Galway Community College of Further Education (GCC ) offers full-time courses in a wide variety of career areas designed for entry to skilled employment, in preparation for starting an apprenticeship, or for progression to further and higher education.
For some, these courses may be used as a transition year, an opportunity to sample new vocational areas before committing to a longer course of study in university.
Wide range of courses
All of GCC's one-year courses offer a mix of blended learning, with work experience and funded Erasmus placements. These courses are aimed at Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied graduates, mature learners and anyone finding themselves considering changing their career path.
GCC offers Level 5 and Level 6 QQI accredited courses in Business, Secretarial, Computer Science, Film, Music and Theatre, Creative Social Media, Early Learning Care, Healthcare, Sport, Science, Motor Technology, Engineering and Horticulture.
There are no CAO points required to apply for a further education course and on completion, you can convert your results from the course, up to 390 points, (more for Science courses ) to apply for CAO courses in Galway and nationwide.
GCC maintains strong links with ATU and University of Galway access offices, through information talks and sessions on progression, organised by the college's guidance counsellor and university access officers.
Affordable learning
The option of studying a further education course is now attractive to school leavers and those hoping to upskill, because the costs involved are low in comparison to higher education courses.
Further education courses qualify for a SUSI grant. The registration fee for a full-time course at GCC is €175, more information on fees can be accessed on GCC's website: https://fe.galwaycc.ie.
Friendly and inclusive environment
While studying at GCC you can expect a friendly inclusive environment in small classes. GCC aims to ensure all students are happy in their education, offering fully funded Erasmus placements where there are plenty of work experience opportunities abroad.
Situated at Moneenageisha Junction, GCC is based at an ideal location for many and is close to the city centre and offers a variety of facilities to students, such as free parking, a student café, playing pitches, bus stop, a fully equipped gym, science lab, motor workshop, editing suites with lots of other modern facilities available.
Applying online
Apply online at fe.galwaycc.ie for September 2025. GCC's online applications system will open soon. Check out GCC's campus and faculties for yourself, as well as speaking to the college's course coordinators and teachers by attending the open day on March 4, 2025.
For enquiries, email: [email protected]. Stay up to date with GCC news by following the college on social media: @GCCFurtherEd.
