Accessing Degree Courses through the Further Education and Training (FET) Service

This September our Further Education and Training (FET) Service will begin offering access routes for four degree courses in partnership with Galway Roscommon ETB, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB and Atlantic Technological University (ATU). In this blog, our Quality Manager Deirdre McColgan, tells us more about them.

Following a government request to develop multi-campus awards to integrate the delivery of higher education in the FET sector, three new degree courses and a new access route into a fourth degree here in Co Donegal were announced by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on 7 July. The three tertiary degrees are a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science, a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Engineering Technologies, along with a tertiary access route into the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in General Nursing.

What is a tertiary degree?

Tertiary degrees are innovative, seamless access routes into degree programmes.  They are the first of their kind and give applicants the opportunity to start their degree in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. Unlike other degree courses, applicants do not need to wait for CAO points as they can apply directly. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited for an interview where they will be required to show evidence of their eligibility based on the information provided when applying.

How and why were they developed?

These courses are a collaborative initiative under the National Tertiary Office. Donegal ETB is part of a Western and North Western cluster with Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Galway Roscommon ETB and Atlantic Technological University, one of five clusters created nationally to develop a suite of new courses that provide transitioning pathways from further to higher education to widen access for those who would not traditionally consider such routes.

The four courses are:

1. Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science (NFQ Level 7)

You will spend the first year of your programme our FET Service and will then complete the remaining two years at one of three ATU campuses, depending on the pathway of study you choose to complete at ATU campuses in Galway City (Biochemistry Pathway), Letterkenny (Biopharmaceutical Science Pathway) or Sligo (Life Sciences Pathway).

2. Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Business (NFQ Level 8)

The Bachelor of Business Honours degree in Business offers three specialisms. You will start the degree programme with a common year one with us and at the end of first year, decide on which specialism you would like to pursue for the remaining years of study. They can choose from Business with Enterprise and Innovation at ATU Donegal, Business with Digital Business at ATU Galway or Business with Supply Chain Management at ATU Sligo.

3. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Engineering Technologies (NFQ Level 8)

You will spend the first year of studying this course with us and can then choose three different locations to continue depending on the stream you want to pursue – Sustainable Engineering Technologies for Computing stream here in Co Donegal or Sustainable Engineering Technologies for the Manufacturing Industry stream in ATU Galway City and Sligo.

4. Tertiary Access Route into Bachelor of Science (Honours) in General Nursing (NFQ Level 5)

This is a unique access route into the BSc Honours degree in General Nursing with ATU across the three ETBs – if you successfully complete this QQI Level 5 course and meet all of the academic requirements within it, you will automatically progress into Year 1 of the BSc in General Nursing with ATU in its Castlebar, St. Angela’s, Sligo or Letterkenny campuses. Where progression to ATU for undergraduate study is not possible a QQI Level 5 Certificate for a major award or component award will be offered. There will be no deferral option upon completion as any offer of a place within ATU must be taken up in the year of offer. Places on this course are limited to twenty.

Benefits for Co Donegal and the Region

The development of these new access routes means we are able to increase the number of locations where students can begin their studies and this in turn allows for wider participation in higher education by individuals and communities who would not traditionally consider third-level education as a viable or realistic option for them. Class sizes will be smaller and additional supports unique to the FET sector will support students to engage and succeed in their chosen courses. This also enhances flexibility by providing several programme paths and the more flexible entry requirements widen access.

Why should you consider applying?

The good news is, unlike all other degree courses, you don’t need CAO points to apply for these courses. For those interested in pursuing a nursing career, this access route guarantees the twenty people who complete the access course a place in ATU’s General Nursing degree. There are no fees attached to the first year of these courses in Donegal ETB and applicants are eligible to apply for a SUSI grant. You may also be eligible to apply for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

How can you apply?

You don’t have to wait for Leaving Cert results – you can apply online now through these links:

1. Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science (course reference number 416329)
2. Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business (course reference number 416335)
3. Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Sustainable Engineering Technologies (course reference number 416347)
4. Tertiary Access Route into General Nursing (B.Sc. Hons) (course reference number 416337)

If you need further information, check our website here (www.donegaletb.ie/tertiarydegrees) or ATU’s website or call our Adult Guidance and Information Service on 074 91 78088 or email adultguidance@donegaletb.ie.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.