Try SETU Waterford for Mature Students - SETU Waterford Campus | formerly Waterford Institute of Technology

Are you considering coming back to education? The Taster Day for Mature Students allows you to gain information and insight into life as a mature student in SETU Waterford. The online virtual event will give you the opportunity to gain information on applications, look at the supports available to you in SETU Waterford, speak to lecturing staff and meet with current mature students to get their expereince of returning to education. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in contact with us. We are online and can answer your queries through the chat to the right of the screen or by emailing [email protected]

Mature Students in SETU Waterford presentation

Student Life and Learning

Student Life & Learnings aim is to promote the academic success and all round experience of students, especially undergraduates, while reinforcing the core values of SETU Waterford. We do this by providing support in an accessible and understanding environment.

We further provide advice and support for students and act as a hub of resources, referrals and information across the SETU Waterford community.

In this section

Study at SETU Waterford

Research your options

It can be difficult to pick a course that meets your interests and career ambitions so researching your options is essential to make sure that the course is right for you. As a mature applicant we understand that this can be a difficult process. Below we have linked our courses with information on the modules you will cover and career opportunities available upon completion of the degree

Undergraduate study

Postgraduate study

Part-time study

Options in SETU Waterford

You can choose to start your studies in SETU Waterford at Higher Certificate (Level 6), Bachelor Degree (Level 7) or Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8). Students, who enter at any level, can either choose to graduate at that level or progress to the next level, assuming adequate grades are achieved.

For example, a student enters SETU Waterford at Higher Certificate Level 6, they can choose either to graduate with a Higher Certificate after two years, or can progress on to Level 7 and beyond.

Adult Guidance Service

When choosing a course for you it can be helpful to get guidance from professionals who can help you research your options. Guidance in exploring options for learning and/or career progression, identifying skills, interests and aptitudes and matching them with opportunities available. Advice and guidance on skills, training and education required in order to gain employment in chosen field. Waterford Adult Educational Guidance Service (WAEGS) provides an independent, confidential and free educational and career guidance service to adults.

Things to consider

Deciding to go back to university as a mature student can be a difficult decision at times and there are some things that you may need to consider. We have put together a presentation that will help you look at the areas that you should consider when thinking of coming back to education

Things to consider presentation

CAO Application

The Central Applications Office processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). All applicants looking to start undergraduate courses in SETU Waterford need to apply through the CAO. Applicants need to fill out the CAO form before either 1 February (17:15) or the late application deadline on 1 May (17:15).

Please note that students applying for WD027 BA (Hons) in Music must have applied by 1 February. Applicants who are applying on mature grounds for nursing must have also applied by 1 February.

Applicants must apply to the CAO through the CAO website. Please note that you will need the following information and material when filling out the CAO;

Personal information such as name, date of birth, address etc.
A valid email address - a valid email address is required for security and communications purposes. Failure to provide a valid email address may have serious consequences, for example, you may not receive an offer.
Information on any previous qualifications including, Junior Cert, Leaving Cert, QQI courses, Undergraduate or Postgraduate Studies.
Applicants will need to pay an application fee of €60 when applying to the CAO. You may pay the application fee using a Credit or Debit Card (Visa or MasterCard). Alternatively, applicants may pay the application fee in advance at a bank within the Republic of Ireland using an Application Fee Payment Form. If you have not received an Application Fee Payment Form, it may be obtained by contacting CAO.

Once you have applied and completed your application you may be required to send off documentation to the CAO. This will be marked clearly throughout your application.

Adding courses to your CAO application

To change course choices, log in to your CAO Account via the My Application facility and click on Change Level 8 Course Choices or Change Level 7/6 Course Choices. You can then use the New Courses list to enter new courses, disregard existing course choices, or re-order your existing course selection. You must list all of your courses in your order of preference on the new list. If you change courses online, an acknowledgement will be sent to your email address - please check this email carefully and inform CAO of any errors or omissions. You should also check that your courses have been updated by using the My Application facility before 5:15pm on 1 July

You can access the CAO application handbook online or download it to your device for help with your application and further information on important dates

SETU Waterford’s Mature Applicant Assessment form

After applying through the CAO, you must complete SETU Waterford’s Mature Applicant Assessment form, which you will receive directly from SETU Waterford’s Admissions Office by mid March (for 1st February applicants) or mid-May (for 1st May applicants). If you do not receive the assessment form within the guideline dates above, it is your responsibility to contact SETU Waterford's CAO Admissions Office at [email protected]

Mature Applicant Change of Mind

The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1st May and the closing date is 1st July. The Change of Mind Facility affords you an opportunity, if you wish, to change the order of preference only of your course choices.#

If you introduce a new programme to your list of choices by way of Change of Mind, you will compete for a place on that programme based on your Leaving Certificate or FETAC results only.
Restricted-Application Course – WD027 BA Music – if added for the first time via a Change of Mind is invalid and will not be considered. Closing date is 1st February.

Important Dates

1 May: Fill out and return CAO form
Early July: Receive Offer from SETU Waterford (through CAO)
Mid July: Accept offer deadline

Accepting your CAO Offer

On the morning of offers you will receive a text message and e-mail letting you know if an offer has been made. All CAO offers will be presented online at the CAO website, and you may record your acceptance online. You will be given a date that you must accept your offer by and it's vital that you accept by the date and time specified.

Although mature students can face obstacles, especially if re-entering the system after a prolonged absence from formal education, many students who study at the university have shown that these can be overcome.

Mature students have a wealth of knowledge and experience with which they make a valuable contribution

Read some of our Mature Student stories

Tom (82) inspires the nation as he graduate from SETU Waterford with Arts degree

Eleanor tells how and why she returned to education as a mature student and the sense of achievement as well as pride she felt on graduation day

Mature student Conor highlights that while college can be daunting, his journey to a forestry degree shows that college is truly for everyone

"I left school with only a junior cert to my name. Now I have gone on to a masters in leadership and education."

'I had caught the study bug' PhD student Patrick Buckland talks about his experiences from bachelor's degree to masters and now PhD in WIT

“Returning to college was the best decision I have ever made."

"By returning to education it gave me the opportunity to make my horticultural hobby into a career."

You can read more of our student stories across a variety of our courses here