Secondary School Programme

Secondary School Programme

The Access office in NUIG operates programmes in secondary schools in Galway city and county to sensitise teh students to third level education and to create positive experience through various interactions with the student and the university.

The Access Secondary Schools programme University Trail is designed to promote the University in selected Secondary Schools in Galway City, County and Gaeltacht regions.

The University Trail as a concept reflects a theme of continuity that has been established in the provision of 6 key activities in each academic year.

First Year School Competition students express through poetry, essay, art, drama or dance why they would like to come to NUIG. Award ceremony nights celebrate the competition entries of the students by presenting prizes and certificates of participation. In 2008, 413 students entered the competition.  Below are entries from two schools that participated, Gairmscoil na bPiarsach, Rosmuc and Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna.

Campus Tours the second year students receive tours of the University campus and a lecture on student life.  There is a competition for a voucher based on the tour and  below is a student from the Presentation Secondary School with Principal Cliona O'Neill presenting the voucher.  Also pictured below is St. Enda's enjoying the Arts Millennium building as part of the tour.                              

Making Choices: Junior Cert students receive guidance lectures on the subject choices for their Senior cycle to assist them in keeping options open for university.

Student to Student: Transition year and fifth year students meet NUIG students and discuss the realities of being a university student and what to expect .

Study Skills Workshop: An intensive day of study techniques presented to Leaving Certificate pupils in October.  Below are students from Mercy, Tuam listening to the study skills workshop.

Leaving Cert Language Orals: Mock orals and critical feedback is given to the students prior to the leaving cert orals to allow them to prepare for the exams.

University Trail: This presented and conducted through specifically designed media that are both School and Campus based, and is varied to elicit a high level of response and participation from students. Core to the initiative is a focus on the provision and promotion of educational opportunity to a student population that is marginalised specifically in terms of equality.