Andy got his first choice on the CAO and went to DCU to do enterprise computing.

“I always had an interest in computers and business. It seemed to fit what I thought I wanted to do and there was the added advantage that DCU was closer to home. But when I got to the mid-year exams, I found that some of the modules were a lot more computer-based that what I expected. I thought there’d be more business-oriented modules but there was only two in the whole year. I left the course just after the exams – around February of first year.”

Does he think he didn’t do enough research before filling in the CAO form?

“Perhaps, but when reading the literature and the brochures it sounded like the right fit for me.”

The following year Andy enrolled into a Level 6 marketing course in DIT because he didn’t have enough points for the Level 8 programme there. He completed the Level 6 course and then progressed onto the Level 8 degree.

What did he find different about DCU compared to DIT?

“The big difference is that DIT doesn’t have a proper campus. But I preferred DIT because it’s in the city and, of course, I enjoyed my course more there.”

Andy’s advice?

“I found the advantage of doing the Level 6 for two years was that at the end of it I had the option of five different Level 8 courses I could go into. Maybe if you don’t get the points for your Level 8 you can do a Level 6 that presents you with multiple options afterwards.”