Expand+How will I learn?
You will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects, mandatory work placement and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year.

How will I be assessed?
A full Award is granted on passing t...

Hide-How will I learn?
You will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects, mandatory work placement and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year.

How will I be assessed?
A full Award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. You will be assessed throughout and at the end of the year.(Continuous Assessment)On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction grade.

What we would like from you!
Applicants should have a love of children and gain pleasure in helping others. If you have a vocation to assist primary or secondary students and enjoy school life, this course is very fulfilling. You should be mature, hardworking and organised. You will be responsible for securing an appropriate off site work placement before the beginning of the course.

Expand+Course Costs
€450 incl. Government Charge.

Note: This course costs €250 if you are exempt from €200 Government Charge

In Ferbruary 2011 (Circular Letter 21/2011), the Government imposed an additional charge (participant contribution) of €200 ...

Hide-Course Costs
€450 incl. Government Charge.

Note: This course costs €250 if you are exempt from €200 Government Charge

In Ferbruary 2011 (Circular Letter 21/2011), the Government imposed an additional charge (participant contribution) of €200 on all PLC students. This charge is payable in full at Course Registration.

The following categories of students are exempt from this charge:
•Full medical card holders in their own right and their dependent children;
•Those who are eligible under the Student Grant Scheme;
•Those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances.

Expand+SUSI Grant
Students on PLC courses may be eligible for a Maintenance grant. It is means tested. Students may apply to City of Dublin Education Training Board (CDETB), SUSI Grant Section, from May each year. Apply on line

Vocational Training Oppor...

Hide-SUSI Grant
Students on PLC courses may be eligible for a Maintenance grant. It is means tested. Students may apply to City of Dublin Education Training Board (CDETB), SUSI Grant Section, from May each year. Apply on line

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
Students who are over 21 years, and have been unemployed for 6 months or more, and are in receipt of a Social Welfare Allowance or signing for credits may be eligible for the above scheme. This allows people to retain their social welfare benefits and return to full time education. They may receive meal/travel allowances and funding for books, materials and childcare. Students on VTOS do not pay fees. Contact the VTOS Co-Ordinator for details.

VTOS Co-Ordinator: fiona.maccarthy@kcfe.cdetb.ie

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
Students who are receiving a payment from the Department of Social Protection can obtain information on their eligibility for BTEA from their local Social Protection Office, Intreo Centre or from www.welfare.ie.

Expand+Applications for all daytime courses are invited from the 1st November prior to the commencement of the course.

Step 1 – Application

The application form should be completed and returned to the Admissions Officer, Killester College of Further E...

Hide-Applications for all daytime courses are invited from the 1st November prior to the commencement of the course.

Step 1 – Application

The application form should be completed and returned to the Admissions Officer, Killester College of Further Education, Collins Avenue East, Killester, Dublin 5. Applications may also be made on-line by logging on to the College’s web site at www.killestercollege.ie. All applications will be acknowledged by post or by e-mail in the case of on-line applications. The College’s website is compliant with the WAI guidelines as adopted by the National Disability Authority.

Step 2 – Interview

Applicants will be invited for interview at an enrolment session in the College. The purpose of this interview is to determine the applicant’s capacity to participate on the course for which they have applied. In some cases, applicants may be called for a second interview.

Step 3 – Acceptance of Offer

Full –Time Courses
• Successful candidates will receive a letter of offer by post.
• Upon receipt of a letter of offer, a successful applicant may hold a place on the course until course registration at the beginning of the academic year by paying a deposit of €40. This deposit in non-refundable in accordance with Department of Education & Skills regulations.
• Applicants will be notified of the details of course registration by post. A notice will also be posted on the college website.

Late Applications
Where an applicant is successful at interview but the course is full, his/her name will be placed on a waiting list. Places which become available will be offered to successful applicants on the waiting list.

Interviews for vacant places on courses will be held after the commencement of the new academic year. Late applications are accepted up to the end of September.

Deferral of Places
Successful applicants who wish to defer their place must apply in writing to the College Principal before the date of the course registration. Places may only be deferred for a maximum period of one academic year. Deposits will be refunded to applicants if they successfully obtain a deferral.

Expand+A student seeking entry to this programme does not need a previous formal qualification. However, the student must demonstrate at interview the capacity to successfully participate on this programme. This includes both the academic and work experienc...

Hide-A student seeking entry to this programme does not need a previous formal qualification. However, the student must demonstrate at interview the capacity to successfully participate on this programme. This includes both the academic and work experience elements of the programme. Should the student have previous qualifications, one of the following may be advantageous for admission to the programme:

•Leaving Certificate/LCVP/LCA
•QQI Level 4 Award
•Students who may not have formal academic requirements but who have the ability to successfully participate on the course will be considered. (RPL Recognition of Prior Learning)
•Mature students (over 21 years) may be entitled to VTOS funding
•Interview

Applicants should note that some of the practical work on this course requires some physical effort. Consequently, students with any back problems or other injuries or conditions should discuss this matter with the course co-ordinator at enrolment.

Garda Vetting Required: Yes

Expand+Career/Progression Opportunities
Primary and Secondary Schools as well as specialist schools employ Special Needs Assistants to work in a variety of educational settings. Students may progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) t...

Hide-Career/Progression Opportunities
Primary and Secondary Schools as well as specialist schools employ Special Needs Assistants to work in a variety of educational settings. Students may progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme. Some past students have gone on to Education, Social Science & Psychology degrees.

View course webpage to see the list of Third Level courses this Award links with. You can also select “any award” in the same search box and this will return all courses open to students who have successfully completed a QQI Level 5 course.