Report shows few ‘non-Leaving Certificate’ students enter university

Embargo 1.00 am Monday 20th November 2006

UCD Belfield: Launch of the report on a study undertaken on behalf of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Irish Universities Association and the Higher Education Authority

‘Transfer and Progression into Undergraduate Programmes Leading to University Awards’

An important report was launched at UCD today, revealing the very small numbers of students other than school leavers entering Irish universities.

The research on which the report is based was carried out by McIver Consulting on behalf of the HEA, the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.

The research shows that numbers of ‘non-school-leaver’ students entering Honours Bachelor Degree courses in universities are low in comparison with those progressing on the basis of the Leaving Certificate. In academic year 2004/05

,just over 4% of entrants to university were admitted on the basis of further education and training qualifications (at levels 5 and 6 in the National Framework of Qualifications)
less than 4% of entrants were transferring or progressing with HETAC or similar awards (at levels 6 and 7 in the NFQ).

These figures are low in comparison with most other OECD countries.

The research report makes a number of recommendations for the development of transfer and progression into the university sector in the future. These include the regular gathering of broader data so that transfer and progression trends can be more easily monitored, widening the scope for acceptance of further education qualifications for university entry and recommendations on how to diversify the range of students progressing into areas such as healthcare and teacher education courses.

Background Notes

Since the launch of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in October 2003 and the associated policies on access, transfer and progression for learners, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has been working with stakeholders on the implementation of the Framework and associated access, transfer and progression policies. The policy approach of the Qualifications Authority is to adopt a co-ordinating role in facilitating the web of transfer and progression arrangements and routes across and between the various elements of the system at a macro level.

In discussions on the implementation of the policies on access, transfer and progression for learners, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland have identified arrangements for transfer and progression of those with FETAC or equivalent awards, and UK vocational education and training awards (made following programmes completed in Ireland) into undergraduate programmes leading to university Honours Bachelor Degree awards as being a key aspect of the enhancement of transfer and progression.

McIver Consulting was commissioned by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to undertake a study on transfer and progression arrangements, on behalf of a group of organisations made up of the Authority, the Irish Universities Association and the Higher Education Authority.

Key findings from the study

The research shows that numbers transferring and progressing into Honours Bachelor Degree courses at university sector institutions from non-school leaver backgrounds are low in comparison with those progressing on the basis of the Leaving Certificate.

In academic year 2002/03, university sector institutions had 17,359 first time undergraduate entrants a number which has not changed greatly in subsequent years.
The study identified 554 students progressing or transferring into the sector from further education and similar backgrounds in 2004/05. While it will not have identified all students entering on mature or disability grounds following such qualifications, it is apparent that the total numbers involved cannot amount to more than about 4% of first time entrants.
This study identified 630 students transferring or progressing into the universities from HETAC and similar backgrounds in 2004/05. This number represents less than 4% of entrants.

Numbers transferring and progressing are low in comparison with most other OECD countries.

There appears to be limited likelihood of significant increases in the level of transfer from HETAC qualifications (at levels 6 and 7 NFQ) to courses in the university sector leading to Honours Bachelor Degree (level 8 NFQ). Existing transfer mechanisms have in most cases been in place for a number of years, and it is only in narrow areas that pressure exists for them to be extended.

There is greater scope to increase progression from FETAC qualifications (at levels 5 and 6 NFQ). The transfer mechanisms now in place are not long established. They have the potential to accommodate significantly greater levels of progression than were seen in academic year 2004/05.

The report makes a number of recommendations for the development of progression and transfer into the university sector in the future. These include the regular gathering of broader data so that transfer and progression trends can be more easily monitored, widening the scope for acceptance of further education qualifications for university entry and recommendations on how to diversify the range of students progressing into areas such as healthcare and teacher education courses.