What are colleges of further education?
A The further education (FE) sector provides courses for thousands of students at a level between second- level school and higher education. All post-Leaving Certificate/further education courses offer three elements: general education, specific skills and knowledge of the course area, and preparation for work and work experience.
Dozens of colleges, under vocational education committees around the country, offer hundreds of courses in areas from business, engineering, childcare, boat building, Montessori education, nursing studies, medical and legal secretarial studies, hotel and catering, sports science, architectural studies, art and design, beauty therapy, alternative health therapies, interior design, computing, to name just some of the areas.
Most PLC/FE courses lead to a qualification from the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC). The qualification most commonly awarded is a FETAC level five award, although some courses lead to the next award level, FETAC level six.
FE/PLC courses can lead directly to employment, but can also be used as a means of progressing to higher education. Surveys of graduates of courses in many colleges show that about half of them go directly into employment, while the other half go into higher education in Ireland or abroad.
CAO applicants will have noticed a space for FETAC exam awards (or former NCVA level two or three awards) on their CAO application form. Indeed the number of applicants applying on the basis of FETAC awards is climbing.
Last year, 6,379 CAO applicants presented with FETAC awards. The higher education links scheme links specific FETAC level five and some FETAC level six courses to reserved places on related higher education courses, particularly in the IT sector.
In addition, a pilot scheme operates whereby FETAC applicants’ results are converted into a separate points scheme, and they may be eligible for offers of places on a wider variety of third level courses.
Q Is there a central applications system for colleges of further education?
A No. Applicants must apply directly to each college. Applications to all FE colleges will start shortly – indeed in some instances they have started already. Although applications will be accepted up to August, it is always a good idea to apply early since the more popular courses fill.
Q Are points required for FE colleges?
A No. Most FE courses are open to applicants with a basic Leaving Certificate. Applicants to some courses may be asked to meet minimum entry requirements of specific Leaving Certificate results. Colleges of further education usually conduct interviews for all courses, and applicants are given an opportunity to talk about themselves and to say why the course interests them.
