Kilkenny Carlow ETB and SETU launch new degrees to boost progression to higher education

South East Technological University (SETU) and Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) have launched four tertiary degrees aimed at increasing progression from further to higher education outside of the traditional points system.

These degrees will create a pathway for KCETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) graduates in four-degree areas. 

The four areas on offer this year include the Bachelor of Science (honours) in IT Management from College of FET Kilkenny to SETU Carlow, the Bachelor of Science (honours) in Public Health & Health Promotion from College of FET Kilkenny to SETU Waterford, the Bachelor of Business in Hospitality and Tourism from Carlow Institute to SETU Waterford and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Healthcare from Carlow Institute to SETU Waterford.

The first year of these degrees will be hosted and delivered at KCETB FET centres, after which  learners who successfully complete the year  will progress seamlessly to higher education at SETU. 

The collaboration is reflective of a national drive to establish alternative routes to pursuing degree courses by creating more unified further education and training (FET) and higher education (HE) sectors.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Unified Tertiary System Policy, launched last year by Minister Simon Harris, signifies an historic change in third-level education access. 

“This is something that we at SETU, and our colleagues at KCETB, have been developing for some time,” said SETU’s Vice President for Learner Experience, David Denieffe.

“We look forward to continuing to work in enhanced partnership with KCETB to ensure that university and a degree is accessible to everyone.”

Commenting on this exciting opportunity, KCETB Director of Further Education and Training, Martha Bolger said learners will have the opportunity to apply directly to the Further Education and Training Colleges and enjoy the first year of their degree without fees with a guaranteed opportunity to progress to SETU: “This is an exciting departure for KCETB and underpins our core belief that learning has the power to transform lives and build communities,” she said.