F.A.Q's

Questions and answers most commonly asked by students.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?

A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self-paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?

A. Our courses are available to any one, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy. We believe education needs to be more generic than what most colleges teach in order to produce graduates who can better adapt to change.

Q. When do I have to complete the course?

A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient to you. You’re under no pressure to finish by a certain deadline.

Assignments

Q. Assignments- how do they work?

A. At the end of each lesson there is an assignment. Complete it and submit it to us. A tutor will mark the assignment and provide comments and feedback. We will then send the assignment with the feedback to you. Our policy is to have a grade for you within 5 to 7 days.

Q. Can I resubmit my work?

A. Yes - If you’re not happy with anything you have submitted, you may re-submit the assignment again. Sometimes, the tutors may recommend this if they feel you have not grasped the concepts well enough.

Q. How many assignments must I complete for each module?

A. The number of assignments depends on the number of lessons that have been written for each module. So, if a course had 10 lessons, there would be accompanying 10 assignments. The number of lessons varies from module to module. See individual course content on our website for further details.

Q. When do I have to hand in my first assignment?

A. There is no deadline for handing in any assignment. Submit, when you are ready. Some students hand in assignments within the first couple of weeks of signing up – while others may submit their work 6 months later. Everyone has different work and personal commitments. We understand and cater for these needs.

Q. What about workshops?

A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, alternative arrangements can be made in your country; however there may be an additional expense. We can appoint an appropriately-qualified person anywhere to work through curriculum documentation supplied by us, in order to satisfy the requirements set down in a course.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?

A. For individual modules you would receive a Certificate (providing you successfully complete all assignments and the exam). If you just want to complete the assignments only, you will be awarded a Letter of Achievement. For more details on qualifications awarded, please visit:  http://www.shortcourses.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=171

Q. Is there a next level to progress to?

A. Yes – you can progress from one single module to a combination of many modules and to higher qualifications i.e. Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and Higher Advanced Diplomas.

Q. Can I design my own certificate/diploma?

A. Yes. Not all prescribed certificates or diplomas meet everyone’s needs. We offer you the opportunity to create your own certificate or diploma (subject to our approval, of course). This option is not often found at other institutions.

Exams

Q. Do I have to sit for an exam?

A. Exams are optional but need to be undertaken in order to receive a Certificate or higher qualification. Each exam is one and a half hours in length. You appoint an adjudicator (subject to our approval) to supervise the exam. You sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?

A. If you’re one of those people who does not cope well with examinations, you may elect to undertake a final project instead.

Q. Do still get a qualification for my efforts, if I don’t sit for the exam?

A. Yes - you would be awarded a Letter of Achievement, providing you have completed all the assignments.

Q. Do I have to come to SCI to sit for the exam?

A. No – you can sit for the exam in your own location. You appoint an adjudicator to supervise the exam. Details can be found here.

Q. Are there any exam fees?

A. No – the tuition fee covers this cost.

Tutors

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?

A. Yes - you have unlimited access to tutors. In fact, we encourage students to develop dialogue with their tutor. This is why students should submit their first assignment fairly quickly after they begin the course.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?

A. Write, fax, email or phone us. Leave a message if your tutor isn't available, and they will phone, write or fax back - whatever suits you.

Q. Can I request to change my tutors if I don’t agree with / like them?

A. Yes – we try to accommodate and meet student needs, and a change of tutor(s) may be arranged.

Q. If I don’t understand a question or a lesson, can I contact the tutor?

A. You can contact a tutor as often as you like. There is no additional charge for, or restriction on, this service.

Q. Are your tutors suitable qualified?

A. Most tutors hold a 3 year degree or diploma, 5 years industry experience and remain active in industry

Q. Where do your tutors come from?

A. Our tutors come from around the world - the UK, Australia. New Zealand, Canada and the USA. All our tutors subscribe to our philosophy – that our courses are designed to be globally relevant.

Q. Practical work - How is this done?

A. To find out more about this part of the course, please visit the section on How Our Courses Work.

General

Q. If I do a shorter course first, can I get credits towards a certificate or diploma later?

A. Yes. We will assess previous studies to give you the appropriate credits. Doing it this way will probably take a little longer and cost more in fees though.

Q. Can I pay in instalments?

A. Yes, however full payment up front is the cheapest option. All courses can be paid in two instalments, some can be paid in three or more. (Please refer to fee schedule on the enrolment form for more information)

Q. Do I get a discount if two or more of us enrol together?

A. You may claim a 5% discount on fees if you both enrol in courses at the same time. Corporate or government departments who wish to enrol a group of employees should contact us for other discounts.

Q. Do I get a discount if I enrol in a second course?

A. Yes, you may claim a 5% fee discount when you enrol in a second course. (Note: This does not apply however to the second stage or part of the same certificate or diploma.)

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. Get sick, go on holidays, have a baby)

A. Apply for an extension. It's OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Do I need any extra books?

A. You are supplied with all "essential" references. Extra books are always useful though, especially for special projects. Tutors will advise you on what to borrow/buy if you decide you would like to get any extra books.

Q. How long does a shorter course (i.e. 80-120hrs) take to complete?

A. Commonly no more than one year. Some students finish in less than 3 months. It is up to you, but we recommend that you try and keep the pace as snappy as you can, so that your own motivational levels do not drop.

Q. How long does a certificate take to complete?

A. Commonly around 6-9 months, if you study full time; or around two years if studying part time. With dedication, students can complete a certificate in one year or less.

Q. Is there an age limit?

A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age, parental consent would be required

Q. Course materials – do I have choices on how I will receive my notes?

A. We have three (3) modes of delivery. The most popular being Online Learning, then CD-ROM, and Printed Notes (traditional correspondence).

Q. What if I only want to study for fun or for a hobby?

We welcome students who do not require a formal qualification but who are quite happy to have access to the knowledge and notes, and undertake the course for self-enrichment purposes.

Q. Are there any hidden costs?

A. There are no hidden extras - the tuition fee covers all course material, unlimited tutor support, assignment marking/feedback and any text books where specified, and internal examinations. The only extras are for the public examinations fees for the ICB Bookkeeping course and the RHS (Royal Horticulture Society) exams.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?

A. Courses at SCI are continually updated. The course content can be rapidly updated and improved without the red tape and bureaucracy experienced at other educational institutions.

Q. Do you have a Refund Policy?

We have a refund policy that is fair and equitable.

Q. What Recognition do you have?

A. SCI courses are recognised by the International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC). Our graduates come from many parts of the world that have used our qualifications for successful employment and progression onto higher education.

Q. Why should I enrol with Short Courses Ireland?

A. At SCI, your learning experience is our priority - we treat every student as a unique individual. This philosophy allows us to nurture those who are “slow and steady” learners rather than letting them fall through the cracks, while catering for those who are in a hurry to complete.

• Our courses are experiential based rather than competency based (i.e. we emphasise learning through experience).
• We have introduced, and adapted into our courses, Problem Based Learning methods (developed in American universities).
• Each lesson requires a Set Task involving interaction with people in industry, conducting research, and communicating with tutors one on one in order to build self confidence and stronger communication skills.
• The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy. We believe education needs to be more generic than what most colleges teach, in order to produce graduates who can better adapt to change.

Q. What do people think of SCI and our courses?

A. Don't take our word for it. Please visit our Student Testimonials.