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Computer Software Development

PLC Post Leaving Cert
5M0529 NA

This course is designed to provide a foundation in programming and software development. As well as learning the technical skills needed to write software, computational methods and problem solving will be a key component of this course.

Award Name Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ)
NFQ Classification Major
Awarding Body QQI
NFQ Level Level 5 NFQ
Award Name NFQ Classification Awarding Body NFQ Level
Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) Major QQI Level 5 NFQ
Alternate Provider:
Location:
Bray
Attendance Options:
Full time, Daytime
Apply to:
Course provider

Duration

1 year

Entry Requirements

One of the following:
• Leaving Certificate or its equivalent with minimum entry requirement Ordinary Level Maths.
Extenuating circumstances may be considered

• Leaving Certificate Applied Award
• QQI Level 4 Certificate Award
• Mature Applicants – experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.

Applicants should have good basic literacy and mathematical skills

Careers / Further progression

Career Opportunities
• Software Developer
• Mobile App Developer

Higher Education Progression*
Examples of potential courses include:

• BIFE:
Software Development QQI Level 6 (6M0691)

• TU Dublin:
BSc in Computing (TU756)
BSc in Games Design (TU984)
BSc Computing/AI and Machine
Learning (TU862)

• IADT:
BSc (Hons) in Creative Computing (DL836)

• SETU - South East Technological
University (Carlow Campus)
BSc in Computing Interactive Digital Art and Design (SE615)
BSc I Computing – Applications of Programming (SE616)

• TU Dublin (Blanchardstown Campus)
BSc in Computing (Information Technology) (TU860)

Please note that the courses listed above are only a select few, many other courses can be entered using this QQI award.

*Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. Please consult the individual college websites for more information on application. Information available also at www.cao.ie

QQI FET Links to CAO Courses

Course Web Page

Further information

Course commences in September 2024.

Enrolment Procedure

Step 1:
Applicants must apply online at www.bife.ie.

Step 2:
In some cases, applicants may be invited to attend for interview at the Institute. Applicants will be selected on suitability and a first come/first served basis. You should bring the following to the interview:
• A copy of Leaving Certificate results (if applicable)
• A brief Curriculum Vitae
• A Portfolio of Work (where necessary)
• References (where necessary)

Step 3:
Successful applicants will be offered a place by post, subject to them achieving the basic entry requirements laid out in the prospectus/website and must secure their place by paying an acceptance fee of €50. All fees must be paid by Friday 30th August 2024. The €50 acceptance fee is non refundable. All other fees will be refunded if the applicant subsequently decides not to take their place before Friday 27th September 2024. Failure to pay the relevant fees may result in a lapse of your offer. All candidates who accept an offer agree to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institute.

Step 4:
All learners must register at the Institute or on-line by the designated registration date.

International Applicants
The Institute welcomes applications from International Learners. Non EA applicants (applicants outside the European Area, i.e. outside EU & Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) must comply with Irish immigration requirements. Such applicants will have to secure a visa from the Immigration Section of the Department of Justice. As all courses are delivered in English, International students will be required to provide a certified qualification of proficiency in English where English is not the applicants first language.

Non-EU students will be required to pay the economic cost of the course as determined by the Department of Education.

International applicants should apply directly to the Institute office for further information.

Mature students are welcome to apply. Formal academic qualifications not required.

Fees
Courses at Bray Institute of Further Education are funded largely by the European Social Fund. Tuition costs are covered for Irish or EU citizens undertaking PLC courses. There is no application fee, however all learners are required to pay the following:

• An Acceptance Fee of €50, to be paid when offered a place on a course.
• A Resource contribution fee of €150 for learner services*, paid annually.

There is also a cost of registration with professional bodies for a small number of courses such as Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI).

*Resource fees are used as a general fund to provide learner resources for PLC courses including library services

Maintenance Grant
Learners on full-time approved courses at the Institute are entitled to apply for Maintenance Grants. The Grant is means tested. Learners should apply to SUSI, the online grant application system, through www.studentfinance.ie.
Learners in receipt of the maintenance grant must pay all the usual costs of the course.

Back to Education Initiative & VTOS
The Department of Social Welfare and The Department of Education and Skills administer these two schemes. In 2024, these schemes will become fully integrated into the college. These schemes offer unemployed adults an opportunity to return to full-time education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements and in some cases to receive extra benefits. Payments from DEASP normally establish eligibility. Previous educational level can also contribute.
To check your eligibility log onto www.studentfinance.ie or talk to the VTOS Co-ordinator. Some extra benefits may apply.

Yes

You can only apply online on the BIFE website by clicking on the "Apply Now 2024/2025" button at the top of any page on the college website Or
Click on the Application Weblink above.

Applications usually begin in mid December of the proceeding year of application. Early applications are always advisable to avoid classes filling up and increase your chances of getting a position.

On successful completion students wishing to acquire a higher level of professional software development skills can avail of progression routes onto our Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Computer Systems & Networks or alternatively may apply via the CAO onto an undergraduate degree programme in a range of third level institutions. Assessment will be through continuous assessment and examinations

Programme of Study
• Mobile Technologies
• Fundamentals of Object Orientated Programming
• Software Architecture
• Maths for Information Technology
• Programming and Design Principles
• Multimedia Authoring
• Communications
• Work Experience

Components subject to change

Assessment will be through continuous assessment and examinations.

5M0529 - Software Development

Certification:
QQI Level 5 Award Computer Systems and Networks (5M0529)

Head of Department:
Paul Shortall

Course Co-ordinator:
Paul Shortall

Bray Institute of Further Education,
Tel: 01 282 9668
Email: bifeenquiries@kwetb.ie
Web: www.bife.ie

Alternate Provider:
Location:
Bray
Attendance Options:
Full time, Daytime
Apply to:
Course provider