Successful students on UCD's new part-time access course for adult learners will be guaranteed a third-level place in 2002.

Those who achieve marks of more than 60 per cent may take up a place on the college's science or agricultural science degree programmes or the diploma in health and safety at work.

The foundation course, which began yesterday, is designed for adults who want to gain prior experience of what is involved in doing a third-level course. It is particularly aimed at those who are under-represented at third level for socio-economic reasons. It provides experience in biology, chemistry, physics, maths and information technology, as well as study skills.

All students who complete the course will get an NUI foundation certificate. They will also have achieved the necessary standard to apply for a college place as a mature student, though this place is not guaranteed unless they achieve the required mark.

The course runs on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings during the autumn and spring terms. Bursaries are available to applicants in receipt of income support on an income of less than £12,000 per annum (subject to assessment and interview).

Mature students in the Limerick area are also being offered a stepping stone back to education through a new third-level access course from Mary Immaculate College.

The Foundation Programme for Higher Education is a one-year pilot course designed to help mature students make the transition from home or work to a third-level course.

The programme will provide students with the necessary skills to begin a third-level course and includes five arts subjects and IT.

Lecturers from the college will travel to a centre in Charleville, Co Cork, two evenings a week. Students will also spend one or two Saturdays a month in the Mary Immaculate campus in Limerick.

The Charleville location was chosen to give rural communities the opportunity to attend. "People are also limited by a lack of confidence. This foundation course will show them their brains have not degenerated over the years."

The programme is designed for those interested in a liberal arts or education course. Twenty places have been provided in the pilot programme.