New tertiary degree programmes will open doors for prospective learners in Galway

Fógraíonn Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin Céimeanna Treasacha

Ceithre chlár céime nua i gcomhpháirtíocht le ATU

Sheol an tAire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, Simon Harris, (7 Iúil) roinnt clár céime nua inniu a mbeidh fáil orthu i mBord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin (GRETB) i mí Mheán Fómhair.  Cuirfear tús leis na cláir chéime treasacha go háitiúil, ní bheidh pointí CAO i gceist leo, agus beidh forchéimniú ráthaithe acu chuig rogha an mhic léinn de champais Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (ATU) ar chríochnú rathúil na chéad bhliana.

Seo a leanas na ceithre chéim a mbeidh fáil orthu i mí Mheán Fómhair: Eolaíocht Saotharlainne Tionscail, Gnó, Teicneolaíochtaí Innealtóireachta Inbhuanaithe, agus Altranas Ginearálta. Is cur chuige nuálaíoch é seo thar ceann na hearnála breisoideachais agus ardoideachais agus tá siad dírithe orthu siúd a mbeadh sé rídheacair orthu freastal ar chlár ceithre bliana in Ollscoil.

Forbraíodh na cláir phíolótacha mar ghné de bheartas na Roinne córas oideachais treasach aontaithe a bheith ann agus is toradh iad ar chomhopháirtíocht idir Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin, Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall agus Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Mhaigh Eo, Shligigh agus Liatroma agus Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh.  Tá na ceithre chéim uathúil do bhraisle an Iarthair/an Iarthuaiscirt.

Ag labhairt dó ar sheoladh na gcéimeanna treasacha, chuir David Leahy, Príomhfheidhmeannach GRETB fáilte roimh an bhfógra agus mhol sé iad siúd a raibh baint acu lena bhforbairt. ‘Tá traidisiún láidir comhoibrithe agus comhpháirtíochta againn i mBord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin.  Is sampla eile é seo de na buntáistí a thagann as oibriú le chéile ar mhaithe le deiseanna oideachais sa réigiún seo a fheabhsú. Leanfaimid orainn ag cothú na naisc láidre atá againn leis an ATU agus lenár gcomhghleacaithe sna Boird Oideachais agus Oiliúna eile’.

Thagair Sinéad Morgan, Stiúrthóir Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna GRETB, d’uathúlacht na gclár, agus dúirt sí go bhfuil ‘na cláir chéime seo uathúil, ní gá pointí CAO a bheith agat chun bheith i dteideal ceann a dhéanamh, ní dhéanann tú iarratas tríd an gcóras CAO fiú.  An fhealsúnacht atá taobh thiar de na céimeanna treasacha deiseanna a thabhairt dóibh siúd nár cheap riamh go mbeadh oideachas tríú leibhéal i ndán dóibh ar go leor cúiseanna – easpa airgid, dualgais cúraim, constaicí athlonnaithe, nó díreach mar nár fhreastail aon duine ina dteaghlach ná ina bpobal ar institiúid tríú leibhéal roimhe sin!  Mar go bhfuil deis agat do chéad bhliain a dhéanamh i d’ionad áitiúil de chuid an Bhoird Oideachais agus Oiliúna, laghdófar costais taistil agus lóistín agus na costais a bhaineann le bheith as baile ar feadh ceithre bliana. Cuirtear tacaíochtaí breise ar fáil sa suíomh ETB sa chéad bhliain agus is gné ar leith é sin nach mbíonn i gceist le cúrsaí eile’.

Is féidir leo siúd a bhfuil spéis acu tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi na critéir incháilitheachta agus faoin nós imeachta iarratais ag https://gretb.ie/tertiary-degrees/. Cuirfear iarratasóirí incháilithe ar ghearrliosta agus tabharfar cuireadh chun agallaimh dóibh, áit a gceanglófar orthu a n-oiriúnacht don chlár a léiriú agus fianaise a thaispeáint ar a n-incháilitheacht bunaithe ar an bhfaisnéis a cuireadh ar fáil sa phróiseas iarratais.

Má tá ceist ar bith eile agat, nó tuilleadh eolais ag teastáil uait, déan teagmháil le GRETB ag 1800 140 242; [email protected] agus https://gretb.ie/tertiary-degrees/.

GRETB partner with ATU to launch degrees delivered through further and higher education

Four new degree programmes have been announced by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) as part of new tertiary degree programmes launched today (07.07.23) by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD.

Commencing in September 2023, the tertiary degree programmes begin locally, do not require CAO points, and have guaranteed progression to an Atlantic Technological University (ATU) campus of choice upon successful completion of year one. Courses are available in:

  • Industrial Laboratory Science,
  • Business,
  • Sustainable Engineering Technologies, and
  • General Nursing.

Developed as part of a collaboration by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board; Donegal Education and Training Board; Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board; and Atlantic Technological University, the four degrees are unique to this group of ETBs and ATU.

This collaborative approach by the further and higher education sector is the first of its kind and is aimed at those for whom attending a four-year programme at a university would be extremely difficult.

David Leahy, Chief Executive of GRETB welcomed the announcement, “We have a strong tradition of collaboration and partnership in Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.  This is another example of the power of working together to improve educational opportunities in this region.  We will continue to build on our strong ties with both ATU and our ETB colleagues.”

GRETB’s Director of Further Education and Training, Sinéad Morgan, outlined the benefits of the new programmes for learners saying, “These degree programmes are unique, you don’t need CAO points to qualify, in fact you don’t even apply through the CAO system.

“The tertiary degrees are rooted in giving opportunities to people who never dreamed of pursing a third level degree for a whole host of reasons – financial, caring obligations, relocation obstacles, or simply because no one in your family or community has ever attended third level before. With the chance to complete your first year in your local ETB, the costs of travelling, accommodation and being away from home for four years are reduced. The additional supports offered in the ETB setting in year one are also key to setting these courses apart from the rest.”

Information about eligibility criteria and application procedure is available at https://gretb.ie/tertiary-degrees/. Eligible applicants will be shortlisted and invited to interview where they will be required to demonstrate their suitability to the programme.

For queries and further information, contact GRETB on 1800 140 242; [email protected]

The four degree courses are: 

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science with year one delivered in Galway Community College (GCC), Wellpark, Galway. Upon successful completion of year one learners progress for the remaining two years at one of three ATU campuses, depending on the pathway of study chosen, which include ATU Galway City (Biochemistry Pathway), Letterkenny (Biopharmaceutical Science Pathway), and Sligo (Life Sciences Pathway).

 

 

Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business with year one delivered in Galway Technical Institute, Fr Griffin Rd, Galway. Upon successful completion of year one learners progress for the remaining three years to one of three ATU campuses, depending on the pathway of study chosen, which include ATU Galway City (Digital Business), ATU Sligo (Supply Chain Management) and ATU Donegal (Enterprise and Innovation).

 

 

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Engineering Technologies delivered in Galway Community College (GCC), Wellpark, Galway. Upon successful completion of year one learners progress for the remaining two years at one of three ATU campuses, depending on the pathway of study chosen, which include ATU Galway City (Sustainable Engineering Technologies for the Manufacturing Industry), ATU Sligo (Sustainable Engineering Technologies for the Manufacturing Industry), and ATU Donegal (Sustainable Engineering Technologies for Computing).

 

 

Tertiary Access Route into Bachelor of Science (Honours) in General Nursing delivered in GRETB Further Education and Training Centre, Dunmore, Co Galway. This is a unique access route into the BSc Honours degree in General Nursing with ATU. Upon successful completion of QQI level 5 and all minimum academic requirements, learners will progress automatically to year one of the BSc in General Nursing with ATU in Castlebar, Sligo or Letterkenny. Places on this course are limited to twenty.

 

Unlike other degree courses, applicants do not need to wait for CAO points as they can apply directly. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview when they will be required to show evidence of their eligibility based on the information provided in the application process. The first year of these degrees are free with GRETB and you are eligible to apply for a SUSI grant (https://www.susi.ie/).

Application Deadline

Initial applications for the tertiary programmes will close at 5:00pm on 8th August, 2023. Late applications will be considered where there are still places available after all eligible candidates have been considered. Visit the ‘Apply Now’ section to find out more about how to apply.

For inquiries and further information, individuals can contact GRETB directly by FREEPHONE 1800 140 242 or email [email protected]