Higher Education and Training Awards Council
Encyclopedia
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), grants higher education
awards in Ireland
in the extra-university system. It was created in 2001, is subject to the policies of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
, and, specifically, grants qualifications at many Institutes of Technology and other colleges.
s that year at five Regional Technical Colleges. Early on it was decided that the NCEA would be the only extra-university conferring institution in the State at higher education
rather than having a multitude of competing institutions, with authority to grant awards at all academic levels including degree level. During the 1970s this caused some trouble as Fine Gael
-Labour (National Coalition
) government attempted to limit the NCEA to sub-degree awards only, later Fianna Fáil
government of 1977 restored the full powers and placed the NCEA on a statutory footing in 1980 by the National Council for Educational Awards Act, 1979.
HETAC was created in 2001 under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 (Section 21) and its first Chief Executive, former Donaghmede national teacher and INTO President Séamus Puirséil (Seamus Purcell) was previously the executive officer of the NCEA. He was succeeded in 2008 by Gearóid Ó Conluain, formerly Deputy Chief Inspector of Department of Education and Science. In October 2008 the Irish Government announced its intention to amalgamate HETAC with FETAC and NQAI, the two other bodies established under the Qualifications Act, while also incorporating the functions for the external review of Irish universities currently carried out by the Irish Universities Quality Board.. The Minister appointed an interim board for the new agency. This board appointed Dr. Padraig Walsh as Chief Executive Designate in September 2010. In February 2011, Dr. Walsh became Chief Executive of HETAC, pending the establishment of the new statutory agency.
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
awards in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
in the extra-university system. It was created in 2001, is subject to the policies of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland or NQAI was set up under the Qualifications Act, 1999 to develop and promote the implementation of a National Framework of Qualifications across education and training in Ireland.-The Authority's role:The Authority’s principal tasks are as...
, and, specifically, grants qualifications at many Institutes of Technology and other colleges.
History
The National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) was founded in 1972, on an ad-hoc basis and granted the first National CertificateNational Certificate
National Certificate is the name of an educational award in a number of countries, although the actual merit of award is not always the same.-Ireland:...
s that year at five Regional Technical Colleges. Early on it was decided that the NCEA would be the only extra-university conferring institution in the State at higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
rather than having a multitude of competing institutions, with authority to grant awards at all academic levels including degree level. During the 1970s this caused some trouble as Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
-Labour (National Coalition
Government of the 20th Dáil
The 20th Dáil was elected at the 1973 general election on 28 February 1973 and first met on 14 March when the 14th Government of Ireland was appointed...
) government attempted to limit the NCEA to sub-degree awards only, later Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
government of 1977 restored the full powers and placed the NCEA on a statutory footing in 1980 by the National Council for Educational Awards Act, 1979.
HETAC was created in 2001 under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 (Section 21) and its first Chief Executive, former Donaghmede national teacher and INTO President Séamus Puirséil (Seamus Purcell) was previously the executive officer of the NCEA. He was succeeded in 2008 by Gearóid Ó Conluain, formerly Deputy Chief Inspector of Department of Education and Science. In October 2008 the Irish Government announced its intention to amalgamate HETAC with FETAC and NQAI, the two other bodies established under the Qualifications Act, while also incorporating the functions for the external review of Irish universities currently carried out by the Irish Universities Quality Board.. The Minister appointed an interim board for the new agency. This board appointed Dr. Padraig Walsh as Chief Executive Designate in September 2010. In February 2011, Dr. Walsh became Chief Executive of HETAC, pending the establishment of the new statutory agency.
Awards
In 2004 HETAC completed the transition from awards derived from the NCEA standards to a new awards system based on the National Framework of Qualifications. A rough correspondence between the awards of the two systems is shown below.| Legacy | Current |
| Certificate (HETAC) Certificate (HETAC) The HETAC One-Year Certificate is a subdegree qualification offered by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council as a one year full time course in a specific discipline, below the standard of the National Certificate or National Diploma.... † |
|
| National Certificate National Certificate National Certificate is the name of an educational award in a number of countries, although the actual merit of award is not always the same.-Ireland:... † |
Higher Certificate Higher Certificate The Higher Certificate is an award that has replaced the National Certificate in the Republic of Ireland The Higher Certificate is awarded by various Institutes of Technology... ‡ |
| National Diploma National Diploma The National Diploma was a three year ab initio specialised higher education qualification in a technology discipline offered by an Institute of Technology or other HETAC designated institution in Ireland.... † |
Ordinary bachelor's degree‡ |
| Honours bachelor's degree Bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world... |
Honours bachelor's degree |
| Graduate Diploma Graduate Diploma A Graduate Diploma is generally a postgraduate qualification, although some graduate diplomas involve the study of undergraduate level courses... (conversion)† |
Higher Diploma Higher diploma A higher diploma is an academic award in Libya, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and Oman. In Libya the award is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering or technology, in Hong Kong it is below the standard of the bachelor's degree, in Ireland it is above the standard of the bachelor's... ‡ |
| Graduate Diploma Graduate Diploma A Graduate Diploma is generally a postgraduate qualification, although some graduate diplomas involve the study of undergraduate level courses... (professional)† |
Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate diploma A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma... ‡ |
| Master's degree Master's degree A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice... |
Master's degree Master's degree A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice... |
| Doctorate degree | Doctorate degree |
| † Not granted after June 2006. ‡ Granted from July 2004. |
|
Providers
The providers of courses which lead to HETAC awards are called "recognised institutions", and they are recognised under the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act, 1999 (Section 24). Some of these institutions may have "delegation of authority" (often referred to as "delegated authority") which allows them to make HETAC awards in their own name, this is currently limited to the Institutes of Technology and is often limited to certain award levels at institutions.Section 24 (1)(a)
- Athlone Institute of TechnologyAthlone Institute of TechnologyAthlone Institute of Technology is the only higher education institution in the midlands of Ireland. Established in 1970 as Athlone Regional Technical College, it has expanded in size, scope, and influence over the period...
- Institute of Technology, BlanchardstownInstitute of Technology, BlanchardstownThe Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown , established in 1999, is , the last-founded Institute of Technology in Ireland...
- Institute of Technology, CarlowInstitute of Technology, CarlowThe Institute of Technology, Carlow , originally Regional Technical College, Carlow, is one of the original Regional Technical Colleges. It is located to the south of Carlow, Ireland on Kilkenny Road...
- Cork Institute of TechnologyCork Institute of TechnologyCork Institute of Technology , formerly the Regional Technical College, Cork, is an Institute of Technology in Ireland, located in Cork, Ireland opened in 1973. The institute has 17,000 students in art, business, engineering, music and science disciplines...
- Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and TechnologyDún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and TechnologyIADT - Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is located at Dún Laoghaire, Ireland was established in 1997 and incorporated the former Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design as its School of Creative Arts.-Campus:...
- Dundalk Institute of TechnologyDundalk Institute of TechnologyDundalk Institute of Technology formerly Regional Technical College, Dundalk is a campus situated in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Belfast . The campus is 800 metres from the main Dublin Belfast road and 3 minutes drive from the M1 motorway to Dublin. Dublin Airport...
- Galway-Mayo Institute of TechnologyGalway-Mayo Institute of TechnologyGalway-Mayo Institute of Technology is a third level institute of education and is based at five locations in the west of Ireland.-Galway Campus:...
- Letterkenny Institute of TechnologyLetterkenny Institute of TechnologyLetterkenny Institute of Technology , formerly Regional Technical College, Letterkenny, is located in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. It is a third level institution serving County Donegal and the North West of Ireland. The institute is usually known locally as the Regional. Today, it is one...
- Limerick Institute of TechnologyLimerick Institute of TechnologyLimerick Institute of Technology is an institution of higher education in Limerick, Ireland and is one of 13 institutes that are members of the Institutes of Technology Ireland . The Institute has four campuses in Limerick City, one in both Thurles and Clonmel in County Tipperary and a regional...
- Institute of Technology, SligoInstitute of Technology, SligoInstitute of Technology Sligo is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Sligo, Ireland. The Institute has three Schools and 9 Departments....
- Institute of Technology, TallaghtInstitute of Technology, TallaghtInstitute of Technology, Tallaght formerly Regional Technical College, Tallaght, located in Tallaght, South Dublin in Ireland.-History:...
- Institute of Technology, TraleeInstitute of Technology, TraleeInstitute of Technology, Tralee is a third-level educational institution located in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It was established in 1977 as the Regional Technical College, Tralee.-General information:...
- Waterford Institute of TechnologyWaterford Institute of TechnologyWaterford Institute of Technology is a state funded third-level educational institution situated in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The Institute has six Schools and 16 Departments....
Section 24 (1)(b)
- Development Studies Centre, KimmageKimmage Development Studies CentreKimmage Development Studies Centre - Holy Ghost Fathers Missionary College, Kimmage manor, Dublin, was founded in 1974 by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit for the humanities courses for the education and training of people working in development, both lay and clerical...
- Dublin Business SchoolDublin Business SchoolDublin Business School incorporating Portobello College is the largest independent college in Ireland. With over 9,000 students, DBS provides a range of full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with courses for 2010/2011 in subject areas such as business, law, event...
- FISC Ireland Ltd.
- Garda Síochána CollegeGarda Síochána CollegeGarda Síochána College is the education and training college of the Garda Síochána . It is located at McCan Barracks, Templemore, North Tipperary in Ireland. The college has been located in Templemore since 1964.-History:...
- Griffith College
- Hibernia CollegeHibernia CollegeHibernia College is a college in Dublin, founded in 2000 by Dr. Sean Rowland. The college is Ireland’s only online college with its degrees accredited by the Irish government's Higher Education and Training Awards Council. The college specialises in post-graduate programmes.Hibernia College is...
- HSI Limerick Business School
- IBAT College (Swords)IBAT College (Swords)IBAT College Swords is an Irish business school based in the town of Swords, in Fingal in the north of Dublin, founded in 2004. It also has an "international office" in Selangor, Malaysia. The college provides courses in business, accountancy, information technology and law...
- ICD Business SchoolICD Business SchoolICD Business School is a Business School located in the heart of Dublin Ireland. The college runs a number of Higher National Diploma courses validated by the UK based Edexcel as well as a number of Undergraduate degree courses validated by the Irish governments Higher Education and Training...
- Institute of Public AdministrationInstitute of Public AdministrationInstitute of Public Administration may refer to:*European Institute of Public Administration*Indian Institute of Public Administration*Institute of Public Administration *HCM Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration...
- Irish Academy of Public Relations
- Irish Management InstituteIrish Management InstituteThe Irish Management Institute is an educational institute in Dublin, Ireland. The Institute was established in 1952 runs approximately 200 training courses annually at its management training and conference facility at Sandyford....
- Leinster Academy, Leinster Rugby IRFU
- Mid West Business InstituteMid West Business InstituteThe Mid West Business Institute was founded in 1988 and situated in Limerick, Ireland and is an independent third level business and technology college....
(merged with Griffith College Dublin) - Military College
- Milltown InstituteMilltown Institute of Theology and PhilosophyThe Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy is an institution of higher education and research, located in Dublin, Ireland. Milltown is run by the Jesuits and is located in Milltown/Ranelagh in Dublin...
- National College of IrelandNational College of IrelandNational College of Ireland offers full and part-time courses from foundation to degree and postgraduate level. All courses are fully accredited and delivered from the IFSC campus and across a network of regional centres....
- National Tourism Development Authority (formerly CERT)
- Newpark Music Centre
- Portobello College now part of Dublin Business SchoolDublin Business SchoolDublin Business School incorporating Portobello College is the largest independent college in Ireland. With over 9,000 students, DBS provides a range of full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with courses for 2010/2011 in subject areas such as business, law, event...
- Shannon College of Hotel Management
- Skerry’s Cork Business School (merged with Griffith College Dublin)
- St. Nicholas Montessori College, Ireland
- St. Patrick's College, ThurlesSt. Patrick's College, ThurlesSt. Patrick's College, Thurles is a third level college of education in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, formerly a seminary the College specializes in Humanities courses in Accounting, Business Studies, Irish and Religious Studies.-History:...
(from 2011 validated by University of LimerickUniversity of LimerickThe University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
) - St. Patrick's, Carlow CollegeSt. Patrick's, Carlow CollegeSt Patrick's, Carlow College, founded in 1782 by Dr James Keefe, then Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, and his co-adjutor Bishop Daniel Delany, and opened in 1793, is a college in Carlow, Ireland. Initially he attempted to open a seminary in Tullow, but instead took out a 999 year...
- The American College, DublinThe American College, DublinAmerican College, Dublin is a private liberal arts college, established in 1993 in Dublin, Ireland, as a non-profit educational trust by Lynn University...
- The Open Training College
- Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd
- Tipperary InstituteTipperary InstituteLIT Tipperary is a college of higher education, development agency and research centre in County Tipperary, Ireland and is one of the five constituent schools of Limerick Institute of Technology . Tipperary Institute was founded by the Irish Government in 1998 and opened two campuses in Thurles...
(Since 2011 part of Limerick Institute of TechnologyLimerick Institute of TechnologyLimerick Institute of Technology is an institution of higher education in Limerick, Ireland and is one of 13 institutes that are members of the Institutes of Technology Ireland . The Institute has four campuses in Limerick City, one in both Thurles and Clonmel in County Tipperary and a regional...
)
See also
- Education in the Republic of IrelandEducation in the Republic of IrelandThe levels of education in Ireland are primary, secondary and higher education. In recent years further education has grown immensely. Growth in the economy since the 1960s has driven much of the change in the education system. Education in Ireland is free at all levels, including college , but...
- Further Education and Training Awards CouncilFurther Education and Training Awards CouncilThe Further Education and Training Awards Council is the statutory awarding body for further education in Ireland...