Course Content: 

What is Applied Social Studies?

This one-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with people in a social care, community development or residential setting. The care worker needs social,  communication and caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Many of the skills acquired will be transferable for use with adolescents, families and the elderly in a caring, educational or development role. The Applied Social Studies QQI course will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice.

This course will serve as training for social care/community care/ healthcare sectors or as a link to Applied Social Studies/ Social Care or Nursing certificate or degree courses in many Institutes of Technology throughout the country. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education.

CERTIFICATION

QQI Level 5 in Applied Social Studies 5M2181

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue a certificate or degree course in many of the Institutes of Technology or universities around the country or alternatively may seek immediate employment in a range of Community Care, Health Care, and Community Development centres/ initiatives.

There are now a large range of Social Studies or Community Care certificate and degree courses available to graduates on the newly expanded QQI links programme. For example there are 10 places in Maynooth University through Social Science and over 175 places through First Arts as well as five places in UCD and a large quota in other third level colleges like Athlone IT, TU Dublin – Blanchardstown, Carlow IT, DCU, TU Dublin, NUIG, Dundalk Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, Limerick IT, Letterkenny IT, St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, Milltown, Marino Institute of Education, NCI, Sligo IT, IT Tallaght, Tralee IT, UCC, UCD, and Waterford Institute of Technology.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.
Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK ?

This one-year course is designed for those who would like to pursue a career in the youth and community sector. It is ideal for anyone who would enjoy working with young people in a range of community-based settings. The course content will focus on current challenges faced by young people, in particular, around sensitive issues such as, substance misuse, youth unemployment, homelessness and the impact of social media on the young people of today’s society.

CERTIFICATION

 QQI Level 5 Award in Youth Work (5M4732)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of the Youth and Community QQI Award can progress to many degree courses including Community and Youth Work, Applied Social Studies and Applied Social Care at Universities and Institutes of Technology including Maynooth, TU Dublin – City Campus, Blanchardstown and Tallaght. Students can progress onto the Level 8 QQI award in Planning and Environment at TU Dublin – City Campus and Sustainable Energy at TU Dublin – Tallaght. Future areas of employment can include Advice Worker, Community Development Worker, Community Education Officer, Family Support Worker, Social Worker, Youth Worker. Many graduates seek direct employment within the sector.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.
Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY?

This one-year course is designed for those who have an interest in psychology and aims to give participants an introduction to the core theories and methodologies of psychology and prepare them for further study at third level. In addition, this course lays the foundation for a wide variety of ‘people-focused’ careers in social research, health care, community support, information officer, and youth work. On completion of the course, students will also have developed skills that are useful to careers in human resources, marketing, and public relations.

This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 Award in Community Health Services (5M4468)
  
• Occupational First Aid

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates from this course will be able to apply for third level education courses in Maynooth University, UCC, UL, NUI Galway, WIT, DBS, IT Sligo, NCI, IADT, as well as accessing careers in community health areas. The course content covers subjects essential to those seeking to progress to further studies and provides progression links to Level 8 PSI (The Psychological Society of Ireland) accredited courses. Students can also progress to general courses in areas like Arts, Social Studies, Education, Health, Business and Sports Rehabilitation course in colleges like Maynooth University, TU Dublin – Blanchardstown, UCD, UCC, TU Dublin – City Campus, IT Carlow, CIT, LIT, Letterkenny, IADT DBS or Waterford. The course opens up careers in areas like education, management, counselling, research, social services, advertising, etc. There are also other opportunities in third level colleges all around Ireland. We have, for example, a very close link with Bangor University in Wales.

Alternatively, students may seek immediate employment in a range of community care, health care, and community development centres/initiatives.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS CRIMINOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY with law?

This one-year course aims to introduce students, who have an interest in criminal behaviour and criminal law, to the knowledge that will help them to fully explore and understand the way in which we think about and administer crimes in Ireland. On completion of this course, students will gain valuable knowledge and skills which will allow them to progress smoothly to third level options.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 Award in Community Health Services (5M4468)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue degree courses such as Applied Psychology, Psychological Studies, Psychology, and Criminology at Universities and IT’s including Maynooth, IADT, NCI and UCC. Students can also progress onto the Level 8 QQI award in DNA and Forensic Analysis at TU Dublin – Tallaght or Applied Social Care at TU Dublin – City Campus. Graduates may also progress onto many other degrees at Level 7 and 8 in Universities and ITs or private colleges around the country, along with progression options to the UK. Future areas of employment can include Research positions, working within the social care or legal systems, working in the field of Psychology. Alternatively, students may progress directly into employment.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS CHILDCARE?

This two-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with young children in the rapidly expanding world of childcare and crèche supervision/management. The childcare worker needs social, communication and caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Childcare will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice. This course will serve as training for crèche/community care/healthcare industries or as a link to childcare or early childhood education courses in many Universities and IT colleges throughout the country and the UK. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education.

CERTIFICATION

• 2 Year QQI Level 6 in Early Learning and Care
  (option of exiting after year 1 with a QQI Level 5)
• First Aid Response
• Child Protection Online Course

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue level 7/8 Early Childhood degree courses in Maynooth University, DCU, University of Limerick, UCC, Marino Institute of Education, as well as in TU Dublin – Blanchardstown, IT Carlow and many other IT colleges around the country.

Students can progress to Year 3 of Early Childhood degrees in many UK Universities. Students may also seek immediate employment in a range of childcare centres, classrooms or community initiatives. Early Learning and Care graduates can access the 175 places in First Arts in Maynooth University, or progress to Social Care/Social Study degree programmes in TU Dublin and Primary School Teaching.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification
• A literacy test (applicants will be contacted)

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS NURSING STUDIES?

This one-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with people in a hospital, respite care, social care, community development or residential setting. Nurses need social, communication and caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Nursing Studies will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education. The aim of the course is to provide the academic and practical foundation for entry into nurse training as well as the social and human skills necessary for the career.

Excellent Links with UK Universities

CERTIFICATION – QQI Level 5 in Nursing 5M4349

• Community Health Services 5N4468
• First Aid Response
• Child Protection Online Course

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue a degree in many of the Institutes of Technology around the country to study General, Psychiatric, Mental Health or Children’s Nursing. They may alternatively seek immediate employment in a range of hospitals, community care, and healthcare initiatives. There are now many nursing degree courses available to graduates on the newly expanded QQI links programme in colleges like DCU, UCD, Trinity, TU Dublin – Blanchardstown, Carlow College, Maynooth University (incl. St. Patrick’s College), Athlone IT, TU Dublin, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Galway Mayo Institute, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), St. Angela’s College Sligo, University of Limerick, IT Carlow, Letterkenny IT, St Angela’s Sligo, Tralee IT, UCC, and Waterford Institute of Technology.

Nursing graduates can also access one of the over places in First Arts in Maynooth University. The qualification can also be used for entry into third level courses in the Social Care/ Social Studies area. This course will also help you to seek out links to the many nursing degree programmes in the UK like The University of West London, Edge Hill University, Southampton University, Staffordshire University, Liverpool, Bath, South Bank, Edinburgh (Scotland) and Bangor University (Wales), where we have close links.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS HEALTH SERVICE SKILLS?

This one-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with people in a hospital, respite care, social care, community development or residential setting. The healthcare worker needs the social, communication and caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Healthcare Skills will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education. The aim of the course is to provide the human skills necessary for a career in the general healthcare area.

Optional Year 2

QQI Level 6 Available

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 in Health Service Skills 5M3782
• Patient Handling
• CPR
• Basic First Aid
• Child Protection Online Course

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue Level 8 honours degree courses in many of the colleges around the country such as TU Dublin, Athlone IT, DCU, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Marino Institute of Education, IT Carlow, Galway Mayo Institute, University of Limerick, Letterkenny IT, St Angela’s Sligo, Tralee IT,TCD, UCC, UCD, Waterford Institute of Technology (or any college under Applied Social Studies) or they can access Level 7 ordinary degrees in many of the IT colleges in the country in other disciplines.

Graduates may alternatively seek immediate employment in a range of hospitals, community care, nursing homes and health care initiatives. The qualification can also be used for entry into third level courses in the Social Care/ Social Studies area. This course will also help you to seek out links to degree programmes in the UK.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

Pre-Paramedic Fire and Ambulance

(with PHECC EFR)

WHAT IS PRE-PARAMEDIC FIRE AND AMBULANCE?

This is an ideal course for anyone seeking a career in the emergency services. It will be a one-year course which will equip learners with all the vital skills needed to work in this fast paced environment. Not only will you learn about skills needed in the healthcare sector, you will also gain a good foundation if you wish to progress further in your studies.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 in Community Health Services – 5M4468 
• First Aid Response (PHECC FAR)
• PHECC EFR (Emergency First Responder)
• Breathing Apparatus Training
• Fire Warden and Safety

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Students from this course will gain a strong foundation in the paramedic sector.  They can then progress to several very specific training awards such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses. Students can progress to a Paramedic Degree at University of Limerick (Mature students only).

South East Technological University Carlow provide a Bachelor of Business Emergency Services Management at a Level 8 over 4 years. Students can also progress to UK universities to complete a degree in Paramedic Science. Students from this program are well placed to gain employment with HSE National Ambulance Service as a student paramedic and with Dublin Fire Brigade as student paramedics/fire fighter and Dublin Airport Authority.

Mature students may apply for Paramedic Studies at University of Limerick. Alternatively, students can use the results of this course to apply for other health related and non-health related degrees at Level 7 and 8 in Universities and ITs/ Private colleges throughout the country.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDIES?

This course is aimed at students interested in pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. Students who undertake this one-year course in Occupational Therapy studies will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of rehabilitation, treatment of injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Students will develop an understanding of impaired mobility and its impact on human occupational performance and ability and the role of occupational therapy in current healthcare services. Students will gain an insight into the development and implementation of therapeutic programmes. Students will gain the skills needed by the HSE to work in the healthcare sector, which will help them to understand therapy programmes and support clients in restoring or improving their mobility.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 in Health Service Skills 5M3782
• Healthcare Support 5N4339

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This course enables graduates to progress to a sports or science related Level 8 degrees and then to the Level 9 Occupational Therapy at University of Limerick.

There are many progression options for students to study Occupational Therapy in the UK. Graduates may also apply for several other Level 7 and 8 degrees in universities and ITs or private colleges around the country.

Mature students are eligible to apply to Occupational Therapy at Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and NUI Galway.

Successful graduates can gain employment as Occupational Therapy Assistant in the HSE or private health service providers.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS PHARMACY ASSISTANT?

This one-year course will equip learners with the relevant knowledge and experience to work as a pharmacy counter assistant or pursue a pharmacy technician qualification in the future. From dispensing over-the-counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling products, this course covers the most relevant skills. This course will also focus on a range of health related subjects relevant to employment as a pharmacy assistant. Work experience is within a retail pharmacy where, as a pharmacy assistant, you can work as part of a team of health professionals in order to help customers achieve the best possible health outcome.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 in Community and Health Services 5M4468
• Irish Pharmacy Union: Medical Counter Assistant

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue pharmacy work, or work as sales assistants in health stores etc. This course is aimed at those interested in working in a community pharmacy or for those wishing to progress to a year two (part-time) Pharmacy Technician course.

Students may also progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme to (for example) DCU, UCD, Maynooth University (incl. Kilkenny Campus), TU Dublin, Dundalk Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, Athlone IT, UCC, NUIG, Carlow IT, Carlow College, Marino Institute of Education, Dun Laoghaire IADT, St. Angela’s College Sligo, University of Limerick, Tralee IT, Letterkenny IT, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology or on the Carlow IT Pharmacy Technician courses or to health or arts courses in UCD, Maynooth University, TU Dublin – City Campus or UCC.

Alternatively, students may seek immediate employment in a range of companies and projects that seek graduates with a health, science or pharmacy aptitude.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT Special Needs and Classroom Assistant

This one year course trains students to work as Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to work
with children with special educational needs in a variety of educational settings including Primary and Secondary School classrooms and specialist schools.
Students completing this course will be able to work effectively under direction in
a special needs assisting setting. They will develop skills to assist children in a range of
activities, ensuring equality of opportunity through working in a safe and professional
manner.
They will learn about development and learning in children with special needs
and about the role of an SNA and develop the capacity to work and communicate
effectively with parents, families, colleagues and other professionals to safeguard,
support, and promote children’s learning.
The course is suitable for both school leavers and experienced or mature students seeking a formal qualification.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level in Community Care 5M2786

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates can progress directly to employment in a variety of educational contexts and community care settings.
This course qualifies students to work as SNAs in primary and secondary school classrooms or special schools, supporting children in their learning environment.
Alternatively, graduates may progress to further studies in specialist social care,
psychology, social studies, and early childhood care and education degree
programmes in a range of Universities and Technological Universities.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification
• A literacy test (applicants will be contacted)

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.

Course Content: 

WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDIES?

This course is aimed at students interested in pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. Students who undertake this one-year course in Occupational Therapy studies will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of rehabilitation, treatment of injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Students will develop an understanding of impaired mobility and its impact on human occupational performance and ability and the role of occupational therapy in current healthcare services. Students will gain an insight into the development and implementation of therapeutic programmes. Students will gain the skills needed by the HSE to work in the healthcare sector, which will help them to understand therapy programmes and support clients in restoring or improving their mobility.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 in Health Service Skills 5M3782
• Healthcare Support 5N4339

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This course enables graduates to progress to a sports or science related Level 8 degrees and then to the Level 9 Occupational Therapy at University of Limerick.

There are many progression options for students to study Occupational Therapy in the UK. Graduates may also apply for several other Level 7 and 8 degrees in universities and ITs or private colleges around the country.

Mature students are eligible to apply to Occupational Therapy at Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and NUI Galway.

Successful graduates can gain employment as Occupational Therapy Assistant in the HSE or private health service providers.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.