Certification & Progression to Higher Education

The College has developed a wide variety of course certification and links for progression to further study. Many of the two and three year courses offer two different award types. The two main awarding bodies are QQI and BTEC. All our awards are internationally recognised and are placed on the NQAI framework. The table below sets out the different award types offered and the general progression routes available from them. Check the individual course pages for details of the certification offered by the course you are interested in and the college links available from it. You may be required to study designated subjects and achieve specific course results to avail of the progression routes for further study. In most cases it is the results you achieve on your course in Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education which enable you to progress and not your Leaving Certificate results. This information is constantly changing, so you are advised to contact the College directly if you require a specific progression route.

Learners are strongly advised to consult the most up to date College Links Document which is available from the College.

Transfer to University in the U.K. & Northern Ireland

Many of our graduates have acquired their degrees by taking this route. If you are still in school, it may seem a daunting task to go abroad to study. However, you do not travel until you have spent at least two years in Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education — and by then you will be more than ready for the challenge.

Programme	Duration	Award Body and Level	Award Code/Name	Progression
Business Department
Certificate in Business Studies	Year 1 Year 2	Certificate in Business, Level 5 Certificate in Management, Level 6	5M2102 6M4587	Students are also eligible for entry into business related courses in a variety of colleges including DIT and other Institutes of Technology throughout the country – please refer to our Progression Routes Section.
Tourism with Business & Marketing	Year 1 Year 2	QQI Award QQI Award	5M5011 6M5012	Students can progress to Year 2 of the Travel and Tourism Course and may by doing so, gain advanced entry to Year 2 of the Tourism Degree at D.I.T. Students may also gain entry to Year 1 of various Tourism Degrees at the Institutes of Technology.


Art & Design
Animation	Year 1 Year 2 & 3 Year 4 BA (Hons) Degree Option	QQI Level 5 HND BA Hons	5M1985 HND (Animation) BA Hons	One year Top-Up BA (Hons) Animation in CDCFE (awarded by University of Wolverhampton). Final Year entry BA (Hons) Animation, University of Wolverhampton or advanced entry to BA (HONS) Animation, IADT Dun Laoghaire and BCFE Ballyfermot.
Architectural Design and Technology Foundation	1 year	QQI Level 5	5M5010	Successful graduates may gain advanced entry to the Renewable Energy Technology course at Coláiste Dhúlaigh CFE, which carries a QQI Level 6 award in Architectural Technology and Design.
Art and Design Portfolio Preparation	1 year	QQI Level 5	5M1985	The majority of our students take up places in third level colleges such as NCAD, IADT, DIT, Institutes of Technology and Art colleges abroad. Students can also progress to Higher National Diploma and Degree programmes in Graphic Design, Interior Design, Animation, Architectural Studies and Architectural Technology in Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education.
Graphic Design	Year 1 Year 2 & 3 Year 4 BA (Hons) Degree Option	QQI Level 5 BTEC HND BA Hons	5M1995 HND (Graphic Design) BA Hons	See QQI Links Final year entry to BA(Hons), University of Wolverhampton, University of Ulster.
Interior Design	2 Years	HND	HND	Advanced entry to BA (Hons) Interior and Furniture design, DIT Dublin, Final Year entry to BA (Hons) Interior Design, University of Wolverhampton. BA at Griffith College, Dublin, BA (Hons), University of Ulster. Others Courses also available. All advanced entry depends on final grades and standard of portfolio.

Media
Communication and Media Production	Year 1 Year 2 Year 3	QQI Level 5 BTEC HND BA Hons	EMPXX HND (Graphic Design) BA Hons	One year Top-Up BA (Hons) Degree in Video & Film Production at CDCFE (awarded by University of Wolverhampton). Progression to the final year of the BA (Hons) Media, at the University of Wolverhampton, University of Central Lanchashire and a number of UK Universities.
Film Production	2 years	BTEC HND	HND (Media-Moving Image)	One year Top-Up BA (Hons) Degree in Broadcasting & Journalism at CDCFE (awarded by University of Wolverhampton). Entry into final year of third year degree programmes in a number of UK universities is possible.
Journalism	2 years	BTEC HND	HND (Media- Journalism)	One year Top-Up BA (Hons) Degree in Video & Film Production at CDCFE (awarded by University of Wolverhampton). Graduates with a distinction average have a variety of higher education opportunities: BA (Hons) Media Production Management, Ballyfermot CFE – one year programme
Photography QQI Award Level 6	1 year	QQI Level 6	EPHOT	QQI Level 6 Photography provides an ideal platform for graduates to apply for advanced entry to the Degree programmes in Photography in DIT, IADT Dun Laoghaire or Griffith College among others (subject to portfolio submission).

Performing Arts
Hairdressing	Year 1	QQI Level 5	DHXXX	Please refer to the QQI links on our website www.cdcfe.ie
Theatre Studies	Year 1 Year 2 Year 3	QQI Level 5 Higher National Diploma BA Hons	EPATP HND (Theatre and Media Production) BA Hons	One year Top-Up BA (Hons) Degree in Drama at CDCFE (awarded by University of Wolverhampton). PARTNERSHIPS Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education works in partnership with: (i) Rose Bruford College in England (ii) University of Wales, Aberystwyth (compact agreement) (iii) University of Ulster (compact agreement) (iv) Swansea Metropolitan University, Wales (compact agreement) (v) In negotiation with DIT Drama Degree (vi) Hertford College England
Fashion Design	Year 1 Year 2	QQI Level 5 QQI Level 6		See QQI Links.

Science & Technology
Computer Science	Year 1 Year 2	QQI Level 5 QQI Level 6	CITXX	Successful students may progress to the second year of the Computer Science or second year of the Computing Degree in Kevin Street, DIT. Also, please refer to the QQI links section on our Web Site www.cdcfe.ie
Computer Networking Technologies	Year 1 Year 2	QQI Level 5 QQI Level 6	CCNTX	Students who successfully complete year two can progress to the final year of an Honours Degree in the University of Sunderland and may gain advanced entry to year 2 of Ordinary Degree in Networking Technologies in DIT. Also, please refer to our Progression Section.
Medical Laboratory Science	2 years	HND	HND (Applied Biology)	Students gain advanced entry to the D.I.T., I.T. Tallaght, D.C.U. and other Third level institutes. Successful students can gain entry to year three of Biomedical Science at the University of Wolverhampton. Also, please refer to the QQI links section on our Web Site www.cdcfe.ie
Preliminary Engineering	1 year	QQI Level 5	5M2061	Students who meet the entry criteria explained will gain entry to the named courses by way of a Round Zero offer from the CAO.
Pre-University Science	1 year	Examinations and assessments are conducted with external monitoring by DCU and DIT.		Students who meet the entry criteria in their chosen college (DCU or DIT) will receive a round zero offer from the CAO for the relevant degree choice.


Health and Leisure
Outdoor Adventure Management – Shackleton	Year 1 Year 2 & 3	QQI Level 5 HND	DOREC HND in Sport (Leisure/Outdoor Adventure Management)	In the past students have continued their education with advanced entry into the following colleges: Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (Business and Outdoor Education), Waterford Institute of Technology (Leisure Management), IT Tralee (Adventure Tourism), University of Chicester ( Outdoor Education), Strathclyde University (Outdoor Education) and University of St Martins (Outdoor Education)

Social Care	Year 1 Year 2	QQI Level 5 QQI Level 6	5M2181 6M	Graduates from this course may gain entry to Degree Programmes in a number of Institutes of Technology with related courses through the Higher Education Links Scheme
Health Science (pre-Nursing)	1 year	QQI Level 5	DCHSN	Graduates of this course may use the FETAC links scheme to progress to a wide variety of courses offered by the Universities and Institutes of Technology. Applications through UCAS will enable students to access a range of English Universities
Health Science (Physiology & Sport)	1 year	QQI Level 5	DSRXX	Students can progress from this course to Institutes of Technology and Universities, including Dundalk IT, Carlow IT, UCC, Tralee IT, through the Higher Education Links Scheme on obtaining a full Award. There is a direct link to the second year of the Sports Science degree offered by the University of Sunderland. Students can also progress to the Degree offered by Institute of Physical Therapy, which is a private college.
Early Childhood Care & Education	1 year	QQI Level 5	5M2009	This course aims to prepare students for employment in creches and other ECCE settings. Students may use the FETAC links Scheme to progress to Higher Education.
QQI – Quality and Qualifications Ireland HND- Higher National Diploma. HND is equivalent to a Level 6 qualification on NQAI Framework in general. QQI LINKS – Details of specific linked courses and module requirements should be checked at www.qqi.ie CDETB – City of Dublin Education and Training Board A student may be required to study designated modules and achieve specific course results to avail of the above progression routes.