In 2023, Simon Harris, who was the Minister for Further and Higher Education at the time, initiated the commencement of over a dozen pilot initiatives. These projects allowed students to start their tertiary education at an Education and Training Board (ETB) college and finish it at a Technological University.
This shift served as a novel approach to the standard CAO points method employed by students as it provided alternative routes into tertiary education, eliminating the stress of accumulating higher points. These innovative programmes afforded Technological Universities (TUs) the chance to develop level 8 schemes in conjunction with regional ETB colleges. Moreover, it also enabled them to contribute more prominently to the development of levels 6 and 7 programmes alongside their local ETBs. These TUs will also contribute to various facets, including quality assurance.
This collaborative method presents another viable option for school leavers and those contemplating going back to school, seeking to overcome the hesitation associated with participation in continuing education and not merely higher education. This misconception, held by some parents and secondary schools, can overlook the true educational opportunities provided by non-traditional universities and their capacity to enrich vital educational and career progression choices for school leavers.
For the ongoing academic year, there are 40 programmes available. Some of the courses presented include Bachelor’s degrees in Business, Information Technology Management, and Software Development at the South East Technological University in collaboration with Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board.
Similarly, Atlantic Technological University offers degrees in collaboration with Galway Roscommon ETB, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, and Donegal ETB. These include Bachelor’s degrees in Sustainable Engineering Technologies, General Nursing, Business, and Industrial Laboratory Science. Moreover, South East Technological University collaborates with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board to offer Bachelor’s degrees in Business. Finally, Dundalk Institute of Technology collaborates with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board to offer a Bachelor’s degree in Audio and Music Production.
The Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), along with Kildare Wicklow ETB (KWETB) and City of Dublin ETB (CDETB), offer a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Immersive Media Production. Cork ETB (CETB), Kerry ETB (KETB), and the Kerry Campus of Munster Technological University (MTU) present courses for a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing and General Nursing.
Partnering up, the South East Technological University (SETU) and Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) provide Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Healthcare and Public Health and Health Promotion, along with a Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Services and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Information Technology Management.
The Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) in conjunction with the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) offers business-oriented degrees such as a Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business and Business with Computing. They also offer a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mobile and Web Computing alongside a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Construction Management.