Diploma In Foundation Studies: Access For Higher Education Mature Students

Course details

The Access Course is a course that aims to provide mature students with the opportunity to prepare personally and academically, for an undergraduate course of full-time study of at duration at NUI Galway.

The course is designed to meet the learning needs of the adult student and provide individual attention and assistance where appropriate. Participants who successfully complete the Access Course receive a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Level 6 30 ECTs) from NUI Galway and are eligible to apply for direct entry via the CAO to full-time University degree courses in the Colleges of Arts, Business, Public Policy and Law, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Science, Engineering and Informatics. In certain instances, interviews with the Department Head or School Head may also be required.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements, such as Leaving Certificate or aptitude tests, but typically candidates have a keen interest in reading and learning in general and aspire to continue their education to degree level and/or beyond. Applicants must be 22 years of age or over on January 1st in the year of application.

Course Outline

The course content consists of core subjects and academic options. The core subjects include:

• Study Skills
• Applied Writing
• Information Technology
• Educational Guidance

The academic options provide students with introductory University courses as a prelude to continuing their studies at a higher level. Students generally study four academic options, from the following subjects:

Arts: Philosophy, Sociology, History, Irish, English, Mathematics, Economics

Science/Engineering/IT: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology Commerce: Economics, Mathematics

Celtic Studies: Irish

The exact subjects on offer in a given year may vary, depending on the availability of specialist tutors. There may also be guest lectures in subjects such as Psychology and Archaeology or on other subjects.

Requirements And Assessment

The criteria for successful completion of this course involve satisfactory attendance and performance in all elements of the programme. Students’ academic progress is measured through a process of written and oral continuous assessment and examinations held at the end of each semester.

This course runs over the academic year from September to May. Personal (home) study is an integral and important part of the course. Students also have the opportunity to attend some undergraduate lectures on campus, by arrangement.