Senior College Dun Laoghaire welcomes mature applicants and encourages their return to study. Mature applicants are eligible to apply for any of our courses if they wish to broaden their education and skills and develop new interests. A substantial number of mature students enrol each year and the College believes that the contribution of mature students is valuable and beneficial to the College as a whole.

• Who is a mature student?

We define a mature student as someone over 21.  

• How do I apply to SCD as a mature student?

To apply as a mature student, you should refer to the section on Application.

• I don't have the entry requirements for the course I would like to do as I left school early- can I still apply?

If you don't have the minimum entry requirements, your application will be considered on the basis of age, experience and overall demonstrable ability.  

• Are there any special courses for mature students?

All our courses are open to mature applicants. We don't offer courses just for mature applicants so most classes have a mixture of ages. Certain courses are very popular with mature applicants and, although full-time, are timetabled in the mornings only (between 9.00am and 1.00/2.00pm).

• I'm doing the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) this year - can I apply to SCD next year?

Yes, people who have done the LCA and LCVP may apply for all courses. You need to submit details of achievements in writing. 

• How do I find out more about courses in SCD?

Information on all courses is available on the courses section of this website and in the College brochure. SCD hosts a number of Open Days during the year which prospective students are invited to attend.  

• I am invited to attend a personal advisory meeting for the course I want to do. What will this involve?

Personal advisory meetings are usually only about 10/15 minutes long. They are conducted by tutors on the course who generally want to find out whether you are familiar with the career area, why you want to pursue this area of study and what your future career plans are. It is also an opportunity for you to find out more about the course and whether it is the right choice for you. 

• Are there any part-time courses?

Although some courses are timetabled in the morning, they are full-time courses in terms of workload and commitment. We also offers evening courses in which you can work towards professional qualifications over 1 or 2 academic years. Students usually attend 2 evenings a week for 3 hours per evening.

There is also the possibility of taking individual subjects on whole-time day courses. This allows you the possibility of building towards a qualification over a longer period. This arrangement is at the discretion of the College Principal and only applies if there are vacant places at the commencement of the course. 

• Is there any funding available?

Students in Further Education Colleges can apply for the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) - contact your Social Welfare office or your local VEC for more information. You should refer to the section on Financial Support.

You may also be eligible for a maintenance grant; this is a means tested payment for people who want to go to College or University.

• Do I have to pay tuition fees in SCD?

There are no tuition fees for EU nationals. The fee, determined by the Irish Government, for students who are non-EU nationals is currently €3653 (subject to change).

In addition, each course will have some associated costs and these costs vary from course to course. You will be sent this information when you are offered a place. In general, you will have to pay for books, exams fees and a College registration fee. There are usually costs specific to different courses, for example, drawing boards and art equipment in design courses.   

• How do I know if I am really suitable for a particular course?

It is very important that you research the course by reading about careers in your chosen area or speaking to tutors in the College or the College Guidance Counsellor/s. If you are really unsure about your suitability for the course or what a career in this area might entail, it would be a good idea to make an appointment with an educational or career guidance counsellor. This would give you the opportunity to have an assessment of your skills and interests and discuss everything in more depth.

There are currently 25 adult educational guidance projects throughout the country. This free service has been set up to provide educational guidance to people on social welfare payments or people who are participating in VTOS, adult literacy or community education programmes. Contact your local VEC to get details of the Adult Educational Guidance Service in your area.

To get a list of guidance counsellors who work privately, you can contact the Institute of Guidance Counsellors - 01-676 1975 or email igc@indigo.ie 

• How can I prepare to start back as a full-time student?

You could:

Find out as much as you can about the courses and the commitment involved.

Plan your finances well in advance - a course can be very difficult if you have to do a lot of part-time work to survive and then don't have enough time to meet the demands of the course. This might take some organisation depending on your financial situation but it is important to make sure you can afford to go back to College. You should check your eligibility for any payments or educational grants.

If necessary, have a meeting with an educational guidance counsellor.

Brush up on your study skills. There are lots of good books with advice on studying, time management, taking notes and doing exams - make an appointment to see the College Guidance Counsellor early on in the academic year to get more help and advice on how to study.
  

• Does SCD have any particular supports for mature students?

Each year we invite mature students to attend a meeting where they have an opportunity to meet other mature students, the mature student 'contact' person in the College and the Guidance Counsellors.

Each course in SCD is assigned a Course Co-ordinator who you can approach if you have any difficulties on your course.  

• When will I hear if I have been accepted on the course of my choice?

Applications are acknowledged on receipt of an application. A place is reserved for you subject to you meeting the entry requirements on a first come basis.