Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Important Information for Students
Questions about full-time day courses in Ballsbridge College
- What qualifications do I need to apply for a full-time course?
- How do I apply?
- Where can I get more information?
- What does it cost?
- Can I get a grant?
- What else has the college to offer?
- Can I attend and continue to receive Social Welfare?
- How is my course certified?
- Can I use my FETAC Award to continue to Higher Education courses?
- What about Job Opportunities?
- Does the College have an Admissions Policy?
What qualifications do I need to apply for a full-time course in Ballsbridge College?
In general you need to have a minimum of 5 passes at ordinary level in the Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.
Applications are welcome from students with Leaving Certificate Vocational, Leaving Certificate Applied or FETAC level 4 qualifications. Exceptions can be made where special circumstances apply.
The Leaving Certificate is not a requirement for mature students and appropriate experience can be considered as being equivalent to the Leaving Certificate.
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Directly to the college from January onwards. Read the Ballsbridge College Application Procedures.
Where can I get more information?
From your Career Guidance Counsellor in school or by calling to the college directly.
Course costs are kept to a minimum. For 2008/9 the standard charge is €200.00 and this covers a number of costs including certification and exam entry.
There is an additional charge for students who are taking ECDL.
There is a separate fee that applies to non-EU students.
Yes. Grants are available to eligible students. Eligibility depends on individual financial circumstances and a grant must be applied for, through the local VEC, on an individual basis.
Further information is available at studentfinance.ie which offers comprehensive and user-friendly information on the range of financial support programmes available in further and higher education.
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What else has the college to offer?
- 7 top grade computer rooms
- 2 Language laboratories
- Student Council
- Student Welfare Officer
- Mature Students Welcome
- Guidance & Counselling
- Job Placement
- Central Location
- Course Tutors
- Induction Programme for Mature and International Students
- Continuous Assessment
- ECDL
- Language Testing
- Part-time BTEI course in ESOL
- Sports and Cultural Activities
- Welcomes People with Disability
- Extensive Work Experience Programme
- Experienced Staff
- Beside DART and major bus routes
- Computer Room Access
- Luas Connection - Beechwood 15 minutes
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Can I attend and continue to receive Social Welfare?
Two special programmes exist that may allow applicants, who are receiving benefit, attend a course and continue to receive payments.
The first is called VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) and the second is called BTEA (Back to Education Allowance).
Applicants must fulfil certain criteria to be eligible. Places are limited so early application is advisable.
There are no course charges for students under the VTOS or BTEA scheme.
A detailed information sheet is available from the college or by contacting the VTOS Co-ordinator.
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The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) has been set up by the Department of Education and Science to nationally certify courses. All full-time courses in the college are certified by FETAC. This guarantees that all programmes are planned and delivered to the highest standards.
Can I use my FETAC Award to continue to Higher Education courses?
Yes. FETAC courses have been placed within the new National Framework of Qualifications. The ten-level framework diagram illustrates the placement of awards within the framework of qualifications.
There are approximately 37 Higher Education Institutions including Universities, Institutes of Technology and private colleges offering places on a variety of courses to FETAC certificate holders.
For further information visit Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.
Intending applicants are advised at all times to confirm linked awards, any additional module requirements, application processes and scoring systems with the Admissions Offices of the participating Higher Education Institutions or visit the CAO website.
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Many students come to the college with a view to acquiring skills so as to apply for a good job. A course in Ballsbridge College will give you those skills.
Each year all our full-time students go on work placements as part of their course. Through this system, the college has made excellent contacts with many employers who approach the college with permanent job vacancies.
The track record of students from our college getting permanent positions in prestigious companies is second to none.
Does the College have an Admissions Policy?
Ballsbridge College has an Admissions Policy which governs the entry of all students to courses. It is available to all applicants. Ballsbridge College is bound by the rules and regulations of the CDVEC, a copy of which is displayed in the college or may be obtained from the college office.
Contact Info:
Ballsbridge College of Further Education
Address: Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 6684806
Fax: +353 1 6682361
Web: www.ballsbridgecollege.com
Email: info@ballsbridge.cdvec.ie
