Revolutionising the process of obtaining a degree at third level, the 'Tertiary Education Programme' has effectively opened a new pathway for prospective students, one which does not focus on Leaving Cert points.
Students from Galway can begin their studies at a further education college, where the years studied are fee-free, before progressing directly to complete their degree and graduate from the partnered higher education college.
There are over 350 tertiary degree students across the country, participating in 19 courses ranging from general and mental health nursing; social work; tourism and hospitality; information technology management and software development; public health and health promotion; applied health care, business; and mobile and web computing.
Upon concluding the programme, all tertiary degree students will be in receipt of a degree at Level 7 or 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ ).
Creating access for Galway's students
Dr. Fiona Maloney, Director of the NTO, said, “The driving force behind tertiary degrees is about creating access for students from Galway and across the country who might never have considered doing a degree. The whole programme is designed to break down barriers, be they financial, geographical, social or otherwise.
“Today, we’re hearing from students about what’s working and what’s still a challenge. These students are the pioneers of tertiary degrees and we’re listening to their unique and shared experiences to learn more and improve how the programme is delivered. Of the first cohort of students who enrolled in September 2023, 80 per cent returned this September – that is significant when you consider that most of those students wouldn’t have entered third level education at all through the CAO route. But our goal is as close to 100 per cent as possible.
"We’re still developing new courses, we have the flexibility to change and improve, and we want to enable all students to access and complete their degree studies. Tertiary degrees are not a one-size-fits-all programme. Everyone’s voice is heard.”
Uplifting stories shared at the first national convention
Despite being a recently introduced scheme, the benefits of the tertiary degrees programme were highlighted by the current, and first cohort, of students at the first national tertiary degree convention run by the National Tertiary Office (NTO ), in Croke Park last week.
“I simply wouldn’t be studying at third level if it wasn’t for this tertiary degree,” said one such student, speaking to a crowd of more than 200 educators, guidance counsellors and policymakers at the event.
Isabel Rafter, a second-year tertiary degree student and mother-of-two, is preparing to transition from Portlaoise Institute to South East Technological University (SETU ) in Carlow next September.
Speaking on a panel at the event, she said, “I started studying software development 12-years ago before stepping back to raise my family. Now the kids are older, I’m back in education to pursue my dream career in software, but it wouldn’t have been possible without this tertiary degree course.
“There being no fees for two years made a degree possible for me and the class sizes being smaller makes it less intimidating for a mature student. I love the course, the close-knit group, and being able to start my studies closer to home so I can balance family and college commitments - it’s built my confidence so much that here I am sharing my experience with everyone.”
For more information about tertiary degrees, visit www.nto.ie
