Changing a 3rd level course

I'm currently in 1st year of an I.T course. I have now discovered that I have the time to go nursing ( i didn't before now so I didn't apply) I really want to be a peadiatric nurse.
I emailed the college and they said I can apply next year as mature student no problem as long as i pay €5,606 for this "sponsored" year i am currently doing.
I did a course a few years ago and when i applied to the I.T and registered this year I had not to pay €5,000.... So why do I have to pay if I apply and get it next year...?
Help, is there a chance of doing the course next year without paying the huge money PLUS reg fees???

Probably not unless they forget to bill you. You cant just keep changing direction and dipping in and out of courses, changing your mind and getting the benefit of the teaching and knowledge and expect not to have to pay for some of it just because you change your mind. You probably got lucky or else sufficient time had elapsed between courses to be a second chance student, thats something like 5 years. Why are you keeping going with first year of this course, if you officially withdraw before a certain date I dont think you'd have to pay full fees the next time.

Overall just consider for a minute why the tax payer should keep paying for your career whims though?
p.s. you should probably look into your grant status too at this stage

3rd level course change

Thanks for that.
By the way, I never received any grants and I have been paying tax continuously since I was 16.

In many Colleges if you withdraw before the end of December you only have to pay half fees for the first year of your new course. Just a word of warning, it sounds like you are sure that you will get a place on the paeds/general programme. It's a popular programme and is not that easy to get in to.

3rd level course change

Hi lou2, thanks for the advise. Of course, I'm not convinced of getting the course. I know only too well how popular it is, I got it in 2007 but due to unforeseen circumstances I couldn't accept it, I reget it everyday that I didn't defer it... These are the regrets we learn to live with i suppose! So now the opportunity to apply has come again so fingers crossed!

Well good luck with it!

Hi,

The following as far as I am aware is general info in student handbooks but I could be wrong and it may not refer to you or your circumstances/course:

Key dates

29th Oct If you formally withdraw before this date you will be entitled to Free Fees for this stage (year) should you return to higher education.

31st Jan If you formally withdraw before this date you will be entitled to Half Fees for this stage (year) should you return to higher education

After 31st Jan Formal withdrawal after this date or failure to withdraw formally will mean tht you will have no entitlement to Free Fees for this stage (year) should you return to higher educaiton.


You may find the exact details for your course in your student handbook or , or www.cao.ie

Sue Ellen, thank you so much, that is very helpful.
THanks to johnno & lou2 also