Expand+APPLICATION PROCESS - TAUGHT PROGRAMMES
1. Choose your programme/s from our prospectus or online postgraduate programme listing.

2. Register with PAC online at www. pac.ie and gather all supporting documentation required for your application (e....

Hide-APPLICATION PROCESS - TAUGHT PROGRAMMES
1. Choose your programme/s from our prospectus or online postgraduate programme listing.

2. Register with PAC online at www. pac.ie and gather all supporting documentation required for your application (e.g. references, CV, personal statement etc.).

3. Apply online at www.pac.ie. The PAC online application system is now open for new postgraduate applications for the academic year 2017/2018. This is an online application system that allows applicants, for a non-refundable fee of €50 paid directly to PAC, to apply for multiple postgraduate programmes at Institute of Technology Carlow.

Applications will be considered in order of preference. If you are successful in receiving an offer on your first preference or first choice of programme, all other preferences will be excluded. Similarly, if you are unsuccessful in your first preference, then your second preference will be considered and so forth.

Course selection may be from any of our Masters, Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Diplomas.

PAC may be contacted for support via email: pachelp@pac.ie or through its website. Full-time applicants may contact Admissions via email: graduatestudies@ itcarlow.ie, while part-time applicants may contact our Faculty for Lifelong Learning at LLL@itcarlow.ie. To ensure a place on your chosen course we advise registering as soon as possible. Certain programmes are restricted to a limited number of applicants and places on said courses are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Institute of Technology Carlow reserves the right to request that some applicants attend for interview to determine their suitability for individual programmes.

4. Review application status via the My Account section on the PAC website.

5. Getting started
Applicants who accept their offer should keep up-to-date by logging onto our website. Our academic year starts in September and academic timetables and other news and events will be posted on the website and on other social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Expand+Course participants are required to hold a Level 8 degree (with a minimum of 2nd Class Honours) in the following areas:
• Early Childhood Education & Care
• Applied Social Studies
• Social & Community Studies
• Youth & Community or a primary ...

Hide-Course participants are required to hold a Level 8 degree (with a minimum of 2nd Class Honours) in the following areas:
• Early Childhood Education & Care
• Applied Social Studies
• Social & Community Studies
• Youth & Community or a primary Level 8 degree in Social Sciences or cognate area (minimum 2nd class honours).

Candidates with significant experience in the social sciences (as determined by IT Carlow’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) policy), in addition to an honours primary degree in another discipline area may also be considered for entry.

Applicants applying for entry via routes other than those listed above will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with IT Carlow’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) policy.

Expand+Students taking Level 6, 7 or 8 courses of 1 year duration or longer where course fees are €2,290 and who opt to pay full course fees by Saturday 2nd September 2017 will be eligible to benefit from the €300 discounted fee of €1,990.

For programmes...

Hide-Students taking Level 6, 7 or 8 courses of 1 year duration or longer where course fees are €2,290 and who opt to pay full course fees by Saturday 2nd September 2017 will be eligible to benefit from the €300 discounted fee of €1,990.

For programmes where fees exceed €2,290 the appropriate fee payment regulation information is available from the faculty for Lifelong Learning.

(a) Course fees are expected to be paid in full at the commencement of the course. IT Carlow recognises that some students may have difficulties in paying the full amount in one transaction thus the Lifelong Learning Centre has created a number of fee payment by instalment options. All such applications will be treated in confidence. In general, fee payment by instalment applications will only be considered for fees in excess of €1,000.
Students who apply for and are granted a fee payment by installment plan should note that failure to meet the payment dates set down for their payment scheme, in particular key dates, may:
• be denied access to Blackboard
• be prevented from sitting examinations in December, May or August as applicable
• have all other assignment / exam results withheld until payments are made
• assignments will not be accepted nor will a late submission for an assignment be accepted after late payments are made
• pay an additional surcharge.

(b) Students in receipt of employer sponsorship etc. will be required to submit a letter of confirmation of commitment to pay from their employer of funding body. They must also include a Purchase Order Number for invoice purposes. Where fees have not been paid by the ‘sponsor’ within thirty days after issue of the invoice, it is the responsibility of the student to then pay the fee and claim back fees from their sponsor.

(c) Repeat students will be required to pay relevant examination fee when applying to sit the repeat.

(d) The Faculty for Lifelong Learning has a strict policy in relation to Refund of Course Fees and a fees refund or a percentage of same will only be given in the following circumstances:
• A full refund will be given if requested in writing before the commencement of the course.
• Where a student leaves within two weeks of the start of a short course (10-13 weeks), 70% refund of the course fee will apply. Outside this two week period there will be no refund of fees.
• For long courses i.e. those of one-year duration or longer, a percentage of fees refund will be given over the first nine weeks of the course as per table 1. Thereafter there will be no refund of fees.
• The refund calculation is based on the full fee for the course not the amount that a student may have paid under a fees payment installment agreement.
• The fees refund calculation is based on the date that the student formally applies in writing to withdraw from the course.
• All courses will run subject to sufficient numbers. Where a course has to be cancelled those students who have registered and paid will be refunded in full.
• Receipts must be retained and produced when requesting a refund of course fees which must be applied for on the official refund form.

Expand+What is the Master of Arts in Child, Youth and Family Studies programme about?
The Master of Arts in Child, Youth and Family Studies provides learners with a range of critical and analytical tools to enable them to manage and lead services that deve...

Hide-What is the Master of Arts in Child, Youth and Family Studies programme about?
The Master of Arts in Child, Youth and Family Studies provides learners with a range of critical and analytical tools to enable them to manage and lead services that develop the potential of children, youth and families and envision new possibilities for better service provision in the sector. The programme is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and competencies required by the sector and to provide future leaders of Child, Youth and Family services in Ireland and abroad.

The programme will provide learners with a critical understanding of concepts, enable approaches that facilitate individuals in realising their potential, and encourage groups to function within participative communities.

The programme aims to educate learners to high levels of contemporary and comparative theoretical awareness in fields central to services provision (transitions across the life span, cultural diversity, youth and families) and to create an
atmosphere of rigorous academic enquiry and writing.


Learners will develop a deep and integrated knowledge of contemporary child, youth and family theory and practice, and the sector within which child, youth and family services operate.

What will I be able to do when I finish the programme?
Graduates from the programme will be:
• Knowledgeable
• Analytical & Creative
• Ethical & Responsible Future Leaders
• Research Literate
• Critical Thinkers
• Collaborative.

Graduates will be equipped to manage and lead child, youth & family organisations. They will be able to contribute to and develop the strategy of that organisation and will take up positions as the future leaders of such organisations.

Expand+What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates of the programme may progress to a PhD programme of study in the discipline areas, in Ireland or abroad. Graduates of the programme may also be eligible to progress to a professional docto...

Hide-What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates of the programme may progress to a PhD programme of study in the discipline areas, in Ireland or abroad. Graduates of the programme may also be eligible to progress to a professional doctorate in the field of Child, Youth and Family Studies in both Irish and international Institutions.

Potential employment opportunities
• Community based organisations and projects both at a voluntary and statutory capacity
• National rights focused organisations and advisory groups
• Family support services
• Services catering for the care, education and advocacy of children and families in society.

Graduates may also adopt research and advisory roles in relation to development and planning for such services. Graduates will be in a position to critically evaluate existing services and programmes and to visualise future possibilities for better service provision.

Potential employers include:
• Community-based organisations and projects both at a voluntary and statutory capacity;
• National rights-focused organisations and advisory groups;
• Family support services;
• Services catering for the care, education and advocacy of children and families in society.

Graduates may also adopt research and advisory roles in relation to the development and planning of such services. Graduates will be in a position to critically evaluate existing
services and programmes and to visualise future possibilities for better service provision.

The programme will meet the needs of professionals who are already working in the area of social care/work, early education, youth and family work and related areas. It will also serve to provide new graduates with a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge prior to embarking on a career in these fields or in the field of academia.