A life of learning - your education questions answered
Q. I am 28 years of age and would like to further my education, but I cannot afford to study full time as I have family responsibilities. What are the opportunities for distance learning available in Ireland?
A. The two main providers of distance learning in Ireland are Oscail, which is the National Distance Education Centre of Ireland, and the Open University (OU). Oscail, established in 1982 on the campus of Dublin City University, provides adults with access to third-level education regardless of location, employment, domestic or personal circumstances or prior qualifications. The Open University, founded more than 30 years ago, offers everyone the opportunity to complete anything from a short course to a PhD, on a part-time basis and in their own home.
Oscail and the OU differ from most other educational organisations in that they have no entry requirements for undergraduate courses. Anyone can sign up to do a course, in fact more than a third of the OU's latest graduates gained their degrees without having the Leaving Certificate.
Both Oscail and the OU offer special introductory modules that will help students to fine-tune their skills and get to know their chosen subject. Oscail's support system also includes a once-a-month tutorial service, which provides guidance and support by tutorial, telephone and e-mail. They also have a network of 12 study centres around the State. Generally, students attend the study centre closest to where they live, and avail of the campus facilities there, including the libraries.
Oscail offers the following programmes: Undergraduate - BSc/Diploma in Information Technology, BA/Diploma in Arts (Humanities). Postgraduate - MSc in the Management and Application of IT in Accounting, MSc in the Management of Operations, MSc in the Management of Internet Systems.
The OU has a far wider range of courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, certificates and vocational short courses. Study areas include arts, modern languages, social sciences, health and social welfare, science, mathematics and computing, technology, business and management, education and law.
Students use a combination of specially-produced printed textbooks and study guides, audiotapes, TV broadcasts and videotapes, home experiment kits, computer software and other multi-media materials. Every student has a local tutor, and seminars and summer schools are run at a network of 305 study centres throughout Europe.
The OU measures its courses in "credit points", with most courses worth either 30 or 60 points. You need a minimum of 360 points to gain a degree. As a general rule, a 30-point course means at least seven hours' study a week throughout the academic year, which runs from February to October.
It's possible to qualify for a degree in three years (less if you are given credit for previous studies), but most students spread their study over four or five years - or even longer.
A great fear is that students will feel isolated, and while the OU can never offer the same social life as a conventional university, students are not left to struggle alone. As well as being allocated a personal tutor, students living near one another get together for tutorials and study groups (these are not compulsory).
Fees are charged for each course studied and the cost varies greatly. If you are a tax payer in the Republic, your course fees will be eligible for tax relief if you indicate your intention to count your course towards a BA or BSc degree, a postgraduate qualification or a certificate or diploma in management.
More details are available from The Open University in Ireland's, Dublin Enquiry and Advice Centre, Holbrook House, Holles Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 678-5399. Further information and full course descriptions: www.open.ac.uk
Oscail are based in Dublin City University. Tel:(01) 700 5421. www.oscail.ie
Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie
