In Ireland higher education is generally described as between levels 7 and 10 in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

This section is a brief guide in "lay mans" terms about your award or qualification.

 In Ireland there are a number of providers that offer courses at level 6 to 10 in the framework. When you have completed your studies you will be awarded that hard earned piece of paper, your degree, masters etc. This is called your 'award'.

In Ireland there are a number of providers that can award you that piece of paper. By awarding it to you they are stating to the world that you have reached a satisfactory standard. To do this, they must make sure that you have indeed reached this standard and they do this by using a number of quality assurance processes. One of the oldest and best known quality assurance mechanisms is the use of an 'external examiner' who is usually an expert in the field form another education institute.

Universities and DIT

All the Universities and the DIT award their own qualifications. They can so this under specific legislation.

Institutes of Technology and Private Colleges

Under legislation HETAC (the Higher Education and Training Awards Council) are responsible for making the awards to Institutes of Technology, Private Colleges and anyone else who wants to offer a higher education or third level course. They can do this directly or under 'delegated authority', which is what most of the Institutes of Technology operate with.

The quality assurance procedures are looked at by HETAC before the course/ program gets started and if the procedures are all in order HETAC validates the course or in the case of established places like the Institutes of Technology, the college itself.

HETAC have three main responsibilities:

• Qualifications awarding body for 3rd level educational and training institutions outside University sector
• Validation of higher education and training programs
• Monitoring of institutional quality assurance procedures

VECs, Fáilte Ireland (CERT), FÁS, Teagasc and BIM

Further education is generally described as levels 1 to 6 in the framework.

FETAC (the Further Education and Training Awards Council) are the further education equivalent to HETAC. They have the responsibility for making and promoting quality awards in further education and training. They validate courses/ programmes leading to FETAC awards including those available through BIM, Fáilte Ireland (CERT), FÁS and Teagasc centres, VEC's, adult and community education and training centres, Institutes of Technology and those available in the workplace.

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) is the 'parent' of HETAC and FETAC, it is also responsible for the development of a national framework of qualifications (NFQ), the quality review of DIT and the promotion of access, transfer and progression in education.

The NQAI, HETAC and FETAC were all established by Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999.

For Further Information:

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI)
www.nqai.ie
Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC)
www.hetac.ie
Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC)
www.fetac.ie