The upcoming months for the majority of year 12 students are likely to be consumed with A-level examinations and amending university preferences via UCAS. This can be a stressful period which can lead to lesser-known courses and alternatives to UCAS being overlooked. However, this should not be the case as there are many excellent opportunities available through further education colleges and traineeships, via apprenticeships and National Further Education Institutes (NFEIs). These provide valuable qualifications and an alternate path into tertiary education.
When under stress, pupils often forget that there are many level 6 and 7 courses that can act as stepping stones towards level 8 courses. Keeping this in mind, we’ve collated an array of choices that cover both well-known and lesser-known fields, some of which require UCAS applications whilst others do not. This highlights some of the many openings available to high school graduates this year.
Animal and Equine: The Animal Care Assistant course (UCAS course code: 5M2768) at Dunboyne College of Continuing Education is an exemplar. Dunboyne College holds an esteemed reputation within the further education sector for its cutting-edge, innovative approach to education.
Students enrolling in their Year 1 Level 5 Animal Care Assistant programme undertake a range of modules encompassing animal welfare, skills for veterinary assistants, biology, communication skills, as well as dog grooming lessons. The alumni network includes professionals in fields such as animal grooming, animal healthcare, animal rescue centres, as well as those who have started their own businesses.
Over the past ten years, the standards of Further Education College (FEC) courses have significantly improved. They are now viewed as legitimate options rather than fallback choices for those who didn’t meet their UCAS point expectations. While many of these courses provide a robust vocational experience, they also provides onward opportunities to other tertiary education institutes. Graduates from this programme can explore opportunities in linked veterinary nursing and assistant programmes in UCD, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Munster Technological University (MTU) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). They can also progress into studies in agricultural science, animal science, bio-veterinary and wildlife biology courses.
Arts: The denominated arts programmes at the University of Galway (with varying UCAS course codes) are noteworthy. While there is an abundance of arts and humanities degrees available in the country, those offered at the University of Galway continually deliver excellence.
Rather than following a standard arts or humanities path, students of the arts may have the opportunity to explore one or two arts-related subjects in their first year, in conjunction with their chosen speciality. Post the first year, their studies will be more concentrated on their speciality.
This is exemplified by the BA programme in English and creative writing provided by the University of Galway, which incorporates studies in creative writing, English and another arts-based subject. However, this isn’t a universal approach, as students pursuing a BA with human rights emphasis would primarily study the legal, philosophical and historical aspects of human rights, rather than an additional arts subject. Also, a BA in global languages could mean a stronger focus on language studies.
As students progress to the third year of these programmes, the emphasis shifts towards gaining practical experience.
A new four-year honours degree in Quantity Surveying (BSc), with the academic code DK834, is available at Dundalk IT, under the institution’s school of engineering. Although the prospect of job security in the construction industry can be a concern for students and parents, it’s important to note that quantity surveying qualifications can also provide in-demand skills, such as project management, strategic thinking and negotiation, which have widespread applicability, not only in engineering. Key modules explored in this course include construction technology, legal principles, and financial costing.
Maynooth University, post the incorporation of the Froebel College in Blackrock back in 2013, started offering a BEd in Primary Teaching. This was a pioneer move that saw primary teachers in Ireland being trained on a university campus for the first time. The Froebel department equips graduates to stimulate young imaginations and foster critical thinking skills via active, student-focused approaches. Over a decade later, the programme continues to enhance the education spectrum in Ireland, extending from preschool to adult learning. The academic team deploys classroom-based research as the bedrock of training.
In addition to a four-year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) degree, Froebel offers a specialised four-year Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) Gaeltacht degree, with a specific focus on teaching in Irish (MH002).
The world of engineering is diverse, covering areas such as aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical among others. Choosing a specialisation can be a challenge for students drawn to this problem-solving discipline. Fortunately, several tertiary institutions now introduce students to various engineering branches through a common entry programme, allowing them to make an informed decision later.
At TU Dublin, a three-year level seven programme runs on the Blanchardstown campus, where the first year comprises different areas including computer, electrical, mechanical and robotics engineering. Following the first year, students can opt for either computer engineering or mechatronic engineering in their second year. After this, they can progress to the fourth year of a level eight honours degree for either Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Computer Engineering in Mobile Systems or Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering, or they may choose to terminate their studies after achieving a level seven qualification.
The National College of Ireland, located in Dublin’s docklands, brings forth unique opportunities in the financial services sector particularly for students who were unable to secure the necessary CAO points or simply did not have the means to bear the costs of a traditional college education. Specifically, they offer apprenticeships in financial services. These programmes, which include a two-year level six Higher Certificate in International Financial Services and a two-year level eight Higher Diploma in Financial Services Analytics, combine academic study whilst working in a leading financial services company. While these courses do have minimum entry requirements of H7/O6 grades in five Leaving Cert (or equivalent) subjects, their application process does not go through CAO.
Graduates from international financial services have carved out specialties in fields such as data analytics, fintech and regtech. Companies in these sectors provide ample room for skill growth and career advancement, particularly for those with substantial professional experience.
In terms of Landscape architecture, the UCB BSc programme (CAO code: DN120) offers a comprehensive four-year Level eight course. It equips graduates with the knowledge to construct habitats for humans and animals alike, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the design of urban and rural areas. This includes creating street landscapes, parks, playgrounds, rooftop gardens, and more. They also provide counsel on countryside, water bodies and wild habitats.
The learning approach for this course primarily involves studio-oriented teaching which includes individual and small group projects. Optional internships are offered in the third year, along with modules like landscape ecology, plant and cell biology, archaeology, climate policies, city and spatial planning, rural and landscape planning, among others. Graduates find opportunities as professional landscape architects, or within environmental and ecological policy making, resource management and urban design.
Regarding Social care, the Bachelor of Social Work, made available at Cork ETB and UCC, offers students a viable pathway to register as a social worker in Ireland and internationally. This involves a four-year, Level eight programme.
The long-held perspective that the Central Applications Office (CAO) determines every student’s worth has been questioned by public figures and lesser-known personalities who admit to not having stellar school achievements. In the past, viable alternatives to CAO had been limited, leaving qualified PLC course graduates missing college placements due to random selection factors. However, a positive shift occurred last year as the National Tertiary Office (NTO) grants students application pathways which start with an Education and Training Boards (ETB) course and end at a higher-education institution, leading to a degree.
In their first year of the programme, students utilise the ETB campus on Morrison’s Island, Cork along with weekly attendance for lectures at University College Cork (UCC). During the participating years of two, three and four at UCC, students enjoy their learning in an idyllic environment.
The structure of the NTO courses ensures support for students throughout the programme. In case of any unforeseen situations that might lead to discontinuation of the course before the final year, “embedded awards” guarantees students to secure an NFQ level five certificate in applied social studies.
Admission to the programme doesn’t depend on CAO points but gets determined via a personal statement and an interview. The first year of NTO courses are free of charges, however, regular registration fees are applicably charged for following years.
For students enrolling for BSc – Bachelor of Science in Sports Science and Health at DCU (CAO code: DC202), it’s unnecessary to have a professional career in sports. The four-year, level eight BSc curriculum in sports science and health at DCU, introduces students to health and human performance, while also turning them into advocates for health-conscious and active communities.
A variety of modules such as anatomy, behaviour transformation, coaching, nourishment, physiology, psychology and sociology form part of the curriculum, with a work placement promotion in the third year.
Successful completion of the course has led past graduates to various professions such as performance analysts or coaches, laboratory technicians, health promotion officers, or pursue higher education in elite sport, strength and conditioning, nutrition, physiotherapy, advanced entry medicine and more fields. Some of the graduates contribute as sports development officers either locally, regionally or nationally, whereas others work as exercise consultants in gyms or fitness clubs.