The Bray Institute of Further Education in Co Wicklow has been chosen by the Open University to pilot a number of its degree programmes on a full-time basis.
This is the first time Open University courses, normally delivered by distance learning methods, have been offered in this way in Ireland or Britain.
Starting in September, the Bray Institute of Further Education, a Wicklow VEC college, will offer three honours programmes in psychology, social sciences and health and social care to school-leavers, although mature applicants will also be considered.
Students on the full-time course will receive the course material which is sent to all OU students, according to Dr Rosemary Hamilton, the regional director of the Open University in Ireland.
While OU students normally study at home, the students on this pilot programme will be based in Bray and will benefit from study advice and pastoral care from college staff.
They will also receive Open University tutorials from OU tutors.
Although the Open University admits students aged 18 and over, the majority are in their 30s and 40s. "It's unusual for us to have young students," Dr Hamilton said.
She said distance learning methods were usually less suited to young people. "We are hoping to combine Open University methods of teaching with an element of campus contact to enable young people to gain Open University degrees."
According to Ms Susan McCallion, course administrator at Bray Institute of Further Education, students will be admitted to the course following an interview. Ideally, students should have passed the Leaving Certificate, but the college will be looking for students who are highly motivated.
Fees for the three-year courses start at £1,280 sterling for the first year.
Students will also follow a NCVA level 2 certificate course in information-processing, for which they may be entitled to a further education grant, Ms McCallion said.
Application forms for Leaving Certificate students to view their corrected examination scripts must be submitted to schools by today at the latest.
The scripts will be available for viewing at schools on September 3rd and 4th. The final date for the submission of appeals is September 6th.
This is the first time students will be able to view the full range of examination scripts. When the initiative was introduced by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Martin, last year, certain materials such as oral examination results were not available for inspection.