Pros and Cons

As with all sectors within the Irish third level education system, there are a number of pros and cons to weigh up before deciding to apply for a place on an undergraduate course at an Irish private third level college.

The most obvious con with attending a private college in Ireland is that the government don’t pay your fees so you or your parents or guardians will have to. The fees vary across the colleges and they can be steep, with average costs ranging between about E3,000 and E5,000 a year. With over three years of a college course, this is a consideration most students will have to think long and hard about.

The colleges argue that they provide an excellent education for the money, and that they offer a reasonable alternative to the traditional options. For example it is less expensive taking a course at a private college that allows you to stay living at home with the folks, compared to having to move to another part of the country to take a course. It is really up to the individual student to decide which is best for them.

The up-side of the fees payable is that private colleges tend to have money to invest in campus facilities and amenities for their students. Private colleges have up to date IT and library facilities and keep academic and teaching standards as high as possible to attract students.
There are some subjects in which the private colleges have developed a good deal of experience and a particularly good reputation. For instance some colleges have built valuable links with professional bodies and leading companies in the law and business areas. Some courses contain work experience modules or periods where students can gain very useful workplace experience. Another advantage is that the student-to-staff ratio is often lower at private colleges than in other third level institutions.

Something else to consider is that whereas most honours degrees take four years to complete at a university or IT, students at a private college generally (although not always) graduate after three years. Some private colleges also offer the opportunity to study in the evenings or part-time.

Probably because of the fees issue, the CAO points required for private colleges tend to be lower than for equivalent courses at a college or university. For some courses direct entry is possible, which means you can apply outside the CAO system altogether, and will just need to have achieved a certain pass level in your Leaving Cert.

Before you apply to a private college, it is a good idea to have done some research beforehand. While most private colleges have a good reputation and are well established, there are no strict regulations, so students do not have the same security given by an established university or IT.

So, there is plenty to weigh up when considering which third level option to go for. However, for many people, private colleges are a very attractive and worthwhile third level choice.