Pearse College of Further Education is committed to the promotion of access, transfer and progression of learners on programmes in line with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) framework.
Access, transfer and progression to Third Level from mainstream courses.
Many of the courses in the College offer opportunities for progression to third level. A high proportion of students who completed the 2 year Leaving Certificate have gone on to third level studies at University, the DlT and Institutes of Technology in Social Sciences, Arts/ Humanities, Business Studies and Sciences. The one-year Repeat Leaving Certificate course has seen many students progress to University/ DlT/ITs over the years. It is the policy of Pearse College to promote the progression of learners to further education. To this end a programme of career talks, workshops, sessions with representatives from third level, etc. is organised each year. The calendar in this college diary gives details of this extensive programme for the current year.
Access and Progression to Third Level from TAP (Trinity AccessProgramme) – QQI Level 5
The University Access Course (UAC) has been remarkably successful in preparing mature students (23 years of age and over) for entry to third level courses in the Arts/Social Sciences. Over the past 22 years more than 95% of UAC students who applied for third level courses were successful. Even more importantly, those students have performed excellently at third level. Most are qualifying with honours degrees while many are pursuing post-graduate studies. The Pearse College University Access Course Certificate is recognised by, among others, Trinity College, Dublin, UCD, and NUI Maynooth.
Progression to Third Level from Further Education Courses
Further Education students who successfully complete a relevant QQI award are eligible to apply for reserved places on certain DIT and IT courses under the Higher Education Links scheme. Under this scheme thousands of places are reserved for students who gain QQI Level 5 awards. Graduates of Pearse College can gain entry to third level in thirty five institutions in the state. Further Education tutors have details of the progression route as it pertains to their courses. Graduates from our QQI Level 6 courses are gaining access to Year 2 (Advanced Entry) of certain degree courses in Carlow IT, DIT, Waterford IT and IT Tallaght.