The National Tertiary Degree Office has recently announced additional tertiary degree programmes across Ireland. These programmes offer an alternative pathway into further education, particularly for those who are underrepresented in higher education. They are aimed at specific groups, including lone parents, carers, care-experienced students, mature students, and those from low-income backgrounds, as well as anyone who has experienced educational disadvantage.
One of the main advantages of tertiary degrees is that entry requirements are tailored to each course and are not based on Leaving Cert points. Instead, applicants may be required to meet subject-specific requirements, submit a portfolio of work, provide a personal statement, attend an interview, or demonstrate relevant work experience. Applications are submitted through the application portal on the NTO website: www.nto.ie
A tertiary degree provides a guaranteed pathway to both Level 7 and Level 8 qualifications if certain academic/learning requirements are fulfilled.
The Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB ), in conjunction with Atlantic Technological University (ATU ), launched a number of new tertiary degree programmes this year. These include the Bachelor of Science in General Nursing in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, with progression to ATU Castlebar; the Bachelor of Science in Intellectual and Disability Nursing in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, with progression to ATU St Angela’s, Sligo Campus; the Bachelor of Science in General Nursing in Oughterard, Co. Galway, with progression to ATU Castlebar; the Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing in Oughterard, Co. Galway, with progression to ATU Castlebar; and the Bachelor of Science (Hons ) in Software & Technology at Galway Technical Institute, with progression to ATU Galway City.
All of these programmes require students to complete the first year in a GRETB college before progressing to ATU to complete the remainder of their tertiary degree.
While students are in further education in a GRETB college, they do not pay tuition or contribution fees. However, when they transition into higher education, such as ATU, they are required to pay standard student contribution fees. Students may still apply for the Free Fees Initiative and may also be eligible to apply to SUSI for financial support, depending on eligibility.
This year also saw the introduction of a tertiary degree in Primary School Teaching. The programme takes five years to complete, beginning with a foundation year at Tipperary Education FET College in Nenagh, followed by years two to five at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, leading to a Level 8 Bachelor of Education in Primary School Teaching, recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Given the high points requirements for entry into Primary School Teaching, this pathway may provide a more accessible option for some students. Although applications for this tertiary degree are now closed, it may be an option for Leaving Cert students in the future. Applicants for the Primary School Tertiary degree must have a minimum grade of H6/O3 in Irish and a minimum grade of H7 or O5 in Maths.
Tertiary degree programmes may change over time, so it is important that students carefully research each individual course, including requirements, locations, and content.
Full details are available on the National Tertiary Degree website, www.nto.ie, as well as through local training colleges such as GRETB website: www.gretb.ie
