Everything you need to know before applying
Entry requirements, Garda vetting, fees, how classes run, work placement and what a QQI award actually means, all in one place and in plain English.
Entry requirements
The standard requirements are straightforward, and edge cases are assessed individually.
Level 5 courses
- Leaving Certificate, a Level 4 Certificate or equivalent in a relevant subject area
- Applies to Healthcare Support, Nursing Studies and Intellectual Disability Practice
Level 6 course
- A Level 5 Certificate or equivalent in a relevant subject area
- Relevant healthcare experience supports your application
Garda vetting
Garda vetting is required for healthcare placements. It protects the people you will care for, and every healthcare student in Ireland goes through it.
- We guide you through the vetting application as part of enrolment
- Vetting is completed before your work placement begins
- There is no need to arrange anything before you enquire
English language level
All classes, materials and assessments are in English. A proficiency level around CEFR B2 or higher is recommended so you can take part fully and get the most from the live classes.
Fees and payment
Fees depend on the course and the intake, so we quote them directly rather than publishing figures that go out of date.
How classes run
Synchronised learning means you study live, with a tutor and classmates, on a set schedule.
Live online classes
Scheduled Zoom classes you attend from home. Live means you can ask questions as they occur to you.
Classroom days
In-person delivery for practical skills that cannot be learned through a screen.
Study time
Plan for steady weekly study alongside classes. We will tell you the honest workload before you enrol. [VERIFY hours guidance]
Work placement
Every major award includes a work experience module in a real healthcare setting.
- Vetting first
Garda vetting is completed before any placement begins.
- A real setting
Placements happen in settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, community services or disability services, depending on your course. [VERIFY who arranges placements]
- Supported, not abandoned
You go in with the documents, preparation and point of contact you need.
- Assessed properly
Placement is part of your award, assessed under our QQI-agreed procedures.
What a QQI award actually means
What is QQI?
QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is the state agency responsible for qualifications in Ireland. A QQI award is a nationally recognised qualification, not a private certificate.
What are NFQ levels?
The National Framework of Qualifications ranks Irish qualifications from Level 1 to Level 10. Our courses sit at Level 5 and Level 6, the levels employers look for in care and supervisory roles.
Major award and 120 credits
A major award is the full qualification at a level, made up of modules worth 120 credits in total. All four of our courses are full major awards, not single subjects.
Why standards hold
Assessment runs under a quality assurance system agreed with QQI, including independent external authentication of results. The full manual is on our quality assurance page.
Recognition of prior learning
RPL means qualifications and real experience you already have can be considered as part of your application. It is assessed individually, so the only reliable way to know is to ask: tell us your background when you enquire and we will tell you honestly what it counts for.
Student support
- Tutor guidance through assignments and assessment
- Study skills help for learners returning to education
- Placement preparation and vetting paperwork done together
- A real person on the phone when something goes sideways
Before you apply, answered
How do I apply?
Send your details through the contact page or ring 087 686 5034. We talk through your course choice and eligibility first, then guide you through the application and vetting paperwork. Nothing is committed until you are sure.
Do I need Garda vetting before I enquire?
No. Vetting happens as part of enrolment, before placement, and we guide you through it. The only early action worth taking: if you have lived abroad for six months or more, mention it when you enquire, because international vetting takes longer.
Are the courses fully online?
No, and that is deliberate. Theory runs through live online Zoom classes you can join from anywhere in Ireland, and practical skills are taught in person on classroom days, with a work placement in a real setting. Care work is hands-on, so the training is too.
What do the courses cost?
Fees depend on the course and intake, so we quote directly: request current fees and you will get the full figure in writing, what it includes and the payment options, before you commit to anything.
Ask the question. It is what we are here for.
Eligibility, vetting, fees, workload: whatever is holding you back, ask it plainly and you will get a plain answer.