Attending college locally: ensuring a quality student experience

The Nationalist, Saturday January 17th, 2009
Tipperary students attending college locally often benefit from an enhanced student experience and a high quality of student life. A recent survey of Tipperary Institute (TI) students by the Business Department at TI highlights benefits such as maintaining local community and sporting links, continuity of part-time income and a culture of educational kinship as being central to a positive third level student experience.

The survey identified the most significant cost savings of attending college locally to be in the areas of accommodation, household bills and sports. An average monthly saving of €420 was found across these three items. Beyond the figures the survey also discovered the quality of life issues important to TI students.

In particular, students valued the opportunity to remain central in their local communities and teams, which may not have been possible had they travelled long distances to attend third level. The maintaining of such linkages not only benefits students, but also improves the sustainability of local communities. “This is one of the most important hidden benefits of local third level education as it represents a major contribution to local social capital development”, says Dr. Rebecca Purcell, Business Department, TI.

From the survey, 75% of TI students living at home and working locally suggested that the continuity of local part-time employment allowed them to partially fund their own third level education in a flexible way. Students explained that maintaining the same part-time job over a number of years allowed them greater flexibility when arranging work hours during term-time. This ensures that working does not adversely impact on their studies.

Students surveyed also indicated that a vibrant campus culture was an important aspect of a quality third level experience. They specifically highlighted TI’s strong social culture and open academic environment as adding to an enjoyable student life. All in all, the business department survey highlights both the cost and quality benefits of attending college locally.