The Irish government is set to announce new degree courses outside of the traditional CAO points system, aimed at creating alternative pathways to third-level education in areas such as nursing, business, computer science, and engineering. Starting in September, these courses will be available at further education colleges before transitioning to a university or technological university. A total of 14 new degree programs will be available to students this year, with another batch set to commence in September 2024. These courses will focus on areas such as music technology, culinary arts, sustainability, performing arts, and supply chain management. While details of the application processes for these courses have not yet been released, it is expected to be similar to those for further education and training courses, which generally require the completion of the Leaving Cert or Leaving Cert Applied, rather than CAO points. The new courses are also part of a drive to forge closer links between further education colleges and universities and to minimize student dropout rates. Additionally, the government plans to roll out disability supports for further education students, apprentices, and trainees, with every Education and Training Board needing to allocate a minimum percentage of their budget to these resources.
