Post Leaving Certificate Details
Entry Requirements
Admission to the college is by interview. Applicants must have completed a post-primary senior cycle course. Mature students are most welcome to apply. Some courses have special requirements: please refer to particular courses for details.Course certification
Students who successfully complete the PLC courses will receive FETAC Level 5 certification.College Links
Graduates from St. Mary's College can progress to reserved places in IT colleges or may wish to attend other PLC Courses in specialised subject areas.Continuous Assessment
Each piece of work that you submit during the year e.g. assignment, project, test etc. is marked and the mark is recorded. A high standard of continuous assessment work gains valuable marks towards your final grade.Work Experience
Relevant work experience is an integral part of all our PLC courses. Work experience is also an opportunity to secure permanent employment.Course Costs
There are no tuition fees in St. Mary's College of Education. A nominal contribution towards photocopying is payable on acceptance of a college place. Other costs students may incur are: books, clothing, equipment, examination fees.Grants
A college maintenance grants scheme is in place for PLC students at St. Mary's College of Education. Eligibility is subject to application and approval under the maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending PLC Courses. Details are available from your local V.E.C.Value Of Grants - 2012
Maintenance grants are available for students who are registered on PLC courses. These are set by the Minister for Education and Science each year.The maintenance grant does not cover the charge for registration or examinations.
Rates
Changes in grant rates take effect in January each year.
Maintenance grant rates for 2012
| Type | Non-adjacent rate | Adjacent rate |
| Special rate | €5,915 | €2,375 |
| Full Maintenance | €3,025 | €1,215 |
| Part maintenance (75%) | €2,270 | €910 |
| Part maintenance (50%) | €1,515 | €605 |
| Part maintenance (25%) | €755 | €305 |
Adjacent and non-adjacent rates
For students who live 45 kilometres or less from the college being attended, the adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable. This rate applies to all students living within this distance, including all mature students, both dependent and independent.
The non-adjacent rate applies to everyone else.
From 2012-2013 on, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), which has been nominated as the new single grant-awarding authority, is handling all new applications for student grants. All new grant applications will be made online. You do not need to know the exact course you will be attending in order to apply online.
More information on www.studentfinance.ie »
Application Dates
Application forms are available from January 12th, and should be returned by 16th March.Interviews take place in April.
Offers of places will be made by late April/ early May.
Download an application form, in PDF format, here ».