Which college?! Online minor bachalor v classroom Cert in Computer Science

Kai123

Hello forum.

Found out that a Minor Bachelors is still level 6 on the Irish education rating system, so they practically give the same level of cert. I cant delete this thread so no need to comment, I made up my mind Danke Forum!

I have the option to go back to college. One option is a Certificate in Computer Science Level 6 (same level as Comptia & CCNA) or Certificate in Information Technology (Minor level 8, not sure what it means but it counts as third-level education).

Certificate in Computer Science is 11-17 hours in a college in town. Over two semesters It covers;

Computer Programming
Data Communications
Maths for Computing and IT
Computer Architecture and Systems
Creative Digital Media
Network Technology

Apart from the cert itself, a few MTA's are thrown in, and its optional to learn a language from beginner to intermediate (Spanish, Dutch or German). This course is 28 weeks (the last 8 being a work placement).

The second course is Certificate in Information Technology. It is completely Online besides a few lectures and workshops. It would be regarded as a higher level cert. It covers;

Computing 1: Introduction to IT, Programming and the Internet
Communications Technology 1: Telecommunications and the Development of Networks
Human Science 1: Human Computer Interaction

Its one full year. It gives less ECTS Credits, but you leave with a better cert.

Certificate in Information Technology

Pros:

Better cert from a University
Much more indepth learning of IT
Mostly Online (pro and con)
Much easier to work towards a bachelors

Con:

Mostly Online
Its one year
Less ECTS Credits
Probably much harder
No tutor face-to-face
I would struggle with programming and math on my own

Certificate in Computer Science

Pros:

Only 28 weeks (with work placement)
Face-to-face, hands on, college environment
Chance to learn a language
More ECTS Credits
MTA's included
I get to leave the apartment!

Con:

Level 6 (but having Comptia's, MTA and Certificate in Computer Science on CV, I think I should be fairly employable after that).
Not as well known college compared to a university.


There might be some grammar or typo's but im very tired.

Asif Dasl

When you talk about FETAC levels you should really link to a graphic to explain it to a non-Irish audience. Regardless, I would go with the Certificate in Information Technology. A) because it's a higher FETAC level. It's a university and it will look better on a CV. C) If you are determined you can get it done quickly online. D) MTA's and CompTIA's are not going to get you a job, CCNA/MCSE/VCP level would. E) If it's mostly online you could intern somewhere at the same time, say 2-3 days a week or something for IT experience and get you out of the house. Just my 2 cents.

Edit - you've made up your mind anyway, good luck with it!

Kai123

I would of been useful posting that As always im posting on this forum around 1am in the morning.

I will phone the university tomorrow to see the pace of the course, to see if its fixed to a full academic year or not. The MTA's are thrown in, not sure if that makes the cert look cheap or not. The free language classes are really compelling though. You know what its like here with languages.

Not sure if you got this before I edited the post, but the Minor Bachelors is like a 7 1/2, so im not sure what you would call it, or if it counts as third-level. If the days are set for the classroom then I would be set finding somewhere for part-time work on both courses.

Thanks for the input as always Asif, you been a great help to me on this forum