2. What does NOSTRA offer to someone like me?
3. What are the entry requirements for NOSTRA?
5. Are there any hidden costs?
6. What is the Certificate in Theology & Religious Studies?
7. What is the Higher Certificate in Theology & Religious Studies?
9. It's my first time back to education since school, will I be able for it?
11. How do I find my way around Mary Immaculate College?
12. How do I find the NOSTRA office?
13. How will my work be assessed?
15. How do I take notes at lectures?
16. I never read a theology book in my life, is it the same as reading a novel?
17. How do I get my student card; that's if I'm allowed to have one?
19. I have special needs, is there any provision for me?
20. Mary Immaculate College is a Catholic College, do I have to be a Catholic to attend NOSTRA?
21. OK, I'll give it a go. How do I register?
22. What does the Annual fee entitle me to?
23. How long will it take me to get the certificate?
24. What can I do with the certificate once I have received it?
New Openings in the Study of Theology & Religion for Adults
2. What does NOSTRA offer to someone like me?
NOSTRA gives you the opportunity to learn theology at your own pace. NOSTRA makes full use of the modular system of learning as it allows you to complete a number of modules over a period of time that best suits your individual requirements.
3. What are the entry requirements for NOSTRA?
You have to be over 18 years of age
Modules vary in cost depending on the number of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) Credits that the course offers. A 6 ECTS course at present is approximately 250 euro. However there is an annual registration fee of 150 euro for the College which has to be paid regardless of the number of modules you do in any one calendar year. The up-side though is that you can complete as many modules as you like in that year once you pay the module fees. So, pack a few modules in and get value for your 150 euro.
Some of the courses we advertise are run by other institutions. We have no control over the prices, as they are set by that institution.
5. Are there any hidden costs?
You may have to buy some course books so other than this outlay, the normal stationery requirements and photocopying that you have to do there is no major outlay.
6. What is the Certificate in Theology & Religious Studies?
This is where the credit system begins to make sense. Once you complete enough modules to achieve 30 ECTS credits you receive a Certificate in Theology & Religious Studies. But be warned that there is a mandatory module for the Certificate and that is "Foundations in Christian Theology".
7. What is the Higher Certificate in Theology & Religious Studies?
The same principle as the last question only you must accumulate 120 ECTS credits. There are three mandatory modules. These are "Christology", "Introduction to the Bible" and "Christian Churches in Dialogue".
A credit is an award for contact hours in a learning environment and supplementary work undertaken by you over and above these hours. (For the purposes of clarity these are referred to as contact hours and student hours). A 6 credit module demands 36 contact hours and approximately 80 hours of work (student hours) that you do outside the classroom learning environment. These hours are time that you spend reading, preparing assessments, researching etc.
9. It's my first time back to education since school, will I be able for it?
Of course you will. These courses are particularly focused on encouraging you back into education so put away all those memories of your school days and enjoy this wonderful new opportunity.
The credits are awarded by the University of Limerick. By the way, the credits are like premiership footballers; they are transferable to other Universities across Europe. This is because European Universities have signed up to the Bologna Agreement. If you want more information on this, to the Union of Students of Ireland have produced an information booklet entitled USI Student Guide to the Bologna Process. Basically this means that if you are doing a similar course somewhere else in Ireland or even Europe, your credits can be transferred providing that they meet the same standards as the NOSTRA Certificate in Theology & Religious Studies.
11. How do I find my way around Mary Immaculate College?
Don't worry about that, just ask at the front desk and they'll point you in the right direction. To find Mary Immaculate College (MIC) you can visit the MIC website by clicking here.
12. How do I find the NOSTRA office?
Don't even try, you'll never find us! Phone us from the front reception and we'll call down to see you.
13. How will my work be assessed?
This varies depending on the module. You can do an essay or keep a learning journal or in some cases you can do a project which has been previously approved. Some of our students actually undertake a project in their local faith community. They've organised meetings, courses, retreats and these have been submitted for assessment.
Of course you can but first you must get a student card. You will find information on the library here.
15. How do I take notes at lectures?
The Learning Support Unit at Mary Immaculate College have published a resource entitled Facing New Challenges. This is full of tips for note taking, essay writing and other areas of interest to you now that you are a student, just email us with your details and we will post you a copy. Alternatively, they have some very useful tips online, you can access these by clicking here.
16. I never read a theology book in my life, is it the same as reading a novel?
Reading any book is fun, especially if you enjoy the subject. If you are reading a course book you may have to structure an approach to the exercise. Click here for some useful tips.
17. How do I get my student card; that's if I'm allowed to have one?
Once you have returned your NOSTRA registration form, along with the annual 150 euro College Registration Fee, you will be sent an enrolement form. After this has been returned to Student Services, you can visit the office and they will issue you with a Mary Immaculate College student i.d. card. Click here to view Student Services information and opening hours.
18. I'm coming to class straight from work in the evening, can I get something to eat before the lecture?
The College restaurant is open late during term time. If the full-time students are on holidays the restaurant closes early.
19. I have special needs, is there any provision for me?
20. Mary Immaculate College is a Catholic College, do I have to be a Catholic to attend NOSTRA?
Our students are from various faith backgrounds. Theology, as well as being informed by faith, counts among one of the Humanities subjects at the Arts faculty. Some people approach the subject as a means of enriching their faith, others enjoy the academic rigour associated with the humanities.
The word "theology" comes from two Greek words that combined mean "the study of God". Christian theology is an attempt to understand God through scripture and the various faith traditions that have been handed down to us.
21. OK, I'll give it a go. How do I register?
Click here to download our registration form.
22. What does the Annual fee entitle me to?
The annual fee registers you with the University. This fee covers certification, graduation and other administrative costs.
23. How long will it take me to get the certificate?
It's totally up to you. As we explained earlier we do not measure in units of time but in credits. As soon as you have the required amount of credits you can graduate. Graduation usually takes place at the end of May.
24. What can I do with the certificate once I have received it?
This is a valid level six third level qualification and can be put on your C.V. along with other accredited courses that you have.