Entry Requirement

Unless otherwise stated, the basic requirement for entry to all Further Education courses / programmes is successful completion of the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Mature students who do not have the above qualification are also eligible to apply.

Enrolment 

•  Complete on-line application form (www.carlowife.ie) or complete application form attached at the back of the prospectus (download here) and return it to Carlow Institute of Further Education, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.  An application fee of €25 must be submitted when applying.  (Applications cannot be processed without payment).
• Attend for interview and ensure all documents requested are brought to interview as your application may otherwise be delayed.
• To confirm your place upon offer, pay fee on-line or by Bank Draft/Postal Order on registration day.

Places on courses are offered on the following basis: 

• Availability of places on particular courses/programmes in the year of application.  Waiting lists may be formed if course / programme is over subscribed.
• Adequate enrolment to run the course/programmes.
• Suitability at interview.
• Course requirement.
• Examination results.
• Order of acceptance of offer and payment of fees.
•  
• Learners deemed not suitable to a course / programme are offered:

• Learners who are progressing for a second year in the Institute but on a different course to the previous year, must reapply using the procedure outlined above.
• Learners may, if they wish seek the advice of the Career Guidance Counsellor in choosing a course, making the application and accepting the offer.
• All reasonable efforts are made to facilitate diversity and put in place mechanisms and staff who will support learners with additional needs.
• While studying on one of our courses/programmes, learners may also seek help in choosing and applying for follow on courses / programmes at third level through the CAO system.

Closing Date

Closing date for receipt of applications is August 17th.  Applications received after this date will only be processed subject to places being available on your chosen course/programme.  An application fee of €25 must be submitted when applying.  (Application cannot be processed without payment)

Registration Fees

Unless otherwise stated a fee of €200 will be payable to include administration and FETAC examinations. Additional fees are listed under each course outline.  Fees are non-refundable.

Department of Education Fees

All learners who enrol on an approved PLC course are eligible to pay the €200 programme participant contribution.

The contribution is an annual contribution.  Eligible participants on PLC courses of more than one year duration must pay the contribution for each year of that course.

The following categories of participant are exempt from paying the contribution:

• Full medical card holders in their own right and their dependent children
• Those who are eligible under the student grant scheme
• Those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances.

Course Content

• Students should note that modules on courses are subject to change.
• Courses commence subject to adequate enrolment.

Interviews

Interviews for courses are generally held in late August/early September.

Grants

The range of financial support available from the Department of Education and Science (DES) to students intending to attend Further Education includes:

• Maintenance Grant Scheme
• Special Rates of Maintenance Grants
• Millennium Partnership Fund
• Fund for Students with Disabilities

Details available on website – www.carlowvec.ie

Students with Additional Needs 

Carlow Institute of Further Education is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and has an appointed Equality Officer.  It is committed to supporting any student with particular needs involved in studies at the Institute. Applicants with disability/special needs who require Department of Education support/funding need to submit applications on/before April 15th of year preceding commencement of course.

Applications for Support Funding will only be processed if accompanied by a consultant’s report of a disability or illness or a psychological report in the case of specific learning difficulties.  Reports which were done over five years ago will not be accepted.

Assessments of disability are carried out for the following categories:  Physical/Mobility Disabilities, Significant ongoing illness, Specific learning difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder,  ADD/ADHD, Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of hearing, Mental Health or Psychiatric or Psychological Difficulties and Head/Traumatic Brain Injury

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) Funding

To be eligible you must be:

• Over 21 years old
• 6 months in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.

If eligible and accepted on to the scheme, students continue to get full Social Welfare entitlements plus course fees; books and some lunch and travel expenses may be paid for.

Eligible applicants need to fill out a VTOS Application Form by calling to the VTOS Office, 1 – 3 Granby Row, Carlow.

Forms will not be sent out by post.  Completed forms can be submitted from January 2012 onwards.

Apply early, as places are limited.  VTOS Telephone 059 9140311..

Board Of Management

The Institute has a Board of Management which consists of parents, teachers, community representatives and representatives of County Carlow Vocational Education Committee.  One place is allocated to a student representative from the Institute.  The board is a sub-committee of Co. Carlow Vocational Education Committee.

Student Council

All students in Carlow Institute of Further Education are automatically affiliated members of the Student Council body.  The structure of the council comprises of at least one class representative and a maximum of two from each class.  A student charter sets out the role and structure of the council and is contained in the student diary and planner.

Transport

Carlow Institute of Further Education shares a campus with the Institute of Technology Carlow. Students may avail of the many buses which service the campus from the surrounding towns and counties. Carlow is situated on the main Dublin to Waterford train line and the train station is situated in the centre of town.

Crèche Facilities

For information on eligibility for financial support for childcare contact the Adult Education Office, Co. Carlow VEC, Athy Road, Carlow, 059 9138560.

Graduation

Graduation Ceremony takes place annually in October.

Work Experience / Communications

Work Experience and Communications are compulsory elements of all Further Education courses.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting is a requirement on courses / programmes where students / learners have access to children or vulnerable adults.  Prior to attending work experience students / learners must be vetted by the Gardai.  All students / learners being offered a place on a course/programme will be issued with Garda Vetting forms by post with course offer. 

Students / learners who have lived outside the jurisdiction of Ireland / Northern Ireland and for whom Garda Vetting is unavailable are required to provide vetting from the relevant police authorities.

Student Facilities

A study room is provided for all students studying at Carlow Institute of Further Education.  It is open daily and students can avail of this service that includes IT workstations.  It is used solely for study purposes. 

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

Students on every course will have the opportunity to obtain the ECDL.

Career Guidance Service

The careers service is available to all students at Carlow Institute of Further Education.  The role and purpose of the career guidance service is to assist students in making career choices, applying for college through the C.A.O. system, C.V. and interview preparation.  This service is offered to classes and to students on a one to one basis. 

Canteen Services

A canteen offering tea/coffee and fresh food is available to all students daily.   Photocopying facilities are also available in the canteen. 

Sports

A variety of sports are offered for students studying at Carlow Institute of Further Education including: swimming, tennis, basketball and Gaelic football. 
In 2011 our Senior Gaelic football team won the Leinster League Institute of Further Education Final. 

In 2008 our Senior Ladies football team were All Ireland Colleges, Donaghy Shield finalists. 

Awarding Bodies

FETAC is the primary awarding body in Carlow Institute of Further Education. Other awarding bodies include:

• CIBTAC (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology)
• ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council)
• CIDESCO (Comite International D’esthetique et de cosmetology)
• NCEF (National Council for Exercise and Fitness)
• Irish Water Safety 

Quality Assurance Agreement

Carlow Institute of Further Education received its Quality Assurance Agreement with FETAC in May 2006.  We have agreed procedures and policies with FETAC to assure the quality of programmes and services.  We are now registered to offer programmes leading to FETAC awards.

Note: The information in this publication is correct at the time of going to press.  It is issued on the express condition that it shall not form part of any contract between the Institute and any student.  All matters covered in this publication are subject to change from time to time.  The Institute reserves the right and in every case at its own discretion and for any reason to alter or not offer courses or parts of courses.