National College of Ireland
	an exciting new development, the National College of Ireland will relocate from its main campus in Ranelagh, to a new purpose-built 21,000-sqm campus in the Financial Services Centre, in the heart of Dublin Docklands. The new campus will open in September for the academic year 2002-2003. The National College of Ireland has been to the forefront of innovation in learning for fifty years. Guided by the principles of Access, Opportunity and Excellence, the mission of the college is to provide a centre of academic excellence, to create opportunities for students to succeed and to facilitate access to education for all groups. NCI through its two schools, the School of Business and Humanities and the School of Informatics, offers part-time and full-time courses ranging from foundation level to certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate level. NCI identifies educational needs and responds to them through innovative and flexible delivery systems, including distance education technologies and online learning facilities. National College of Ireland offers a number of excellent Foundation programmes designed for learners who may not have had the opportunity to avail of third-level education previously. The Foundation courses can be taken in Social Studies or Cultural Studies and provide a foundation level in subjects such as English, History, History of Art/Music, Computing and Career Development skills. These courses are designed to prepare adults for progressing onto further education and they run over 1 year, 3 days per week. They are particularly suitable for people who are unemployed or who wish to change career. Area Based Partnership Scheme To promote access to education more broadly in society National College of Ireland has established a special initiative with Area Based Partnerships throughout the country. Through this initiative, NCI offers up to 10% of places on HETAC accredited full-time Degree and Certificate courses to students who fulfill specified criteria. Students living in the Area Based Partnership areas are eligible to apply An essential aspect of the mission of NCI, is to enable people to realise their full potential, to enable them to become self-determined, creative and enterprising in the broadest sense. As described by Professor Joyce O’Connor, NCI President; “The College has a unique tradition as a student-centred institution and it’s structures are designed to be as facilitating and supportive as possible. Students at NCI enjoy a warm, friendly and supportive environment, where they can truly excel, both academically and socially” In line with the college’s mission of broadening access to education for all, the new “campus without walls” will comprise three integrated elements: The College – will represent a hub for 8,000 students, studying full-time, part-time, at 40 off-campus centres, in community based groups, in business and through distance and online learning facilities. The Student Residences – a first for NCI, will offer modern student apartments, allowing students to