Are there any fees for the courses?
Stillorgan College of Further Education doesn’t charge any tuition fees for Irish and EU nationals. However, there is a registration charge that covers course materials. This varies from €160 on courses like the Journalism and Business & IT courses to €300 on the Art Foundation (to cover the cost of materials provided to students) and €410 for the Travel and Tourism course (covers the cost of online computer reservation training and First Aid certificate). This doesn’t cover the cost of books etc. A full breakdown of these costs are available from the college.
There is also an examination fee payable to QQI (currently €50 for Level 5 courses and €80 for Level 6 courses). Holders of full medical cards are exempt from this charge. Students on the BTEA, VTOS and maintenance grants schemes may be eligible for further exemptions.
Can non-EU citizens apply for these courses?
Students from outside the EEA or the UK are only eligible to apply for these courses if they are already recognised as refugees in Ireland or they hold a Stamp 4 permit.
What qualifications will I achieve if I complete a course in Stillorgan College of Further Education?
All course are certified by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). This is the body established by the Irish government and it is the new authority that awards further and higher education awards (other than university awards) in Ireland. Previously, this function was carried out in the further education sector by the Further Education Training and Awards Council (FETAC). Some of our courses may offer additional qualifications, such as Abobe, Microsoft or IAOT certification.
Do the courses in Stillorgan College allow for progression to Higher Education courses in Universities and Institutes of Technology?
Yes. There is a well-established progression path for students who have achieved a full FETAC certificate to progress to degree course in Higher Education intuitions. This is known as the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) and full details are available at:
http://www.qqi.ie/Pages/HIgher-Education-Links-Scheme-(HELS).aspx.
Please note that different Higher Education institutions have different requirements in terms of what courses they accept under this scheme. Full details about how the HELS works in each institution is available from each college’s own website. Alternatively, please contact Stillorgan College of Further Education for more information.
Can mature students apply for these courses?
Mature students are welcome on all our courses.
What is the college academic year?
The college follows the traditional academic year. Courses start in mid-September and continue until May. The college closes for the usual mid-term, Christmas and Easter holidays.
Do you have to have completed your Leaving Certificate to apply for the courses?
Each course has its own entry requirements as listed on the webpage for the relevant course. In general, most students will have completed their Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied. However, we do consider other qualifications and life experiences. We will discuss this when we call you for your interview.
Is there parking at the college?
Yes. We have an on-site car-park that students can use. This is on a first-come, first-use basis.