Need advice on PLC Comp Science courses

Hiroshige

I need some help figuring out which PLC college to apply for. I am currently enrolled in Colaiste Dulaigh in Coolock Dub, for the Computer Science course, which is FETAC level 5 and 6(2 years) and covers programming, web authoring and comp architecture. There is a gateway, upon successful completion, into the second year honours degree programme of Computer Science/Software Development at DIT. However, I'm 33 and everyone doing the course is 18/19 and the college doesn't really have any mature students, so feel a lot out of place. The second college I'm interviewing for, is Whitehall and the course title is Software Systems and covers pretty much the same subjects and is FETAC level 5 and 6, with a gateway into ITB, second year higher certificate in Science and Computing. Getting into the degree programme at DIT sounds better to me, but have been out of education so long, maybe ITB is better for gaining employment?I'm not from Dublin so have never heard of it. I would ultimately like to get into the software development field. Please help ;-)

Evil Phil

While I'm not familiar with the courses DIT have a good name and a Degree is going to be way better than a certificate.

Stick it out where you are is my advice, it probably sucks that you're the only mature student but it does mean you'll be left alone while you study.

Giblet

Evil Phil wrote: »

While I'm not familiar with the courses DIT have a good name and a Degree is going to be way better than a certificate.

Stick it out where you are is my advice, it probably sucks that you're the only mature student but it does mean you'll be left alone while you study.

ITB would move onto a ordinary degree in year 3 then a higher degree in year 4, so the outcome would be the same. They do similar stuff though in the courses so it's a matter of preference really.

Hiroshige

Thanks guys, good advice. I think I will stay where I am as it seems to be a good introductory course to comp science and see how I get on till the end of the year, before I start worryin about degree programmes and locations;-)

DonnieBrasco

Did you look at evening DIT degrees? you could probably start straight into one of those ... not having to do PLC's etc.

your own age group too.

Schrodingercat

The Degree Course in DIT is a good course. There is also the option of work placement in third year (if its the same course I am thinking about) which is worth a lot when you finish.