Are you looking for professional progression, or wanting to pursue a passion? Or perhaps you want to catch up on qualifications you missed at school?
Part-time courses at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) are designed to fit around your work and other commitments, delivering real learning for real life.
Visit SERC’s Part-Time Enrolment Evening on Thursday 28 August from 4-7 pm at Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses, where you can explore the opportunities available and enrol for courses starting this September.
Some of the thousands of people who choose a part-time course at SERC each year have been telling us why enrolling at the college was the right decision.
For Laura McFarlane, who is 38 and from Dromore, signing up to a Restart course was the first step on a new educational journey, which took her onto an Access Diploma, which is leading her towards a university degree:
“Restart was great for getting me back into the swing of learning, and it boosted my confidence. The course is manageable. It is taught in blocks, so you are building on your knowledge all the time. Both Restart and Access are designed for adult returners, so the tutors know everyone is juggling a host of different commitments. There is a lot of flexibility and support. School didn’t work for me, and I cannot believe how far I have come in the last two years with SERC.”
For some adults, part-time learning at SERC represents an opportunity to progress in their career.
Scott Mairs from Lisburn, works for the Department for Infrastructure, and his employer is supporting him to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering for Technicians (Institution of Civil Engineers) at SERC. Scott was only too happy to study at the college, as he had previously completed photography courses at SERC and loved the experience.
He says that the course is tailored to his professional development and delivers relevant skills and knowledge:
“The facilities we learn in are great, and we have access to all the specialist programmes we need. The students themselves are interesting to talk to and learn from as well.
“Because of work and other responsibilities, full-time learning just isn’t something I can do, so studying part-time on this course has been really valuable. I feel like it’s opened a lot of doors for me, whether that be studying civil engineering at a higher level or helping me progress to a higher position within my current job.”
For some students, returning to the classroom at SERC offers a creative outlet and helps with a work/life balance.
Karen Donovan, a podiatrist from Donaghadee, signed up to a Leisure Creative Ceramics course at SERC Bangor Campus, as she wanted to try something new. She says,
“I would absolutely recommend this course. We all start off learning the basics together, then you are encouraged to branch out, with the help and experience of the tutor there to support you. The other people in the class, some of whom have repeated the course multiple times as they love it so much, are very easy to make friends with, and their creativity is inspiring. SERC is great – I’ll be coming here for courses when I’m in my eighties!”
As a part-time student at SERC, you’ll have access to all the support services and facilities the college offers, including membership of the Students’ Union.
Apply now online, or come and meet our expert tutors and enrol at SERC’s Part-time Enrolment Evening, on Thursday 28 August at our Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses. Visit www.serc.ac.uk for more information.
