National Diploma
Encyclopedia
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
.
Alternatively, a National Diploma could be offered as a one year post National Certificate
type course. The diploma generally exempted a student from the first two or three years of a four year university Honours Bachelor's Degree in Ireland. Northern Ireland universities considered the standard equivalent to the BTEC
Higher National Diploma
, this was also the position adopted by most British universities
that have large entrance from the Republic. Many of the courses were in business
, engineering
and science
. Most entrants were school leavers presenting the Leaving Certificate
or the National Certificate and many continued their studies to honours Bachelor's degree
level.
The National Diploma in Ireland was first awarded in 1973 by several Regional Technical Colleges. The National Diploma has been replaced by the Ordinary Bachelor's Degree under the National Framework of Qualifications
. This was decided by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
recently. The National Diploma has nor been awarded since June 2006, however holders of a National Diploma can claim equivalence to the newer award, the Ordinary Bachelor's Degree.
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...
qualification in a technology discipline offered by an Institute of Technology or other HETAC
Higher Education and Training Awards Council
The Higher Education and Training Awards Council , the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards , grants higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system...
designated institution 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,...
.
Alternatively, a National Diploma could be offered as a one year post 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:...
type course. The diploma generally exempted a student from the first two or three years of a four year university Honours Bachelor's Degree in Ireland. Northern Ireland universities considered the standard equivalent to the BTEC
Business And Technology Education Council (BTEC)
The Business and Technology Education Council is the British body which awards vocational qualifications. Such qualifications are commonly referred to as "BTECs"....
Higher National Diploma
Higher National Diploma
A Higher National Diploma is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. This qualification can be used to gain entry into universities, and is considered equivalent to the first or second year of a university degree course....
, this was also the position adopted by most British universities
British universities
Universities in the United Kingdom have generally been instituted by Royal Charter, Papal Bull, Act of Parliament or an instrument of government under the Education Reform Act 1988; in any case generally with the approval of the Privy Council, and only such recognised bodies can award degrees of...
that have large entrance from the Republic. Many of the courses were in business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
, engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
. Most entrants were school leavers presenting the Leaving Certificate
Leaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
or the National Certificate and many continued their studies to 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...
level.
The National Diploma in Ireland was first awarded in 1973 by several Regional Technical Colleges. The National Diploma has been replaced by the Ordinary Bachelor's Degree under the National Framework of Qualifications
National Framework of Qualifications
The National Framework of Qualifications is a system used to describe levels of educational qualifications in Ireland. Responsibility for maintaining and developing the framework lies with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland....
. This was decided by 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...
recently. The National Diploma has nor been awarded since June 2006, however holders of a National Diploma can claim equivalence to the newer award, the Ordinary Bachelor's Degree.
Common National Diplomas
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS STUDIES{in…} | NDipBusiness |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTING{in…} | NDipComputing |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN CONSTRUCTION{in…} | NDipConst |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING{in…} | NDipEng |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN HUMANITIES{in…} | NDipHumanities |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN NURSING{in…} | NDipNursing |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN TECHNOLOGY{in…} | NDipTech |
| NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN SCIENCE{in…} | NDipSc |