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A little help for my next step

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  • 31-01-2017 4:55pm
    #1
    Potential-Monke
    Registered Users Posts: 14,077 ✭✭✭✭


    Hey all. So, i've spent the last 10 years as a Garda, left for a number of reasons. I obtained a BA in Policing (Hons i think). I only recently found out that in order to get financial support for continuing studies, i need to do a course that is higher in qualification than my current one. Which means i need to do a Masters, or something similar.

    I'll be honest, i've no idea what to do, what i can do, or even if there's any interest in the policing area for me. I've tried to find information, but i keep meeting dead ends and i don't know where i stand.

    As it currently is, i have a BA in Policing. Is a Masters my only next step? I'd love to go back and do something completely different, but i can't afford it as i'm on a minimum wage job which won't increase. Does anyone have any guidance or general info in relation to what i can do next? I'd really appreciate it. I've contacted UL and they just sent me a list of post-grad courses, but none of the information i was looking for. Oh, and it's in Limerick i am, so would realistically need to be UL or LIT or somewhere in Limerick (for family reasons).

    Thanks in advance!


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    #2
    GalwayGrrrrrl
    Registered Users Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭GalwayGrrrrrl


    There is a demand (in the workplace) at the moment for people with experience in specialist areas (ie for you this is law enforcement) who have computer skills/software design. NUIG run a one year postgrad diploma in software design for people with zero computer experience. I supervised projects for these students and they had a wide variety of backgrounds and ages. Would that type of course interest you? I think it might be possible to add a second year to make it up to MSc level.
    Limerick may offer something similar? Good luck with your studies.


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    #3
    Potential-Monke
    Registered Users Posts: 14,077 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    Probably should have included more details.

    I've a Certificate in Business and Computer Applications - 2 year college course that, personally, i think was a waste, it was like 2 more years of school and there was no defined subjects, more like Leaving Cert Year 3 & 4. I have a great interest in computing, and should have gone the direction of software engineer, coding, infrastructure, networking, etc. I would love to do a course along the same lines. Initially, i wanted to go back and do game design, but that's not an option anymore.

    Definitely something computing related, and i wouldn't mind the networking side of things, but with the BA i have, are my options limited? Does it have to be something related to policing? I seriously know very little about the matter!


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    #4
    eeguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    You could.... quit your min wage job, go on the dole for 9 months, then claim back to education to fund a 4 college course in October and probably get a grant too.
    I think you can do part time work on the BTEA, but look into that first. There were a good few electricians in college with me working part time and studying on BTEA.

    You could also check out Spring board/ Bluebrick courses which are posted in August if you wanted distance or part time learning.

    You could also see if your cert will jump you into 3rd year of an IT course.


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    #5
    Potential-Monke
    Registered Users Posts: 14,077 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    eeguy wrote: »
    You could.... quit your min wage job, go on the dole for 9 months, then claim back to education to fund a 4 college course in October and probably get a grant too.

    You can't draw for a few months after quitting a job, or so i was told. It's tempting, but i live in the country (with the parents, for now), so a car is a must, and i can barely afford it now on min wage, let alone on the dole. It's madness actually, i've given about €200k in tax over the last 10 years, and now i'm entitled to diddly squat simply because i'm in a min wage job. Can't afford the doctors, dentist, or anything really!


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    #6
    Potential-Monke
    Registered Users Posts: 14,077 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    Just clarified, apparently it's a level 7 i have, whatever that means! Does this give me more options?


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    #7
    0byme75341jo28
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,571 ✭✭✭0byme75341jo28


    Potential-Monke wrote: »
    Just clarified, apparently it's a level 7 i have, whatever that means! Does this give me more options?

    You can get funding for a level 8 so, which would give you the option of doing a university degree or a level 8 IT course. (99% certain that's the case anyway)


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    #8
    eeguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    Potential-Monke wrote: »
    Just clarified, apparently it's a level 7 i have, whatever that means! Does this give me more options?

    A level 7 is an ordinary degree. One step up would be a higher degree equivalent to your fourth year in college.

    AFAIK, you only get paid for the actual fourth year, so you'd need to find a course that lets you jump straight to the final year, and have the wherewithall to complete it.

    Here's an example: https://www.springboardcourses.ie/details/4644
    You need a level 7 in a relevant disciple to apply.


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