Increased demand for college places at the IT, Tralee
In 2009, the Institute has received 3,583 applications for Honours Degree programmes (an increase of 18% on the previous year) and 6,596 applications for Higher Certificate and Degree courses at the Institute. The latter figure represents an increase of 23% on the previous years numbers. These include application preferences 1 to 10. A significant trend noted in the applications to the Institute has been the increase in the number of mature applicants, which have almost doubled from 314 to 604 from 2008 to 2009. Mature students apply via the CAO and are also invited to interview at the Institute and successful candidates (with the exemption of nursing) are made offers directly by the ITT. The Institute of Technology , Tralee has an excellent track record in facilitating large numbers of mature students with over 21% of all first year entrants to IT Tralee full-time programmes defined as mature students. The Institute already exceeds the specified national objectives for mature student first year intake which aim to meet a target of 17% by 2010. The national aim is to further increase the proportion of mature students in higher education so that they comprise at least 20 per cent of total full-time entrants by 2013. IT, Tralee has already exceeded the 2013 target. Dr. Oliver Murphy, Registrar, at the Institute also outlined that the number of mature student entrants at the ITT has doubled since September 2005. â¿¿The Institute has an active policy in line with the national education agenda in encouraging and supporting mature applicants to the Institute. Here at the ITT, we are constantly reviewing ways by which we can further encourage mature students to consider pursuing a third level programme. In January 2009, with the support of the HEA, the Institute enrolled 111 students on a number of Minor Awards run during evenings and weekends over a four month period. Successful completion of the Minor Awards allows students to progress directly to the linked full-time programme in September 2009, gaining exemptions for the modules which they have successfully completedâ¿ outlined Dr. Murphy. This is in addition to the number of mature students who have applied via the CAO. The Institute also works in close collaboration with organisations such as Kerry Education Service where defined progression routes are agreed between KES and ITT programmes, a number of which are pursued by mature students. Given the large number of mature students at the Institute, the ITT introduced a Mature Student Peer Mentoring Programme, (which supported an already successful Mature Student Society), in September 2008, whereby 14 current mature students mentored 79 new mature students as they embarked upon their third level studies. Mature students at the Institute are also supported via the provision of a range of services provided by the IT Tralee Access Office. Further details on programmes at the Institute and course options for mature students are available at 066 71 45638 or visit www.ittralee.ie or check out New programmes on offer for September 2009 |
Over the last number of years, the Institute of Technology, Tralee has experienced an increase in demand for its courses through the CAO at Higher Certificate, Degree and Honours Degree, with applications for intake in September 2009 experiencing a further increase.