MTU Cork Access Service

Christine and Margaret had their singing voices well warmed up ahead of visiting Mayfield CDP Chit Chat Group last Tuesday!

The Chit Chat Group is facilitated weekly by Lisa Murphy, one of our Access course graduates, along with Liz, Ann and the wider CDP team. We chatted with everyone about what’s been happening locally, shared a bit about how MTU stays rooted in the community, and of course there were plenty of cuppas, biscuits, and a proper sing‑song to top it all off!

It was great to catch up with Val and Olive as well, both are recent graduates of our short MTU Access courses. Many thanks to Lisa for hosting us.

Another lovely day in Fitzgerald Park for day 2 of the Cork Carnival of Science. We are here until 5pm, pop by the MTU Science for Life tent! 🤖

We are delighted to be at the Cork Carnival of Science today and tomorrow in Fitzgerald Park. Pop by the MTU Science for Life tent to try your hand at our VEX robotics game 🤖

A warm welcome to the group of prospective students from FET who started the MTU Cork Campus QQI Maths Programme on the Bishopstown Campus yesterday.

Sincere thanks to Patricia Cogan, Department of Maths, for facilitating this two‑week programme.

The Access team was delighted to welcome a group of students & leaders from Youthreach Ballincollig to the MTU Bishopstown Campus today for an information session on pathways to further and higher education, the QQI admissions route and the HEAR and DARE schemes, followed by a campus tour.

Certificate in Cultural Citizenship, an NFQ Level 5 part‑time programme designed to support adults with intellectual disabilities to access third‑level education.

The course offers students the chance to experience campus life, build confidence, develop communication and advocacy skills, and choose an elective in areas such as art, music, sport, or hospitality.

PATH 4 Programme for Access to Higher Education covers the cost so that adults with intellectual disabilities can take part without fees.

https://www.mtu.ie/courses/cracuci4/

It was a pleasure to welcome a group of lifelong learners from Mayfield CDP to the MTU Bishopstown campus today for the final information session as part of Neighbourhood University College.

Christine, our Mature Student Officer, delivered an information session on pathways to further & higher education as well as lifelong learning opportunities, including our part time short Access courses. With the sun shining, the group also enjoyed a tour of campus, including the MTU Arena. A big thank you to Fintan for meeting with the group.

The group had previously welcomed Stephen Ryan from Dept. of Marketing and International Business to the CDP last week for a taster lecture, ‘Introduction to Marketing’. Many thanks to Stephen for agreeing to get involved in the initiative this year.

This collaborative initiative is organised by Norma Browne, Learning Neighbourhoods Coordinator, with partners Munster Technological University University College Cork Cork Education and Training Board and City Council.



Learning Neighbourhoods Cork

MTU Cork Access Service has marked the successful completion of the 2026 MTU Access Service Cork Prison Lecture Series with a ceremony celebrating the achievements of 71 participants. Certificates of Achievement were presented by Laura Coleman, Access Officer, acknowledging the commitment and engagement demonstrated by the participants throughout the programme.

The Lecture Series is delivered in partnership with the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and Tosú- New Beginnings for People with Convictions in Ireland, reflecting a shared commitment to widening participation and supporting educational access for people with experience of the criminal justice system. This group is recognised as a priority cohort under the National Access Plan (2022–2028), and the initiative underscores MTU’s dedication to providing inclusive, equitable, and accessible learning pathways.

The programme continues to expand annually with 440 participants having engaged in the last 6 years. A number of former participants have progressed to part‑time and full‑time study at MTU, as well as other lifelong learning opportunities, demonstrating the programme’s impact in supporting educational progression.

A distinctive feature of the Lecture Series is its participant‑led approach. This year, 14 lectures were scheduled over a six‑week period (March–May), covering a broad range of topics selected by participants, including Taxation, Accounting and Budgeting, Understanding Addiction, Parenting/Caring for a Child with Additional Needs and Creating your Own Business.

The success of the initiative is made possible through the voluntary contributions of MTU staff across the Cork and Kerry campuses. The Access Team extends our sincere appreciation to all colleagues who delivered lectures or expressed interest in supporting the programme this academic year.

Last week, we held a Neurodivergent Learning Day at Munster Technological University Bishopstown Campus.

The event, organised by MTU Disability Support Service and funded by the MTU Teaching & Learning Unit and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office, brought together colleagues interested in neurodiversity, inclusive teaching, and practical ways to support neurodivergent learners.

The day involved active staff discussions, sharing perspectives, and reflecting on their own experiences.

The programme explored technology to support neurodiverse students, language and dyslexia, understanding ADHD, and Universal Design for Learning. The overall focus was on learning, connecting, including, and making a difference.

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, and helped create such an open, thoughtful, and supportive learning space.