Q: I live near the site for the new IT in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin, and would like to know when the college will be open. It doesn't look like it will be open next autumn. What courses will be on offer and how will I apply? I'm doing a PLC course and would like to transfer to this college because it is near my home.
Dublin student
Full-time courses are scheduled to begin at the Blanchardstown IT next September. It's expected that 900 full-time students will be accommodated during its first phase of development. A prospectus is being prepared.
You will be able to include courses in the IT on your CAO list before the normal closing date of February 1st next even though the college is not listed in the CAO Handbook.
The new campus is scheduled to be ready for the academic year 2001/ 2002 but an advance building will be provided on the site to accommodate students beginning courses in September 1999.
The following two-year national certificate courses will be available: electronics and computer engineering, computing and information technology and business studies. There will be one three-year national diploma course in business, information technology and languages.
All courses are subject to NCEA approval and it's expected that this will be completed shortly. Again, if your PLC course leads to NCVA Level 2 awards, this will meet the minimum requirements for a course provided that there is a sufficient match of material.
All courses are full-time but they are modular and can be offered on a part-time basis through the NCEA ACCS Scheme.
Information is available from the Chief Executive of the Establishment Board, at the Department of Education and Science - phone (01) 873 4700.
Q: I'd like to train as an archivist. What type of training and work opportunities are there? Are courses full-time or part-time?
Leitrim graduate.
Most opportunities arise in central/ local government record offices, professional institutions, universities, charitable organisations, specialist museums, libraries, research bodies and foundations. There is also good scope for trained archivists who specialise in the management of current records in business and industry for example. Obviously some of these posts would require scientific/other specialist knowledge and so opportunities in this work area will depend on your own primary degree qualification. The subjects studied include palaeography, record office management, research methods, conservation methods, editing, history, law, microfilming, new technologies.
UCD provides a one year full-time course - the higher diploma in archival studies. Further information on correspondence courses is available from Executive Secretary, Society of Archivists, Information House, 20-24 Old Street, London EC1V 9AP but I think these correspondence courses are available to working archivists only.
Q: My son is very keen to get into veterinary college here but, if not, what are his chances in the UCAS system? How does it compare with the courses here? What is the employment situation?
Tipperary father
First of all, there is only one course here for veterinary medicine and that is in the UCD Veterinary College in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. This is a five-year degree programme and the entry requirements are Irish, English, a third language, maths, one laboratory science subject and one other recognised subject - chemistry is a very good subject to have amongst these.
Points for the 70 places in 1996 were 575 while in 1997 it was 570* (random selection applied) and in 1998 the points were 550 because the bonus points for maths was discontinued. About 10 to 12 places are reserved for students from Northern Ireland.
During first year, students are interviewed about farm experience and may be required to get up to 10 weeks' experience on approved farms. At least 24 weeks must be spent in a veterinary practice and this must include five weeks' farm animal practice, five weeks' small animal practice and three weeks' equine practice.
Students must apply to UCAS by December 15th of the year of entry (October 15th for Cambridge) and competition is just as intense as it is here, with five applicants for every place. However, if a student fails to get an offer from a college but gets near enough to the grades required, he or she should contact the six individual veterinary schools during `clearing' - in mid-August and September. Examples of grades and subjects required in 1998 were Bristol University - six As including biology and chemistry; Edinburgh University - three As and two Bs including chemistry at grade A in higher level. University of Glasgow asked for four As and two Bs to include chemistry, biology and physics or maths.
Cambridge required 550600 points; the University of Liverpool and the Royal Veterinary College in London require A levels for science related degrees and will not accept the Leaving Cert exam for these faculties.
Because most UK applicants offer three sciences and maths, it's very difficult for Irish students with seven diverse subjects to gain entry.
In the personal section on the UCAS form, applicants should give details of their veterinary work experience without which they have a very slim chance of acceptance.
Degrees from these six colleges are recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in London and by the Veterinary Council in Ireland.
Because most veterinary faculties operate a quota system for places for EU students, if your academic requirements are acceptable, you may be charged at the overseas rate if the quota for home/EU places has been exceeded, so check your particular fees situation.
Employment? Over 70 per cent of UCD graduates in 1996 were in full-time employment in Ireland and 23 per cent overseas, with 3 per cent in research or further study.
Queries can be answered only through this column and not by phone or post. Write to Sile Sheehy, Education & Living, The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 - or by email to education@irish-times.ie
