College is for you! Where do I start? What can I study?... Your compact guide to courses at Belfast Met

College is for you! Where do I start? What can I study?... Your compact guide to courses at Belfast Met

You have a right to education and to study in a safe and welcoming environment.

3 Each year, thousands of people learn a new skill and get a qualification at Belfast Met. About Belfast Met About Belfast Met We offer real courses for real jobs in a range of subjects such as; A Levels, Adult Access to University and Languages, Science, Business, Management and Finance, Creative and Service Industries, Electronic and Computing Technologies, Engineering and Construction and Health, Care, Sport and Leisure. You can study these at a range of levels from leisure learning to degree. Courses are taught by friendly, qualified tutors. We provide a variety of support services for students with a disability, international students or students who come from a care background. We offer careers advice and guidance for all students and provide a range of financial support. We can help you kick start or continue your journey by finding a full-time or parttime course that leads to employment at any of our six main campuses: Titanic Quarter, Millfield, Castlereagh, Tower Street, Whiterock and Springvale (Springfield Road). We also offer part-time courses at our other outcentres in Riddell, Bloomfield House and Chichester Avenue and in over 40 locations in the community including schools, libraries and community groups. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

4 We offer 500 courses from beginner to degree level.

5 I have little or no qualifications, how can I get back into education?? Where do I start? Where do I start? If you re not sure how to get back into learning, why not try one of our programmes? Essential Skills We offer FREE courses in ICT, Literacy and Numeracy at beginner level. Essential Skills are equivalent to GCSE Grade C. Classes are delivered at all main College Campuses and community centres across Belfast. To find out more about our Essential Skills courses, check out our part-time prospectus or go to www.belfastmet.ac.uk Prince s Trust An exciting 12 week course for ages 16-25, where you gain work experience, qualifications, participate in a community project and residential outdoor pursuits. See pg8 for more details. Threshold An individually tailored programme for ages 16-24, combining one-to-one support and group activities, delivered by a dedicated team. You will receive preparation for employment (CV and interview skills), work experience and a recognised qualification. See pg11 for more details. Even if you have a criminal conviction you can still study at Belfast Met. Talk to NIACRO for more information. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

6 Hairdressing Barbering Beauty Therapy Nail Services Sciences Animal Care Health and Social Care Dental Nursing Fashion Theatrical Hair and Makeup Music Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Acting) Travel and Tourism Cooking Baking Patisserie Fashion Art and Design Aviation Hospitality Music Technology (DJing) Graphic Design Digital Media Production Engineering Printing Creative Media Production (Games, Social Media, TV, Film and Sound, Moving Images, Journalism) Computing Construction Building Services Bricklaying Electrical Installation Air Conditioning Plumbing and Heating Car Mechanics Renewable Energies Administration Business Accounting Marketing Employability Programmes (Special Needs) Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

7 I have little or no qualifications but I know what I want to be...? What can I study? What can I study? We have a range of courses at Entry Level, Level 1 and at Level 2 where you can learn a skill and gain essential skills qualifications while you re at it. If you have no qualifications you can study these subjects at Entry or Level 1: Business and Administration Childcare Construction (Bricklaying, Building, Engineering) Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Health and Social Care Hospitality, Catering and Baking IT and Computing Motor Mechanics Plumbing Printing Retail Sport and Fitness Warehousing and Storage If you have 1 or 2 GCSE passes you can study these subjects at Level 2: Administration Animal Care Computing/Programming Electrical Engineering Engineering Fashion Media Music Drama (Performing Arts) Plumbing Printing Science Social Work Travel and Tourism If you want hands on experience, why not try an Apprenticeship: For unemployed people under 18 Gain a qualification Get your Essential Skills Gain 104hrs work experience See page 13 for more details. Apply or enrol early to avoid disappointment... Full-time course applications open from February and part-time course applications and enrolment opens in June and December. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

8 The Prince s Trust Team Programme Where to start? The Prince s Trust Team Programme is an exciting 12 week personal development course. More than 70% of participants go on to employment, training or education within three months of completing this course. This course will give you the chance to: Gain recognised qualifications Be part of a team and work with others Participate in residential outdoor pursuits Do something positive for your community Learn how to write a CV and prepare for interviews Make new friends and create new opportunities for yourself If you are aged between 16-25, not in employment, ready for a new challenge, lacking in confidence, unsure of what you want to do in life, then this course is for you! Upon successful completion of the course you will gain a Level 2 qualification as well as the opportunity to achieve Essential Skills in English, Maths and ICT. Belfast Met Prince s Trust Team programmes operate across different locations in the city with new courses starting in September, January and April each year. Interested?............................... For further information contact: Belfast City Centre Programme: Gary Brammeld (Team Leader), Tel: 028 9053 3107 or Email: gbrammeld@belfastmet.ac.uk Belfast East Programme: Paul Kane (Team Leader), Tel: 028 9053 3160 or Email: paulkane@belfastmet.ac.uk Belfast North Programme: Sean Maguire (Team Leader), Tel: 028 9053 3111 or Email: smaguire@belfastmet.ac.uk Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

9 9 Prince s Trust Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

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11 Are you aged between 16 and 24? Want to take part in an exciting FREE programme while receiving additional support with childcare expenses, travel expenses and a daily meal allowance? Threshold Programme Threshold Programme The programme combines one-to-one support and group activities, delivered by a dedicated team. You must not be in employment, education, or training to be eligible for this programme. By taking part in the Threshold Programme you will receive: Preparation for employment (CV and interview skills) Mentor support Personal development Training tailored to your needs Work experience A recognised qualification You will also receive additional support and help with childcare expenses, travel expenses and a daily meal allowance and you can claim Educational Maintenance Allowance if you meet the criteria. The programme will help to empower you through a range of positive experiences. How long is the programme? Typically three days a week for 12 weeks. The first two weeks are spent building an Individual Learning Plan, then 10 weeks mentoring, followed by work experience. Usual hours are 10am to 3pm (5 hours with 1 hour lunch). We run many away days and residentials, including visits to outdoor pursuits centres, go-karting, cinema, beauty treatments, dinner and bowling. What will I study? You will have a wide range of study options from Conflict Resolution, Painting & Decorating, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Beauty Therapy, Playwork & Paediatric First Aid, Construction, Catering, Special Needs and much more. We will work to suit your needs and interests. For further information contact: West Belfast Tel: 028 9032 2003 North Belfast Tel: 028 9074 2255 South Belfast Tel: 028 9033 2313 East Belfast Tel: 028 9053 3150 Or visit: www.thresholdprogramme. co.uk Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

12 Our students are supported to reach their full potential

13 I d love to learn a trade or learn while I m working...? Apprenticeships Apprenticeships ApprenticeshipsNI is a Northern Ireland programme that offers training to 16 year olds and over, across a wide range of jobs. It provides recognised training and qualifications to new and existing employees to help meet the demands of local employers. Employers are actively seeking trainees and apprentices in areas such as ICT and hospitality. The College is delighted to announce the launch of its new Higher Level Apprenticeship in Accountancy, supported by Accounting Technicians Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland and many leading accountancy employers. If you would like to find out more about this new opportunity contact: Luke Caldwell, email: lcaldwell@belfastmet.ac.uk or tel: 028 9026 5127. Training for Success Training for success is designed to help young people aged 16-17 who are not able to access ApprenticeshipsNI or employment routes by providing a period of training not exceeding 104 weeks. For further information on Apprenticeships and Training tel: 028 9026 5433. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

14 96.6% of students said they feel welcome at Belfast Met.

15 I m over 18 and I ve been out of education for years, I d love to do a degree.? Can I go to Uni? Can I go to Uni? The College offers a range of full-time and parttime Access courses allowing you to go straight into a degree course at Queen s University or the University of Ulster. Our Access courses offer an informal, adult environment with plenty of support to help you through the course. We have a long tradition stretching back to the late 1980 s of delivering these courses successfully and thousands of students have availed of the opportunity to undertake challenging Access courses in a range of disciplines before moving on to degree programmes which have changed their lives. We offer Access courses in : Queen s University Belfast - Access Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences Queen s University Belfast - Access Diploma in Maths and Computing Queen s University Belfast - Access Diploma in Engineering Queen s University Belfast - Access Diploma in Biological/Biomedical Sciences University of Ulster - Access Diploma in Computing, Business and Multimedia University of Ulster - Certificate in Higher Education in Combined Behavioural and Social Sciences The informal atmosphere of the College is matched by our commitment to excellence and a determination to deliver challenging and stimulating courses of study. Our Access course guide can be downloaded from our website www.belfastmet.ac.uk. If you have any queries, contact tel: 028 9026 5265 or email: academicstudies@belfastmet. ac.uk. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

16 Rugby Academy Love football or rugby? Would you like to play your favourite sport AND get a qualification? Rugby Academy The Academy is a first for under 18 students combining full-time academic study and rugby training. We offer talented players a pathway to senior rugby in Ireland through our Rugby Academy. As part of the two year course you will receive daily strength, conditioning and rugby training. We are looking for talented players with rugby skills or skills from, for example, GAA, soccer and general athletics, who would be interested in playing rugby at a high level. The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport is a two year programme equivalent to three A Levels. Interested?............................................... For further information contact: Jennifer Casey, Tel: 028 9026 5387 or email: hcslinfo@belfastmet.ac.uk

17 Football Academy The George Best Foundation Football Academy is the leading Sports Academy in Northern Ireland for 16-18 year olds who wish to pursue a career in football. This Level 3 course focuses on the academic and athletic development of these up and coming footballers. Football Academy The Academy consists of three teams giving each player the opportunity to compete in domestic league and cup competitions while studying on their course. Interested?............................................... For further information contact: Jennifer Casey, Tel: 028 9026 5387 or email: hcslinfo@belfastmet.ac.uk

18 95.6% feel safe and secure at Belfast Met.

19 I have a young family - what can I do to help them? Family Learning? Family Learning Why not learn more to help your child with homework and receive a qualification at the same time? We offer a Parents As Co-Educators (PACE) course which helps you understand more about the Early Years Curriculum. Find out how: Children are taught Literacy, Numeracy and the World About Us (History/Geography/ Science) Why Play and Circle Time are important for progress. How to encourage thinking skills in your child All within a 10 week course which gives you a qualification. We also offer Understanding Linguistic Phonics Linguistic Phonics is a new method of teaching children to read, write and spell with accuracy and confidence. Within this 10 week course (which will give you an OCN qualification) you will: Understand what is happening in school Be able to support your child at home Interested?.......................................................... For further information on these courses contact Margaret Stewart on tel: 028 9053 3162 or email: mstewart@belfastmet.ac.uk. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

20 Learning Difficulties I have some learning difficulties... What can I study? Coming to a large college can be an overwhelming experience for any student, but can be particularly challenging for those with a learning difficulty. No matter what course you are studying, we will be able to assess your needs and give you help through our Inclusive Learning Team, providing you with one-to-one help for learning difficulties such as dyslexia. If you have a moderate or severe learning difficulty you can also study though the Centre for Supported Learning, in courses such as: Routeways - Providing students with a high level of support whilst gaining work experience. The team facilitate workplace training for all participants in hospitality, retail and hairdressing. Towards Work and Independence- This course gives you the confidence and skills necessary to become more independent in your daily life and begins to prepare you for the world of work. You will gain skills in reading, number, writing and computers. You will sample different vocational areas such as painting and decorating, car valeting, textiles and catering. Contact tel: 028 9026 5415 / 028 9053 3164 or email: communityeducationandlifeskills@belfastmet.ac.uk

English is not my first language... How can I improve it? 21 ESOL Can I go Courses to Uni? English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) If English is not your first language we provide ESOL courses. If you would like to enrol on an ESOL course you need to attend an English assessment so that we can identify a class most suited to your level of English. ESOL classes are mainly delivered in our Titanic Quarter Campus and we also have courses in Millfield (Saturday mornings only), Castlereagh and other outcentres. We offer Pre-Entry Courses, Basic, Elementary, Pre- Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced. UK Skills for Life As an ESOL student you will be offered the opportunity to complete a UK based qualification Skills for Life. This is suitable for you if you intend to take up residency in the UK. If you would like to teach English as a foreign language we offer TEFL and CELTA courses. Further information on all these courses can be obtained from Maria Mooney on tel: 028 9026 5096 or email: mmooney@belfastmet.ac.uk.

22 Where to start? Student Support Centre for Inclusive Learning If you have a disability it is important to let us know through our confidential disclosure process. Once declared our Centre for Inclusive Learning will help to identify the support you will need to help you through your course and reach your potential. Further information about the support available can be obtained from cild@belfastmet.ac.uk or tel: 028 9026 5097. Student Finance The Student Finance team will provide information on fees, awards, bursaries, grants and other sources of funding. Student Finance can be contacted on tel: 028 9026 5172. Students Union Our Students Union along with our various clubs and societies will help you to integrate into the college community and mix with other students. You can find out more information about our Students Union by contacting Paul Docherty, email: pdocherty@ belfastmet.ac.uk or tel: 028 9026 5059. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

23 Student Support There are a range of student support services to assist you during your studies. Students who have been in care If you are in care or have been in care, you can receive additional assistance and possible financial support if you let our Student Support staff know. Contact Nuala Boyle on tel: 028 9026 5054 for more information. Information provided will be treated in confidence and only disclosed to those who need to help you. Careers Advice and Guidance We also provide Careers Advice and Guidance to help you select a course which suits your skills and identify further courses to help you continue your progress. Contact Careers Advice and Guidance, tel: 028 9026 5066. Libraries We have fantastic libraries and learning facilities which provide access to PCs, the internet, books, journals, printers, photocopiers and other support systems and materials. You will receive access to this when you enrol on a course either as a full or part-time student. International Students For international students we have a dedicated team of staff who provide advice, guidance and support. The International Office can be contacted on tel: 028 9026 5171. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

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25 Can my community group link with Belfast Met to run courses locally? Community Organisations Community Organisations Essential Skills courses in English, Maths and ICT are free if there are 10 or more learners of the same level. To find out more about Essential Skills options contact Jane Holmes on tel: 028 9026 0000 ext 3183. If you require a specific course and can provide 12 or more adult learners of a similar level please contact Trevor Moore on tel: 028 9026 0000 ext 3184. Other courses will incur a charge if there are less than 12 learners. We are also happy to discuss specific course requirements with community groups who have received funding to deliver training to meet a local need. How do I find out more about adult learning courses in my community? Courses are advertised in our part-time prospectus which is available in any of our main campuses and on our website www.belfastmet. ac.uk. Can we use Belfast Met facilities for conferences, meetings or events? Your community group can use any of the colleges facilities for events, conferences, cookery demonstrations, hire of painting workshops and recording studios. Contact Donna Convery, tel: 028 9026 5046 for more information. We offer community groups a reduced rate hire for college facilities at 20% of the normal commercial rate. Catering costs are additional and at full cost. Belfast Met logo must be used on all promotional material. Widening Participation The college runs open days for community and voluntary organisations to view our facilities, support services and to find out more about our courses. This is usually in February but can be organised at other times. To find out more contact Nuala Boyle, tel: 028 9026 5054. Chat to our Careers Team on tel: 028 9026 5066 for friendly advice on courses.

Our Campuses & Outcentres As well as our six main campuses across Belfast, we also run courses and work with the following community centres and schools:... An Droichead Atlas Women s Centre Ballybeen Women s Centre Belfast Boys Model School Belfast South Community Resource (BSCR) Blackie River Centre Bloomfield House Cairnshill Primary School Chichester Avenue Chinese Welfare Association Christ Church, Dundonald Conway Education Centre Culturlann Dolphin Women s Group East Belfast Community Centre Fleming Fulton School Glen Community Centre Greenway Women s Centre Holy Trinity Family Centre (Voices Women s Group) Inverary Community Centre Ionad Uibh Eachach Loughmoss Leisure Centre New Lodge Cluster Group Oasis Centre Parkmore Riddell Adult Education Centre Scoil Na Fuiseoige Shankill Women s Centre St. Agnes Parish Centre St. John s Parish Hall St. Joseph s College St. Michael s Parish Hall Stepping Stones Stye Brae Centre Survivors of Trauma The Ashton Centre Tullycarnet Links Upper Springfield Development Trust (USDT) Wandsworth Community Centre Windsor Women s Centre Woodstock Library

Make Belfast Met your No.1 choice Whether it is a leisure course, gaining new qualifications, learning a new hobby or meeting new friends, Belfast Met is the place for you!... Have a look at our part-time and full-time prospectus for over 500 courses from Level 0-7. If you want to chat to someone about your choices, call our Careers and Employability Team for an appointment on tel: 028 9026 5066. For information on applying for a course contact tel: 028 9026 5265. www.belfastmet.ac.uk