Education Special: Exploring Your Further & Higher Education Options – And More

BALLYFERMOT COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
Tel: (01) 629 8500
bcfe.ie

With a brand new year upon us, now is the time to take stock, and think about the changes you want to make in your life – including, perhaps, an exciting new career path. At Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE), they have options to suit all interests, to help kickstart a journey to viable employment.

The college’s Logistics and Distribution traineeship is guaranteed to generate a lot of interest, considering the explosion in online shopping transactions during the pandemic. As long as goods are produced, logistics – or the transporting of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption – will always be a necessity. In fact, the global logistics market is expected to grow to 12 billion dollars by 2023.

Meanwhile, graduates from the traineeship in the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business can now continue on with further ACCA qualifications to become a fully-fledged accountant – making it an accessible pathway to working in the financial services industry.

To complement the college’s traditional music performance programme (Ceoltóir), with its new traineeship in Traditional Musical Instrument Making, Maintenance and Repair, BCFE is now home to the only uilleann pipe-making course in the world, and to the only harp-making course in Ireland.

And there’s a whole lot more besides. With courses in social care; business; animation; film and TV production; journalism; games design; visual effects; music – producing outstanding graduates of the calibre of Damien Dempsey, Wallis Bird, Lisa O’Neill and Junior Brother – and art and design; there’s a phenomenal range of options available at BCFE, including courses at QQI Level 4, 5 & 6, Higher National Diplomas and full Honours Degree programmes at Level 8.

The college also places a strong emphasis on practice-based learning. With years of industry experience, the staff at BCFE are only too eager to share their expertise – and to enable students to use specialist industry-standard software and equipment to give them the best possible advantage in the workplace. See bcfe.ie for more information.

BIMM DUBLIN

62-64 Francis St, Dublin 8
Tel: (01) 513 3666
bimm.ie

BIMM Dublin is on a (rock and) roll at the moment, with some of the most exciting names in the current Irish music scene having attended the third level college in the Liberties – including members of Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Somebody’s Child, Erica Cody, Kynsy and Thumper, to name just a few.

BIMM offers courses in every aspect of the music industry, from songwriting and performance, to music production and live sound, music business and event management.
Visit bimm.ie for more information.

BIMM

BRAY INSTITUTE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

Novara Ave, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Tel: (01) 282 9668
bife.ie

Located 10 minutes’ walk from the beautiful Bray coastline on the Dublin/Wicklow border, Bray Institute of Further Education has been a centre of excellence in the field of further education for over 40 years. At present, the institute has over 1000 full-time learners, studying at degree, diploma and certificate level. BIFE’s curriculum truly runs the gamut of any skills you could wish to pursue, with courses offered under the headings of Art & Design; Media & Performing Arts; Social, Community & Health; Science & Technology; and Business, Tourism & Sport. All students have the opportunity to complete their work experience module abroad as part of their course under the Erasmus+ programme.

The institute also offers part-time and morning courses for those unable to commit to a full-time schedule. Consistently innovative and flexible in its approach, BIFE has established links with third level colleges in Ireland and abroad, enabling graduates to progress to the final year of an honours degree. Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE) will continue to be packed with prospective learners hoping to study at degree, diploma and certificate level.

Hot Press readers should definitely explore the college’s groundbreaking DJ Techniques & Music Production course, which is the first of its kind in Ireland and includes Sunil Sharpe of Give Us The Night as a lecturer. The likes of Matthew Flanagan (DeFeKT) and producer Maurice Anthony Moran have graduated from the course. BIFE also offers Higher National Diploma programmes in Music Production and Music Performance, and a National Extended Certificate in Sound Engineering. Visit bife.ie for more information.

Bray Institute of Further Education

CARLOW COLLEGE

College St, Carlow
Tel: (0)59 9153200
carlowcollege.ie

If you’re looking for somewhere different to attend college – somewhere that will welcome you, help you grow as a person, and allow you to have fun along the way – consider Carlow College, St. Patrick’s. As well as being Ireland’s second oldest university-level institution, it’s the only specialist liberal arts college in the South-East. Founded in 1782, the historic campus is home to a close-knit college community, meaning students form strong connections with their peers and their lecturers.

Degree courses at Carlow College are designed with an interdisciplinary approach to learning, and support students to become critical thinkers. Their Level 7, 8 and 9 degrees include BA & BA (Hons) in Arts & Humanities; BA (Hons) in English & History; BA (Hons) in Social, Political & Community Studies; and BA & BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care).

They’ve also launched three exciting new Level 8 degrees on the CAO – including BA (Hons) in Media, English & Culture; BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics & Sociology; and BA (Hons) in Psychology.

In addition, Carlow College offers exceptional support services for mature students returning to education, with no cap on mature entry. Visit carlowcollege.ie for more information

DUNBOYNE COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

Dunboyne Business Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath
Tel: (01) 802 6577
dunboynecollege.ie

Dunboyne College offers a broad range of QQI level 5 and level 6 courses, with 2023 marking its 20th year of delivering over 50 further education options. The college sends more students to universities and institutes of technology than most secondary schools in the country — and hundreds more direct to employment — thanks to its experienced staff and welcoming learning environment. Since 2003, Dunboyne has curated an outstanding reputation among employers and third level institutions.

The courses on offer in Dunboyne provide a great way of garnering vital new skills, with flexible options allowing students to sample various modules in September to make sure they’re pursuing the course that’s right for them. Dropout rates for students who do a Level 5 QQI course and progress to third level education are less than 3%, compared to over 10% in universities. More than just an alternative option, Dunboyne can teach referencing, research and self-directed learning, so its students are ready to face third level education rather than experience the uncertainty of many Leaving Cert students. Head over to their website for a virtual tour of the college.

DUNDALK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Dublin Road, Dundalk
Tel: (042) 9370200
dkit.ie

Dundalk Institute of Technology’s Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music is home to an exciting and innovative range of programmes – at both undergraduate and postgraduate level – with highly regarded, practical courses in creative media, film and TV production, music, and theatre.

Students at DkIT have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including TV and recording studios, performance spaces, and discipline-specific lab spaces. There’s also a strong emphasis on collaboration – with opportunities to work with fellow students in other creative disciplines, and with partner universities across the world.

Film and Television Production graduates have gone on to work on HBO’s Game Of Thrones, and be employed by prestigious production companies, as well as BBC, TV3 and RTÉ. DkIT’s Music graduates have also enjoyed successful careers as touring musicians and recording artists, earning several national and international awards. Their Creative Media graduates, meanwhile, are working in a wide range of jobs, including Graphic/Digital Design, Web Design, Social Media, PR and Marketing.

Whether you’re applying through the CAO as a Leaving Certificate student, or interested in upskilling through a Postgraduate, Springboard or Flexible/Professional course, DkIT is the perfect place to kickstart your career in the creative industries.

Courses include: BA in Creative Media Level 7 or 8; BA (Hons) in Film and Television Production; BA in Audio and Music Production Level 7 or 8; BA (Hons) in Music; BA in Musical Theatre; BA in Theatre and Film Practice; BA (Hons) Drama; MA in Music for Screen; MA/MSc in Music Technology. Visit dkit.ie for more information.

Dundalk IT

GRIFFITH COLLEGE

South Circular Rd, Dublin 8
Tel: (01) 415 0400
griffith.ie

Film & TV Production, Music & Multimedia and Photography are some of the many creative BA courses currently available at Griffith College – and there’s a range of new industry-based courses also coming down the line. But creative courses are only the tip of the iceberg.

As Ireland’s largest independent third level institution, Griffith has locations in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Established over 40 years ago, it has steadily built a reputation for student success at home and abroad, offering internationally recognised postgraduate and undergraduate degree programmes, plus a wide range of professional, short-term and corporate training solutions.

Among the courses on offer are Business; Journalism & Media Communications; Computing; Griffith Institute of Language; Counselling & Psychotherapy; Design; Graduate Business School; Engineering; Professional Accountancy; Pharmaceutical Science; Professional Law; Teaching and Learning; and Lifelong Learning. Launched last year is a new postgraduate diploma in trust, safety and content moderation management. The first of its type in the world, it has been developed in partnership with Kinzen.

The Faculty of Creative Arts and Screen Media has recently introduced a BA (Hons) in Film, TV and Screen Media Production as well as several part-time courses including a Certificate in Digital Cinematography and Image Grading and a Certificate in Live TV and Studio Broadcast.

Visit griffith.ie for more information.

Griffith College

LIBERTIES COLLEGE

Bull Alley Street, Dublin 8
Tel: (01) 454 0044
libertiescollege.ie

Situated in the heart of Dublin city, Liberties College has become synonymous with excellent further education and training over the past five decades. The college attracts students from all over the country, catering for school leavers, people returning to education, and mature students wishing to upskill or re-skill.

Hosting over 600 students across their campus from a range of backgrounds, ages, cultures, experiences and nationalities, the exciting atmosphere of Liberties College is truly one of a kind. QQI Level 5 and 6 courses act as the perfect stepping stone for learners, with options in childcare; special needs assistant; tourism; national tour guiding; creative arts; healthcare; media; social studies; youth work; performance; retail; and University Access programmes. Liberties College also has great pre-apprenticeship opportunities in IT Networks and Software development.

New courses include Sustainable Interior Design; Ethical Hacking; Mental Health Studies; and Foundation Building for Third Level Success (Education and Training). Don’t miss their Open Day, taking place on Friday, January 20.

Liberties College. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

ROSLYN COLLEGE, DUBLIN

Tel: (01) 261 3400
rehab.ie/national-learning-network-roslyn-college

National Learning Network’s flagship college, Roslyn College, provides a range of free courses for people who have experienced a setback; have had an accident, mental health issue, illness, or injury; or have a disability and extra support needs.

From Business Administration to Performing Arts, the diverse selection of courses are tailored to each student’s needs, helping them build their confidence while gaining practical job-seeking skills – and creating pathways to either employment or further training. Want to learn more? Roslyn College holds an information session each Tuesday at 11am. Get in contact in order to book your place.

Read the full Education Special in the new issue of Hot Press – out now: