We welcome applications from students presenting QQI (formerly known as FET/FETAC) Level 5/6 awards. Through our strong links with Further Education & Training (FET) providers in the North East Region and beyond, we are committed to supporting the progression of learners into third-level education and we reserve 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.
- CAO website: Information on Applicants with QQI FET/FETAC awards
- CAO Website: QQI Entry Requirements
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/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
Common Awards System (CAS) Scoring
This scoring scheme only applies where all the requirements for the major award are met, i.e. when the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Each component is given a score based on the credit value of the component and the weighting of the grade achieved.
Most component awards have a credit value of 15 (the possible component credit values are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30).
The following weightings will apply to the grades achieved:
- Pass = 1
- Merit = 2
- Distinction = 3
To calculate a component score, multiply the credit value of the component by the weighting for the grade achieved. Add all of the component scores up to a cumulative credit value of 120. When adding up these scores begin with distinctions, then merits, then passes. Finally, multiply the total by 13 and divide by 12 to give the overall score (maximum 390).
* Further information and examples of the scoring scheme are available on the ‘QQI-FET Information’ section of the CAO website.
Examples of scoring:
8* Distinctions with a Credit Value of 15 (Distinction Weighting = 3)
|
Credit Value |
Weighting |
Component Score |
No. of Modules |
Score |
Adjusted Score |
| 15 | x3 | = 45 |
x 8 |
= 360 x 1.0833* |
390 |
8* Merits with a Credit Value of 15 (Merit Weighting = 2)
|
Credit Value |
Weighting |
Component Score |
No. of Modules |
Score |
Adjusted Score |
| 15 | x2 | = 30 |
x 8 |
= 240 x 13 over 12 |
260 |
8* Pass with a Credit Value of 15 (Pass Weighting = 1)
|
Credit Value |
Weighting |
Component Score |
No. of Modules |
Score |
Adjusted Score |
| 15 | x1 | = 15 |
x 8 |
= 120 x 13 over 12 |
130 |
QQI-FET Links to Nursing Honours Degree Programmes
The following qualifications meet the general requirements for honours bachelor degree programmes in General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing, and Midwifery:
| 5M4349 or DCHSN | Nursing Studies |
| 5M4468 or DCHSX | Community and Health Services |
| 5M4339 or DHSXX | Healthcare Support |
| 5M3782 | Health Service Skills |
With a minimum of 5 distinctions, including Distinctions in the following modules:
| 5N0749 or D20001 | Anatomy and Physiology |
| AND | |
| 5N4325 or D20012 | Nursing Theory & Practice or Introduction to Nursing |
| AND | |
| 5N1279 or D20032 or 5N2746 or C20006 | Human Growth and Development or Biology |
QQI-FET Links to Veterinary Nursing
The following qualifications meet the general requirements for the bachelor degree programme in Veterinary Nursing:- QQI-FET Level 5 award in: Animal Care (CASAC or 5M2768)
- With distinctions in Biology (C20006 or 5N2746) and Animal Anatomy & Physiology (C20153 or 5N0750).
Applications must be made through the CAO by the 1st February.
QQI-FET Links to Engineering Programmes
| DK843 Engineering (Common Entry) | Any 3 Distinctions Plus either H5 in LCE Maths or a pass in special maths entrance examination or a MERIT in 5N0556 |
| DK844 Mechanical Engineering | Any 3 Distinctions Plus either H5 in LCE Maths or a pass in special maths entrance examination, a MERIT in 5N0556 |
| DK845 Electrical & Electronic Engineering | Any 3 Distinctions Plus either H5 in LCE Maths or a pass in special maths entrance examination, a MERIT in 5N0556 |
| DK846 Civil Engineering | Any 3 Distinctions Plus either H5 in LCE Maths or a pass in special maths entrance examination, a MERIT in 5N0556 |
