Pearse College has a wide variety of courses with various certifications – from QQI Level 4 to QQI Level 6 – and links to further study at Third Level.
The two main awarding bodies are QQI and ITEC.
The following table sets out our courses and the progression routes available via the Higher Education Links Scheme. Learners are strongly advised to consult the most up to date Pearse College Higher Education Links document which is available here
| Programme | Duration | Award Body and Level | Award Code/Name | Progression |
| Access Department | ||||
| Preparation for Further & Higher Education with ESOL | 1 year | QQI Level 4 Component Certificates in General Learning | 4M2010/ General Learning | Students who successfully complete this one-year adult transition year course tend to progress to either Leaving Certificate or QQI Level Five courses. |
| Archaeology & Heritage Studies | 1 year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M2154/Cultural and Heritage Studies | Students can gain entry – via the HELS – to Archaeology (UCD), in addition to other arts and humanities courses in Maynooth and DCU. |
| European Studies & Languages | 1 year | QQI Level 5 Aware | 5M2073/Language & European Studies | Students may continue to study in a range of Universities and Institutes of Technology – including Applied Languages and Translation Studies (DCU) and Modern Languages (UCD) – or pursue careers in the EU institutions and the Irish Civil Service. |
| University Access Course | 1 year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M3114/ General Studies |
Students over 23 years of age (on the 1st January) in year of graduating, with three academic distinctions and an overall General Studies Award can avail of our facilitated entry to Arts, Humanities & Social Science courses in TCD. All students who complete the award can also apply as QQI applicants to a wide range of courses in the fields of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at different universities.. |
| Business, IT & Media Department | ||||
| Business, IT & eCommerce | 1 year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M0828/ eBusiness | Success students may obtain employment or apply to range of business courses in Third Level institutions like Maynooth, DCU and UCD. |
| Computer Science | 1 year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M0529/Coding & Software Development | The IT sector and smart economy is the fastest growing job sector. This course offers QQI Level 5 certification which is a qualification in its own right, or can provide a pathway to Level 7 or 8 in Technological Universities and other Third Level colleges. It is ideal for those considering further study in computer science and software engineering. |
| Pre-University Marketing and Business | 1 year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M2102/ Business Studies | Graduates of the the Pre-University Marketing & Business course may access a range of business courses CAO/Higher Education Links Scheme, including BESS (TCD), Economics (UCD), Accounting & Finance (DCU). |
| Environment Department | ||||
| Horticulture – an Introduction | 1 year | QQI Level 4 Award | 4M1994/ Horticulture | Students can continue on to Horticulture Level 5 |
| Horticulture | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M2586/ Horticulture | Graduates go into employment with landscapers, garden centres and related areas. Many of our former students have also set up their own businesses. Others have gone on to study to QQI Level 6 Horticulture at Pearse College or applied to Third Level institutions via the Higher Education Links Scheme. |
| Horticulture – Advanced | 1 Year | QQI Level 6 Award | 6M4334/ Horticulture | |
| Architectural Technology & Design | Year 1 | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M5010/ Construction Technology |
Progression to the Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street or other institutes such as Waterford IT which offer graduates entry into year 2 of their Architecture Degree. Career opportunities include self-employment or employment with local authorities or private architectural companies. |
| Woodwork & Furniture Making | Year 1 | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M2012/ Furniture Design & Making | Students can progress to Level 6 Advanced Woodwork & Furniture Making in Pearse College and/or they can apply to through the CAO to related courses in TU Dublin. |
| Advanced Woodwork & Furniture Making | Year 2 | QQI Level 6 Award | 6M2230/ Furniture Design & Making | |
| Pre-University Engineering | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M2061/ Engineering Technology | This is recognised by TU Dublin and other Technological Universities and other universities via the HELS. |
| Health, Sport & Science Department | ||||
| Applied Laboratory & PreUniversity Science | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M3807/ Laboratory Techniques | Long established links with DIT and other Institutes of Technology, and with Irish Universities and British Universities. Successful graduating students currently enter third level courses in Science. The requirements for entry differ from college to college. |
| Caring for the Older Person | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M4339/ Healthcare Support | There are opportunities to progress to study Nursing at Third Level (DCU/ UCD) or Applied Social Studies in Social Care in TU Blanchardstown. Alternatively, learners can go straight into the workplace. |
| Stage One Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M21473/ Early Childhood Care and Education | Progression routes include Education & Training (DCU) and Social Car (TU Dublin) or alternatively learners can find relevant employment in early childhood care and education settings. |
| Food & Bio Science | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M5267/ Food Science | This course is suitable for learners who intend to continue their studies in a third level educational institute. Successful graduates, through the Higher Education Links Scheme, may work towards a diploma or degree in nutrition, science or related areas. It also serves as a useful stepping-stone to a career in health care or catering. |
| Pre-Apprenticeship in Laboratory Technician/ Analyst | 1 Year | QQI Level 5 Award | 5M3807/ Laboratory Techniques | The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge skill and competence to work independently and under supervision in a science laboratory and to progress onto a Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship or a Laboratory Analyst Apprenticeship. Learners can also progress to a range of courses in higher education and training. Please see careersportal.ie for further information |
| Soccer Coaching & Psychology | Year 1 | QQI Level 5 Award |
5M5146/ Sport & Recreation Studies FAI Kickstart 1 and Kickstart 2 coaching qualification |
Upon completion of our Soccer Coaching & Sports Psychology course students will have the opportunity to advance to the QQI Level 6 course in Advanced Soccer Coaching & Sports Psychology in Pearse College or to apply to Higher Education courses in a range of Institutes of Technology. |
| Advanced Soccer Coaching & Psychology | Year 2 | QQI Level 6 Award | 6M5147/ Sports, Recreation and Exercise | Upon completion of the course students will have industry ready qualifications to obtain a career in Sport & Exercise. It will also equip students to seek further education on a Level 7 Degree course on the national framework of qualifications. |
| ITEC Qualification in Gym Instruction | ||||
| UEFA Coaching Licence | ||||
| Part-time courses | ||||
| Flexi programme | Varies | QQI Level 4-5 | The Flexi Four course is part-time and available free of charge to BTEI applicants or those in receipt of a social welfare payment and/or with a current medical card. This is a fresh new approach, based on a flexible menu that allows you to pick and choose the courses that you want from a list of options. You can choose to undertake 1 module and attend 1 afternoon/morning per week or you can do 2, 3 or 4 modules at a time. You can choose to undertake modules from the same general area or you could choose from a mixture of sectors. | Students can progress to Level 5 courses at Pearse College or use the various modules to upgrade their CVs for employment purposes. |
| Front-line Office, IT and Reception Skills | 1 Year | QQI Level 4 | 4M2070/ Office Skills | Progression paths include moving onto many QQI Level 5 Business courses in our college. |
| Sports & Fitness | 2 Years | QQI Level 5 | Students can progress to a Level 6 in Advanced Soccer Coaching and Psychology at Pearse College or further their studies at Third Level. Alternatively, graduates can gain employment in the sport & fitness industry. | |