your students have any other questions regarding the College’s courses in any of our locations, or if you would like the College to assist in any School exhibition, conference or presentation, please let me know and I will gladly make the necessary arrangements. I can be contacted directly on 01-4150449 or at richard.murphy@gcd.ie

2011 HEI Alert Lists

An Alert List is used to provide applicants and Guidance Counsellors with updates of new courses offered, changes to course entry requirements and other relevant changes to admissions related information.

It is therefore important that you check the link below regularly to check if there have been any changes to your courses.


Click here for Alert Lists