Entry/Iontráil Part-Time Courses Handbook Lamhleabhar Cursaí Páirtaimseartha

Transcription

1 Entry/Iontráil Part-Time Courses Handbook Lamhleabhar Cursaí Páirtaimseartha

2 Contents / Ábhair Welcome The Campus - A Panoramic View Dundalk Institute of Technology Lifelong Learning Centre Registration Fees and Exams Refunds Policy and Other Information Library Recreational Activities and Other Services Springboard Student Stories Business and Accountancy Courses Humanities, Languages and Sports Courses Engineering Courses Informatics and Creative Arts Courses Health and Science Courses Full-Time Mature Students Regional Development Centre Communting to DkIT Campus Guide Fáilte An Campus - Radharc Tíre Institiúid Teicneolaíoachta Dhún Dealgan Ionad Foghlama Fad Saoil Clárú Táillí agus Scrúdaithe Polasaí Aisiochtá agus Eolas Breise Leabharlann Caitheamh Aimsire agus Seirbhísí Breise Preabchlár Scéalta Mac Léinn Cursaí Gnó agus Cuntasaíochta Cursaí Daonnachtaí, Teanngacha agus Spóirt Cursaí Innealtóireachta Cursaí Faisnéisíochta agus nealaíon Cursaí Sláinte agus Eolaíochta Micleínn Aosach Lánaimseartha Ionad Forbartha Réigiúnach Comhthaisteal do DkIT Treoir an Choláiste

3 Welcome Fáilte As a prospective student of a part-time course at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) I invite you to consider enrolling on one of the many lifelong learning programmes described in this prospectus. Our programmes range from short duration skills or vocational oriented courses to longer duration programmes that lead to full awards. Whether your motivation is just to learn something new or gain new skills and to get a recognised qualification you will find that DkIT, through its Lifelong Learning Centre, will provide you with a full range of supports through the duration of your studies here. Some of you will be considering coming back to college having been away from formal education for some time. If you are in this situation please be assured that our Institute recognises that this can be a major challenge and we will work with you in readjusting to the world of learning. You will find that the biggest issue is in making the actual decision to return to study. In fact, many students have made the initial decision to return to education through the lifelong learning/part-time course pathway and then move into full-time programmes. Enrolling on a lifelong learning programme means becoming a part of the DkIT community. That means participating not just in the classroom or laboratory but making use of the range of facilities available on our campus. I greatly encourage you to make full use of the amenities here and became an active member of our community. A key service provided to our students is the library and you will find the staff there only too willing to introduce you to the services, including online options, that they provide. So I encourage you to take the decision now to return to study at DkIT and become a member of our lifelong learning community. Mar mhac léinn ionchais ar chúrsa páirtaimseartha in Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan (ITDD), iarraim ort machnamh faoi chlárú ar cheann den iliomad clár ar a bhfuil cur síos san réamheolaire seo. Síneann réimse ár gclár ó chúrsaí gearra scileanna nó gairm oideachais go dtí cláir níos faide dírithe ar cháiliúcháin iomlána. Pé acu do inspreagadh, rud nua a fhoghlaim, scileanna nua a bhaint amach, nó cáilíocht aitheanta a fháíl, feicfidh tú go gcuirfidh ITDD, tríd an Ionaid um Fhoghlaim ar feadh an tsaoil, lán tacaíocht ar fáil duit le linn do chuid staidéir anseo. Beidh cuid agaibh ag machnamh ar fhilleadh ar choláiste tar éis tamaill gan oideachas foirmiúil. Más amhlaidh duit, bí cinnte go n-aithníonn ár ninstitiúid an dúshlán mór atá ann. Oibreoimid leat agus tú ag dul in ath-thaithí ar shaol na foghlama. Feicfidh tú gurb é an cheist is mó ná an cinneadh ar fhilleadh chun staidéir. Go deimhin, cineann mórán mac léinn filleadh ar oideachas trí chasán na foghlama ar feadh an tsaoil, nó cúrsa páirtaimseartha, agus leanann ansin isteach i gcláir lánaimseartha. Is ionann clárú ar chlár foghlama ar feadh an tsaoil agus teacht isteach i bpobal ITDD. Ciallaíonn sin ní hamháin rannpháirtíocht sa seomra ranga agus sa saotharlann, ach leas a bhaint as saoráidí uile an champais. Gríosaim tú lán úsáid a bhaint as na háiseanna anseo agus bheith i do bhall gníomhach dár bpobal. Seirbhís tábhachtach a chuirtear ar fáil dár mic léinn ná an leabharlann agus feicfidh tú lán-toilteanas na mball foirne ansin na seibhísí a sholáithríonn siad, roghanna ar líne ina measc, a chur ós do chomhair. Mar sin spreagaim tú cinneadh a dhéanamh anois filleadh ar staidéar in ITDD agus bheith i do bhall dár bpobal foghlama ar feadh an tsaoil. Denis Cummins President Denis Cummins Uachtarán Welcome Fáilte 1

4 Fáilte romhat go hinstitiúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan Over a thousand people enrol on lifelong learning courses in Dundalk IT every year. Committed, hardworking and highly motivated, they are a source of great pride to the Institute and of mutual support to each other. Our students come from all walks of life and professions, and their reasons for coming back to education are just as varied. The Lifelong Learning Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology is a resource for the whole community of the Northeast, offering a range of opportunities for people to help with their career development or their personal growth, or to satisfy the need for learning for its own sake. Our range of academic and other learning opportunities not only includes dozens of courses which have proved their popularity over the years, but also introduces some new ones reflecting our requirement to adapt to the changing educational and training needs of a dynamic society. As you thumb through these pages we hope you will share in our belief at DkIT that learning should be not only lifelong but also life enhancing. Whatever your age, career, or ability, participation in education and training should be challenging, satisfying and fun. We look forward to your enrolment at the Institute and to sharing the lifelong learning experience with you in the months ahead. 2 Welcome Fáilte

5 Welcome Fáilte 3

6 The Campus An Campus SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & HUMANITIES MUIRHEVNA BUILDING SCHOOL OF HEALTH & SCIENCE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE WHITAKER BUILDING, LIBRARY & LIFELONG LEARNING FAULKNER BUILDING RESTAURANT 4 Welcome Fáilte

7 A Panoramic View Radharc Tíre CARROLLS BUILDING SCHOOL OF INFORMATICS & CREATIVE ARTS CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL MACANNA THEATRE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Welcome Fáilte 5

8 Dundalk Institute of Technology Institúid Teicneolaíochta Dhún Dealgan Established in 1971 Dundalk Institute of Technology provides higher educational opportunities in Business, Engineering, Science, Computing, Nursing and Applied Arts at a variety of levels, from Higher Certificate to PhD level and through full-time and part-time programmes. The Institute is divided into four Schools: Business Studies and Humanities Engineering Informatics and Creative Arts Health and Science. Dundalk Institute of Technology continues to grow and currently student numbers are c.4,000 full-time students and c.1,000 part-time students. 6 Welcome Fáilte

9 Lifelong Learning Centre Ionad Foghlama Fad Saoil The Lifelong Learning Centre coordinates over fifty flexible part-time professional development and lifelong learning programmes. These programmes are particularly suitable for those who wish to study new topics and course areas, update their professional skills or add to their qualifications. Accredited courses are offered in the areas of Business & Accountancy, Humanities, Engineering, Computing & Creative Arts and Health & Science. Non-accredited courses and customised programmes for industry are also available. The Lifelong Learning Centre is located adjacent to the main Institute Reception. It provides information and support services to a growing number of part-time students. Courses are available at the main campus at Dundalk IT. Other centres throughout the region may host Lifelong Learning programmes provided sufficient numbers of students from the area register on any one programme. More Info Lifelong Learning Centre Ionad um Fhoghlaim ar Feadh an tsaoil The Lifelong Learning Centre welcomes enquiries from Training Managers in companies, public bodies, state agencies, local development organisations or voluntary bodies. We are open to providing delivery of our courses to their staff or to assist them with other training requirements. Delivery of courses can be adapted to meet company circumstances or a new course delivered where there is sufficient demand. These courses may be conducted on site or at the Institute. t f e parttime@dkit.ie w Mr Anton Barrett Head of Lifelong Learning Ceann Foghlama ar Feadh an tsaoil t e anton.barrett@dkit.ie Ms Carmel Leech Part-Time Courses Administrator Riarthóir Cúrsaí Páirtaimseartha t e carmel.leech@dkit.ie Ms Jane Daly-Russell Part-Time Courses Administrator Riarthóir Cúrsaí Páirtaimseartha t e jane.daly@dkit.ie Welcome Fáilte 7

10 Registration Clarú Information Evening The Lifelong Learning Centre s Autumn Part-time Courses Information Evening will be held in the Institute s Hospitality Building on Tuesday 8 th September 2015 between 7.00pm and 8.30pm. During this Information Evening you will be able to discuss your course options in detail with Lifelong Learning Centre staff and course lecturers. Further information on our Part-time Courses Information Evening will be published in local newspapers and broadcast on local radio during August and September. How to Enrol? Registration for a Lifelong Learning course at Dundalk IT couldn t be easier. Just click on and enrol online. Early registration is advisable as the number of places on many courses is limited. Applications will be dealt with in order of receipt of completed online application and appropriate fee. Please note the onus is on you to notify the Lifelong Learning Centre in writing in the event of your withdrawal from any course for any reason. 8 Welcome Fáilte

11 How do I know I am choosing the right course? Cá bhfios dom go bhfuil an cúrsa ceart roghnaithe agam? It is important that the level and content of a course suits your needs and meets your expectations. In order to find out relevant information on course content, entry requirements, extent of extra work required outside class, assessment methods etc. you should study the relevant section of this prospectus. You may then need to consider the following options to obtain more detailed information. 1 For professional courses, contact the organisation concerned directly (i.e. Institute of Public Administration, Institute of Accounting Technicians, IPASS etc.). Relevant contact names, addresses, telephone numbers, s and website addresses are provided in this prospectus. Please note the additional costs such as membership fees, seminar fees and exam fees required for professional body courses. Details of these additional costs are also included in this prospectus. 2 Attend our Information Evening in September. Here you will meet Lifelong Learning Centre staff and some of the lecturers involved with the courses who will be able to answer your questions. 3 Visit, phone or the Lifelong Learning Centre anytime. Staff will be happy to assist you. Welcome Fáilte 9

12 Fees and Exams Táillí agus Scrúdaithe Fees must be paid in full on registration. All course fees received are receipted. Important! Except where stated, course fees cover the cost of Dundalk IT tuition only and refer to the course or academic year as appropriate. Additional registration and examination fees may be payable separately to professional bodies and to HETAC. Certain courses may also require the purchase of relevant textbooks. This is particularly relevant to some business courses. If your Employer is Paying your Fees If your employer is paying your fees, then you must submit a letter from your employer confirming that your fees will be paid to the Institute by them as well as supplying a Purchase Order number. The Institute will then invoice your employer for the appropriate amount. Examinations Registering for examinations is the responsibility of the student. Students should make themselves aware of the examination entry closing dates and fees. Fees quoted in this prospectus do not include examination fees unless otherwise stated. Dates for Professional body examinations (i.e. IPA, IATI) are posted on the Lifelong Learning Centre website early in Semester Two. Tax Relief / Other Funders Tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) is available for certain tuition fees on courses which lead to third-level awards. For further information go to and get a copy of form IT31. This applies only to students who are funding their studies from their own income. Always retain your receipt of payment from Dundalk IT for tax purposes. In certain circumstances students may receive financial aid in paying their fees from County Enterprise Boards, Leader Partnerships, Department of Social Protection and other organisations. 10 Welcome Fáilte

13 Refunds Policy and Other Information Polasaí Aisíochta agus Eolas Breise Cancelled Courses The Lifelong Learning Centre reserves the right to cancel courses in the event of insufficient enrolments. In these cases students will be notified and all fees will be refunded. Course Schedules The Institute reserves the right to change the schedule of any programme outlined in this prospectus. The Lifelong Learning Centre or the lecturer may change the day and time of any class (students will receive notification). Please note that the number of weeks scheduled for each programme is approximate some programmes may not require the number of weeks stated, while others may necessitate additional weeks. In addition, certain programmes may require the scheduling of extra classes during the week or on a Saturday in order to complete the programme within the academic year. If for some reason a lecturer cannot attend, classes may be cancelled without notice. However, the Lifelong Learning Centre will endeavour to minimise such disruptions. For a class to commence it is necessary for the Institute to enrol a minimum number of students. If this number is not reached the Institute reserves the right to cancel or discontinue the course. Students will be notified and a full fee refund will be processed automatically. Refunds are made at the end of a given month so please note there can be a delay of 4-6 weeks before a cheque is received from the Institute. If you pay by credit or debit card refunds will be made within one week. When the Institute runs a night class a refund of fees will only be given under the following circumstances: A refund will be given if a student attends for only the first week of a five week course. A refund will be given if a student attends for only the first two weeks of a six to ten week course. A refund will be given if a student attends for only the first three weeks of a course lasting more than eleven weeks. In all these cases a 20% administration charge will apply. All refund requests must be applied for in writing to the Lifelong Learning Centre. After these time periods no refunds are available under any circumstances. Institute Regulations All students are required to make themselves aware of the Institute regulations. Full details are available to download from DkIT Student Cards Students registering on courses over 10 weeks in duration will be issued with a DkIT student card. A card replacement fee of 10 applies. Text Message Service The Lifelong Learning Centre operates a text messaging service where we inform class groups of any changes to lecture times, lecture rooms or general student information. Please notify the Lifelong Learning Centre immediately of any change to your mobile phone contact number. Welcome Fáilte 11

14 The Library Leabharlann The Library, which is located in the T.K. Whitaker Building, plays a central role in the academic life of the Institute. It facilitates access to the learning resources you will need for your studies. DkIT Library provides 500 study places, over 50,000 books and journals, access to online information resources and a range of services. The Library supports the learning culture and practices of the Institute and endeavours to provide a high quality learning environment. Most areas of the Library are designated for quiet study. Collaborative areas are available in all the Library Group Work rooms and in the Group Work area to your right on Floor 1 as you enter the Library. As well as physically visiting the Library you can also access many services, locate information and manage your DkIT Library account over the web at From this site you can find out what books the Library holds, what online information resources are available to you and information on all our Library services. The Library offers training courses throughout the year to help you make the most effective use of our resources and services. Library staff are available to help and advise you on finding the best resources for your academic research. Access to the Library and its services is available once you register with the Institute. Your Student ID card is also your library card; you should have your ID card with you when you use the Library. We look forward to working with you. 12 Welcome Fáilte

15 The Library Leabharlann Tá ról lárnach i saol acadúil na hinstitiúide ag an Leabharlann, atá lonnaithe i bhfoirgneamh T.K. Whitaker. Cuirtear ar fáil anseo na hacmhainní foghlama riachtanach don staidéar. Seachadann Leabharlann ITDD 500 láthair staidéir, thar 50,000 leabhar agus irisleabhar, rochtain ar acmhainní faisnéise ar líne agus réimse seirbhísí. Tacaíonn an Leabharlann le cultúr agus cleachtais foghlama na hinstitiúide agus cuirtear ar fáil timpeallacht foghlama ar ardchaighdeán. Tá formhór na Leabharlainne sainithe do staidéar ciúin. Tá limistéir comhoibríocha ar fáil i seomraí Obair Ghrúpa na Leabharlainne agus ins an limistéar Obair Ghrúpa ar thaobh na láimhe deise ar Urlár 1 ag dul isteach sa Leabharlann. Chomh maith le teacht pearsanta ar an Leabharlann, is féidir teacht tríd an idirlíon ag ar mhórán seirbhísí, eolas a aimsiú agus do chuntas leabharlainne a bhainistiú. Ón suíomh seo aimseoidh tú na leabhair atá sa Leabharlann, na hacmhainní faisnéise ar líne agus eolas faoi sheirbhísí uile na Leabharlainne. Cuireann an Leabharlann cúrsaí traenála ar siúl i rith na bliana chun cabhrú le húsáid éifeachtach a bhaint as na hacmhainní agus seirbhísí. Bíonn foireann na Leabharlainne ar fáil le cabhair agus comhairle a thabhairt ar na hacmhainní is fearr a aimsiú don taighde acadúil. Tá fáil ar an Leabharlann agus a seirbhísí chomh luath agus a chláraíonn tú leis an Institiúid. Is é do chárta Mic Léinn do chárta leabharlainne freisin; ba chóir an cárta aitheantais sin a bhreith leat nuair a úsáideann tú an Leabharlann. Táimid ag tnúth le bheith ag obair leat. Term - Time Opening Hours Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday 8.30am pm 8.30am pm 10.00am pm Welcome Fáilte 13

16 Recreational Activities and Other Services Caitheamh Aimsire agus Seirbhísí Breise DkIT has a range of both indoor and outdoor facilities which include 5 playing pitches, surrounded by a designated jogging lane and a multi-purpose centre which contains a basketball court, 4 badminton courts, volleyball court, futsal (indoor soccer), and a state of the art fitness suite. The fitness suite caters for both student and staff members interested in personal fitness. Specialised fitness programmes can be devised to suit your needs by our dedicated staff. The suite is opened Monday Thursday 12:30pm - 9:00pm Friday 12:00pm - 5:00pm Sports Club Many of our student body are actively involved in both indoor and outdoor clubs ranging from: Archery / Badminton /Cricket / Fencing / Hill Walking / Gaelic Football / Hurling / Kickboxing / Snooker & Pool / Rugby/ Table Tennis / Volleyball. e sports@dkit.ie Societies DkIT also have a large number of students involved in our societies which include: Breakdancing/ Drama/ Media / Vetinary Nursing/ Laptop Music Society/ DJ Society/ Lesbian & Gay (LGBT)/ Nigerian/ Chinese/ Macra na Feirme. e societies@dkit.ie Banking AIB operates a full on-campus banking service. An ATM facility is also available in the Faulkner Building. Parking Parking facilities are provided at the front and side of the Institute (see college map on page 96). Please note that parking restrictions exist on DkIT campus up to and including clamping. All vehicles must be parked in a designated car parking bay. Full details of parking regulations are available to read on Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities should inform the Institute of their disability when they enrol. Every effort will be made to assist you (e.g. by timetabling classes in ground floor rooms, providing you with your own key to access lifts and general advice). For more information about our Sports & Societies please derek.crilly@dkit.ie 14 Welcome Fáilte

17 Important Points to Remember! 1 Read this prospectus carefully. 2 Enrol online at 3 All refund requests must be made in writing to parttime@dkit.ie and are subject to a 20% administrative charge. 4 All courses run subject to adequate demand. 5 Additional fees are payable for Professional Courses (i.e. extra fees payable to IPA, IATI, etc.). 6 Please advise us of any changes to your contact details during the year. 7 Matters pertaining to residency rights, immigration visas and other related matters are outside the Lifelong Learning Centre s remit. Welcome Fáilte 15

18 Springboard What is Springboard? Springboard is a government initiative managed by the HEA on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. It provides thousands of free part-time education and training opportunities on hundreds of courses in educational institutions nationwide for people who are unemployed but looking for work while also allowing them to keep any unemployment benefits they are eligible for. Am I Eligible to Apply? To be eligible for a place on a Springboard programme a person must (in addition to any academic criteria stated in the course description) be unemployed with a previous history of employment AND satisfy one of the following three criteria. 1 Be in receipt of one of the following payments from the Department of Social Protection: Jobseekers Benefit Jobseekers Allowance Back to Work Enterprise Allowance One Parent Family Allowance Carers Allowance Farm Assist/Fish Assist Widow(er)s Contributory or Non-contributory Pension Blind Pension Deserted Wives Allowance OR 2 Be signing for social insurance contribution credits OR 3 Be previously self-employed AND be actively seeking employment. To participate in a NFQ Level 9 (Post Graduate) course, a period of at least one year must have elapsed since completing a full-time undergraduate degree programme leading to a major award at level 8 on the NFQ. For the purposes of determining eligibility for Springboard the term unemployed also includes people who are on short term working and in receipt of a Jobseekers payment from the Department of Social Protection. Do I Keep my Benefits if I do a Springboard Course? Springboard participants who are already in receipt of a Department of Social Protection income support payment may be able to retain such payments. Through the Part-time Education Option (PTEO), jobseekers in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit (JB) or Jobseekers Allowance (JA) who wish to pursue a part-time day or evening course of education may retain their payment subject to continuing to meet the eligibility conditions, including being available for and genuinely seeking work. If a payment is due to cease prior to the end of a course, payment cannot be extended past the due cessation date. Prior to commencing any Springboard course participants in receipt of JB or JA should contact their local D/SP office to make an application to retain their payment under the PTEO. Participants in receipt of other forms of income support payment from the Department of Social Protection must contact the appropriate scheme area in that Department to confirm if they may retain such payments while on the programme. There is NO requirement to be in receipt of a payment for a particular period of time prior to the commencement of a programme. Participants in receipt of an eligible payment at the time the Springboard course commences are eligible to apply for a place on that course. However, providers will be required to give priority to applications from people who are long term unemployed. 16 Welcome Fáilte

19 Dundalk Institute of Technology is offering 242 free places on 11 Springboard Courses Further Information Springboard Administrator Lifelong Learning Centre Dundalk Institute of Technology Dublin Road Dundalk Co. Louth Business and Humanities Certificate in Digital Marketing and Digital Media Management - Level 7 Special Purpose Award Creative Media Certificate in Hospitality Operations Level 6 Special Purpose Award Engineering Certificate in Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 6 Special Purpose Award Diploma in Construction Business Excellence Level 7 Minor Award Informatics and Creative Arts Certificate in 2D/3D Digital Animation Production Level 7 Special Purpose Award Certificate in 3D for Games Level 7 Special Purpose Award Diploma in Composing for Games Level 8 Special Purpose Award Higher Diploma in Computing [ICT SKILLS Scheme] Level 8 Major Award MSc in Computing in Medical Device Software Level 9 Major Award Health and Science Diploma in Food and Agri-Business Level 7 Supplemental Award Diploma in Food Supply Chain Operations Level 7 Supplemental Award t e springboard@dkit.ie w 17

20 Student Stories Scéalta Mac Léinn Find a brighter future at Dundalk IT By gaining a qualification through the Springboard initiative you can open more doors and create a brighter future. Regardless of your level of education or how many years experience you have working in your field, adding further qualifications to your CV will undoubtedly make you stand out at your next job interview. Not only do further qualifications keep you up to date in developments in your area, they also display a willingness to learn and can open the door to applying for jobs for which you were not previously qualified. It was for these reasons that Brendan Ward decided to undertake a course in Dundalk IT through the Springboard initiative. I had never actually qualified as a plumber but I worked for over 20 years plumbing and building houses, says Brendan. I was made redundant in 2009 and decided that I needed to learn an extra set of skills to improve my chances of finding another job. Brendan searched the courses available locally in Dundalk IT and found that the course that appealed to him, a Certificate in Sustainable Heating and Plumbing, was available through Springboard. Brendan is confident that his new qualification will aid him in securing future employment as he now has a greater understanding of recent developments in renewable energy and solar heating to add to his many years of practical experience. Applying for the course was very straightforward, he concludes. The whole process was very simple and my application was approved within a few days. I would definitely recommend Springboard courses. 18 Welcome Fáilte

21 Student Stories Scéalta Mac Léinn I really think that this will improve my employability because it has allowed me to upskill and to really understand current technology. On courses that I completed in the past I recognised that a good understanding of computers and technology was just as important as being good at maths. The whole process of applying for the course was very simple, concludes Ann, and I would recommend the Springboard initiative and Dundalk IT to anyone who feels that they could benefit from a further qualification. Reboot your career with Springboard Ann Osborne O Hagan added to her teaching ability with the use of the Springboard initiative and Dundalk Institute of Techology. County Louth-based Ann originally qualified as a secondary school teacher. While she worked mainly as a substitute teacher for a number of years she was careful to keep all of her qualifications up to date by registering with the Teaching Council and completing Project Maths a programme designed for out-of-field maths teachers. But despite these efforts, when Ann needed a full-time job there were none to be had. I heard about the Springboard initiative through the media and on the radio, explains Ann. I searched for it on the internet and when I found it I looked through all the courses to decide what would suit me best. Ann s availability to undertake a course was dictated by her six children as she knew she would be unable to travel to Dublin on a regular basis. But she was delighted to learn that Springboard courses are offered throughout the country. I found a course in Dundalk IT on the Springboard website which I had never seen before and which suited me perfectly. I chose the H Dip in Computing because I have a strong maths background and I thought the course was a good fit for me it was my area. Welcome Fáilte 19

22 Student Stories Scéalta Mac Léinn that if he was going to have success in the future, chances are that it would be with a multinational company. As a result he was keen to undertake a course that focused on international business. In September 2012, the Louth man commenced the Higher Certificate in Business in Internationalisation with Mandarin Chinese at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). I hadn t seen any other courses that focussed on international business. It s a rare, new course and I felt that it would give me the relevant skills I needed to succeed in the future. I also felt that the Chinese element to the course was a bonus as China is such a strong market. Understanding how they do business and to be able to speak some of the language would put me ahead of the game. Overcoming Obstacles One of the biggest obstacles Tomás faced was returning to formal education after being away from the books for over ten years. I had an uncomfortable feeling that college was just for 18-year-olds who had just finished school. However, after he began the course at DkIT, his fears disappeared almost immediately. Overcoming Unemployment Hurdles Tomás Wilkinson had worked continuously for most of his adult life. Upon leaving school, he acquired many positions in various telecoms companies before securing a job in Telefonica O2 Ireland. For the next seven years Tomás worked his way up from retail assistant to a lucrative head office position. So it was a big shock when in 2012 after more than a decade of employment Tomás was made redundant. It was tough, recounts the 30-year-old. I had been with O2 for so long and done so well that I felt as though that job was a part of my identity. The day after I finished, I was sitting at home thinking what now? Emerging to an employment market fraught with uncertainty Tomás had few employment prospects. Surveying his CV he quickly realised that while he had a lot of experience, he had none of the qualifications featured on job application forms. Making the decision to go back to education so that he would be the kind of candidate with the right experience and qualifications when the jobs market picked up again, Tomás took up a place on the Government s Springboard initiative. When it came to selecting a course he took a realistic approach. Looking at where jobs were coming from and the businesses that were striving in the recession, Tomás decided The lecturers were fantastic. They were much more than teachers, they were mentors and advisors who were as supportive after class as they were during it they gave us all a much needed confidence boost. The course itself was great and imparted knowledge and skills relevant to today s job market. Tomás discovered just how relevant those skills were this year, when he landed a role at Apple. In the interviews, my recent education qualification was something that they kept coming back to. I was told that the fact that I had an understanding of business on an international scale was a valuable asset that they hoped to take advantage of in the future. I would recommend Springboard and in particular DKIT to anyone who is currently unemployed. The courses are not about filling the days because you have nothing to do but it s of real tangible benefit. 20 Welcome Fáilte

23 Student Stories Scéalta Mac Léinn The class was made up of about 30 people of various ages and with different experiences behind them which added to the dynamic. Although, the course wasn t without its challenges - the course work was quite demanding and we had constant projects to be completed. But we received great support from the college itself and completed a number of group projects in which we helped each other along. One of Fergal s greatest supporters was his father, Brendan, who was simultaneously completing his four-year, full-time degree in Business Studies at Dundalk IT. Since retiring from the army, Brendan decided to add to his primary education by achieving his Leaving Certificate through VTOS the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme which provides a range of courses to the unemployed, including the Junior and Leaving Certificates. Since Brendan found Leaving Cert Business Studies to be of interest to him, he decided to further his education with a Level 8 degree in Business Studies from Dundalk IT, for which he applied with the help of VTOS. Dundalk IT Educating the generations! With a strong emphasis on lifelong learning, Dundalk IT opens its doors to people of all ages, including father and son Brendan and Fergal Crawley. With dozens of courses on offer in a range of areas such as business, law, engineering and the humanities, Dundalk IT has something to offer every generation. Fergal Crawley studied Management and Marketing back in 1993 and spent many years working in that field in both London and Dublin. He eventually moved into the construction and property development sector until the industry was badly hit and he was made unemployed in Looking at the options that were open to me at that point, I decided to look into further education, explains Fergal. A lot of people were moving abroad but having already lived in London, I had settled back in to living in Ireland and I enjoyed being back home. I had an idea about starting an online business which I wanted to pursue, but I felt that I was lacking a certain amount of IT knowledge and that I needed to address that issue. I knew of someone who had applied for the Higher Diploma in Computer Science in Dundalk IT so I contacted the college to find out more about the course, and they advised me on how to apply through Springboard. After successfully applying for the H Dip in Computer Science directly through Springboard, Fergal thoroughly enjoyed the oneyear course. I enjoyed the course a lot, says Brendan. I was lucky in that I didn t have to worry about minding children or anything like that college was my only concern and I had a lot of support from family and the college itself. Having now completed his degree, Brendan hopes to use it either in employment or on a voluntary basis. Meanwhile, Fergal is working on his online business, BusinessAdviceForum.com - an online discussion forum for people in business or who are starting up a business who wish to learn from each other and share their experiences. The Springboard course definitely helped me to set up my business, says Fergal. When I was looking at my options my father was already studying in Dundalk IT so I was familiar with the college and the idea of going back to education. We were studying in separate areas of the college but every now and then we would bump into each other in the library or other common areas, so it was a shared experience. I don t think myself or Fergal ever imagined we would be going to college at the same time, laughs Brendan. But the fact of us both being there meant we were able to lend support to each other. Welcome Fáilte 21

24 Student Stories Scéalta Mac Léinn a specific path called DMAIC which stands for Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control to arrive at the solution to a business problem. Eva found the course to be even better than she expected. Both teachers were very helpful and made the course as practical as possible and all the students shared their experiences from current and previous jobs. Eva said, I was actually the only international student there and I was a bit scared that my English wouldn t be able to keep up but the teachers were great and everyone was really nice and supportive. We were all working in different areas, including manufacturing and services and it made our discussions even more interesting. The most important thing for Eva was how to learn to implement the Lean Six Sigma principles and to use them correctly. Lifelong Learning - Open to Everyone She said, In the beginning, it is probably easier to imagine a tangible product than a service but my teachers provided examples for both so that helped a lot. We were put into teams for the mini-project section in order to put our learning into practice and this was the part I liked the most as it helped me gain a deeper understanding of the whole process. Eva Chládková is a fraud prevention agent with PayPal in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Her job is to determine if a customer transaction is legitimate or not. She is also involved in educating customers in how to maintain security and prevent losses. Eva came to Ireland from the Czech Republic about two years ago with a background in logistics and now works as part of a team at PayPal in Dundalk alongside colleagues from all over the world. Eva was involved in a project that was developing new methods to detect fraud and was looking for a way to manage the project as efficiently as possible. Eva said, I first came across Lean Six Sigma when I was studying logistics in college. When I moved to Ireland and joined PayPal, my team leader at the time was doing a Lean Six Sigma course and strongly recommended that I do the same at some point. I decided to find out if it could also help me with my work project and when I checked out the course at Dundalk IT, I felt that it could be very beneficial for me. Lean Six Sigma is a project management process primarily focused on the elimination of waste within a company in all its forms and this can include areas like the manufacture of defective products, underutilised staff talent, inefficient work practices, etc. It follows 22 Welcome Fáilte

25 Student Stories Scéalta Mac Léinn Analyse, Improve and Control to arrive at the solution to a business problem. Trevor said, My background is in electronic engineering and I had worked in Motorola at one point, one of the founders of Lean Six Sigma. It s where the process had been ingrained in me but I had never actually undertaken any formal training. When people define a problem, they tend to jump to a solution straight away but the most obvious answer isn t always the right one or the real problem gets overlooked. When I saw that Dundalk IT was offering night courses on Lean Six Sigma, I decided to use it to analyse my business problem. he continued. Lean Six Sigma - Saving Costs for Companies Lean Six Sigma helped Trevor Hearty devise a new cost-saving communications solution for his employers, Kingspan Ireland, where he is Enterprise Web Leader at its head office at Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. Kingspan is a global leader in high performance insulation, building fabric, and solar integrated building envelopes and employs over 8,500 people worldwide, operating in 85 different countries. Trevor leads a team that manages core IT services across Kingspan s global infrastructure. Its existing telephony and communications systems weren t meeting the need for an effective, efficient method for staff to communicate and collaborate on different projects, especially while outside the office. Trevor needed a system that would connect people easily, be it on their phones, mobiles or laptops and no matter where they were geographically so he turned to Lean Six Sigma to analyse the business challenge. Lean Six Sigma is a project management process primarily focused on the elimination of waste within a company in all its forms and this can include areas like the manufacture of defective products, underutilised staff talent, inefficient work practices, etc. It follows a specific path called DMAIC which stands for Define, Measure, While undertaking the course, Trevor examined a number of potential solutions and concluded that Microsoft Lync was the best fit. It s a unified communications solution that can fully integrate within the company s existing technology. Trevor said, If someone rings my desk phone, I can take the call on my laptop or my mobile phone, no matter where I am. We can now do audio and video conferencing, instant messaging and voic very quickly, simply and efficiently. The Microsoft Lync system is now deployed at Kingspan s head office and is being rolled out to the company s environmental division in Northern Ireland. Once it s implemented, all site to site calls will be free, which will yield substantial cost savings as well. Trevor points out that the Lean Six Sigma process is not just for manufacturing-based companies and can work equally well for service-based ones. Trevor said It s a great process for thinking through a problem, no matter what business you are in. My team provides a service within a large manufacturing company and the solving of the communications problem has benefited the business. Welcome Fáilte 23

26 Overall I had a brilliant experience, cannot praise enough the level of help received from course lecturers and administrators and DkIT staff in general. Adrian Langton Certificate in Digital Marketing and Digital Media Management 24

27 Business and Accountancy Courses Cursaí Gnó agus Cuntasaíochta Dr. Patricia Moriarty Head of School of Business and Humanities Ceannasaí Scoil Gnó agus Daonnachtaí t e patricia.moriarty@dkit.ie Mr. Shane Hill Head of Department of Management and Financial Studies Ceannasaí Roinn Staidéar Bainistíochta agus Airgeadais Page Certificate and Diploma in Business Studies 26 Degree (Honours) in Business Studies 27 Master in Business Administration 28 Accounting Technician 29 Certificate in Digital Marketing and Digital Media Management 30 Certificate in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) 31 Financial Accounting (Module from BA in Accounting & Finance) 32 Digital Marketing, Social Media and SEO 33 Certificate in Payroll Techniques 34 Certificate in VAT Techniques 35 t e shane.hill@dkit.ie Dr. Colette Henry Head of Department of Business Studies Ceannasaí Roinn Staidéar Gnó t e colette.henry@dkit.ie Business and Accountancy Accounting Courses Cursaí Gnó agus Cuntasaíochta 25

28 Certificate and Diploma in Business Studies DK_BIPAB_Q 1-2 years Further Information Ms. Ashling Newberry Institute of Public Administration No Lansdown Road Dublin 4 t e undergrad@ipa.ie w Year 1: Certificate Financial Accounting 1 Business Administration and Marketing Managing HR / Managing IT Quantitative Methods Year 2: Diploma Cost Accounting Business and Company Law Economics STREAMS*: Financial Accounting 2 Marketing Information Analysis Organisational Behaviour Information Systems Design and Development *Streams are offered subject to adequate demand and availability of Institute teaching resources. Please note that the IT stream is not offered by Dundalk IT. Awards You must successfully complete all subjects in a year to receive the award for that year. Seminars All participants must attend 4 to 5 weekend seminars throughout the course in Dublin. National University of Ireland and the Institute of Public Administration. (The award of NUI Certificate in Business Studies can be made after 1 st year. The award of NUI Diploma in Business Studies can be made after 2 nd year). The Certificate in Business Studies, the first stage of the BBS Degree, is a one-year part-time management programme that explores subjects essential to contemporary business. Organised under a general heading The Fundamentals of Business the course covers the topics most relevant to the modern business student. Students who gain an average of 40 percent or higher in their assessments can, if they wish, proceed to the Diploma in Business Studies. The Diploma in Business Studies is a two-year part-time NQAI Level 6 programme that combines the fundamentals of business explored in first year with instruction in one of four specific streams. Students thus extend their general understanding of the key elements of business practice while obtaining specialised knowledge about an area of particular interest to them. Students who gain an average of 40 percent or higher in their assessments can, if they wish, proceed to the third year of the Bachelor s Degree of Business Studies (Honours). How to Apply? Enrol online at You must also enrol with the IPA. Course Up to four classes of 1.5 hours each per week for one to two academic years. Classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays. 28 th 6.30pm (Subject to change). Applicants should have at least one year s work experience plus Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) with pass grades in five subjects including English and Maths. If you have reached 21 years of age by 1 st January of the year in which you wish to commence the course, but do not possess the minimum education requirements, you may still apply to register for the course. The Institute of Public Administration will consider such applications on a case by case basis. Tuition fee payable to Dundalk Institute of Technology is per subject per annum. Further fees of up to 1, per annum are payable to the IPA to cover enrolment, membership, NUI registration, IPA seminars, assessment and certain support services. (See for concessions). 26 Business and Accounting Courses Cursaí Gnó agus Cuntasaíochta

29 Further Information Ms. Ashling Newberry Institute of Public Administration No Lansdown Road Dublin 4 t e undergrad@ipa.ie w DK_BIPAB_Q 2 years Degree (Honours) in Business Studies Year 3 Management Accounting Financial Management Information Systems and Project Management (or Employee Resourcing, Development and Performance Management for HRM students) STREAMS*: Financial Accounting 3 Marketing Communications Human Resource Management Managing IT Infrastructure Year 4 Taxation (or Employment Relations for HRM students) Management Accounting Applications and Control Business Policy STREAMS*: Auditing Strategic Marketing and Planning Human Resource Leadership and Strategy Human Factors in Information Systems *Streams are offered subject to adequate demand and availability of Institute teaching resources. Please note that the IT stream is not offered by Dundalk Institute of Technology. Seminars All participants must attend 4 to 5 weekend seminars throughout the course in Dublin. National University of Ireland and the Institute of Public Administration. The Bachelor of Business Studies is a part-time NQAI Level 8 degree programme which is available at honours level and takes at least four years to complete. The course provides for four streams: Marketing Accounting Human Resource Management Information Systems Management (Not offered by Dundalk IT) How to Apply? Enrol online at You must also enrol with the IPA. Course Up to four classes of 1.5 hours each per week for at least two academic years. Classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays. 28 th 6.30pm (Subject to change) Applicants must have successfully completed the Diploma in Business Studies or an equivalent National Qualifications Authority of Ireland National Framework Level 6 business course. Tuition fee payable to Dundalk Institute of Technology is per subject per annum. Further fees of up to 1, per annum are payable to the IPA to cover enrolment, membership, NUI registration, IPA seminars, assessment and certain support services. (See for concessions). Business and Accounting Courses Cursaí Gnó agus Cuntasaíochta 27

30 Master in Business Administration DK_BMBAD_R 2 years Further Information Dr. Colette Henry Head of Department of Business Studies Dundalk Institute of Technology Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth t e colette.henry@dkit.ie Year 1 - Semester 1 Residential 1: Induction and Team Building Managing People and Organisations Finance and Accounting for Management Market Opportunities Economics - Environment and Policy Year 1 - Semester 2 Global Operations and Supply Chain Management Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice Regulatory Framework for Business Research Methods Year 2 - Semester 1 International Business Strategic Sales and Export Development Change Management E-Business and Digital Media Strategy Year 2 - Semester 2 Business Analysis and Strategy Corporate Financial Strategy Research Dissertation Residential 2 - Entrepreneurship and Corporate Leadership Dundalk Institute of Technology NQAI Level 9 Award. Our MBA offers a comprehensive business education, providing the skills and knowledge required for effective senior management. It is designed for those with significant business experience in functional areas - such as information technology, operations, marketing and finance - who are aiming towards senior management positions. How to Apply? You should apply directly to the Lifelong Learning Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology on an MBA Application Form which is available to download from Course This programme consists of the above-mentioned modules taken over two years. The course runs every second Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Class content should be supplemented by around 18 hours of private study each week. Mid-September. See for details. Applicants should have an honours degree or equivalent standard in a professional qualification with at least 5 years relevant management experience. In exceptional circumstances the Institute will consider candidates via the GMAT system. Candidates who cannot show evidence of competency in computing may be required to take a pre-entrance module in this discipline. Progression to each successive year requires a pass in all subjects in the previous year. Year 1 Fee - 6, Year 2 Fee - 9, Note: Year 2 fee includes travel and accommodation costs associated with the International Residential in Boston, USA of 2, Business Business and Accountancy and Accounting Courses Courses Cursaí Cursaí Gnó agus Gnó agus Cuntasaíochta