Galway Technical Institute is the largest and longest established college of further education in the west of Ireland, catering for up to 2,000 students annually both full and part-time. One-year courses at GTI provide a launch pad for learners to enter the workplace, start an apprenticeship, or progress to further and higher education. GTI offers a range of courses which provide the ideal starting point for learners who are keen to progress to third level education and are particularly suitable for those who may be undecided at present as to what they would like to study in the future.
One such programme is the pre-university arts course. If you are looking for a platform to progress to a wide range of careers in the general arts, humanities, psychology, or sociology, then this course is for you. The course provides a foundation for progression to higher education in general arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students will take modules similar to those offered at universities in these disciplines as well as modules to improve their general academic and research skills. This course has links to all the arts and social science courses offered in Irish universities as well as all courses in GMIT with the exception of nursing. Currently, this programme is linked to 18 different degree programmes in NUI Galway, 17 of which are in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies.
Applicants who successfully complete the course and achieve the necessary entry requirements will be able to apply for up to 83 reserved QQI places in total. Places are offered on a competitive basis and are open to holders of relevant QQI awards. As part of a pilot initiative with NUI Galway students on this course will engage with NUI Galway and will also be able to attend a number of information talks given by the university on progression opportunities to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies.
Principal Geraldine Gibbons said: ‘"For many students the leap from second level into the vastness of third level can be quite a daunting one, even when a young person is sure of what it is they wish to study. More and more students are now taking an opportunity to step back and explore all of the options that are now available to them in the further education and training sector. Courses which provide a blend of work placements, practical and applied learning are capturing the attention of both students and employers. Furthermore, further education courses qualify for SUSI grants and fees are a fraction of that in the third level sector. With the recent expansion in the range of apprenticeships now available, PLC courses are the ideal pathway to a future career in many sectors such as the accounting technician apprenticeship, currently running in GTI."
GTI caters for a very wide market, from recent Leaving Certificate graduates to the mature learner returning to education. Options include art, media, business, law, beauty, hairdressing, healthcare, sports, IT, and apprenticeship preparatory programmes. GTI welcomes applications from both school leavers and mature learners who wish to retrain or upskill. Check the GTI website for full details of all courses being offered across all 10 departments. Make things happen for you at GTI in 2021. Apply now at www.gti.ie
