An Evaluation of the Pilot Pre-University Programme for County Limerick VEC

Introduction. In the period of November 2004 – February 2005, the pilot Pre-University Programme, run in partnership with the Adult and Community Education Programme of County Limerick Vocational Education Committee (VEC) and the Learner Support Unit of Mary Immaculate College, was completed. The programme was designed as a ‘stepping-stone’ to university access programmes such as Mary Immaculate’s Foundation Certificate: Higher Education for Adult Learners. The focus group conducted as part of the evaluation suggested that approximately 50% of the students from the programme intend to apply for the Foundation Certificate with other students pursuing access courses in different universities. The pilot programme took place in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick. It began with fifteen students, fourteen of whom completed the course, ten with merit. This programme targeted adult learners over the age of 22 years, many of whom came from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds. It was delivered on an outreach basis in order to break the cycle of disadvantage and marginalisation that can persist in communities and families for generations.