QQI-Further Education Applicants

We welcome applications from students presenting QQI (formerly known as FET/FETAC) Level 5/6 awards.

Through its strong links with Further Education & Training (FET) providers in the North East Region and beyond, DkIT is committed to supporting the progression of learners into third level education and reserves a percentage of places on relevant courses for FET progression students. DkIT also offers advanced entry places (i.e. post year one entry) on all courses to FET award holders – subject to certain courses-specific conditions.

DkIT is a member of the FET2HE group with partner higher education and further education providers – this group aims to increase FET to HE progression and to build on access routes for these students. DkIT also offers advanced entry places (i.e. post year one entry) on all courses to FET award holders – subject to certain courses-specific conditions.

See CAO Process Information

• CAO website: Information on Applicants with QQI FET/FETAC awards
• CAO Website: QQI Entry Requirements

Standard Minimum Entry Requirements

QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Component Award will not suffice. A full QQI-FET major award normally contains 8 components. A full award may be accumulated over a number of years. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI-FET for a major award prior to the release of QQI-FET results.

The minimum entry requirement for graduates of QQI-FET (Level 5 and 6) awards to:

• Ab-initio Ordinary Degree (NQAI Level 7) programmes (with the exception of Veterinary Nursing) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award, plus one Distinction or two Merits;
• Ab-initio Honours Degree (NQAI Level 8) programmes (with the exception of nursing & midwifery programmes) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award including a Distinction grade in at least three modules.

In these three cases, a general specific requirement for Mathematics or a language will not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum entry requirements listed above, relevant cognate courses and/or specific pre-requisite QQI-FET modules may be required for some programmes. Further details can be acquired by contacting the Admissions Office or the ‘QQI- FET Information’ section of the CAO website.

In some programmes, a specific module such as a Mathematics or language module is a mandatory component of the QQI-FET award being presented. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has evidence of equivalent achievement from other examinations (such as a previous Leaving Certifcate award). It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence directly to the Admissions Office. 

QQI-FET has introduced a new awards system known as the Common Awards System or CAS. All QQI-FET awards are part of CAS since 2014.

QQI Maths

A Merit in QQI Maths for STEM NFQ (5N0556) will meet the specific Mathematics entry requirement for the following Level 8 ab-initio programme(s)

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Engineering (Common Entry)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Games Development
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematics and Data Science

QQI/FE Course-Specific Entry Requirements

For a detailed breakdown of our QQI/FE entry requirements by course, please download the document below.

Download QQI/FE Entry Requirements Document