‘Groundbreaking’ tertiary degrees unlocking pathways
‘Groundbreaking’ tertiary degrees unlocking pathways to ‘dream’ careers, NTO convention hears
“I simply wouldn’t be studying at third level if it wasn’t for this tertiary degree.” That’s according to a student who shared her experience with over 200 educators, guidance counsellors and policymakers at the first national convention run by the National Tertiary Office (NTO) held in Croke Park today (22.10.24).
Tertiary degree courses are an additional route to third-level education which do not require applicants to provide Leaving Certificate points. Students 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.
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.”
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.
Dr. Fiona Maloney, Director of the NTO, said: “The driving force behind tertiary degrees is about creating access for students who might never have considered doing a degree. The whole programme is designed to break down barriers, be they financial, 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% 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% 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.”
Minister launches Tertiary Degree Toolkit
Launching a new Tertiary Degree Toolkit for Guidance Counsellors as part of the Convention, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick O’Donovan said: “There are over 350 students enrolled on tertiary degrees across Ireland now and with plans to further expand the course offering and the partnerships between the networks of ETBs and HEIs, we can expect to see those numbers continue to increase. It’s vital that post-primary students, their parents and teachers understand the unique benefits of tertiary degrees and the doors the programme can open for many students.
“Today, we’re launching this toolkit for guidance counsellors to make sure that information is available to all and that students find their pathway to a third-level degree and their dream career through this groundbreaking programme.”
For more information about tertiary degrees, visit www.nto.ie.
