Ricky Small

Bachelor of Engineering in Software and Electronic Engineering

Galway City – Dublin Road

My name is Ricky, and I am a mature student at ATU. If you are reading this, you have already started the steps in returning to education, which is excellent.

It had been some time since I was in formal education, so I did not know what to expect starting a course but rest assured, ATU has many different support processes to help any applicant find the right course. There was so much to learn about the application process. Thankfully, the Open Day was great for supplying the information that I needed and helped clear up any questions and concerns that I had regarding the course I wanted to pursue.

ATU also have support offices that can provide financial assistance to those in need. I found dealing with them an excellent experience. The process for Mature Students transitioning from work or social welfare payments to full-time education can be challenging. The support offices are there to help guide applicants through these obstacles.

There is a great atmosphere on campus, and it is easy to find your way around. Some lecturers and Heads of Departments have open door policies, which some many of us mature students found to be of huge benefit. It allowed students to pop in for an informal chat or send off an email to the lecturer with any queries.

ATU has a well-stocked library of resources – apart from books, there are also journals, past exam papers, recordings and online research facilities. Having been out of education awhile, I knew undertaking an engineering course involving maths would be a challenge. Thankfully, there is a Maths Support Centre on campus that is run by staff. I found this to be of great help in getting me back into the way of doing maths again.

There was a time in my life when I thought I’d never have a third level degree. Now I am delighted to say that I have just completed my final year of a Level 7 Bachelors of Engineering in Software and Electronic Engineering. I found ATU to be a great place for practical hands-on learning. I have just signed up for a Level 8 add-on module that will take me to an honour’s level degree. With all of this experience I strongly recommend people take the opportunity to move back into education at ATU.

When you sit back and think about it, fulltime education is five months per college year of work. So, in just 15 months of dedicated study you could be rewarded with that degree you have always dreamed of. Those 15 months can be life changing. Education as a mature student is a lot different and not as daunting as you might think. If you have a dream of a degree level education, then I recommend you go for it.