Liberal Arts – Access to University

Certification

QQI level 5

Reference

5M3114

Places

Fees

€100

The Liberal Arts course is a one-year course to prepare students who wish to progress to degree level courses in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. In particular, the course aims to equip students with the academic skills necessary to succeed in their first year at university. There are no socioeconomic entry criteria for this university access course.

Principal areas of study

Research & Study Skills
English Literature
Social Studies
Political Studies
Psychology

European Studies
History
Communication Skills
Personal & Professional Development
Word Processing

(Modules offered may be subject to change).

"My Journey from Liberties College to DAA

I completed the Liberal Arts course in Liberties College in 2013 and progressed to Maynooth University where I completed a BA in French and Economics. I went on to study Human Resource Management in NCI and joined the Dublin Airport Authority as a Human Resources Business Partner, which I’m really enjoying.

My relationship with education has varied throughout my career however, my time in the Liberties showed me that education is not solely about the acquisition of academic knowledge but should be centred around the ethos of personal development. My Liberal Arts course helped me develop my critical thinking skills and laid the foundation for success in university.

My latest education undertaking is part of a Dublin Airport initiative which centres around innovation, and involves attending lectures in TCD, two days a month for 6 months while working as part of a team to create innovative solutions to be implemented in DAA."

Matt Dunne, Liberal Arts Graduate 2013

Matt

FEATURES OF THE COURSE

Students study eight modules and aim to achieve a minimum of five Distinctions and three Passes to compete for reserved course places in Higher Education
One-to-one career guidance and mentoring
Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning within the managed environment of the programme
We offer an optional educational trip abroad each January.
Guest speakers and university shadowing days.

PROGRESSION

DN520 L8 Arts – UCD
DC009 Arts & Humanities – DCU
DC292 L8 Arts & Law – DCU
DL821 English, Media & Culture Studies – IADT
MH101 L8 Arts – NUI MAynooth
DC295 L8 Arts & Politics- DCU
DC011 L8 Post Primary Teaching Religion & History – DCU

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Age: Candidates must be 17 years or older before course commencement. Mature students are particularly welcome.
Academic: Students should have completed the Leaving Certificate, LCA or equivalent. Applicants may be interviewed.

Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied to mature students (those who are older than 23 years before course commencement) and those who have completed their post primary education outside the Republic of Ireland.

A minimum English language proficiency of CERFL B2 is required for applicants for whom English is not their first language

This is a Similar Course to TAP

There are no Socio-Economic Criteria for Entry

This course is a broad Arts taster course offering students the opportunity to sample subjects such as Politics, Social Studies and Research Methods, before committing to a third level course.

Students progress into third level well prepared for the ‘different’ type of learning environment which is offered at university
There are no age restrictions for this course
Students should have completed the Leaving Certificate, LCA or equivalent. Applicants may be interviewed
On successful completion, students apply through CAO for places on Arts and Social Science courses in third level using their QQI qualification (5M3114)
Successful graduates from this course go on to UCD, Maynooth, DCU, IADT and many other courses in third level who accept the 5M3114 QQI award