North West Regional College celebrates first Degree graduates

Fourteen students who have completed a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood, Care, Health and Education, have become North West Regional College’s first ever Degree graduands.

The course, which is delivered in a joint partnership with Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), is designed to upskill those who already hold a UK Level 5 (or ROI Level 6) qualification in Early Childhood Studies or Advanced Practice, to Degree level.

Students enter at Year 3 of the two-year programme, which is delivered at Strand Road campus in Derry~Londonderry and Letterkenny.

NWRC’s Curriculum Manager for Early Years Lisa Taggart congratulated all 14 graduands who have become the first to successfully complete the course.  She added: “We are now in the third year of this pilot programme and are delighted to see our students come through the programme successfully, three with a First Class Honours degree.”

Vice Principal of North West Regional College Samantha Traynor said: “NWRC prides itself on providing a wide range of Higher Education courses including Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas and Higher Level Apprenticeships.”

“The addition of the College’s first Degree programme is testament to our commitment to continue to provide top quality Higher Education courses within the region, meaning local learners can avoid having to travel or move away to other parts in order to achieve a Degree.”

“Congratulations to all of the students and staff, and of course our partners at Letterkenny Institute of Technology.  We look forward to continuing this collaboration and enjoying similar success in the future.”

Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride, Head of Department in Nursing and Health Studies at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, said: “Partnerships don’t just fall together by accident; they form through the hard work and dedication of teams.  I commend the staff at LYIT and North West Regional College on this collaborative initiative.”

“It has been a pleasure, as the Head of School of Nursing and Health Studies at LYIT, to watch this partnership flourish.  We wish the Class of 2017 the very best for the future and we look forward to the future ahead, developing further connections with North West Regional College and forging partnerships that support and significantly enhance the Northwest region.”

Louise McCrudden, who is one of the first graduands to complete the Degree Programme, said: “The course is very accommodating for people who are working.  To be able to do work and do a full time degree at the same time was amazing for me.”

Sarah Quigley Burns who also successfully completed the course, achieving First Class Honours said: “It was a tough two years but well worth it.  I feel the best thing is that I was able to do it alongside my job.  The course has made me better in the job that I am in.”

Students can choose to study the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood, Care, Health and Education either at Strand Road or at Letterkenny.  The course is taught in college, through blended learning, and with two days in placement.

The 14 students will graduate in October 2017.