Why Further Education?
Minimal Entry Requirements
No CAO required. Applications are a simple and free online form. Level 5 courses require a Leaving Certificate or equivalent; or, for mature students (23+), relevant experience.
Wide Range of Courses
Animal Care; Carpentry; Art; Gaming Design; Sound; Video; Accounting; Business; Secretarial; Networks; Programming; Social Studies; Childcare; Complementary; Hairdressing; Healthcare; Nursing; Security; Sports.
In the News
PLC courses have the highest numbers, with 69,802 full-time. 15,390 are on Specific Skills Training. 36,628 in back-to-education. 37,928 in adult-literacy groups. 51,999 on community-education. General learning courses are by far the single most popular, with more than 157,000 people.
Equal Opportunities
We guarantee equal opportunities and to promote a safe College community welcoming and celebrating all our diversities – Irish and New Irish. Witamy! أهلا بك
Student Grants
Available to first-time students who are progressing to a QQI Level 5/6. Head to Susi.ie for an eligibility reckoner and a step-by-step guide to applying.
Get Unemployment Funding
Ask the Department of Social Protection about transferring from Jobseeker’s to VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) or BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) and retrain to return to work.
Second Chance CAO & Progression
Access Higher Education Level 7 & 8 courses with QQI awards, as a mature student, or via direct Further Education progression routes to Institutes of Technology and Universities.
Change Your Life
Who do you want to be this time next year? Further Education offers you the choice to have a new qualification in 9 months and to start making real changes. No one ever regretted an education.
Lifelong Learning
For whatever stage you’re at in life, Further Education can be your starting point, your second-chance, or your ‘university of the third age’ and lifelong curiosity. “Educate that you might be free.” – Thomas Davis (1814–45)
New IT Awards
Prepare for a career in the growing digital economy with the latest QQI level 5 & 6 awards in Information Technology in computer science, networks and programming, across the Cork ETB colleges.
Transport Links
A lot closer than you think by train (Cork, Tralee, Limerick, & Tipperary), bus (51, 243, LocalLink), & driving (N20 & N72). Free no-hassle parking on campus.
College Life
Great College atmosphere. Small class sizes. Helpful, friendly, enthusiastic staff. College student services and extra supports for special needs.
Mallow Town
Mallow Town is your campus. Public library, crèche daycare, parks, swimming pools, and gyms, shops and supermarkets, cinema, restaurants and pubs.
People Like You
Did you ever wonder what people in Further Education are like and who they are?
The simple answer is that there is no one type of learner. There is no one type of person.
Looking at our full-time day-course Class of 2017 in Mallow College we were men and women, from school-leavers to mature students in our 60s. We were CAO applicants looking for another way to progress to CIT, LIT, ITT and UCC and UL. We were Leaving Cert. students heading for a career. We were long-term unemployed, part-time workers, and mature learners returning to education after a career or after the family is reared. We were lifelong learners enjoying life and learning for its own sake. We were from Mallow Town, everywhere in North Cork, from around the County and City, from Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, and beyond. People just like you.
69% of learners in total were female - varies by course.
47% of learners came from unemployment or part-time jobs. 14% had just completed the Leaving Cert.
45% of learners were mature students aged 30+. Learners in their 20s made up 30% of the class.
44% of learners had addresses outside Mallow. 25% of learners were new to Ireland.
Accreditation
Senior Trades
