25 years, 3,500 students and a 629-enrolment count per annum. University of Galway’s Access Centre celebrates encouraging routes to education for a quarter of a century. The Access Programmes were established in 1999, with the aim to provide a supportive, educational environment that prepares students academically and personally for a full-time undergraduate degree at third level. A critical milestone, this 25-year achievement sets the precedent for many more life-changing years to come.
“For the last 25 years in University of Galway, attention has been given to the equity of admission processes to ensure that all individuals capable of benefiting from a university education have an opportunity to do so,” says Imelda Byrne, the Head of the Access Centre at University of Galway.
This is the motto that the Access Programme promotes, enabling prospective students to carve a path for themselves, taking agency in their bright future. More than 3,500 students and counting have participated in University of Galway Access Programme courses in the last 25 years. The Access Centre here at University of Galway is proud to be an avenue for continued opportunity, making a real difference in the lives of people hailing from Galway City, County and further afield. It is the Centre’s aim to address economic, social, geographic, and other barriers to higher education.
2024 is a significant milestone for us all at the Access Centre, University of Galway, as we celebrate 25 years of our Access Programmes. More than 3,500 students have participated on our programmes, which is 3,500 people whose lives have been significantly changed by the opportunities which we have been able to give them.
The Access Centre creates a supportive learning environment where students who have experienced socio-economic disadvantage, live with disabilities and those defined as mature students are empowered to access and succeed in third level education. This involves a wide range of educational approaches and specialist services, such as the Disability Support Service, Mature Students Officer and the Traveller Education Officer. These services focus on large numbers of students who are classified by the Higher Education Authority as ‘non-traditional’.
On average, 629 students enrol on undergraduate programmes through the Access Centre each year.
In 2022, more than 150 students were supported in education at the University through the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR), which focuses on students from socio-economically disadvantaged groups, and another 281 were supported through the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE), which focuses on students with a disability.
Since 2015/16 to 2022/23, there has been a 132% increase in students registering for the Disability Support Service at the University. The service is available to University of Galway students who need support or reasonable accommodations due to the impact of a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty.
Since 2018/19, on average almost 500 students from DEIS schools have enrolled in University of Galway each year.
Almost 100 students a year have enrolled at University of Galway from Further Education and Training since 2018/19.
Our focus is on supporting and empowering people in the Galway City and County, the western region, the border counties and the midlands, to give them a path into higher education and to address the barriers which they experience. Our ambition is to ensure everyone has equal access to higher education and that no-one feels like an outsider. We are proud of the huge impact we have had, and we are committed to growing our achievements.
1999 saw the first successful completion of the School Leavers Access Programme, the Mature Students Access Programme in both Galway and Connemara and the joint Foundation Programme in Science and Engineering, which is in collaboration with GMIT (now ATU).
The Secondary School Outreach Programme and University Trail commenced. This gives secondary school students the opportunity to meet with the School/FET Outreach Coordinator, who sheds light on entry routes into University. 1051 students were visited in schools in the last year.
First Awards Ceremony to acknowledge University Graduates and all who successfully completed the Access and Foundation Programmes. This ceremony has taken place annually since 2001, and over 3,500 people have completed the programmes.
The Primary school Outreach Programme was also launched as Soccer4Success, it later became Sport4Success and today is called Uni 4 U. This year, there are 5 schools and 205 students participating. We even have a staff member who completed the programme working in the Access Centre today!
Second joint programme with ATU focusing on progression to Business commenced. Both Joint programmes were delivered with ATU Galway and Castlebar.
Outreach Access Programmes were delivered across the BMW region in Dundalk, Cavan, Donegal, Clifden, Tullamore, Ballinasloe and in Ennis, in collaboration with Maynooth University, LYIT, GMIT, DkIT.
Two new alternative pathways introduced to the University, HEAR (admissions scheme for school-leavers whose economic or social background is underrepresented in higher education) and DARE (admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education).
Dr. Hannagh McGinley, now an Assistant Professor who came through the Access Progamme wins the EAN graduate award.
Imelda Byrne is appointed as the first Head of Access.
The first ever Traveller Ethnicity Day is celebrated and continues annually.
The Laptop Loan Scheme is launched. Under this scheme, undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible to apply for a laptop on long-term loan, to assist with their learning.
2022 was a busy year for Access. The Michael McDonagh Award for Irish Traveller Ally Excellence is presented by Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D Higgins.
The Official Opening of the Access Centre takes place, as well as the launch of the first ever University of Galway Widening Participation Report.
Awarded €814,000 under a special funding programme to improve access to higher education and learning for people with intellectual disability.
2024’s celebration of 25 years of Access Programmes aimed to recognise the profound impact this avenue to further education has had on lives and livelihoods. Celebratory events included the publication and official launch ceremony of a Widening Participation Report, a document that enables Access Centre staff to evaluate the progress that has been made towards levelling the playing field for students from underrepresented societal groups. In addition, Galway City Mayor Cllr. Eddie Hoare unveiled a plaque of recognition. He offered Imelda Byrne, Head of the Access Centre, a personal congratulations, praising her and her team’s hard work over the years, highlighting initiatives like Uni4U Programme, which provides opportunities for DEIS primary school pupils to see first-hand what the University has to offer.
At this year’s festivities, Alumni events took place for past students, tutors, and staff to catch up and reminisce. Some student voices can be explored below, speaking for themselves about the impact Access Programmes had on their lives.
Rola Olusola, star football player and graduate of University of Galway, was an Access Programme participant. A guest speaker at a University event, she had this to say about her experience:
“The Access team have been able to work with me, giving me the flexibility to play football and continue my studies into undergraduate level. […] The Access programme offers the foundations of any course you wish to study, ranging from Economics to Philosophy. Doing subjects such as Math’s, Economics and Academic IT, I feel more than prepared to tackle my future here at University. By doing the Access Programme, you will enter undergraduate level with the key skills needed to excel in college and with a support system that will guide you every step of the way. You will meet new people that give you a unique perspective which can help you improve your social skills. Having an education and having a dream are two things that nobody can take from you, do not be afraid to reach your full potential and follow your dreams.”—Rola Olusola, Galway United Footballer and University of Galway Alumna
During the Access Centre’s 25 years, says Imelda Byrne, Head of the Access Centre, Access Programmes have been offered in Galway City and County, including trí Ghaeilge, and throughout the BMW region – addressing barriers to higher education, ensuring all in our area have equal access to higher education.
The University’s Access Centre aims to create a supportive learning environment where students who have experienced socio-economic disadvantage, students with disabilities and mature students are enabled to access and succeed in third level education. This involves a wide range of educational approaches and specialist services targeted at large numbers of students who are classified by the Higher Education Authority as ‘non-traditional.’
Advances have been made, though much remains to be done. This includes achieving equity of opportunity after graduation for individuals of similar academic achievement, regardless of their socio-economic background. This is the most complex of the phases of widening opportunity to address. There is undoubtedly a case for further rigorous research in this area, and I would love to see our university contribute to addressing this issue. Through developing a partnership approach with employers in particular, we should be able to make genuine advances in social mobility and social justice, ensuring that individuals’ career choices and successes are fair and not held back by their backgrounds.
The Access Centre helps individuals realise their educational potential irrespective of their educational background, age or personal health circumstances. They provide support for students participating on access programmes, students with disabilities and mature students.
More media about the Access Centre and celebrations of 25 years of Access Programmes are available here.
