Course Audience

The FETAC Level 5 Certificate in IT is a full-time one year further education training programme.   The programme is designed to provide a general introduction to the area of Information Communications Technology, and to serve as a pre-higher education programme to college or university.  No previous experience or knowledge is required to be accepted for this course.

Course Overview

The overall aim of this programme leading to the award of FETAC Level 5 Certificate in IT, is to provide its learners with the necessary theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and competence, to gain a comprehensive introductory foundation and understanding of the main subject areas and schools of thought within the area of Information Technology at Irish NFQ Level 5. 

Programme Content

This programme is delivered over 2 academic semesters, 1 academic year:

Semester 1

C20012                 Computer Architecture & Systems

G20001                 Communications

C20148                 Web Authoring

C30145                 Operating Systems

Semester 2

C20013                 Computer Programming

B20012                  Database Methods

C30143                 Networks

W20008                 Work Experience

Assessment

CCT will utilise a variety of assessment methods to help ensure that the learning outcomes of each subject will be achieved, for example:  Written Examination compiled of long or short term essays, Objective Tests, Presentations, Group Projects, Practical Assignments, Oral Examinations and so on.  Assessment will be continuous throughout each module, with final examinations administered in most of the modules.

Mechanisms for giving and receiving feedback on learning progress

CCT constantly encourages feedback from its learners in a formal and informal basis.  Learners have an opportunity to give feedback on the college, programme, faculty, facilities, administration, student services and admissions and course induction through the following verification surveys: 1) Learner Verification survey; 2) Student Services and Support survey; and 3) Admissions and Course Induction survey.  CCT constantly encourages feedback from its learners in a formal and informal basis.  Learners also conduct an Ongoing Monitoring Review process with faculty and administration of the college once per semester.

Accreditation

This programme is awarded by the Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland (FETAC).  This programme is also included on the Irish Dept of Education & Science, Internationalisation Register, of approved full-time programmes in Ireland.

Academic Progression Opportunities

Successful graduates of the FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Information Technology, will be eligible to progress directly onto the HETAC Level 6 Higher Certificate in Science in Computing in Information Technology at CCT, and will be considered for other Level 6 graduate progression opportunities in Ireland.

Duration / Commencement dates

One - Two academic years (two separate routes depending on pre-requisite knowledge and experience in IT).  CCT usually commences full-time programmes over 3 intakes per year:  February, May and September.  Please contact CCT directly for the next Commencement date.

Course Fees

Please contact the college directly to ascertain the course fees. 

Medical insurance for Non-EU nationals is compulsory and as part of the Irish Student Visa requirements and can be arranged by CCT for an additional fee of EUR160 for 12 months.

Protection for Learners policy

The college maintains a Protection for Learners Policy for this programme.  In the unlikely event of a programme of study unexpectedly ceasing, learners will be transferred to another provider offering the same or similar programme. To facilitate this, CCT has in place arrangements with two other educational and training providers to which course participants will be directed in the unlikely event of cessation of a programme. In the event of a programme of study unexpectedly ceasing, where the option of transfer is not acceptable or feasible to the learner, CCT will refund the most recently paid fees.  CCT has in place academic bonding arrangement with two other providers of the FETAC Level 5 Certificate in IT programme.

Learner Supports available

The following Learner Supports are available for this programme:  Mentoring, Accommodation and Airport Transfer (if applicable), Counselling Service, Health Service, Career Guidance Service, Learner Development programme, Sports and Social programmes, Information and Publication service, Moodle, Learner disability testing and expert advice service through the CCT affiliation with IT Blanchardstown and the National Learning Network.

Entry Requirements

No previous experience or knowledge is required to be accepted for this course.  However, any experience within the Computing and ICT sector will be advantageous, as well as Irish NQF Level 4 certification in the subject area of Computing and ICT.  International learners whose first language is not English should have achieved an IELTS score of 5.0 or the following TOEFL equivalency: TOEFL CBT  - 180 / TOEFL IBT – 64.