Anne-Marie Sheridan is reading business studies at Tallaght IT in Dublin. She's excited at the prospect of finishing. Just one year ago she had completed a two-year PLC course in business at Ballyfermot Senior College. She graduated with a BTEC higher national diploma in business.

After completing the PLC course she again applied for business studies "not knowing what the criteria were, but keeping my fingers crossed. I was offered a place. I've been there for a year now. I joined in third year. I didn't even lose out time-wise." She got a 2:1 in her diploma year. She is now about to go into her final degree year.

"I always knew I wanted to do business studies. My three older sisters are all in business - one is an accountant, one works in the Irish Financial Services Centre and one works in pensions.

"I preferred going through Ballyfermot. It settled me. I was more mature going to Tallaght. It was a softer step going from Blakestown Community School to Ballyfermot."

Her Leaving Cert results were not good enough to get into Tallaght IT. "I went to my guidance counsellor who said there was a good course in Ballyfermot. The 76A bus went that way as well so that pushed me.

"In Ballyfermot the teachers just expected you to do your best. The work experience was a great aspect of the course too. It was hard to adapt in Tallaght. It was a big jump. They had a different system. The year is semesterised and your results are based on an average."

This year her worst result was a B-minus in economics. "I'm thrilled. I just can't wait to have the degree. I'm pushing for a 2:1 degree. I can't believe it's nearly over."

Not everyone realises how good the course at Ballyfermot Senior College is, she says.