Mary from Moyne, Co Longford successfully completed the QQI Level 5 course in Pre-University Cultural and Heritage Studies in Cavan Institute in May 2017.

"I attended Cavan Institute in the 2016/2017 academic year as a full-time student on the Pre-University Cultural and Heritage Studies. I was a mature student, in my fifties, and enjoyed every minute of my time there. I was looking for a career change and this course came highly recommended by a past student.
The course itself was very interesting with a range of modules including Heritage, Appreciation of Irish Culture, Local History, Folklore Studies and also modules that prepared me for going into the workforce. There was a great Communications module involving interview techniques, CV preparation etc. and Word Processing to bring us up to speed on computer skills. We got an opportunity to do Work Experience, which was a great confidence boost. The course also allowed us to do a modern language; I chose French, which I hadn’t done since Leaving Cert, many years earlier.
With over thirteen hundred students it still felt like there was a genuine interest in everyone’s wellbeing and as a mature student I did not feel at all out of place, in fact, it was lovely to be surrounded by young, enthusiastic and energetic people.
The support from tutors was excellent and I always felt I could ask for help when struggling. The Class Tutor of this module is Patrick Cassidy and he is exceptional in his commitment and enthusiasm and his wide range of knowledge. The lectures were fascinating.
With this course, I was able to secure employment in a library where my local history skills are called upon as well as computer skills, communication skills and lots more that I credit to my time in Cavan Institute.
I highly recommend the college and it has so many courses to choose from."