Higher Diploma in Early Years Education for the Further Education and Training (FET) Sector
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This programme is restricted to those Further Education and Training (FET) learning practitioners who are currently delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
Course Overview
This 3-semester part-time programme (which runs over 18 months) has been developed in conjunction with Cork ETB. It aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of Further Education and Training (FET) learning practitioners who had previously been delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
Career Opportunities
This programme is specifically for those in the FET sector who currently teach on QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care.
Course Delivery and Modules
- This programme is delivered predominantly on-line with 8 contact hours per week and is delivered as follows:
- Live on-line lectures on Wednesday afternoons from 13.00hrs to 19.00hrs
- 2 hrs directed study/asynchronous study on Monday from 14.00hrs to 16.00hrs, which will be available for students to access at a time convenient to them.
- 2 Saturdays (09.00hrs to 16.00hrs) Face to Face (venue to be confirmed) in each semester.
- Students will also be required to undertake directed and independent study.
- The programme includes a variety of continuous assessments with no final examinations.
- Due to the blended learning delivery within this course students should have access to PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the programme.
These modules will be delivered from January 2026 to June 2026.
These modules will be delivered from September 2026 to January 2027.
These modules will be delivered from January 2027 to June 2027.
Fees and Funding
Total course fee: €2,500 payable as follows
- Accept Offer Fee: €200 (non-refundable)
- Instalment 1 = €1050
- Instalment 2 = €1250
Fees
Entry requirements
- Applicants should have a Level 8 major award in a cognate discipline and currently teach on programmes designed to prepare learners for practice in the ELC sector
OR
- a Level 7 major award in a cognate discipline with a minimum of 2 years’ teaching experience on programmes designed to prepare learners for practice in the ELC sector and be currently teaching on programmes designed to prepare learners for practice in the ELC sector.
This programme is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of Further Education and Training (FET) learning practitioners who are currently delivering the QQI Level 5 and Level 6 FET programmes in ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and who wish to deliver on the Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care, confirmation of applicants status may be sought from the relevant ETB.
How to apply
Applications will open in October 2025, but you can register your interest using the button below.
Apply for this course using our online applications system as per below. You must also upload a completed Employer Support Form (.docx) to the Supplemental Items & Documents section of your online application.
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