What is the most significant transformation seen in the Irish educational system over the past ten years?
I’ve dedicated more than a decade to covering education, and to me, the answer is clear.
On completing my secondary education, the alternatives were fairly restricted: to enrol in a local college, take up a post-secondary programme (PLC), study overseas, or commence employment. None of the latter three enticed me much: PLCs were rudimentary and disappointing, studying overseas demanded vast expenses, and stepping into the workforce without a degree could place a cap on one’s earning capabilities.
However, today, newly graduated students are overloaded with options. Including attending a “conventional” university, they may also select a programme at a technological university. These technological universities provide various apprenticeships, and students can gain entry to many courses in both “conventional” and technological universities, beginning with a PLC.
So, what is the crux of the difference?
The choices open to students now are substantially more than when I graduated, remarks Alice O’Connor, a career advisor at Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School in the southern district of Dublin.
However, it can be overwhelming for the youth to process the array of choices. We organize campus visits with our year 11 students, and some universities visit us as well. We have visited UCD [a conventional university], and in an ideal scenario, would also be able to visit TU Dublin [a technological university].
How does one differentiate between the two?
The simplest distinction, Alice shares, is that conventional universities adhere to a more academic methodology in teaching and learning. Technological universities tend to be more application-oriented. They may be slightly more skill-intensive and promote innovative methods, compared to the conventionally academic approach employed by universities.
Universities, by their very mission, strive to augment education, with a conventional emphasis on producing well-rounded minds capable of broad societal contributions.
However, technological universities concentrate more on aligning with the requirements of the economy and the business sector.
Although these lines of distinction blur somewhat as universities start offering more opportunities for work experience, the intrinsic culture of each type of institution remains firmly rooted.
The evolution of technological universities stemmed from a consolidation of several local technology institutes (IoTs). TU Dublin, as an example, is a result of the fusion of the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), IT Tallaght, and IT Blanchardstown. The rationale behind these combinations was to form larger academic bodies across multiple sites which could provide a broader spectrum of programmes and promote enhanced inter-academic cooperation.
Resource competition is less of a hindrance, now they can channel their combined efforts into establishing and fortifying professional and industrial networks. Both national and foreign students could comprehend the concept of a technological university, a term more recognisable than ‘Institute of Technology’ which is predominantly an Irish term.
These kinds of mergers weren’t conducted lightly, and could not just occur based on a whim; stringent standards regarding research and teaching quality needed to be met. Initial reactions expressed some doubt, but early indications suggest that these newly formed technological universities are beginning to settle in.
So, where can these be found? Ireland is home to eight universities, including the University of Galway, UCC, UL, Maynooth University, DCU, RCSI, Trinity College, and UCD. In addition, there are five technological universities which include the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), present in the western campuses, including Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny; TUS Midlands-Midwest with campuses across Limerick, Thurles, Clonmel, Ennis, and Athlone; South East Technological University (SETU) extending over Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, Wicklow, and Kilkenny; Munster Technological University (MTU), based within Cork and Tralee, and TU Dublin, with presences across Dublin city, Tallaght and Blanchardstown.
This setup has generated new possibilities. Before, students desiring a university education who did not reside close to larger university towns and cities bore the substantial expense of maintaining their accommodation and living costs. For many, it was monetarily unfeasible.
A student in locations like Carlow, Donegal or Sligo now has the opportunity to gain a local university education without leaving home. An exception to the consolidation of technology institutes includes outliers like the Dundalk IT (DkIT) and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dún Laoghaire (IADT). Although similar in objective to the TUs, DkIT offers sought-after degree programs and career opportunities, while IADT’s main goal is to equip graduates for careers in creative arts, offering a range of courses which include animation, costume design, game design and photography.
Diving into detail, traditional universities offer adult and continuing education courses, however, the primary concentration is on level-eight honours bachelor’s degrees, level-nine postgraduate degrees and level-10 doctoral (PhD) degrees, with academics focusing on both research and teaching. MTU’s president, Prof Maggie Cusack, states that a unique difference is that traditional universities provide a wider spectrum of opportunities. Many offer apprenticeships which include both on-campus and/or online classes paired with paid on-the-job training. In addition, they offer degree options like level-six/-seven (ordinary bachelor) degrees and level-eight degrees, including postgraduate prospects at levels nine and 10.
CAO applicants are encouraged to prioritise course preferences for level-six/-seven courses in one section of their form, and preferences for level-eight courses in another. Several level-six/-seven courses provide pathways to level-eight, and a rising number of PLC courses offer an opportunity to transition to a university programme.
While conventional universities are booming with work placement programmes and establishing firm connections with employers, technological universities – a legacy from their IoT days – have continually maintained strong partnerships with corporate industries.
As to the choice of courses, O’Connor stresses the importance of considering whether the course, whether it’s an apprenticeship or a level-six, -seven or -eight course, aligns with one’s personal interests, abilities and career aspirations.
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University size is significant
Universities and technological universities differ significantly in terms of size. Take UCD, for example, its large campus is very appealing to those who are seeking to experience life away from their familiar territory. Plus, the vibrancy and sheer size of such a university provide an enthralling environment. Conversely, technological universities offer smaller campuses and more intimate class sizes which some students may find beneficial. However, one can’t really appraise these differences until they experience them firsthand, which is why attending open days, whenever possible, is crucial.
O’Connor suggests, “Campus tours are extremely beneficial. They offer tailored talks and insights, and give you a genuine feel of what studying there could be like.”