Open Day (23 March) to highlight 50% increase in level 8s

The number of honours degree programmes offered by GMIT has increased by 50% in the past year in response to student and industry demand. Information about the level 8 programmes will be outlined at a special GMIT Open Day taking place on Saturday, 23 March, when hundreds of second-level students will visit the Institute’s Galway city campuses.

CAO statistics show first preferences for honours degree programme in GMIT are up 10% on last year. The overall number of applicants for honours degree (level 8s) is up 13% at GMIT. The honours degrees are designed to make graduates more employable as students gain a more in-depth knowledge of their particular discipline.

Some of the newer level 8 programmes on offer across all GMIT campuses are Construction Economics & Quantity Surveying (GA482), Architectural Technology (GA483), Mechanical Engineering (GA680), Physics & Instrumentation (GA783), Digital Media & Society (GA884), Furniture Design & Manufacture (GA981), Furniture Wood Technology (GA982), Business (GA182), and Information Systems Management (GA183).

GMIT Registrar Michael Hannon says a special feature of applying to study honours degree programmes in GMIT is that students have the option of exiting after second year with a Higher Certificate or after third year with a degree. “What’s important is that students who exit have the option of returning a year later or whenever they are ready to proceed to the next level.”

“We have been successfully offering honours degrees for the past number of decades but are delighted to have increased our level 8 offerings by 50% in the past 12 months. Our students are at the centre of every decision we take, as evidenced by our unique ‘First Year Experience’ programme which helps our new students make a successful transition from second to third level, supporting them throughout the entire first year”.

Information on the GMIT ‘First Year Experience’ programme and all student supports will be available at the GMIT Open Day on 23 March. Students, parents and families will be provided with up to date information on all aspects of GMIT college life and a special workshop will be held on the day about the online student grant application system SUSI. Information stands and seminars on everything students need to know about third-level study will be available.

Of the new level 8 programmes, the GMIT Business School offers the new honours degree in Business and the honours degree in Information Systems and Management. The vast majority of decisions made in business require information generated by business information systems. These systems are computer-based, providing decision makers with the critical information necessary to manage organisations effectively, to improve business decision making and to gain competitive advantage. The four year, level 8 degree in Information Systems and Management programme prepares graduates to become skilled knowledge workers and information systems specialists for tomorrow’s dynamic and global businesses.

Business Information Systems must be designed, implemented and maintained. This involves an array of technologies, including the World Wide Web, mobile devices, enterprise systems, social media and cloud computing. This is a highly practical programme, which combines information technology with a range of business subjects, preparing graduates to apply technological solutions to modern, dynamic enterprises. As employer demand for ICT skills remains strong this programme offers graduates a range of employment and further study options. Students wishing to apply for either of these programmes can do so by applying to CAO by 1 May or by using the change of mind facility which is open until 1 July.

The School of Engineering has a number of exciting new honours degrees in the area of Quantity Surveying, Energy Engineering and Architectural Technology. The Architectural Technology programme is particularly interesting due to the emphasis on CAD and parametric modeling of building and building systems known as BIM (Building Information Modelling). GMIT is the lead Institute in the country offering graduates this skillset and this is reflected in the high demand for graduates from this programme.

One of the most innovative programmes on offer in Ireland this year is the B. Sc. Honours in Digital Media & Society offered at GMIT’s Castlebar campus. The number of digital jobs based around IT is growing by about 100,000 every year. Market analysis shows there will be 900,000 vacancies for IT-related roles by 2015. This new four-year programme therefore meets a huge demand for a new type of interactive technologist who customises social and digital media solutions for organisations, communities and individuals. It is the only third-level honours degree programme exploring how individuals, society and technology interact.

GMIT’s National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology at the Letterfrack campus offers two new honours degrees in the very successful areas of Furniture Design and Wood Technology. The two new programmes offer a natural progression both in response to student demand and employer needs. These unique four year degrees offered at the GMIT Letterfrack campus provide students with a blend of traditional and modern skills to design and engineer furniture and wooden products. These hands-on, technology-driven programmes, allow students understand all the processes involved in the manufacture of furniture items with a strong focus on computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture skills.

Equipment used includes hand tools, power tools, woodwork machinery, CNC technology, laser cutter, robotics and a range of CAD systems. An international work placement programme in third year enables students to get real life industry experience in leading companies both in Ireland and overseas. The campus’ successful B.Sc. Teaching degree in Design and Technology Education continues to be offered, qualifying graduates to teach Design & Communication Graphics and Construction Studies up to Leaving Certificate honours level.

The Open Day on Saturday 23 March is co-ordinated by the GMIT Schools Liaison Office which has produced a new video interviewing staff about the wide range of degree programmes on offer in GMIT. Watch it on the GMIT YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQZrJtXDygk&list=UUemzDat1ogRaREjMlhP4em…

Please visit the GMIT Schools Liaison Office website at www.gmit.ie/slo