St.Tiernan's College

Business Studies Secretarial

St Tiernan's College offers a one year full time course in Business Studies/Business Studies Secretarial leading to a FETAC Level 5 Award.

Who is this course suitable for?

Those who

• have completed Senior Cycle (Leaving Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied) and require further vocational education and training to enhance their prospects of employment or progression to other studies

• are adults returning to education that may not have completed the senior cycle and wish to avail of a second chance in education

• wish to defer Third Level Offers for a year in order to acquire IT and secretarial skills

Can I go to third level education after a PLC Course?

Yes. Through the Higher Education Links Scheme, Post Leaving Certificate courses provide an alternative route to higher education in the Institutes of Technology for those who have completed the Leaving Certificate Applied programme, or who were unable to enter third level education after leaving school.

In addition to the Higher Education Links Scheme, in 2005 the Institutes of Technology and some higher education institutions e.g. (NUI Galway, NUI Dublin, DIT) introduced a pilot admissions criteria and scoring system for FETAC Level 5 Certificates. Full details of the scoring system for FETAC applicants under this scheme can be found on the CAO website www.cao.ie Courses may have pre-requisite FETAC certificate or component requirements and such requirements are listed in individual institutions' prospectuses and on the CAO website.

Currently, approximately 13.5% of all CAO applicants have a FETAC award.


Are there any maintenance grants for PLC course students?

Yes. PLC Maintenance grants are available for students who are registered on PLC courses. These are set by the Minister for Education and Science each year. The maintenance scheme is means tested, and grants are paid along the same lines as the current third level students support scheme. Grant applications and information are available from www.mayovec.ie


What will a PLC course cost me?

A €40 administration fee is charged to all students on application for a place on the course.

A €50 charge applies for certification from the FETAC council. Social Welfare recipients and/or Medical Card holders are exempt from all certification fees.

What do participants think of this PLC course?

"The course has everything to offer me in regard to work. I particularly feel the communications course has given me the confidence to go for interviews, and also a belief in my ability to do a job well, especially after being out of the workforce for 16 years."

"I used the points which I had gained from doing this course to go on to Third level education. Although it was tough at times and many deadlines had to be met, I achieved 400 points which helped me find a course which I was interested in through the Links Scheme."

How to apply

An application form for this course is available by contacting the school on 096 31236. Alternatively, you can download and print the application form and mail to Ms Vera Sweeney, FETAC Co-ordinator, St Tiernan's College, Crossmolina, Co Mayo.

Because the course is work-related, you will be called for an interview before a final selection is made. This interview offers you the opportunity to discuss your particular interest in the course and worries you may have about coming back to education.