The College offers a wide range of professional, technical and vocational courses, from entry level up to and including degree level. There is plenty on offer for school leavers, as well as for people looking to upskill to improve their promotion or employability prospects and anyone at a career crossroads who wants an additional qualification. Curriculum staff, careers advisors and support staff will be available to discuss options, assist with the enrolment process and provide information on student support.
Carrickfergus student Leah Spratt has encouraged school leavers to check out what is available at their local FE College. After her A-Levels, Leah attended Northern Regional College’s Newtownabbey campus to do a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development. She successfully completed the course with an overall Distinction in June this year and has secured a place at Stranmillis University College to study Early Childhood Studies.
She said her student experience at Northern Regional College helped sharpen her focus and determination to succeed.
“I wasn’t mature enough when I left school to know what I really wanted to do. The Level 3 course, which included work placements, gave me more time to pinpoint what area I was really interested in.”
Leah continued: “A compulsory part of the course is to complete four placements and I did mine in day nurseries and primary schools. They were all enjoyable but very different and helped me realise where I would like to work in the longer term.”
Looking to the future, Leah hopes to do a PGCE and train as a primary school/early years teacher.
“I feel I have matured and will be better able to cope with the university workload now. My time management, organisation and communication skills have all improved and this has given me a great foundation to build on when I go to Stranmillis University College.”
For anyone weighing up their education HE or FE options, the good news is that there is still time to apply. The Advice Evenings are an ideal way to learn more about the full-time and part-time courses at Northern Regional College so drop into any of the College’s campuses – in Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Magherafelt or Newtownabbey – on Thursday 2nd September 4-6pm, to check out what’s available in your local area.