New Access Routes for Four New Tertiary Degree Courses through Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB Further Education and Training Service
BSc in Industrial Laboratory Science (Level 7)
Course Information
You will spend your first year at Mayo College of Further Education and Training – Westport Campus. After that, you will complete the final 2 years of the programme at one of three ATU campuses.
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- Biochemistry (ATU Galway City)
- Biopharmaceutical Science (ATU Letterkenny)
- Life Sciences (ATU Sligo)
BSc (Honours) in Sustainable Engineering Technologies (Level 8)
Course Information
You will spend your first year at Sligo College of Further Education. After that, you will complete the final 3 years of the programme at one of three ATU campuses.
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- Sustainable Engineering Technologies for Computing (ATU Donegal)
- Sustainable Engineering Technologies for the Manufacturing Industry stream (ATU Galway City and ATU Sligo)
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Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business (Level 8)
Course Information
You will start the degree programme with a common first year at Mayo College of Further Education and Training – Castlebar Campus. At the end of first year, you can choose which one of the three specialisms you want to pursue for the remaining three years of study in one of three ATU’s campuses.
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- Business with Enterprise and Innovation (ATU Donegal)
- Business with Digital Business (ATU Galway)
- Business with Supply Chain Management (ATU Sligo)
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Tertiary Access Route into BSc (Honours) in General Nursing (Level 5)
Course Information
This pathway offers an unique way to enter ATU’s BSc (Honours) in General Nursing. After you complete the one year QQI Level 5 – Nursing Studies Award in MSLETB, you can progress directly into Year 1 of the degree programme at ATU’s campuses in Castlebar, St. Angela’s, Sligo, or Letterkenny.
There are twenty places on this course annually at each location.
The first year of this course will be delivered at Sligo College of Further Education.
Unlike other degree courses, applicants do not need to wait for CAO points as they can apply directly. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview when they will be required to show evidence of their eligibility based on the information provided in the application process. There are no fees attached to the first year of these courses in the Education and Training Boards. In subsequent years, the normal Higher Education registration fees will apply. Applicants for these courses are eligible to apply for a SUSI grant. Further information can be found here: https://www.susi.ie/.
This collaborative development between Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Donegal ETB, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB and Galway Roscommon ETB follows a government request to develop a multi-campus award that integrates the delivery of higher education in the FET sector to widen participation to individuals and communities who would not traditionally consider third-level education as a viable or realistic option for them. It increases the number of locations regionally where students can begin their studies, enhances flexibility through providing several programme paths and widens access through more flexible entry requirements.
Initial applications for the tertiary programmes will close on the 8th August 2024. Late applications will be considered where there are still places available after all eligible candidates have been considered.
For more information please review our Information Presentation: HERE
If you need any support please get in touch with your local MSLETB Adult Guidance Service. (Telephone number: 1800 100 100 or visit: https://msletbadultguidance.ie/)
What is a tertiary degree programme?
These degree programmes were developed with Further Education and Training and Higher Education colleges. The Tertiary programmes are a transitional pathway from Further Education to Higher Education which can be driven by the career you want, not the points you get and look beyond the learner’s educational attainment and grades. Participants can commence their third-level education in a further education setting in year one and progress into a higher education college, ATU (Atlantic Technological University), after successfully completing year one.
What degree programmes are being provided within MSLETB?
- Bachelor of Business Honours in Business Level 8 – Mayo College of FET, Castlebar Campus, Newtown, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Year 1
- Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Sustainable Engineering Technologies Level 8 – Sligo College of FE, Ballinode, Sligo Year 1
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science Level 7 – Mayo College of FET, Newport Rd, Westport, Co. Mayo, Year 1
- Tertiary Access Route into Bachelor of Science (Honours) in General Nursing (NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) Level 5 – Sligo College of FE, Ballinode Sligo, in Year 1
How can I apply for a Tertiary Degree Programme?
Applying for a Tertiary Degree Programme is simple. You can apply online via FETCHcourses.ie or links to https://msletb.ie/tertiary-degrees-with-msletb/ or https://www.atu.ie/tertiarydegrees
- If you need help with or have questions about the above programmes, contact our Adult Education Guidance Service. Contact details are on https://www.msletbadultguidance.ie or Freephone 1-800-100-100.
Once you apply through FETCH Courses, you will be emailed a Supplementary Application form. This must be completed within seven days and form the basis for shortlisting.
How will each of the programmes be delivered?
Each programme will be delivered in person at the designated MSLETB FET Centres (outlined above). The curriculum timetable will reflect Year 1 in ATU, except for the Tertiary Access Route into General Nursing.
Will there be equal access to higher education facilities and support during my time with ETB in year one?
Yes, in year one, you will also experience the same timetables, exam dates and times to align with ATU. You will also have access to MSLETB and ATU support services for your studies.
Can I complete year one of the Programme to achieve a Level 5 Qualification?
No, apart from Nursing, the degree programmes are full-time four-year degrees in Business and Engineering Level 8 or three-year degrees in Industrial Laboratory Science Level 7. You must be willing and committed to doing the tertiary degree programmes through MSLETB and ATU over the specified time.
What are the entry requirements?
Please refer to the entry requirements as outlined for each course on https://msletb.ie/tertiary-degrees-with-msletb/
Will I need to do an interview or a test?
Shortlisting of applications will be based on selection criteria. You will be called for Interviews if your application is included in the shortlist. Interviews are due to be held in the first week of September. A date will be sent to you via the email address provided on your application.
Do I need to provide any paperwork with my online application?
No, you do not need to provide paperwork at the application stage through fetch courses and/or Supplementary Application Form. You will be asked to bring supporting evidence of all the information in your application to the interview.
What will I pay?
There will be no tuition or student contribution fees for the first year of the programme delivered through MSLETB.
The standard higher education registration fees apply in subsequent years. The eligibility criteria for the free fees initiative through HEA and Student Contribution/Maintenance through SUSI will apply for the subsequent two/three/four years in ATU.
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How long are the degree programmes?
The duration of the degree programmes is four years full time for the level 8 Honours Degrees in Engineering and Business, three years full time for the level 7 in Laboratory Science and five years full time for the Level 8 General Nursing (1 year tertiary access route and 4 years of a degree programme).
What financial support may be available to me?
Your first year in MSLETB on your Tertiary Degree in Bachelor of Business Honours Level 8, Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Sustainable Engineering Technologies Level 8, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science Level 7 and Tertiary Access Route into Bachelor of Science (Honours) in General Nursing (NFQ Level 5) is free of charge. It does not incur any tuition or student contribution fees.
For the subsequent years that you spend in ATU to complete your degree, you must be aware that the standard rules and eligibility criteria of the Free Fees Initiative and Student Contribution will apply.
The criteria for the Free Fees Initiative operated by the HEA is available on the website https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/course-fees/
You may be eligible for funding from either a SUSI maintenance grant or Back to Education Allowance, whichever is more financially beneficial to you. You cannot receive BTEA and SUSI maintenance grant at the same time.
Back to Education Allowance:
Those who receive specific Department of Social Protection income support payments, such as job seekers allowance, can apply to DSP for Back to Education Allowance, which may allow you to attend your full-time Tertiary Degree Programme and still receive the same and/or higher level of Social Welfare Assistance.
Those in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income support payments may continue receiving their payment and a SUSI Maintenance Grant, such as those in receipt of One Parent Family and Disability Allowance.
The Tertiary Degrees in Business, Engineering and Science are all under the Third Level rules of BTEA, and the Access Route to Nursing is under the Second Level rules.
Please get in touch with your local INTREO office for more information OR check out the website https://www.gov.ie/en/service/418e3f-back-to-education-allowance/ OR contact our Adult Education Guidance Service on https://www.msletbadultduidance.ie or Freephone 1-800-100-100 for more information.
SUSI Maintenance Grant:
SUSI Maintenance Grant is a means-tested maintenance grant to help you with your living costs and is paid directly into your bank account.
The means test will include all sources of income. This reckonable income must be below the SUSI-specific income threshold levels and determines the level of maintenance you will receive.
When you apply for a SUSI maintenance grant, you will either apply as a Dependent Student, a Mature Dependent Student, or an Independent Student, and this will determine what income is included in the means test.
Depending on your home address, SUSI Maintenance Grant is paid at either adjacent (under 30 km) or non-adjacent (over 30 km) rates.
Those receiving certain Department of Social Protection income support payments may be eligible for the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant.
The Tertiary Access Route to Nursing will be considered comparable to a PLC for the SUSI Maintenance Grant purposes. Further information on SUSI and the application process can be found on the SUSI website, https://www.susi.ie/ .
There are also other funding supports available for returning to full-time education, including students with disabilities and student assistance in MSLETB and ATU that will be available to you if you are successful in gaining a place on the programme.
When will I hear the outcome of my application?
You will receive an email alert advising you of your updated status. You must give the correct email address on your online application and that your email account is working. It is also vital that you check your email regularly.
There are also other funding supports available for returning to full-time education, including students with disabilities and student assistance in MSLETB and ATU that will be available to you if you are successful in gaining a place on the programme.
When is the closing date for applications?
Initial applications for the tertiary programmes will close at 5pm on 8th August 2023. Late applications will be considered where there are still places available after all eligible candidates have been considered. All courses are planned to commence during the week beginning 18th September 2023.
Are late applications accepted?
Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed if there are still places on the programme. Please note that priority will be given to applicants that submit their applications through www.fetchcourses.ie before 5pm on the 8th August 2023.
When will these Programmes be starting?
All programmes will follow the start date in line with ATU, in which all courses are due to start during the week beginning the 18th of September, 2023.
Who can I contact if I require more information/ have additional questions?
- You can contact our Guidance and Information Service at https://www.msletbadultguidance.ie or on Freephone 1-800-100-100. A member of our guidance team will be able to assist you with any additional information or queries you may have.
- You can also contact the FET College directly as listed above i.e.
