STUDENT GUIDE 2020...1 3 5 6 * If applying for LM089, LM100 or LM102, you must register for the Mature Student Admissions Pathway test (MSAP) by early February. The test is usually

MATURE

2020 G U I D ESTUDENT

NOTE: The contents of this guide are for information purposes only and should

not be viewed as the basis of a contract between a student and the University.

No guarantee is given that courses, fees or regulations may not be altered,

cancelled, or otherwise amended at any time.

All enquiries in relation to admission of students on undergraduate programmes should be addressed to:

Undergraduate Admissions OfficeUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland

+353 61 202015

www.ul.ie/admissions-askus

www.ul.ie/admissions

2020G U I D E

CONTENTS

1 WELCOME 5

2 IMPORTANT DATES FOR ENTRY IN 2020 7

3 MATURE STUDENTS IN UL 10

MatureStudentOffice 11 Whoisconsideredamaturestudent? 12 WhatcanIapplyfor? 12 WherecanIgetinformationoncourses? 12 Whataretheentryrequirements? 12 HowmanymaturestudentsareinUL? 12 Whendocoursesstart? 13 Whatlevelofcommitmentisrequired? 13 WelcomeProgrammeformaturestudents 13

4 PREPARATORY PROGRAMMES FOR MATURE STUDENTS 14 MatureStudentAccessCertificate 15 MathsforSTEMCertificate 18

5 MAKING AN APPLICATION 20

Initialstepstoconsider 21 Howtoapply 24 Writingapersonalstatement 25 Howareapplicationsassessed? 25 CanIdefermyplace? 26

6 COSTS AND FUNDING 28

Programmefees 29 Costofliving 29 Financialsupport 30

7 APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 35

8 LEARNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN UL 64

9 MATURE STUDENT PROFILES 68

10 TOP TIPS FROM UL MATURE STUDENTS 72

Mature students on full-time undergraduate programmes are typically studentswho commence higher education studies, for the first time, when they are aged23orover.Manyadultschoosetostudyincollegeasmaturestudentsforavarietyof reasons. Some are motivated by an interest in career development or in newemployment opportunities, while others are interested in their own personaldevelopment, or in fulfilling a lifelong ambition by undertaking third-level study.Whatever your own motivation, background or experience, mature students arehugelywelcomedandvaluedbyeveryoneinUL.

Manyofyouwillbejugglingvariousrolesasyoutakeonyetanotherone-thatofmaturestudent.Manyofyouwillhavebeenawayfromformalstudyforanextendedperiodoftime.Yourtaskmayappeardauntingandwewilldoourverybesttoassistyoubyprovidingasupportiveenvironment.

Thisguideisintendedasashortinformationguideformaturestudentswhoarethinkingofreturningto third-level study. It details some of the supports which are available in UL, as well as givinginformation on how to go about applying to UL, helping you to make an informed decision aboutreturningtothird-leveleducation.

Again,averywarmwelcomeisextendedtoyou.ItismysincerestwishthatifyoudodecidetocometoULthatyourexperienceherewillbeanenrichingandrewardingone,andthatultimatelyyouwillachieveyourownpersonalgoalsandwillenjoyanexcitingandfulfillinglearningjourney.

RHONA MCCORMACKMature Student Officer

EM021, Main Building, University of Limerick

061-213481

[email protected]

www.ul.ie/mso

Twitter@MSO_UL

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK / OLLSCOIL LUIMNIGH

6 MATURE STUDENT GUIDE / 2020

ENTRY IN 2020

IMPORTANT DATES IN BOTH THE CAO APPLICATION & UL ASSESSMENT PROCESSES:

Register with CAO between 5th November 2019 and 1st February 2020.

Input your course choices using the ‘My Application’ facility before 1st February 2020 at 5.15pm. Note that because of assessment tests you must apply by 1st February for the following courses: - LM089 Sport & Exercise Sciences- LM100 Physiotherapy- LM102 Psychology- LM103 Paramedic Studies- LM150 Nursing (General)- LM152 Nursing (Mental Health)- LM154 Nursing (Intellectual Disability)- LM156 Midwifery

Remember to place your course choices in genuine order of preference.

531 7

Post all supporting documentation to the CAO by 1st March 2020.

If applying for Nursing & Midwifery programmes, you must apply to www.publicjobs.ie between mid-February and early March 2020 in order to register to sit a written assessment test for mature nursing places. The test is usually held in mid-April. See pink box below*

Screening of applications and scheduling of mature student interviews, where these are held, takes place between April and June 2020.

Late applications by mature students for some courses in UL may be made through the CAO up to 1st May 2020. Check with the Admissions Office for programmes which accept late applications.Note exceptions in Step 2.

7

2 4

42 6


31 5

6

* If applying for LM089, LM100 or LM102, you must register for the Mature Student Admissions Pathway test (MSAP) by early February. The test is usually held in early March.

9 11 13

8 10 12 14For mature applicants who had applied by 1st February, the CAO ‘change of mind’ facility may be used between 5th and 12th May 2020 to include additional UL programmes (other than programmes listed in Step 2) on your CAO list.

Mature applicants with full Leaving Certificate or relevant QQI awards, who have already made a CAO application, may amend their programme choices up to 1st July 2020, in order to be assessed for places based solely on their Leaving Certificate points or QQI award. Mature applicants with the MSAC may amend their programme choices up to 1st July 2020 for direct entry programmes only.

Offers of places to mature applicants are made in Round ‘A’, in early July 2020.

24th & 25th August 2020: UL Welcome Programme for new Mature Students who have accepted their CAO offers.

Offers of places to mature applicants based on full QQI awards or Leaving Certificate are made at the end of July and mid-August respectively.

31st August - 4th September 2020: Orientation for all first year students. Students will be notified of the relevant date for their programme.

7th September 2020: Classes commence for all students.

13

8 10

This chart is provided as a reference guide only.

9 11

12 14


MATURE STUDENT OFFICETheMatureStudentOffice(MSO)ispartoftheStudentAffairsDivisioninUL.TheofficeactsasaguideformaturestudentsastohowbesttousetheservicesavailablewithintheUniversity.TheworkandsupportsprovidedbytheMSOfocusprimarilyonsupportingthetransitionofmaturestudentstothird-levelstudies.

Our main areas of work within this transition period include:

- Offeringinformationandadvicetoprospectivematurestudentswhoareconsideringcomingto ULviainformationsessions,outreachvisits,opendaysandpersonalenquiries- Co-ordinatinganddeliveringtheMatureStudentAccessCertificate- Co-deliveringtheMathsforSTEMCertificatewithLimerickandClareEducationand TrainingBoard- HostingaWelcomeProgrammeforincomingfirstyearmaturestudentsinAugusteveryyear- Helpingmaturestudentstoavailofthewiderangeoflearningandothersupportsavailableinthe UniversityofLimerick&connectingmaturestudentswitheachother

TheMatureStudentOfficesupportsmaturestudentswhoareregisteredonfull-timeundergraduateprogrammesinUL.Itisaplacewherematurestudentscancometotalkandbelistenedto,inafriendlyand empathetic environment.The Mature Student Office is located in the Main Building on the ULcampusinRoomEM019a(nearEdenRestaurant).

Someoftheothersupportsweofferinclude:- UL40MatureStudentScholarshipScheme(seep32)- MatureStudentCoffeeMornings- Regulare-shotstoallmaturestudents

RhonaMcCormackistheMatureStudentOfficer(T: 061-213481; E: [email protected])andLucyMcGrathistheOfficeAdministrator(T: 061-202735; E: [email protected]).


MATURE STUDENT GUIDE / 2020 11

1.RHONA MCCORMACK

MatureStudentOfficer

2. LUCY MCGRATH

OfficeAdministrator

1

2

WHO IS CONSIDERED A MATURE STUDENT? Amaturestudentissomeonewhois23yearsofageorolderon1stofJanuaryinthecalendaryearofentrytoafull-timeundergraduateprogramme.

WHAT CAN I APPLY FOR?MaturestudentapplicantscanapplytoanyofUL’sprogrammesuptotheclosingdateof1stFebruary.IndividualswithintheEuropeanUnionmustmakeanapplicationthroughtheCentralApplicationsOffice. Some programmes of study may accept applications after 1st February. Please contact theUndergraduateAdmissionsOffice(see below) forfurtherdetails.IndividualsfromcountriesoutsideoftheEuropeanUnionshouldcontacttheInternationalEducationDivision(T: +353-61-202414 F: +353-61-213062 E: [email protected] )

WHERE CAN I GET INFORMATION ON COURSES?InformationonallundergraduateprogrammesofferedbyULcanbefoundintheULprospectus.Theprospectusisavailableonlineatwww3.ul.ie/courses/orcontacttheUndergraduateAdmissionsOffice(T: 061-202015 E: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus )foraprintedcopy.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS? Eachmaturestudentapplicationisconsideredonanindividualbasis.Academicqualifications,workand life experience, motivation and overall potential to be successful on your chosen programmeof study are considered and evaluated from your written CAO application and sometimes also aninterview.MaturestudentapplicantsarenotassessedforplacesonthebasisofLeavingCertificatepoints.

However,someprogrammesinULdolookforspecificacademicrequirementspriortoentrye.g.someEngineeringprogrammesrequirematurestudentapplicantstohavehigherlevelLeavingCertificateMathematics,orequivalent.

PleaseseeSection7ofthisguideforfurtherinformationonapplicationandassessmentcriteriaforindividualprogrammes.

HOW MANY MATURE STUDENTS ARE IN UL?The number of mature students starting in UL can vary from year to year. In 2018/19 there wereapproximately460maturestudentsregisteredacrossallfouryearsofalldegreecoursesinUL.Thisequatedtoabout5%ofallfull-timeundergraduatestudents.ULreservesupto15%ofplacesonfull-timeundergraduatecoursesformaturestudents,howevernotallcourseswillnecessarilyfill theseplaces,assomeprogrammesaremorepopularthanothers.



WHEN DO COURSES START?All full-time undergraduate programmes in UL start inSeptemberofeachyear.ThemostuptodateinformationontheULacademiccalendarisavailableon:www.ulsites.ul.ie/academiccalendar/

An academic year runs from early September to mid May.There are two semesters (or terms) in each academic year.Each semester lasts fifteen weeks – twelve teaching weeks,followedbyonestudyweekandthenaperiodoftwoweekswhenexaminationsareheld.

WHAT LEVEL OF COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED? Undergraduate programmes require a significant level of commitmentfromstudents.Full-timestudentscanexpect tohavebetween10and20or more class contact hours per week, depending on the programme youareenrollingfor.Thesehourscanbemadeupofacombinationof lectures,tutorials,andlaboratoryorotherpracticalsessions.ClassesarescheduledanytimefromMondaytoFriday,between9.00amand6.00pm.Thereforestudentsneed tobeavailable toattendclassesona full-timebasis. Inaddition,youcanexpecttodosupplementaryreading,study,projectandassignmentworkoutsideofclasstime.

WELCOME PROGRAMME FOR MATURE STUDENTSTheMatureStudentOfficehostsaWelcomeProgrammeformaturestudentseachyearattheendofAugust.Thisprogrammeisheldover2daysandoffersincomingfirstyearmaturestudentstheopportunitytovisittheULcampusinadvanceofthegeneralfirstyearOrientationprogramme.Yougettolearnmoreaboutservicesandsupportsavailabletostudentsoncampus,meetwithothernewmaturestudentsandwithkeysupportpersonnel,andundertakeanintroductiontosomekeylearningskills(e.g.studyskills,writingskills)tokick-startyourlearningjourneyinUL.



http://ulsites.ul.ie/academiccalendar/

PREPARATORY

PROGRAMMES

FOR MATURESTUDENTS

The Mature Student Access Certificate (MSAC) is a one year full-time pre-degreecoursedesignedformaturestudentswhowishtodeveloporrefreshkeylearningskillsbeforeapplyingdirectlyforadegreecourse.

TheMSACwillfacilitateyoutodevelopcoreskillswhichwillbeveryusefultoyouinthird-level,suchasstudyskillsand ITskills,andgivesyouanopportunity tostudyaspecialistsubjectareasuchasHumanities,Science,EngineeringorBusiness.YoualsogettoexperiencelifeoncampusinULasafull-timeregisteredstudentbeforecommittingtostudyonafour-yeardegreeprogramme.

The modules offered on the programme include the following:

A. CORE MODULES / completed by all participants

1. Mathematics/EngineeringMathematics2. ComputerSkills3. StudySkills4. EducationalGuidance

B. ELECTIVE MODULES / choose one of the modules below

1. Humanities History,Politics&PublicAdministration,Sociology,EnglishLiterature2. Science Biology,Chemistry&Physics3. Engineering IntroductiontoEngineering,ManufacturingTechnologyandComputerAided Design(CAD)4. Business IntroductiontoEconomics,IntroductiontoAccountingandFinance



MATURE STUDENT ACCESS CERTIFICATE

PROGRESSION FROM THE MATURE STUDENT ACCESS CERTIFICATE

StudentswhosuccessfullycompletetheMSACareguaranteeddirectentryonto17degreeprogrammesinULintheHumanities,Science,EngineeringandBusinessdisciplinesandtoonedegreeprogrammeinMaryImmaculateCollege.TheprogressionopportunitiesavailablearedependentontheelectivemodulechosenbythestudentontheMSAC.AlistoftheseprogrammesisavailabledirectlyfromtheMatureStudentOfficeorisonourwebsite:www.ul.ie/mso

StudentsmustachieveanoverallQCAof2.6oraboveontheMSACinordertosecureaguaranteedplace on your chosen degree programme. In addition, students taking Engineering MathematicsmustachieveaminimumB3inbothMathsmodulesinordertobeguaranteedprogressiontocertainEngineeringprogrammesinUL.YoualsohavetheoptionofapplyingonacompetitivebasistoanyotherprogrammeofyourchoiceinUL,outsideofthedirectprogressionlist.

Candidatesmustbeatleast22yearsofage,by1stJanuary2020toapplyforentryinSeptember2020.Therearenostandardeducationalentryrequirementsbutevidenceofamotivation toprogress tothird-leveleducation isdesirable. EvidenceofEnglish languageproficiencymayberequiredwhereEnglishisnotthefirstlanguageofapplicants.

For further information contact the Mature Student Office

061 - 202735 [email protected]

www.ul.ie/mso

Twitter@MSO_UL



// THE MATURE STUDENT ACCESS CERTIFICATE WILL FACILITATE YOU TO DEVELOP CORE SKILLS WHICH WILL BE VERY USEFUL TO YOU IN THIRD-LEVEL //

MATHS FOR STEM CERTIFICATE LEADING TO QQI MATHS FOR STEM LEVEL 5 SPECIAL PURPOSE AWARD

(5S2246)

This programme is offered by the Further Education and Training Division of Limerick and ClareEducationandTrainingBoard inpartnershipwith theUniversityofLimerick (UL). It isdesignedforlearners who wish to improve their competency and knowledge in mathematics particularly as itrelatestoworkorstudyintheSciences,Technology,EngineeringandMathematics(STEM)disciplines.

TheMathsforSTEMCertificateisrecognisedbyULasequivalenttoHigherLevelLeavingCertificateMathematics (HLLCM) for the purposes of meeting the minimum entry maths requirement, formatureapplicants,tocertaindegreeprogrammes.AMeritintheMathsforSTEMCertificateisdeemedequivalenttoaH4inHLLCM,whileaDistinctionisdeemedequivalenttoaH3.

ThecoursecontentissetoutintheAwardSpecificationfortheQQIMathsforSTEMAward(5S2246)(see:https://qsearch.qqi.ie/WebPart/AwardDetails?awardCode=5S2246).Thefollowingmathematicaltopicsarecovered:

1. MathematicalProficiency2. Number3. SetTheoryandLogic4. Algebra5. FunctionsandCalculus6. GeometryandTrigonometry7. ProbabilityandStatistics


PROGRESSION FROM PROGRAMME

All mature-age participants in this course who wish to progress to a degree programme in UL arerequired to apply via the CAO by 1st February in the relevant year. Achievement of the minimumrequiredgradeintheMathsforSTEMCertificatedoesnotguaranteeparticipantsaplaceonarelevantdegreeprogramme.Participantswillstillbeassessedonacompetitivebasis,asnormalforallmatureapplicantstoUL(seeSection7ofthisGuide).

PROGRAMME DELIVERY

The course takes place onWednesday evenings and Saturday mornings for the full academic year.ClassesareheldintheUniversityofLimerickandparticipantsareregisteredlearnerswithLimerickandClareEducationandTrainingBoard.

Applicant requirements for entry in September 2020:

• Mature-ageapplicantsmustbeaged22yearsorolderby1stJanuary2020.• HoldaminimumofaDistinctioninaQQI/FETACmathsawardatLevel4oraPassinOrdinary LevelLeavingCertificateMathematicsorequivalent• HavegoodITskillsandgoodEnglishlanguageskills

For further information contact the Mature Student Office

061-202735

[email protected]

www.ul.ie/mso

Twitter@MSO_UL



INITIAL STEPS TO CONSIDERThereareanumberofkeystepswhichareadvisableformaturestudentstoundertakepriortomakinganapplicationforanundergraduateprogrammeinUL.

1. RESEARCH PROGRAMMES OF INTEREST

HavealookattheULprospectus(availableonlineatwww3.ul.ie/courses/orrequestaprintedcopyfromtheUndergraduateAdmissionsOfficeT: 061-202015)toseethevarietyofprogrammesonofferandthinkaboutwhatarea(s)areofmostinteresttoyou.Taketimetolookatthedetailofprogrammesandnotjustthetitles,astheinformationthetitleprovidesyouwithcanbelimited.Lookathowaprogramme is structured, what subjects are taught, whether there are specific entry requirements(suchashigherlevelLeavingCertificateMathsforEngineeringprogrammes),andwhatcareeroptionsareavailableafterwards.

Ifyouareinterestedinwhereaparticulardegreemaytakeyou,havealookattheUsingYourULDegreepageontheCooperativeEducation&CareersDivisionwebsite(www3.ul.ie/careers/yourdegree/).

2. EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE

‘Guidance’ refers to a range of activities designed to assist people to make appropriate learningchoices.Itcanbeveryusefultomeetwithaguidancecounsellortotalkthroughyourlearningoptionsbefore making your application. A guidance counsellor can help you to identify the wide range ofopportunitieswhichareopentoyouandcanhelpyoutoconsideryourdecisiontoreturntothird-leveleducationfromaholisticperspectivee.g.Haveyoutakenintoaccountthekindsofsupportyouwillneedathome?Haveyoulookedatpossiblepart-timeoptions?Haveyoufullylookedatthefinancialimpactofreturningtostudy?Haveyouconsideredstudyoptionsavailableindifferentcolleges?

TheUniversityofLimerickhasadedicatedCareersAdviserformaturestudents.PatsyRyanworkswiththeCooperativeEducationandCareersDivisionandmaybeavailable,outsideofacademictermtime,tomeetwithoradviseanyprospectivematurestudentwhoisconsideringapplyingtoUL.

PatsycanbecontactedatT: 061-234227orE: [email protected].

AdultEducationGuidanceServices(AEGS)arealsoavailableinmostcountiesinIrelandandprovideguidanceandinformationservicestovariousdesignatedclientgroups.Seewww.aegai.ieforcontactdetailsforyournearestservice.AEGSinformationservicesaregenerallyopentomembersofthepublic.





3. OPEN EVENINGS & INFORMATION SESSIONS

ULhostsanumberofOpenDaysduringtheyear.OpenDaysin2019/20willtakeplaceonThursday17thandFriday18thOctober2019andSaturday18thJanuary2020.Prospectivematurestudentsareencouragedtoattendtheseeventsastheyprovideanopportunitytomeetwithteachingandsupportstaff working in UL and to learn more about the various programmes on offer. Check the MatureStudentOfficewebsite(www.ul.ie/mso)forfurtherdetailsorwww3.ul.ie/opendays/.

SomeeveninginformationsessionsarealsoofferedbytheMatureStudentOffice,usuallyinApril,tohelpmatureapplicantstoprepareformaturestudentinterviews.Detailsareupdatedonwww.ul.ie/mso.

4. COMPLETE AN ACCESS COURSE OR OTHER PROGRAMME OF STUDY

IfithasbeenalongtimesinceyousatyourLeavingCertificate,orifyoudidn’tcompleteyourformalschoolingwhenyouwereyounger, itcanbeagoodideatoconsiderdoingsomepreparatorystudybeforeapplyingforadegreeprogramme.Bydoingthis,youwillgetanopportunitytobuildupyourconfidence, particularly in relation to your learning skills. It can also give you the opportunity toexperiencethecommitmentrequiredtoundertakestudyonafull-timebasis.

Useful courses to undertake before applying for degree programmes can be third-level ‘access’courses,suchasUL’sMatureStudentAccessCertificate;QQIprogrammes(offeredbypost-leavingcertcollegesoradulteducationcentres);orLeavingCertificatesubjectswhichcanbestudiedforeitherindependentlyorthroughyourlocaladulteducationcentreorVTOSprogramme.

ULhasalsodevelopedanumberofentryroutestothefirstyearof12degreeprogrammesforstudentswho have achieved a relevant QQI award.These entry routes are to a range of programmes in theHumanities, Nursing and Business disciplines.The information on the linked programmes in thesedisciplines may be useful to mature students who are considering undertaking some preparatorystudybeforestartingonadegreeprogramme.

FurtherinformationontheseQQIlinkedprogrammesisavailablefromtheUndergraduateAdmissionsofficeatT: 061-202015 www.ul.ie/admissions-askusoronwww.ul.ie/admissions/furthereducationpathways

5. COMPUTER SKILLS

Beingcomfortableusingcomputersbeforeyoustartonadegreeprogrammewillmakeyourlifesomucheasier!Computerskillsreallyare‘lifeskills’whenitcomestostudyinginthird-level.Itishighlyrecommended, if you do not currently have good computer skills (e.g. familiarity with using email,theinternet,Word,andExcel),thatyouundertakeabasiccomputerskillscoursebeforestartingyourdegreeprogrammeastheskillsyoudevelopwillbeinvaluabletoyouduringyourtimeatULandwillgiveyoumuchmoreconfidencewhenstartinginfirstyear.



6. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

English Language Requirements:

FormatureapplicantsforwhomEnglishisnottheirfirstlanguage,proofofcompetenceintheEnglishlanguage may be required as part of your application to UL. For full details regarding acceptablequalificationsandspecificEnglishlanguagerequirementspleaseconsult theUniversityofLimericklanguage centre website at www.ul.ie/languagecentre.Where assessment tests or interviews areheldinEnglishhowever,aspartofthematurestudentapplicationassessment,successinthesemaybedeemedsufficientproofofEnglishlanguagecompetency.

Non-EUapplicantstoULshouldapplythroughtheInternationalEducationOfficeat:T: 061-213034 E: [email protected] W: www.ul.ie/international

Foreign Language Requirements:

MatureapplicantswhoareapplyingforprogrammeswitharequirementtohaveLeavingCertificatelevellanguage,orequivalent,priortoentry,arestronglyrecommendedtospendtimeimprovingtheirlanguageskillsintheyearpriortoentrytothedegreecourse.Thiscanbedonebyattendingrefresherlanguage classes in language institutes or adult education colleges; immersing themselves inspeakingthelanguageinthecountryoforigin;orattendingsocialclubsorlanguagecircleswherethelanguageisspoken.Interviewsfordegreeprogrammeswherealanguageisasignificantcomponentofthecourseofstudy,willmorethanlikelybeheldinthelanguagetobestudied.

7. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Considerthefinancialimplicationsofcomingbacktostudyonafull-timebasisforuptofouryears.Furtherinformationoncostsandfundingareavailableinthenextsectionofthisguide.

HOW TO APPLY

ALL PROGRAMMES

Tosubmitanapplicationforconsiderationasamaturestudent,thefollowingstepsmustbecompleted:

• MatureapplicantsmustapplyonlinethroughtheCentralApplicationsOffice(CAO)by1stFebruary 2020.• MatureapplicantsmustindicateintheirCAOapplicationthattheyareamatureapplicant.They willbethendirectedtoanadditionalsectionoftheonlineformforcompletion.• Allsupportingdocumentation(personalstatements,evidenceofqualifications,employment etc)mustbepostedtotheCAOby1stMarch2020. Seewww.admissions.ul.ieforfulldetailsonthesupportingdocumentationrequiredfordifferent programmes.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME PROGRAMMES

• ApplicantstoLM038PsychologyandSociologyarerequiredtosubmitanessaytotheCAOaspart oftheirsupportingdocumentation.• ApplicantstoLM089SportsandExerciseSciences,LM100PhysiotherapyandLM102Psychology arerequiredtoregisterfortheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)testbyearlyFebruary eachyear,withthetestgenerallytakingplaceinearlyMarch.Furtherdetails,includingtestvenues, areavailablefromhttps://msap-ireland.acer.org/.Performanceinthistestistheonlybasison whichplacesontheseprogrammesareallocatedtomaturestudents.• ApplicantstoLM103ParamedicStudiesarerequiredtositanassessmenttest.Furtherinformation ontheassessmenttestisavailablefromwww.ul.ie/gems/para.Interviewsarealsoheldforthis programme.• ApplicantstoallNursingandMidwiferyprogrammesmustalsoapplytothePublicAppointments Service(PAS)www.publicjobs.ie-inordertoregistertositawrittenassessmenttestwhichPAS runsonbehalfoftheNursingandMidwiferyBoardofIreland.Thewrittenassessmenttakesplace ononedateonly,usuallyinApril.Performanceinthistestistheonlybasisonwhichplaceson NursingandMidwiferyprogrammesareallocatedtomaturestudents.Furtherinformationis availablefromwww.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to-Apply/Mature-Applicants.

Late applications may be considered for some programmes up to 1st May 2020, other than for allprogrammesabovewhichholdassessmenttests,orprogrammeswhichreceiveasufficientnumberofapplicationsby1stFebruary.

Non-EUapplicantsshouldcontacttheInternationalEducationDivisionT: +353-61-213034 F: +353-61-213062 E: [email protected]



WRITING A PERSONAL STATEMENTSome,butnotall,programmesrequireatailoredpersonalstatementfrommaturestudentapplicants.Apersonalstatementgivesyouanopportunitytoprovideadditional informationonwhyyouwishto pursue a degree programme. This is your opportunity to ‘sell’ yourself and to emphasise theexperienceand/orinterestsyouhavewhicharerelevanttoyourchosencourse.Apersonalstatementisimportant,especiallyifyouareapplyingtoacompetitiveprogrammeforwhichthereisahighdemandforplaces.Insuchcases,ifatailoredpersonalstatement(ifspecifiedasanapplicationrequirement)isnotincludedwithyourapplication,youmaynotbeshort-listedforconsideration.Bespecificandproactivelydemonstratehowyourexperienceoryourinterestsmatchthecourseyouareinterestedindoing.Furtherguidelinesonwritingapersonalstatementareavailablefromwww.admissions.ul.ie.

HOW ARE APPLICATIONS ASSESSED?

GENERAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Mature student applications are assessed by academic staff from the programme to which youhave applied. Each mature student application is considered on an individual basis. Academicqualifications, work and life experience, motivation and overall potential to be successful on yourchosen programme of study are considered and evaluated from your written CAO application andsometimesalsoaninterview.Applicantsmaybeshort-listedif thenumberofapplicationsreceivedforaparticularprogrammeishigh.PleasebearinmindwhenapplyingthatsomeprogrammesinULmaylookforspecificacademicrequirementsprior toentrye.g.someEngineeringprogrammeswillrequireapplicantstohavehigherlevelLeavingCertificatemathematics,orequivalent.Seesection7forfurtherinformationonapplicationandinterviewassessmentcriteria.

SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

InthecaseofLM038 Psychology and Sociologyapplicantsareassessedontheessaythattheyincludewiththeirapplication,aswellasonthequalityoftheirwrittenCAOapplication.

For LM089 Sports and Exercise Sciences, LM100 Physiotherapy and LM102 Psychology, applicantsareassessedbasedontheirperformanceintheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)test.The test isdesigned toassessarangeofcompetenciesconsidered importantforsuccess inhighereducationstudies. Thepurposeof the test is toassessability tounderstandandanalysematerial,tothinkcriticallyaboutissuesandtoorganiseandexpressthoughtsina logicalandeffectiveway.Furtherdetailsareavailablefrommsap-ie.acer.edu.au.

ApplicantstoLM026 Performing Artsareexpectedtoundertakeaninterviewandauditionaftertheyhavesubmittedtheirapplication.

ApplicantstoLM099 Architecture areexpectedtosubmitaportfolioofpersonalworkaftertheyhavesubmittedtheirapplication.



ForLM103 Paramedic Studies,applicantsarerequiredtositanassessmenttestandattendan interview. Further information on the assessment test is available from: www.ul.ie/gems/para

ForLM028 Criminal JusticeandLM029 Law Plus,applicantswillbeinvitedtocompleteawrittenassessmentinUL,priortobeingshort-listedforinterview.

ForLM076 Product Design and Technology,applicantswhoareshort-listedforinterviewwillberequestedtobringaportfolioofworkwiththem.

CAN I DEFER MY PLACE?Astudentwhoisofferedaplacemay,undercertainconditions,deferentryforoneyear.

Inordertodeferentry,onreceiptofanofferofaplacefromtheCentralApplicationsOffice(CAO)astudentshould:

•Write/emailimmediatelytotheUndergraduateAdmissionsOfficesettingout reasonsfortherequest.Mark“DEFERREDENTRY”clearlyontheenvelope/messageline.•Theletter/emailmustarriveintheUndergraduateAdmissionsOffice,atleasttwodaysbeforethe“ReplyDate”shownontheOfferNotice.Pleasequoteyourname,CAOnumberandcourseintheletter/email.•ApplicantsshouldnotaccepttheofferthroughtheCAO.•Inordertotakeupthedeferredplace,re-applythroughCAOby1stFebruaryofthesucceedingyearplacingthedeferredcourseasthefirstandonlychoice,andtickthedeferredindicatorboxontheCAOapplicationform.

Adecisionontherequestwillbecommunicatedtotheapplicant.

Matureapplicantswhochoosenottodefertheirofferofaplace,andwhoapplyforthesameprogrammeagaininafutureyear,cannotbeguaranteedtoreceiveafutureoffer,asoffersofplacesinanyyeardepend,forexample,ontheassessmentcriteriaapplied,andthenumberofmaturestudentplacesavailableontheprogrammethatyearvis-a-visthenumberofapplicationsreceived.




// MATURE STUDENT APPLICATIONS ARE ASSESSED BY ACADEMIC STAFF FROM THE RELEVANT FACULTY OR PROGRAMME TO WHICH YOU HAVE APPLIED. EACH MATURE STUDENT APPLICATION IS CONSIDERED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.//

PROGRAMME FEESForfull-timeundergraduateprogrammes,therearetwomaincategoriesoffeeswhichapply:

• TUITION FEES

• STUDENT CONTRIBUTION

TUITION FEES

Tuitionfees forwhich thestudent is liablearebasedonanumberofcriteria includingcitizenship,residency,courseandprioreducation.Typicallyifyouareafirst-timeentranttohighereducation,havebeenresidentintheEUfor3ofthe5yearspriortostartingyourcourse,andyoufulfilltherelevantcitizenshipcriteria,youwillbedeemedeligiblefor“freefees”.

FurtherdetailsonFeestatuscriteriatobeappliedareavailableintheULProspectusorcontact:FeesOffice( T: 061-202026; E: [email protected] )orAdmissionsOffice( T: 061-202015; E: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus ).

Ifyoudohavetopaytuitionfeestaxreliefmaybeavailableforstudentsonapprovedfull-timeandpart-timeundergraduateprogrammes.Programmesmustbeofatleasttwoyearsduration.Toqualifyfor relief, full tuition fees must be paid by the individual on his/her own behalf or on behalf of aspouse,childorpersonforwhomtheindividualisthelegalguardian.Asclaimsshouldbemadeontheindividual’staxreturntotheRevenueCommissioners,proofoffeepaymentmustbesubmittedwithyourclaim.

STUDENT CONTRIBUTION

Allfull-timeundergraduatestudentsarerequiredtopaytheStudentContributioncharge,eveniftheyareeligibleforfreetuitionfees.ThischargehasbeenEUR3,000forthepastnumberofyears.EligiblestudentsmayapplytotheStudentUniversalSupportIreland(SUSI)tohavethischargepaidontheirbehalf(seeHigherEducationGrantssectionoverleaf).

COST OF LIVINGThecostof livingassociatedwithbeinga full-timestudentverymuchdependsonyour individualcircumstances.Typicalcostscanincluderent,utilities,food,travel,booksandmaterials,clothes,medicalcostsandsocialcosts.Asamaturestudentyoumayneedtoalsofactorinadditionalcostssuchasyourmortgage,childcarecosts,familysupportcostsandsoon.

It is strongly advisable thatyou spendsome timeworkingout thepotential costs associated withbeingafull-timestudent.Thefollowingwebsitehasusefultoolsforhelpingyoutoworkoutabudgetbasedonyourindividualcircumstances:www.nca.ie/tools-calculators.



FINANCIAL SUPPORTTherearearangeoffinancialsupportswhichareavailableforfull-timeundergraduatestudentsinthird-level.Anexcellentsourceofinformationonalloftheseiswww.studentfinance.ie.

BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a key financial support for many mature students.TheBTEAallowsqualifyingpersons(whoareinreceiptofcertainsocialwelfarepayments)toretainthosepayments,subjecttoregularmeans-testingwhereapplicable,whilstreturningtofull-timeeducationinapprovedcourses.

In general, to qualify for the BTEA participants must be aged 21 years or over, and be in receipt ofspecifiedsocialwelfarepaymentsforatleastninemonthspriortostartingthefirstyearofanapprovedthird-levelcourse.PersonsawardedstatutoryredundancyunderIrishlegislationmayhaveimmediateaccesstotheBTEAscheme(orwithinoneyear)oftheawardofthestatutoryredundancy,providedanentitlementtoarelevantSocialWelfarepaymentisestablishedpriortocommencinganapprovedcourseofstudy.

FullinformationontheBTEA,andonhowtoapply,canbeobtainedfromyourlocalDepartmentofSocialProtectionOfficeorfrom:www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/353_Back-to-Education-Allowance.aspx

HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS

ThestudentgrantisanotherprimarysourceoffinancialhelpavailablefromtheIrishStateforstudentson full-time higher education courses. Support is available to eligible students in most colleges inIrelandaswellaseligible Irishstudents inmanycollegesinNorthernIreland, theUKandotherEUStates.

SUSI–StudentUniversalSupportIreland(www.susi.ie)–istheonlineapplicationsystemforallhighereducationgrantsforfull-timestudents.Allgrantapplicationsaremadeonlinethroughthiscentralisedsystem.

For eligible students the grant helps with the various costs of participating in further or highereducation. Students on part-time courses, access or foundation courses (in higher educationinstitutions)andshortcoursesarenoteligibletoapplyforastudentgrant.Asthegrantsaremeans-tested,familyand/orpersonalincomeisakeyfactorthatwillbeassessedwhenyouapplybuttherearealsosomeotherconditions.

Ifyouthinkyouareeligibleforthestudentgrant,youdonothavetowaituntilyoureceiveanofferofaplaceorenrolincollege.YouareadvisedtomakeyourapplicationassoonaspossibleasonlywhenyourapplicationhasbeencompletedinfullandsubmittedtoSUSIcanyoureligibilityforfundingbedetermined.

TheSUSIgrantmaycoverthestudentcontributionfeeortuitionfees,ifthesearepayable,andalsopossiblyamaintenancegrant.StudentscannotreceivebothamaintenancegrantandtheBTEA.



STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND

The Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for higher education students who areexperiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. The Student Assistance Fund providesafurthersourceoffundingforhighereducationstudentsinadditiontothestudentgrant.Eligibleregisteredstudentsinagivenacademicyear(otherthanstudentsonaccessprogrammes)whoareattendingtheUniversitymayapplyforassistancefromtheFund,however,resourceswillbetargetedatthosestudentswhoaremostinneed.Assistancewithsuchitemsasbooks,transport,food,householdbills,medicalbillsandrentcanbeconsideredwithintheFund.ThisFundismanagedbytheAccessOfficeinUL.

ApplicationstotheFundcanonlybemadeafteryouregisterasastudentinSeptember.TheMatureStudentOfficeadvisesallregisteredmaturestudentswhenthisFundopens.

TheStudentAssistanceFund is fundedby the IrishGovernmentandpart-fundedby theEuropeanSocialFundProgramforEmployability,InclusionandLearning(PEIL)2014-2020.

FINANCIAL AID FUND

InconjunctionwiththeUniversityofLimerickStudents’UnionandthePostgraduateStudents’Union,the University administers two types of financial aid.The Financial Aid Fund is supported by giftsfromULalumnithroughtheULFoundation’sAlumniAnnualFundAppealandthroughULStudentCapitation.TheseFundsaremanagedbytheULStudents’UnionandtheChaplaincy.ApplicationstotheseFundscanonlybemadeafteryouhaveregisteredasastudentinSeptember.

• Financial Aid Hardship Fund: The Financial Aid Hardship Fund is an interest-free loan tostudents. This scheme is designed to help students whoexperience short-term financial problems. If the studentqualifiesforassistance,she/hewillreceiveaninterest-freeloanthat is capped at €500. This loan is repayable in full prior tograduation.

• Childcare Bursary: Student parents who are experiencing financial difficultiescan apply for a Childcare Bursary to support them with theirchildcare/child-minder costs. For those student parents whoqualifyforthebursary,20%-50%oftheirchildcarecostswillbecoveredbythebursary.



FUND FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Fund for Students with Disabilities allocates funding to further and higher education collegesfor the provision of services and supports to full-time students with disabilities.The Fund aims toensurethatstudentscanparticipatefullyintheiracademicprogrammesandarenotdisadvantagedbyreasonofadisability.

YoudonothavetobeinfirstyearofacoursetobeeligibleundertheFund.Applicationforthefirsttimecanbemadeonyourbehalfduringanyyearofstudyonanapprovedcourse.AclaimundertheFundismadeonbehalfofaneligiblestudentbyULfollowinganassessmentofneedbytheDisabilitySupportService. Applications cannot be made directly to the Fund by students. Students with disabilitiesenrolledinpart-timecourses,accessorfoundationcoursesinhighereducationinstitutionsorshortcoursesarenoteligibleforconsiderationundertheFund.

TheFundforStudentswithDisabilities is fundedby the IrishGovernmentandpart-fundedby theEuropeanSocialFundProgramforEmployability,InclusionandLearning(PEIL)2014-2020.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Details on all scholarships available within UL are available from the UL prospectus (www.ul.ie/courses/about-ul/scholarships).Themostrelevantscholarshipsformaturestudentsarelistedbelow.

UL40 Mature Student Scholarships

TheUL40ScholarshipSchemeformaturestudentsoffers 10scholarships,worth€2,000eachasaone-offpayment,tonewentrantmaturestudentsinfirstyearofafull-timeundergraduatecourse.Two scholarships are awarded, in order of merit, to students presenting Mature Student AccessCertificate results in the calendar year of entry to their undergraduate programme.The remainingeightscholarshipsareawardedonacompetitivebasistofirstyearmaturestudents.ApplicationscanonlybemadeafteryouhaveregisteredasastudentinSeptember.Applicationdetailsandeligibilityguidelinesarecirculatedtoallfirst-yearmaturestudentsbytheMatureStudentOffice.



1916 Bursary Fund

The 1916 Bursary Fund, funded by the Department of Education and Skills, commemorates thecentenary of 1916 as part of an overall series of measures to encourage participation and successby students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.Bursaries worth €5,000 per annum for the duration of studies are available. Applicants must beassessedassocio-economicallydisadvantagedtobeeligible.Theavailabilityofbursariesforentrantsin2020isyettobeconfirmed.See www.hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/1916-bursary-fund/ forfurtherdetails.

University of Sanctuary Bursaries

TheUniversityofSanctuaryBursariesofferopportunitiesforthosefromrefugeeandasylum-seekingcommunitiestostudyattheUniversityofLimerick,includingnewmaturestudents.Thebursaryofferssupporttowardsthecostsofhighereducation,includingfeewaivers,ifapplicable.Ifyouareanewentrant to first year on any full-time undergraduate course in UL and meet the eligibility criteria(international protection applicant or have been granted international protection) please see fulldetailsonwww.ul.ie/ul-university-sanctuary.Theavailabilityofbursariesforentrantsin2020isyettobeconfirmed.

Uversity Higher Education Scholarships for Adult Learners

Uversity’s Scholarships are intended to unlock adult learners’ potential. By providing multi-annualfinancialsupport,Uversity’sScholarshipsaimtoremovethefinancialbarrierstopursueaBachelor’sdegree for the first time. Scholarships are not limited to particular subject areas and will enableindividuals23yearsoroldertocompleteaBachelor’sdegreeinoneoftheparticipatinginstitutionsintheRepublicofIrelandorNorthernIreland.Theavailabilityofbursariesforentrantsin2020isyettobeconfirmed.Seewww.u-versity.eu/forfurtherdetails.


LM038 BA PSYCHOLOGY & SOCIOLOGY

LM089 BSC SPORT & EXERCISE SCIENCES LM100 BSC PHYSIOTHERAPY LM102 BSC PSYCHOLOGY

LM090 BSC PHYSICAL EDUCATION WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

LM091 BA LANGUAGES WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

SubmissionofessaywithCAOapplicationSee www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for essay guidelines

N/A

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM090withCAOapplicationSee www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for Personal Statement guidelines

HB3(H3)inoneofthecorelanguages(French/German/Japanese/Spanish)

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM091withCAOapplication

5

11

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8

11

TBC

New programme

for 2020

EDUCATION AND HEALTH SCIENCES 2020 ENTRY


Code Programme / Reserved Minimum Entry Application Assessment Interview Assessment Group Of Programmes Mature and/or Criteria Criteria Student Application Places 2019* Requirements

*Guideline only. These figures may differ slightly for 2020 as they are calculated from the total number of places available on a programme in any year. However, not all mature student places may be filled, as it depends on the number and quality of applications received in any year.


http://www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831




• Prioreducation• Work/lifeexperience• Transferableskills• Essay

ApplicantsarerequiredtoundertaketheMatureStudentsAdmissionsPathway(MSAP)test. See https://msap-ireland.acer.org/ for test dates, details on how to register and prepare for the test.

• Prioreducation• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Teachingand/orcoachingawards• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse• Overallapplicationquality

• Prioreducation–Leavingcertificateperformance andadditionaleducational/ professionalqualifications• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse• Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenature andphilosophyoflanguageseducation• Overallapplicationquality

Nointerview.Placesawardedonbasisofapplication&essayonly.

Nointerview.PlacesawardedonbasisofperformanceintheMSAP.

• Personalinformationand background• Knowledgeoftheprogramme• Relevantlife/workexperience• Copingwiththeprogramme

• Understandingofteaching languagesasacareer• Evidenceoflanguageproficiency• Communicationskills• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Knowledgeofcourseand preparednessforthird-level





https://msap-ireland.acer.org/




LM092 BSC SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION (Biology with Physics or Chemistry or Agricultural Science)

LM096 BSC SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION (Physical Sciences with Physics and Chemistry)

LM094 BTECH MATERIALS AND ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

LM095 BTECH MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

HC2(H4)inatleastoneLeavingCertSciencesubjectANDOC2/HD3(O4/H7)inLeavingCertMathematicsorequivalent

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM092/LM096withCAOapplicationSee www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for Personal Statement guidelines


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3

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• Prioreducation-LeavingCertperformanceand additionaleducational/professionalqualifications• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse• Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenature andphilosophyofscienceeducation• Overallapplicationquality

• Prioreducation,includinganythird-level qualificationsorothercoursescompleted• Personalstatement• Preparednessforteaching• Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenature andphilosophyoftechnologyeducation

• Understandingofteaching scienceasacareer• Communicationskills• Relevantknowledgeand experience• Knowledgeofcourseand preparednessforthird-level

Interviewsmaybeconductedinpersonoroverthephone

Nointerview.PlacesawardedonbasisofapplicationandPersonalStatement.






LM097 BSC MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH CONCURRENT TEACHER EDUCATION

LM103 BSC PARAMEDIC STUDIES

HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathematicsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)orPassinULSpecialMathsexam

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM097withCAOapplication.

Full,cleanBandC1drivinglicenceoralicenceofanequivalentstandardfromanothercountry

4

New programme for

2020

12





• Prioreducation–Leavingcertificateperformanceand additionaleducational/professionalqualifications• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse• Demonstrationofanunderstandingofthenatureand philosophyofmathematicseducation• Overallapplicationquality

Applicantsarerequiredtoundertakeanassessmenttest.Applicantsarerankedonthebasisofperformanceinthetestandthetop24arecalledtointerview.

See www.ul.ie/gems/programmes/bsc-paramedic-studies for further details on the test.

• Understandingofteaching mathematicsandcomputerscience asacareer• Communicationskills• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Knowledgeofcourseand preparednessforthird-level

Interviewsmaybeconductedinpersonoroverthephone.

• Demonstrationoflifelonglearning throughexamples• Knowledgeoftheperceived attributesofamodernParamedic• KnowledgeofthemodernParamedic role• Examplesofcalmnessanddecision makingunderpressure• Examplesofcommonconditions encounteredbyParamedicsinIreland Studentsadmittedtothe programmearerequiredtoundergo andsuccessfullycompleteaGarda VettingprocessandanOccupational HealthClearance


http://www.ul.ie/gems/programmes/bsc-paramedic-studies





LM150 BSC NURSING (General)

LM152 BSC NURSING (Mental Health)

LM154 BSC NURSING (Intellectual Disability)

LM156 BSC MIDWIFERY

N/A

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11

7

4





• MatureapplicantsmustapplytothePublic AppointmentsService(PAS)-www.publicjobs.ie -inordertoregistertositawrittenassessmenttest. ThistestisusuallyheldinApril.

Furtherinformationisavailablefromwww.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to-Apply/Mature-Applicants.

Nointerview.Placesawardedonbasisofassessmenttestperformanceonly.


https://www.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to-apply/Mature-Applicants

https://www.nmbi.ie/Careers-in-Nursing-Midwifery/How-to-apply/Mature-Applicants

LM058 BSC FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS HB3(H3)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorDistinctioninQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)or PassinULSpecialMathsexam

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM058withCAOapplication.See www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for Personal Statement guidelines

SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020 ENTRY



OB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalent

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM063withCAOapplication.See www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for Personal Statement guidelines

LM063 BSC TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT


4

5






• Demonstratedmathematicalability• Prioreducation• Relevantworkexperience• Personalstatement• Interestinprogramme

Inrarecases,aninformalinterviewmaybescheduledtoclarifyquestionsarisingfromtheapplicationmaterial.




• Prioreducation-key subject performance (business, engineering, technology / construction) with a proven ability to engage and deliver • Othercoursescompleted• Interestinprogramme-evidence of understanding what the programme involves • Personalstatement-clearly show a desire to return to education • Work/voluntaryexperience-candidate to show a proven ability to be motivated to work. Relevant experience to be highlighted, transferable skills to be noted

• Preparednessforthird-level, particularlythepaceatwhich difficultmaterialiscovered• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Communicationskills





LM068 BSC FOOD SCIENCE & HEALTH

LM076 BSC PRODUCT DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY


7

7

7

LM082 BSC CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING

OB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalent

SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM068withCAOapplication.

See www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for Personal Statement guidelines

Portfoliosubmission

See www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for portfolio submission guidelines


www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831







• Prioreducation-keysubjectperformance(business, engineering,technology/construction)witha provenabilitytoengageanddeliver• Othercoursescompleted• Interestinprogramme–evidenceofunderstanding whattheprogrammeinvolves• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse• Work/voluntaryexperience-candidatetoshow aprovenabilitytobemotivatedtowork.Relevant experiencetobehighlighted,transferableskillstobe noted

• Applicationformandpersonalstatement• Evidenceofsufficientabilityinscienceandmathsto completeprogrammesuccessfully• Othercoursescompletedandworkexperience

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplicationalone.

Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.Withinthis,motivationforapplication,relevantacademicandworkexperience,preparednessforthird-leveleducationandcommunicationskillswillbeassessed.

• Preparednessforthird-level, particularlythepaceatwhich difficultmaterialiscovered• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Communicationskills

• Demonstrableinterestinprogramme• Understandingofdesignasacareer• Prioreducationandlearninge.g. educational qualifications, IT skills, transferable skills etc.• Portfolioofworkthatdemonstratescreativeand/ orproblemsolvingability(e.g. sketches, designed objects, 3 Dimensional work, photography, Technical Drawings etc.) • Evidenceofdesiretodothecourse

• Demonstrateanunderstandingof thecourse• Evidenceofcreativethinkingand problem-solvingability• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Preparednessforthirdlevel• Communicationskills




LM077 BE AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

LM115 BE CHEMICAL & BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

LM116 BE ENGINEERING

Common entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following: - Biomedical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Civil Engineering - Design and Manufacture

LM118 BE ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)orPassinULSpecialMathsexam

LM093 BSC EQUINE SCIENCE

LM180 CERT/DIPLOMA EQUINE SCIENCE

HC2(H4)intwoLeavingCertificatesubjectsatleastoneofwhichmustbeclassifiedasasciencesubject

N/A



6

4

25

8

3

2





• Prioreducation- key subject performance (business, engineering, technology / construction) with a proven ability to engage and deliver • Othercoursescompleted• Interestinprogramme-evidence of understanding what the programme involves• Personalstatement-clearly show a desire to return to education • Work/voluntaryexperience-candidate to show a proven ability to be motivated to work. Relevant experience to be highlighted, transferable skills to be noted

• Preparednessforthird-level, particularlythepaceatwhich difficultmaterialiscovered• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Communicationskills• Understandingofprogramme

• Relevantworkexperience• Othercoursescompleted• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse

• Evidenceofexperiencestudyingscience• Relevantworkexperience• Othercoursescompleted• Evidenceofdesiretodothiscourse

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplication.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplication.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.





LM099 BARCH ARCHITECTURE Portfoliosubmission+ULMinimumentryrequirementsLink to FAQs and the Procedurefor CAO Leaving Cert, CAO Matureand Transfer Applicants:http://saul.ie/admissions/undergraduate-students/

LM121 BSC COMPUTER SCIENCE

EvidenceorcertificationfromanappropriateonlineprogrammingcoursesuchasthoseprovidedbyCourseraorUdacity,etcORQQIlevel5or6qualificationinoneofthefollowingdomains:Web/Internet, Software, Programming, with a minimum of a Distinction grade in the programming components

N/A LM122 BSC CREATIVE MEDIA & INTERACTION DESIGN

Common Entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:

- Digital Media Design - Music, Media & Performance Technology

5

14

5


http://saul.ie/admissions/undergraduate-students/








Portfolioassessmentcriteria:• Overallcontentandquality• Presentation• Creativity• Potentialabilitytothinklaterally• Writtenstatement

LinktoPortfolioGuidelines:http://saul.ie/admissions/undergraduate-students/

• Portfoliosubmission• Personalinformationand background• Knowledgeoftheprogramme& architecture-relatedcareers• Relevantlife/workexperience• Transferableskills• Preparednessforcoursedemands• Abilitytocopewithacademic workload

• Programmingportfolio-related to programming course undertaken• Mathematicalcompetency• Prioreducation• Work/voluntaryexperience• Personalstatement• Othercoursescompleted• Interestinprogramme

• Discussionofprogramming portfolio(relatedtoprogramming courseundertaken)• Abilitytocopewithmathematical concepts• Preparednessforthird-leveland associatedworkload• Personalinformationand background• Knowledgeoftheprogramme& relatedcareers• Relevantlife/workexperience

• Prioreducation• Othercoursescompleted• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Personalstatement• Understandingofandinterestinprogramme& careerplans• Overallapplicationquality

• Personalinformationand background• Goodunderstandingofthe programmeandofpotential futurecareers• Relevantlife/workexperience• Transferableskills• Preparednessforthird-level




LM123 BSC BIOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL SCIENCES

Common entry with choice (subject to restriction) to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:

- Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry - Industrial Biochemistry - Environmental Science - Bioscience

HC2(H4)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentor MeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)andHD3/OD3(O6/H7)ineitherPhysics,Chemistry,PhysicswithChemistry,Engineering,AgriculturalScienceorBiologyOROB3(O3/H7)inLeavingCertMathsorequivalentorPassinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)withHC2(H4)inoneofthefollowing:AppliedMaths,Physics,Chemistry,PhysicswithChemistry,BiologyorAgriculturalScienceORTheapplicantmusthavesignificantworkexperience(numberofyears)inanindustryofdirectcorrelationwithPharmaceuticalandIndustrialChemistryorequivalentORTheapplicanthascarriedoutpostsecondlevelcourses,trainingorpartcompletionofapreviousdegreethatwouldbedeemedequivalentoftheentryrequirementsoutlinedabove


24




Itmustbeclearfromtheapplicationformandpersonalstatementthattheapplicanthasarealinterestinthecourseandhasdemonstrablebackgroundinachemistryrelatedfieldeitherthroughstudyorworkexperience.

• Interestinprogramme• Aptitudeforprogramme• Numericalskills




LM125 BSC PHYSICS

Common entry with choice to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:

- Applied Physics - Mathematics & Physics

HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorMeritinQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)orPassinULSpecialMathsexam

AND

HC2(H4)inLeavingCertificateinanyoneofthefollowing:Physics,PhysicswithChemistry,Engineering,AppliedMathematicsorequivalent



LM124 BSC MATHEMATICS

Common entry with choice to pursue defined Degree Options in any of the following:

- Mathematical Sciences - Mathematics & Physics - Economics & Mathematics

HB3(H3)inLeavingCertificateMathsorequivalentorDistinctioninQQIMathsforSTEM(5S2246/5N0556)or PassinULSpecialMathsexam

6

3





• Demonstratedmathematicsandphysicsability• Prioreducation• Relevantworkexperience• Personalstatement• Interestinprogramme

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplicationalone.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.


• Demonstratedmathematicalability• Prioreducation• Relevantworkexperience• Personalstatement• Interestinprogramme

Placesnormallyawardedonbasisofapplicationalone.Aninterviewmayberequestedifdeemedhelpfultotheassessmentoftheapplication.

ARTS, HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES 2020 ENTRY



LM002 BA ARTS

LM028 BA CRIMINAL JUSTICE

LM029 LLB LAW PLUS

LM039 BA JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

LM040 BA EUROPEAN STUDIES

ApplicantswhowishtostudyalanguagemustholdaminimumHC2(H4)LeavingCertificateorequivalentinthatlanguage,unlesstakingbeginnersGermanorSpanish.


N/A

ApplicantswhowishtostudyalanguagemustholdaminimumHB3(H3)LeavingCertificateorequivalentinthatlanguage,unlesstakingbeginnersGermanorSpanish



65

5

8

3

4






• Personalstatement• Interestinprogramme

• PriorEducation• Work/voluntaryexperience• Evidenceofinterestintheprogramme• Generalsuitability• ITskills• AllapplicantswillbeinvitedtoULtocomplete awrittenassessment(essay)priortobeing short-listedforinterview

• Prioreducation• Applicationform• Personalstatement• Relevantworkexperience

• Relevantprioreducation• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Personalstatement,includinganoutlineof interestsinthecorethemesoftheprogramme• Evidenceoflanguageskills,suchaslanguage coursescompleted,orexperiencelivinginatarget languagecountry• Othercoursescompleted• Interestinprogramme

• Prioreducation• Workexperience• Evidenceofinterest• Generalsuitability

• Prioreducation• Work/voluntaryexperience• Evidenceofinterest• Generalsuitability

• Prioreducation• Workexperience/journalism portfolio• Evidenceofinterest• Generalsuitability

• Personalinformationand background• Motivationforundertakingthe programme• Knowledgeoftheprogrammeand possiblerelatedcareers• Relevantlife/workexperience• Abilitytoengagewith3rdlevel learningstylesandapproaches• Communicationskills• AwarenessofEuropeanissues





LM044 BA APPLIED LANGUAGES Evidenceofsufficientabilitytostudylanguagessuccessfullyatuniversitylevel(e.g.HB3(H3)LeavingCertificateinrelevantlanguageorrecognisedequivalent)Priorlanguagestudy,overseasexperience,languagecoursestaken.


8




• Prioreducation• Work,voluntaryexperience• Personalstatement,includingevidenceof applicant’sinterestsintheculture,societyand literatureofthetargetlanguagechosen• Foreignlanguagecoursescompleted,orexperience livinginatargetlanguagecountry

• Abilitytospeakandunderstandthe languagetheapplicantwishesto takeatadvancedlevel• Otherrelevantcoursescompleted• Experiencelivingoutsidehis/her homecountry• Motivation• Willingnesstoengagewiththe course,includingthecompulsory aspectofErasmusexchange programme• Assessmentofapplicant’s knowledgeofthesocietyand cultureofthetargetlanguage



KEMMY BUSINESS SCHOOL 2020 ENTRY


LM020 BA LAW & ACCOUNTING

LM056 BA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

LM050 BACHELOR OF BUSINESS STUDIES (including Business Studies with French or German or Japanese)


SubmissionoftailoredPersonalStatementforLM050withCAOapplicationSee www.ulsites.ul.ie/admissions/node/29831 for Personal Statement guidelinesANDFor Business Studies with a language:HighlevelofproficiencyinFrench(HC2(H4)LeavingCertorrecognisedequivalent)ORHighlevelofproficiencyinGerman(HC2(H4)LeavingCertorrecognisedequivalent)ORHighlevelofproficiencyinalanguageotherthanEnglish(HC2(H4)LeavingCertorrecognisedequivalent)


9

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KEMMY BUSINESS SCHOOL 2020 ENTRY



• Recognisedpriorlearning-educational qualifications (LC, relevant QQI/HETAC qualifications), IT skills, other qualifications• Personalstatement-should demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the programme to which you are applying• Relevantworkexperience(voluntary or paid)• Aptitudefornumeracy• Overallapplicationquality

• Personalinformationand educationalbackground• Relevantknowledgeandexperience• Knowledgeofprogramme• Preparednessforthirdleveland abilitytocopewithacademic workload• Communicationskills


IRISH WORLD ACADEMY OF MUSIC + DANCE 2020 ENTRY



LM026 BA PERFORMING ARTS

With defined degree options in the following:

- Irish Traditional Music - Irish Traditional Dance - Contemporary Dance - Voice - World Music

N/A7



IRISH WORLD ACADEMY OF MUSIC + DANCE 2020 ENTRY



• Relevantprioreducation• Relevantwork/voluntaryexperience• Personalstatement,includinganoutlineof interestsinthecorethemesoftheprogramme• Othercoursescompleted• Interestinprogramme• ITSkills• Demonstratedinterestinreadingonrelevant issues

• Satisfactoryperformanceskills• Demonstrateknowledgeof performancepractice• Personalinformationand background• Knowledgeoftheprogramme& relatedcareers• Relevantlife/workexperience• Transferableskills• Preparednessforthird-level• Abilitytoengageinagroup workshopthatincludesaspectsof voiceanddancepractice


ThereisaverycomprehensiverangeoflearningsupportandotherservicesinUL,which are available to all students.The following is not a comprehensive list ofsupportsandservices,butratherhighlightsthosewhichmightbeofmostinterestandrelevancetomaturestudents.Furtherinformationoneachsupportservicecanbe obtained from the websites listed below or by contacting the service directlyusingtheemailaddressprovided.

STUDENT AFFAIRS DIVISION



ACCESS OFFICE [email protected] www.ul.ie/access

ARTS OFFICE [email protected] / [email protected] www.ul.ie/artsoffice

CHAPLAINCY

[email protected] / [email protected]

www.ul.ie/chaplain

COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICE / PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER AWARD

[email protected] www.studentvolunteer.ie/UL

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES [email protected] www.ul.ie/disabilityservices ÉIST STUDENT COUNSELLING AND WELLBEING [email protected] www.ul.ie/counselling

FIRST YEAR SUPPORT

CO-ORDINATOR

[email protected]

MATURE STUDENT OFFICE [email protected] www.ul.ie/mso

STUDENT HEALTH CENTRE [email protected] www.ul.ie/medical

www.ulsites.ul.ie/studentaffairs/1st-year-experience





66 58 MATURE STUDENT GUIDE / 2020

CENTRE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING - LEARNING SUPPORT CENTRES & INITIATIVES

CENTRE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

[email protected] www.ul.ie/ctl

FIRST SEVEN WEEKS www.ul.ie/ctl/students/ first-seven-weeks

ICT LEARNING CENTRE [email protected] www.ul.ie/ictlc

LANGUAGE CENTRE [email protected] www.ul.ie/languagecentre

MATHEMATICS LEARNING CENTRE [email protected] www.mlc.ul.ie REGIONAL PEER SUPPORTED LEARNING CENTRE

[email protected] www.pslc.ul.ie/pslc/

REGIONAL WRITING CENTRE [email protected] www.ul.ie/rwc

SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRE [email protected] / [email protected]

www.ul.ie/~slc

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND SUCCESS UNIT

First Year Support

Coordinator [email protected]

First Year Librarian [email protected]

Educational Developer [email protected]

www.ulsites.ul.ie/ses/



OTHER SERVICES

ACCOMMODATION OFFICE [email protected] www.studentliving.ul.ie

CONTINUING & PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION [email protected] www.ul.ie/cpe

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

AND CAREERS DIVISION [email protected]

www.ul.ie/coop or www.ul.ie/careers

FEES OFFICE [email protected]

POSTGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE [email protected] www.ul.ie/graduateschool

SILVER APPLES CRECHE [email protected]

STUDENT ACADEMIC www.ulsites.ul.ie/saa/ ADMINISTRATION

[email protected]

STUDENT LIFE [email protected] (STUDENTS’ UNION) Student Information and Support Coordinator [email protected]

www.ulstudentlife.ie

www.ulsites.ul.ie/finance/student-fees

http://www.ulsites.ul.ie/saa/

http://www.ulsites.ul.ie/finance/student-fees

http://www.ulsites.ul.ie/finance/student-fees

When I decided to go to university and get adegree, I thought I was going to be a lawyerbut then while on the Access Cert, I discoveredthat I really enjoyed sociology and that’s why Idecided todoaBA inEconomicsandSociology.I thought my plans were all set: I was going togo into the corporate world. But then I wenton my co-op (work placement) to aYouthreachschoolandIabsolutely lovedit!Soyouthinkofgoing somewhere with your life and you endup going somewhere else, taking another pathwhichyoulove.Youjusthavetoopenyourmind–thisiswhatIhavelearnedheretoo.NowIhaveadecisiontomakewhichwaytogobutwhat’simportant is that doors are open for me and Ihaveoptions.If I was to give advice to anyone consideringgoing tocollegeasamaturestudent, I’dsaydo

theAccessCertfirst.Forme,Iwasn’tsurestartingoutifIwasgoingtobeabletohandlecollegeorevenlikeit.TheAccessCerthelpedbecauseittookalotofpressureoffintheearlydays–yougetatasteforcollegefirstandwhenyougoontoyourundergraduatedegreeyouhaveyourfoundationinacademicskills.Especiallyifyouhaveafamilyor run your own business, the Access Cert willeaseyourwayintotheacademicworld.Supportfromhomeisessentialtohelpyouthroughandwhen you’re here, treat university like work:comehereat9andleaveat5togetallyourworkdone so you don’t fall behind. There are loadsof resourcesandsupportshere inULso justbeproactive:getout there,knock on thedoor andask.When you come here, open your mind andyoucandowhateveryoulike-justgoforitandgiveityourall.

CHRISTY STOREY /

BA Economics and Sociology (2019)

ItwastherecessiontimeandIfeltIwasabitonautopilotwithmycareeratthetime.Ihadasportsdiploma from New Zealand but I have alwayswantedtogotouniversityanddoadegree.SoIdecidedtoleavemyjobandIdidtheMatureStudent Access Certificate which gave me a

goodgroundinginbasicacademicskills.ButwhenIstartedontheAccessCertIfounditreallyhardbecauseI

havedyslexia-soIreachedouttotheDisabilityOfficeanddiscoveredtherewere resources and supports there available for me. Now I’m in my fourth yearandwhileIwouldn’tsaythatmyissueshavedisappeared,it’sdefinitelyimprovedbecauseyoukeepworkingonitandtherearesupportsystemstohelpyou.



Although I wanted to come back to college, Ihadn’tdonewell inmyLeavingCertsoIwasn’tsurewhether Ihadtheskills tosucceed,butontheAccessCertyougothroughasystemwhereyou can build up those skills slowly.The coursegavemethespacetolearnandtoconquerabigfear of mine: academic writing. It also helpedme improve my vocabulary and grammar andimproved my confidence to go on to do theBachelor inBusinessStudies(BBS).Comingtoauniversity environment was daunting and theAccessCerthelpedme tobecomefamiliarwiththe campus, meet people, and identify placesthatcouldhelpmealongthewayliketheWritingCentre or the Maths Learning Centre, both ofwhich I’ve used. It laid down the foundationsfor me to succeed on the degree programme.Without it, I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t havegottenpastyearone.TheMatureStudentAccessCertificatewasthebackboneformesucceedingthroughmydegree.Now,I’minmyfinalyearofBBSandIammajoringinriskmanagementandinsurance.Ireallyenjoythe course and in particular the breath of thecurriculum: you get to see everything and it

opens so many opportunities for you to branchoff.AndwhileIhavemymajor,I’mnotconfinedto it because I’ve done accounting and HR andotherareas.ThebestthingabouttheBBSisgoingouttodoyourworkplacementforninemonths.Thisdegreehasgivenmethespacetoexperiencetheactualworkenvironmentonreal-lifescale.I won’t deny that it has been challenging attimes but being a mature student has lots ofpositives too as younger students looked up tousandappreciatedourguidancealongtheway.My advice to any mature student is first totake advantage of the Mature Student AccessCertificate.You don’tneed toknow itallbeforeyoucomein–thinkinglikethatjustputsbarriersin your own way that may not actually evenexist. Also,findoutwhatlearningsupportsareavailable for your particular discipline. And ifyou’re going through a hard time, rememberthatyou’reneveralone-there’stheCounsellingService, the Peer Listeners and so on. Build upyourownnetworkoffriendsandtakeadvantageofthesupportsoncampus–thenyouwillneverbealone.


LASZLO KRAJCSIK /

Bachelor in Business Studies (2019)

When the financial crisis hit, I found myself out ofwork. I was unemployed for almost three years andduring that time, while I knew I wanted to go backto college, I didn’t know how to apply or where tolook,whotogetincontactwith,whatfundingwasavailable–allIsawwerebarriers.Ididashortself-developmentcourseandrealisedthattherewereoptions for me so I went on to LimerickVTOS to

bridgesomegapsinmylearning-therewemetwithstaffontheMatureStudentAccessCertificateandIknewthat

wasthepathforme.


GoingtocollegeisahugetransitionforanybodysoI’mactuallyreallygladIwaiteduntilIwasmoremature. When I was younger I just wanted totravelandgooutwithmyfriends-Ididn’twantto go back home and study! I think you mightbebetterofftocomebackasamaturestudentbecauseyou’remoreawareofwhatyouwanttodowithyourlifeandyouhavemoreexperienceinlifeingeneral.Youknowwhatit’sliketobeoutworking,whatthingsyoucouldachieveorwhereyouwanttogo.Iworkedhard,Ilearnedthevalueofmoneyandtheimportanceofindependence.Youdon’thavethatexperienceat17yearsofagecomingstraightoutofschool.Now, I’m a mom, I’m in college full-time andI work part-time - it’s all manageable – and Iamvery lucky inthat Ihavethesupportof twoamazing parents. UL itself is fantastic and thecampusisstunning.Youalsohavesomuchyoucando inbetween lectures- therearesomanysports classes, so many clubs and societies you

could join. At the same time, there are manyplaceswithlittlenooksandcranniesaroundULwhereyoucangoforaquietmomentifyouneedtodoyourstudy.Therearelotsofpeopleyoucangoandtalktoifyouhaveaquestionandyouwillgetananswer,anditputsyourmindatease.My advice to any mature student is try not tostress or put yourself down. You can do it, butyouhavetolookafteryourselftoo:talktopeople,exercise, taketimeoutanduseall thesupportsthatULhastooffer–andyoudohave loadsofsupport inUL.The lecturersareverysupportiveandunderstandingandsomegothatextramiletohelp–manyofthemhavechildrenthemselvessotheyknowwhatit’s like!AreallynicesidetocollegelifeasamaturestudentalsoisthatIhavemet some amazing people who will be friendsforlife,regardlessofanydifferencesinourages.For me, it was never an option to go anywhereelseotherthanUL.

SARAH SHINNERS /

BSc Mental Health Nursing (Year 2)

Ididn’tdowellenoughinmyLeavingCerttogetanofferforwhatIwantedsocollegewasn’tanoptionformeatthetime.IthoughtaboutrepeatingbutIjustwasn’treadytogobackandIknewthatIcouldalwaysgotocollegeasamaturestudent,so Idecidednot tostressabout it.Thenat21I had my daughter and thought, “okay well,

collegeisoutthewindow,nowIjusthavetohaveagoodjobandbeamother”.Istartedworkinginanursing

home,andthedesiretogobacktocollegeflaredupagain.WhenIsawthatIcouldbalanceworkingfull-timeandbeingamom,Ithought,there’s

noreasonwhyIcan’tbalancecollegefull-timeandbeingamother.




Thinkpositiveandbelieveinyourself.It’snevertoolateinlife

forstudying!

Manageyourtimeandgetorganised–bothinsideandoutsideofUL.Maturestudents

havesomanyoutsidecommitmentsthatit

canbehardtoallocatetimetostudy.Make

atimetableandsticktoit!

Don’twaituntilthe

lastminutewithyour

assignments.Startworkingonprojectsas

soonasyougetthem.

Getinvolved,whetherthat'sinclass,societies

orvolunteering.Havefun.

Knowthatyoudobelonghere.College

isaverydiverseplaceandthereisalotoffocusontheafter-

schoolroute.Youwillhavesomanyskillsand

experiencethatwillstandyouwell,sodon't

letitintimidateyou.

Askquestionsandaskforhelpwhenyouneed

it.Takefulladvantageofthefacilitiesandsupports

available–learning

centres,libraryetc.

Eatandsleepwell.

Enjoyeveryminute!

Findyourpeople!

Makefriendswithother

maturestudents–theyknow

whatyou’regoing

through.

Stepoutsideyourcomfort

zone.Challengeyourselftodothingsyouthink

you“can’t”do.

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TOP TIPSFROM ULMATURE STUDENTS

7

Mature Student Office Room EM019a Main Building University of Limerick Limerick, Ireland

+353 61 202 735

[email protected]

www.ul.ie/mso

Twitter @MSO_UL

Documents

STUDENT GUIDE 2020...1 3 5 6 * If applying for LM089, LM100 or LM102, you must register for the Mature Student Admissions Pathway test (MSAP) by early February. The test is usually