Going to College: There's more than one way to climb the education ladder and get a third-level degree, writes Kathryn Holmquist.
The focus during CAO offer time on university, college and institute courses can be misleading. There are approximately 23,000 places in 1,400 courses in further education (FE). For many people, this is a more flexible and accessible way of getting ahead.
Through the Higher Education Links Scheme, FE courses (formerly known as PLCs, or post-Leaving Cert courses) provide an alternative route to higher education in the Institutes of Technology (ITs) for those who have completed the Leaving Cert Applied programme. For students with standard Leaving Certs but not enough points for entry to an institute or university in the course of their choice, FE can be a route to that dream degree in anything from theatre, to equestrian studies, to business and paramedical occupations.
The Further Education Training and Awards Council (FETAC), which replaced the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA), awards a FETAC Level 2 qualification on completion of a one-year FE course. As well, there are FETAC Level 3 awards available.
With a FETAC Level 2 award, a student can then seek entry to a national certificate/diploma course in an IT and on completion of that can transfer into a national diploma/degree in an IT or a degree course in a university here or in Britain.
Certificates usually take two years and diplomas usually take three. While degrees in ITs usually take four years, with this ladder system it could take you five years rather than four to get a degree. You may get your degree two or three years after you get your certificate, or one or two years after the diploma.
Generally, students who have finished their FETAC Level 2 award can continue to certificate level and then on to diploma and degree level.
Those who achieve a merit or distinction in the national certificate course can progress to a national diploma. Those with a pass certificate are eligible for a national diploma course, if they have completed one year's relevant work experience as part of the certificate.
But be sure to check with the FE college that the course you wish to take is linked with an IT course.
This is especially important for Leaving Cert Applied students because they cannot access third level directly.
Some FE colleges have developed links with the BTEC, the British awarding body.
This offers students an opportunity to transfer into year two or three of degree programmes in Britain, in such areas as paramedical, sports and business studies.
Some of the biggest providers of FE are in the cities, and include the City of Dublin VEC (CDVEC), Cork City VEC, Limerick VEC, Waterford VEC and Galway VEC as well as Co Dublin VEC and Dún Laoghaire VEC.
Students apply directly to each college for an FE course. Many students will have already registered last spring, but applications are still being considered now.
From next Monday, September 1st, getting information about FETAC courses will be easier than ever: simply log on to the www.cao.ie website, then you may click on the button "FETAC ( NCVA )" and then on the button "Find a FETAC course provider in your area".
You will be asked to click on your county and a list will appear showing all those who provide FETAC courses in your area.
The name, address, phone and fax numbers will be shown, as well as e-mail and website addresses. Most importantly, there will be "live" links.
In other words, if you click on the website address of the provider, you will be taken straight to their website, where you can see exactly all the details of what they offer.
Admission is not guaranteed. Some of the more popular courses, such as art and design; media and communications; drama; sports and sports management; travel and tourism; beauty therapy; and music may be heavily booked.
DIT have withdrawn FT256 and FT257. This is Business Studies with Spanish and Business Studies with German, but not Business Studies with French.