Choosing your education pathway

+Lifelong Learning n  Part-time or full-time courses

for adults

n  Short term courses for leisure and hobbies

n  Certification or continuing professional development

n  Attendance: day, evening, part-time daytime or blended/online learning

n  Duration: few weeks to a year or more

+ Further and Higher Education institutions n  Education Training Board

(ETB)

n  Institutes of Technology

n  University

n  Other private providers

+The Qualifications Framework

+

Level 1-3 Level 4-5 Level 6-7 Level 8-10 Knowledge (Breath)

Elementary/narrow

Moderate/broad Specialised/broad

Theories/concepts/research

Know-how & Skills

Basic/practical skills

Moderate cognitive thinking skills

Specialised skills and tools

Advanced skills/research

Competence (Role)

Limited roles/directed

Responsibility and autonomy

Responsibility for the work of others

Lead and initiate activity

Competence (Learning to Learn)

Use a range of learning resources

Responsibility for own learning - managed environment

Identify learning needs/interact effectively in a learning group

Self-evaluate -responsibility for own CPD

The levels explained

+GRETB Further Ed. Pathways

Galway Adult Basic Education

Levels 1,2,3

Back to Education Initiative

Levels 3,4,5

Community Courses

Levels 3,4,5 & unaccredited

Vocational Training

opportunities Scheme levels 4,5 GRETB Training

Centre Courses Levels 4,5

Apprenticeships

PLC Colleges

GTI /Galway CC Levels 5,6

YouthReach Courses

Levels 2,3,4

Degree routes at NUI Galway

Full-time CAO

Degree (L8) (3-4 years)

Masters, Higher Diploma

PG Diploma PG Certificate

Part-time Direct

Application

Year 1 Certificate

(L7)

Year 2 Diploma

(L8)

Years 3 &4 Degree Cycle

(L8)

Masters, Higher Diploma

PG Diploma PG Certificate

+Access, Transfer and Progression n  Access/Foundation programmes

n  Recognition of Prior Learning

n  Entry to the programme;

n  Provide exemption from programme requirements

n  Credit towards an award;

n  Progression and transfer routes

n  Transfers from other HEIs

n  Advanced entry (from other FETAC awards)

n  Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) – 1st year place

+Recognising Foreign Qualifications n  Compare qualifications from other countries with Irish awards

n  Compare award type and level

n  NARIC Ireland - www.naric.ie

+Further information n  Direct to Further Education or Higher Education Institution (GRETB,

GMIT, NUIG)

n  Qualifax: qualifax.ie

n  Quality and Qualifications Ireland: qqi.ie

n  Applications: cao.ie

n  Aontas: National Adult Learning Organisation (www.aontas.com)

The choice is yours!