It's estimated that just over 2 per cent of university places but only 1 per cent of other third-level places are taken up by mature students. Demand for places outstrips supply.
To qualify as a mature student on most courses, you must be 23 years of age or over on or before January 1st of the year in which you wish to apply. Check the details with the college of your choice, though, since there may be variations. For mature students, applying to college is particularly difficult. Before you attempt an application, it's vital that you check out the procedures of the colleges to which you wish to apply, since they can vary enormously from college to college.
School leavers apply for full-time third-level places through the Central Applications Office. All the universities, institutes of technology and a number of both specialist and private colleges are members of the CAO system.
The vast majority of third level institutions use the CAO system as a means of admitting mature students, but they do so as an administrative convenience only. As a mature student you will not be offered a college place through the CAO system. Places are offered on individual bases by the college directly to mature students.
If you're using the CAO system, you must apply for college places by 1st February next for admission the following September/October. You should be aware that a large number of colleges invite direct applications from mature students. Be sure to check the details with the colleges of your choice.
It's essential that before you fill in the CAO form, you read the handbook carefully. As a mature student you are in a special category and you must tick box 7 on page 3 of the form. For mature students page 4, which requires you to give details of education, work experience, achievements, interests and motivation, is vitally important. This is your opportunity to convince a college that you are a suitable candidate and merit and interview. Some institutions, though, call students for interview on the basis of either computerised lottery or random selection.
If you lack the normal Leaving Certificate entry requirements, you may be accepted on to a third-level course as a result of an interview and/or a portfolio of work and in some cases an aptitude test.
Making the decision to return to learning as a mature student can be a difficult one. There are a number of issues both financial and social, many of which may impinge on your family, to be considered. You've also got to find out about the college courses which will suit your needs. People need help to make the right choices.
Guidance is offered by some of the local employment services, but you have to be unemployed for six months in order to avail of it. Adults who are not registered as unemployed have few, if any, choices.
However, things are beginning to change. Six months ago, the EU-funded Regional Educational Guidance Service for Adults (tel: 051 302287) was set up in Waterford. It offers free education and career guidance and counselling to adults living in the region - Waterford city and county, Wexford and South Tipperary.
"We have information on every type of educational course and information on carers and training," explains the service's information officer, Mary White. The service offers one to one and group guidance counselling and aptitude tests. "We plan progression routes for people. They often start with local community training courses and go on to do VTOS, PLCs, certificates and diplomas. There's quite a demand for distance learning." The uptake, she says, is "amazing" and there's a two to three weeks' waiting list.
Elizabeth O'Doherty, meanwhile, runs an education and guidance service in Dundrum, Co Dublin (tel: 01 298 9283). "It's open to adult who are interested in further education and self-development," she notes. "People need information on courses, education and training and guidance in planning a learning path. We look at their skills, abilities and work experience and match that up with what they want to do."
