The Mary Ward Centre

Waiting Lists
Please make sure that you put your details on a course waiting list if it is full and that you enrol on the next available course. Student cancellations may lead to earlier availability and additional courses are scheduled according to demand.

Advice?
If you require detailed advice on which course would suit you please contact the Department using the details above.

If you think your level of English or numeracy skills may interfere with your learning please ask for advice.

Cost?
Fees are shown beneath each course. They are inclusive of detailed handbooks, media, materials and open access sessions.

We aim to ensure that no student will ever be turned away from Mary Ward through inability to pay. Please don’t hesitate to ask at enrolment if you need access to our Hardship Fund or to the new Bursary Fund for fees.

PLEASE NOTE:
Unfortunately, in order not to disturb other students’ learning, late-comers are not admitted.

Students enrolling for short uncertificated courses should note that courses have been changed in length from previous years due to funding requirements.

Our offer is highly responsive to student demand so changes might occur.

Students are given an attendance certificate at the end of the course.

We aim to teach adults to use a computer for personal, educational or vocational purposes. Our courses are popular because:

personal classroom tuition is given to all
learning takes place in small, air-conditioned computer suites
everyone has a very high-speed internet connection
emphasis is on “hands-on” learning
overhead computer-linked projectors are used and linked with interactive whiteboards for clear and effective demonstrations to show you how
there are certificated and uncertificated courses from beginners to advanced, allowing people to advance to the level at which they feel comfortable
all computing students may attend the free open access sessions with a tutor offering guided practice
there are clear progression routes
free courses at some levels are offered to students with concessionary status

Short course programme – which course to choose?
Students will be able to find the level they require in the course information or by looking at the course descriptions linked above each course or asking for it from Reception. Otherwise you are welcome to contact the Computer Department for advice.

Beginners I.T. Skills course - 12 hours plus
Choose one of the Beginners’ Computing courses that are listed above to learn the basic information needed to start using the computer, manage files, begin word processing and using the internet. To suit the pace of individual learners they are a different length and price yet have the same content.

Introductory I.T. Skills - 12 hour courses covering specific programs
These build on the knowledge learnt on the Beginners’ course or on the skills gained elsewhere. Prior to enrolment students are encouraged to check the course content that appears below each course or is available on request.

Advanced I.T. Skills - 12 hour course covering specific programs
For students familiar with the topics covered at the previous level these courses introduce the student to the more complex features of software. Some include a workshop element.

Free Open Access sessions
We offer drop-in practice sessions for all computing students with a tutor available to assist.

Students may attend these sessions on a first-come-first-served, on Tuesday & Thursday evenings, or book a place on a Saturday all/part day session.

Student Purchase Scheme
Students may purchase some of the popular commercial software taught at a fraction of the normal purchase price. Ask your tutor or see the publicity in the computer rooms.

Certificated course programme information (marked with ©)
We have a strong track record of teaching students to achieve qualifications. Courses include tuition, materials, online learning, assisted practice, examination preparation and mock exam, the examinations and the qualification on successful completion.

Enrolment on certificated courses requires extra commitment from the student. Please contact us for advice on your course choice. There is a minimum requirement of level 3 English for these courses.

Computing Tutors:
Christine Benvenuto, Nick Hunt, Mima Richardson.