2010 press releases
Posted 10 May 2010
Limited Places Still Available on AIT’s Foundation Course
A limited number of places are still available on the foundation course at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT). The closing date for applications is 31 May.
The Foundation Certificate is a one-year full-time course aimed at anyone interested in returning to third level education or who did not have the opportunity to go to college. The course provides students with a taster of several academic disciplines including business, humanities, social care, IT, science and engineering.
According to Theresa Ryan, Access Officer at AIT, “The Foundation Certificate provides people with a first step up the ladder of third level education. Anyone who successfully completes the course has the opportunity of continuing onto a range of AIT’s higher certificate or ordinary degree programmes. The course also provides adult learners with a very supportive environment where they can adjust to college life and discover what area they would like to qualify in,’ she said.
Michael Doolan, a native of Athlone completed the foundation course last year and is now studying social care. “It’s a great course, it gives you an opportunity to change your life at any age. It has opened up a lot of avenues for me. You look at things differently, you think differently. There is great team work and cooperation between students on the course,” he said.
Another student, Simon Payne, originally from England and now living in Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, is currently studying for a degree in computer network administration, after completing the Foundation Certificate. “It was an important course for me to do; I would not have done so well on the computer network course without it. It got me into the exam system and back to schooling which I had been away from for a very long time. There is lots of support and help provided you ask for it, you do learn to ask for help when you need it. The course is aptly named, ‘foundation’, as it is a great foundation for the rest of your education,” he stated. Simon is the class representative for his current class and also the chairperson of the mature student society. He says that the course gave him the confidence to take on these responsibilities.
Keefe McGrath, from Tullamore is currently studying software design having completed the foundation course last year. “It’s the best thing I ever did,” he said. “I was made redundant and had to do something. I met a great group of people on the course, we all helped each other and that got us through the year. The friendships you make are your support group in the following years.” Keefe is also his class representative and says that before the foundation course he would not have had the confidence to do this.
The Foundation Certificate is delivered using a combination of lectures, tutorials, project work and other assignments. Lectures/practicals are timetabled from Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.
Anyone aged over 21 years on 1 January 2010, with a minimum of five passes at ordinary level in the Leaving Certificate, is eligible to apply. Applicants over the age of 22 on 1 January 2010 without a Leaving Certificate are also eigible to apply.The selection procedure may involve an interview at AIT. There is a fee of €350 or €175 for medical card holders for the course. Candidates may be eligible for Back to Education allowances and are encouraged to check with their social welfare office.
The closing date for applications is Friday 31 May 2010. For further information visit www.ait.ie/foundation or contact the Access Office at AIT on phone 090 646 8123 or by email to access@ait.ie.
