DCU introduces alternative admission route - FETAC Level 5
4 October 2004

Dublin City University today announced a new entry path to a number of its undergraduate degree programmes for students presenting FETAC Level 5 awards. This scheme will operate on a two-year pilot basis with the first students coming in under the scheme in September 2004.

Students study FETAC Level 5 awards through learning centres throughout Ireland, and increasingly the proportion of students taking these awards on a modular basis are mature.

Applications are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) in the usual way and candidates are assessed and ranked based on their performance in their award.

According to Joachim Barnett, Student Enrolment Officer at DCU, the introduction of FETAC Level 5 awards represents a further development for the university in its attempts to increase opportunities for access to Higher Education. "The recent launch of the National Qualifications Framework by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) is providing a basis for the university to review its policies on methods of access, transfer and progression within the higher education system". He adds, "DCU has well established entry routes for first-time students, including targeted groups such as mature students and students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. However, until now, entry requirements for admission to the university have principally been based on the Leaving Certificate examination. The addition of FETAC Level 5 awards as an entry path, provides candidates with a `second chance' of entering Higher Education and a commitment by the university to lifelong learning"

To meet the entry requirements under this scheme, students must achieve a full FETAC Level 5 award and are normally expected to achieve 5 distinctions in the modules underlying their award. There are specific named awards associated with the entry requirements for each degree programme and candidates should ensure that they meet these requirements. Further information on these requirements is included in the 2005 edition of the DCU undergraduate prospectus which is available online at www.dcu.ie or which can be applied for from registry at 7005338 or at registry@dcu.ie

The current scheme applies to degree programmes in the faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Health and the DCU Business School. Discussions are taking place with the Institute of Engineers in Ireland (IEI) and with FETAC to expand the scheme to programmes in the faculty of Engineering and Computing.