About Us
Mallow Campus has expanded rapidly in recent years, both in terms of student numbers and in terms of the teaching and learning facilities available. This expansion is testament to the quality and diversity of the courses provided and to the commitment and expertise of the teaching staff. It also reflects the positive perception which the College enjoys in the wider community as a centre of excellence in the provision of courses and programmes which can lead students on to further educational opportunities or directly into employment.
We are proud to be one of the largest providers of further education in Munster and our sustained growth over recent years indicates our continuing ambition to providing the highest standards so that our students may attain their goals. Our teachers are highly motivated by the prospect of enabling students to fulfil their potential and are innovative in their use of different methodologies towards effective teaching and learning including the utilisation of the most up-to-date software and technology in the classroom.
We are confident that you will find a course to meet your needs from the comprehensive range we offer and we can assure you that your learning will be facilitated in a stimulating, positive and supportive environment.
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Key Facts
Fees and Grants
Student Grant (SUSI)
Means-tested student grants are available to students (school-leavers) who are progressing to a QQI Level 5/6 Award or equivalent, and who have not previously studied an award at similar or higher level on the National Framework of Qualifications. The amount of the grant depends on family income and on the distance a student travels from their place of residence to the college.
Applications: Student Grant applications can be made online only to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) through susi.ie. Applications can be made from May and should be made before starting a course. BTEA or VTOS recipients are not eligible for the student grant.
Information: Further definitive information is available on susi.ie and citizensinformation.ie.
Social Welfare Recipients
All Social Welfare recipients are advised to contact their local Social Welfare Office before commencement of a course. This is to get permission to do a course while continuing on their benefits and also to ensure that they get full entitlements.
If you are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance you must transfer to VTOS or BTEA (others may be able choose to stay on their current benefits but in general people studying full-time are not eligible for Rent Allowance unless getting BTEA).
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
Applicants over 21 years of age and in receipt of Social Welfare payment for at least 156 days before commencement of course, may apply for VTOS funding. VTOS is aimed in particular at unemployed people who are early school-leavers.
Retain Social Welfare benefits, plus free books and materials at the start of the course, meal allowance, travel allowance, and a free childcare place for your child under the Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) scheme. Full-time work during the summer months does not affect your VTOS payment.
Applications: If you are eligible, fill in a VTOS Application Form and return it to the College Front Office. As VTOS places are limited it is advisable to submit an early application. Students who are eligible for VTOS, but who do not secure a VTOS place are advised to apply to their local Social Welfare Office for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
Information: Further definitive information is available on studentfinance.ie or citizensinformation.ie.
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
The BTEA allows students in receipt of certain Social Welfare benefits to retain those payments while attending a full-time day course in the College. Students receive the maximum standard rate of payment and participants are not required to sign on.
Plus, if you have a dependent child, a Cost of Education Allowance of €500.
Applications: BTEA is a scheme administered by the Department of Social Welfare. Applicants over 21 years of age (with some exceptions) and in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments for at least 3 months may apply to their local Social Welfare Office for the Back to Education Allowance. Applications for BTEA must be made prior to starting an approved full-time course but late applications will be accepted up to 30 days after commencement of a course. Please contact your local Social Welfare Office to obtain the BTE1 application form and for full details and advice on eligibility. The BTE1 application form can also be found on welfare.ie and should be returned to your local Social Welfare Office.
Information: Further definitive information is available at gov.ie.
Medical Card
You can check online if you are eligible for a medical card at https://www.mymedicalcard.ie.
Information: Further definitive information is available at citizensinformation.ie.
Student Supports
Guidance Counselling
We support you to manage your educational, employment, personal and life choices so that you can fully engage in college life and achieve your full potential.
Guidance counsellors are available to you for one-to-one appointments for support with career and educational planning, to get information, or to discuss any concerns at any time during the year.
Join educational and career progression talks with representatives from third level colleges across Munster.
Access an online library of study support and employment preparation resources.
Study Skills
Work on your study skills, assignment writing and presentation skills, with additional teacher support sessions.
Disability Support
We work collaboratively with you to identify suitable supports for your study and assessments and provide a professional assessment of educational support needs.
Student Wellbeing
If you need someone to talk to in a safe and confidential environment, you have the support of our professional counselling service and an online library of mental health and wellbeing resources.
Transport Links
Easy access, free parking, and free from city traffic: we are just off the N20/N72 junction, 5 minutes from national and regional rail services and from national bus routes, with local buses stopping on campus.
Our Mallow campus is just 25 minutes from Cork City by train, 33 minutes from Limerick Junction in Tipperary, and 39 from Rathmore in Kerry (and indeed a commutable 55 minutes from Killarney). By bus, the local Mallow stop is half an hour or so from Cork City or from Charleville on route 51, and from Newmarket on route 243.
- Irish Rail: https://irishrail.ie
- Bus Éireann: https://buseireann.ie
- Local Link: https://locallinkcork.ie
- Transport for Ireland: http://transportforireland.ie
Free Parking
With 200 free student carpark spaces, and centrally located in North Cork, Mallow campus by car is about a 30-minute drive or less from the Northside of Cork City, from Blarney and Donoughmore, Newmarket, Charleville, Mitchelstown, Fermoy, Watergrasshill, and out towards Rathmore in Co. Kerry, and Kilmallock in Co. Limerick.