Student Categories

Choices for Mature Students

CAO Mature Applicants for Full-time Courses 2013

The Institute welcomes applications from mature students and a number of places on each course are reserved for such applicants.

Mature applicants will be required to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements for third level education via

Option 1 - Assessment of Suitability by ITB

OR via

Option 2  - Leaving Certificate examination results, FETAC level 5 or 6 award or equivalent.

Note that there is a quota on the number of FETAC places on

BN011 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 7) and

BN107 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 8) for applicants presenting FETAC awards.

Option 1 – Assessment of Suitability by ITB

This option applies to Mature applicants who do not wish to compete on the basis of a Leaving Certificate examination, FETAC level 5 or 6 award or equivalent. Such applicants will be assessed based on their performance in a written assessment which they will be invited to attend on the Institute campus. 

Mature applicants who applied before 1st February 2013 will be notified by ITB of a date and time to attend for assessment of suitability during the week commencing 25th March 2013.

Mature applicants who apply between 1st February 2013 and 1st May 2013 (closing date for late applications) will be notified by ITB of a date and time to attend for assessment of suitability during May 2013.

• The assessment will be in the form of a written paper, which will include a series of English comprehension questions. It will last approximately 1 hour.
• Applicants are required to bring photo identification for entrance to the test (e.g. passport or drivers licence) and will not be admitted without it.
• Only people taking the assessment will be admitted to the assessment room.
• Limited parking is available on campus.  Please note clamping is in operation and cars which are illegally parked will be clamped and fined.

Specific Supports required for suitability assessment

If you have a disability which requires specific supports (e.g. visual impairment) in order to sit this assessment, you must advise Martina Vahey immediately on 01 8851320

Option 2 – Compete for a place solely on the basis of your Leaving Certificate results, full FETAC Level 5 or 6 award or equivalent.

Mature applicants who have completed the Leaving Certificate examination or a full FETAC level 5 or 6 award may wish to compete for a place solely on the basis of these results.  A full FETAC award generally consists of 8 modules.  A record of achievement or component certificate will not meet the entry requirements. 

You must ensure that you have submitted a copy of your Leaving Certificate results or your FETAC Award(s) to CAO with your application. Please do not submit them to ITB, they must be sent directly to the CAO.

Note that there is a quota on the number of FETAC places on

BN011 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care level 7 and

BN107 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care level 8 for applicants presenting FETAC awards.

Please ensure that you have met the minimum entry requirements for the courses for which you have applied.  Information on all ITB courses is available on the Institute website www.itb.ie or you may request a prospectus by phoning 01 8851000 or email info@itb.ie

The purpose of our Open Evening is to provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about returning to education, about course(s) for which you have applied and to meet the staff involved in delivering the programmes.  

All mature applicants are advised to attend this event.

 If you require further information, please contact Martina Vahey on (01) 8851320 or by email Martina.Vahey@itb.ie or Noeleen Johnson on 01 8851133 or Noeleen.Johnson@itb.ie

Other information

Language

Instruction for all courses at ITB is conducted through English . For all applicants whose first language is not English, you should submit documentary evidence of meeting this requirement along with your CAO application.

Fees

EU nationals who are attending undergraduate programmes for the first time do not normally pay tuition fees. Tuition fees must be paid by non-EU nationals. If your nationality is a country outside the EU, then you will be required to submit copies of the following to ITB prior to registration should you be offered a place:

• Photo ID card  issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (showing Stamp No.) and
• Letter from the Minister for Justice setting out the basis for your residence in Ireland (if applicable).

The following education options are available to you as a mature student at ITB.

Return as a Full-Time Student

Choosing any course of study, part-time or full-time, represents a commitment to your future. The primary advantage of full-time study is that qualifications can be obtained over a shorter time period than is possible when studying part-time. For those currently employed full-time, there are the obvious financial implications inherent in changing your situation. Returning to full-time study means a big life change. However, many full-time students find that they can concentrate on studies with a lot less distraction; that it is easier to integrate into college life, and that they get a more rounded educational experience.

Attend Courses Part-Time

Part-time courses allow you to combine full-time employment with education. You can maintain an income and work towards your educational objective at a pace that suits your particular circumstances. At ITB we have designed our part-time programmes in a way which accommodates the competing commitments of employment and education. Applicants should check the minimum entry requirement listings for each programme in the course information section.

For further details on ITB and the choices for mature students please contact our Marketing and Development Unit at            01 885 1000 or email us at info@itb.ie