Education Options: Exploring the diverse learning pathways available to you

With the summer heatwave well and truly behind us, the various rounds of CAO offers already underway, and colleges around the country throwing open their gates once again, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions at this time of year. That’s particularly true for people who are disappointed with their Leaving Cert results, uncertain about their chosen course, uninspired in their current job, or still feeling clueless about what career path to follow.

But it’s important not to view your current reality as a life sentence – and realise that there are so many options out there when it comes to education, that stretch far beyond the traditional Leaving Cert-to-university route.

We all know that, in life, a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t cut it. So why should it be any different when you’re planning for your future? The good news is that, year on year, we’re seeing more and more developments across Further Education & Training (FET) and Higher Education, with new programmes emerging that make it more straightforward than ever to progress along your chosen path.

In this special feature, we’ll be highlighting some of those inspiring courses and opportunities – to help you make your mark on the world in 2026 and beyond.

There’s a huge variety of smart learning options available through FET, that don’t require CAO points. Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, which are usually one to two years in duration, have become the preferred option for many. The courses cover a wide range of subjects, and serve as brilliant routes for direct entry into employment, or as a stepping stone into university. They’re also handy ways for students to try out a subject they’re interested in, before committing to a four-year degree.

The newly launched Tertiary Degrees are also a great option – offering seamless pathways from Further Education to Higher Education, outside of the Leaving Cert points-based system. Students can graduate with level 8 undergraduate degrees in subjects like Media Technologies; Digital and Business Skills; Intellectual Disability Nursing; Politics, Society and Media; Occupational Therapy; Software Development; Networks and System Administration; and Social Work – to give just a few examples.

DkIT library

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and City of Dublin FET College, Ballyfermot, are just some of the colleges involved in delivering Tertiary Degrees – while also offering a thrilling range of other courses and programmes.

Apprenticeships and traineeships also come under the umbrella of FET – and are perfect for those looking for hands-on experience in the workplace. More recent years have seen the launch of apprenticeships in areas like paramedicine, biopharma, engineering, finance, hospitality, and sales – in addition to apprenticeships in sought-after trades such as plumbing and electrical.

Traineeships, meanwhile, combine classroom education and on-the-job learning, and can launch you straight into exciting careers in business, tourism, hospitality, media, finance, engineering, instrument-making and more.

For those who want to follow a creative path, Ireland is home to countless in-demand courses – including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and short courses at The Lir, the National Academy of Dramatic Art. Pulse College, meanwhile, offers a range of innovative courses for those serious about pursuing a career in audio and music technology.

The new academic year is also the perfect time to develop your language skills, with brilliant French courses available at Alliance Française Dublin.

There’s also plenty of options outside of Ireland. Europass, a free online platform managed by the European Commission, is designed to support your career and learning across the EU, allowing you to explore opportunities right across the continent.

There’s no doubt that everybody’s needs, wants, dreams and passions are different. But whether you have your heart set on your dream career, or are still exploring your options, there are so many exciting courses and programmes out there, for those who want to expand their horizons. You never know what bright new opportunities might open up before you, by venturing off the beaten track…

CITY OF DUBLIN FET COLLEGE, BALLYFERMOT
bcfe.ie
Tel: (01) 629 8500

From multi-award-winning visual effects supervisors and boundary-pushing musicians, to best-selling authors and hugely popular broadcasters, City of Dublin FET College, Ballyfermot, has produced a remarkable range of success stories over the years. Today, it continues to stand out as a national leader in the development of new, cutting-edge courses – which place a major emphasis on the importance of adapting and upskilling in an ever-changing world.

Recognised as one of the country’s leading providers of Further Education and Training, the College offers pathways of progression from Level 4 to Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications – meaning there’s space for everyone to follow their passions, in this inspiring and supportive learning environment.

 

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Recently, the College has launched a series of Tertiary Degrees – a newly developed programme that allows students to progress seamlessly from FET into Higher Education, and earn a Level 8 undergraduate degree. As part of the new Media Technologies BA (Hons) Tertiary Degree, students spend their first three years honing their craft in the creative, hands-on environment of Ballyfermot, before continuing on to TU Dublin. The course’s unique curriculum bridges the gap between academic theory and professional practice – with graduates entering the global media industry with the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Other Tertiary Degrees at the College include the BA (Honours) in Politics, Society and Media [also delivered with TU Dublin], the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business + Psychology [delivered with the Institute of Art and Design (IADT)], and the BA (Honours) in Immersive Media Production [also delivered with IADT].

Ballyfermot also offers over 50 Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses at Level 5 and 6, in areas such as art, design, illustration, animation, games design, digital media, digital marketing, film, TV, business, social care, health and childcare. The PLC courses help students develop technical and practical skills, and can also serve as a progression route into Higher Education.

For those who want to gain relevant work experience during their studies, there’s also an exciting selection of traineeships available at the College. Students can learn directly from industry experts and graduate work-ready in traineeship courses like Logistics and Distribution; Advanced Skills for Visual Effects, Video and Animation Post-Production; Multi-Camera and Documentary Production; Accountancy and Payroll (ACCA); and Traditional Irish Music and Instrument Making.

With committed, industry-trained staff, and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the College’s dynamic courses have produced an impressively wide range of creative talent over the years – including three-time Academy Award-winning VFX supervisor Richard Baneham, the founders of the award-winning production studio Cartoon Saloon, and musicians Damien Dempsey, Lisa O’Neill, Junior Brother and Róisín Barrett of The Mary Wallopers.

• City of Dublin FET College, Ballyfermot's upcoming Open Days take place on November 11 and February 23.

DUNDALK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
dkit.ie
(042) 937 0200

Located between Dublin and Belfast, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) is home to an innovative range of programmes – with undergraduate, part-time, apprenticeship and postgraduate options across a wide range of subject areas.

Those interested in pursuing a creative path will find an exciting selection of courses, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in creative media, film & TV production, music, theatre and game design.

This year, DkIT has also launched new Level 7 and Level 8 programmes in Music and Maths; Drama, Theatre and Film; Musical Theatre; and Film and Television Production – as well as Computing programmes in Cybersecurity and Computing Infrastructure, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Games Development, and Software Development.

Students at DkIT have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including TV and recording studios, performance spaces, and specialised computer labs.

• Keep an eye on DkIT’s website and social media (@dkit_ie) for news about their upcoming Open Days.

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DUBLIN
alliance-francaise.ie
(01) 676 1732

Widely regarded as Dublin’s top spot for a truly French experience, Alliance Française kicks off a brand new academic year this month – featuring general French courses, conversation classes, refreshers, specialised workshops, intensive programmes, preparation for exams, and more.

The school offers group and one-to-one tuition for people of all ages and abilities, available both on-site and online throughout the year. So, as colleges across the city reopen after the summer months, Alliance Française offers a great way to expand the scope of your studies, and embrace a second language – a vital skill in a highly competitive job market.

In addition to providing internationally recognised French diplomas, Alliance Française is also a well-respected cultural centre, and is home to the multimedia French Library, the AF Gallery, and the cosy café Madeleine.

The LIR ACADEMY
National Academy For Dramatic Art, Trinity Technology and Enterprise Campus
thelir.ie
Tel: (01) 896 2559

If you’re looking for a career in theatre and performing arts, whether it’s on stage or behind it, The Lir Academy – Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin –  is definitely worth exploring.

There is a range of courses to choose from, including bachelor’s degrees in Stage Management & Technical Theatre, as well as Acting. There are also a number of postgraduate degrees and short courses, and a very popular Foundation Diploma in Acting and Theatre, which is a great option for aspiring actors.

The Lir has also launched a new, pioneering speech and drama syllabus, designed for young actors aged between five and eighteen. Conceived as an alternative to traditional speech and drama exams, the initiative aims to redefine how dramatic arts are taught to primary and secondary school-aged students across the country. The first round of regional assessments take place in April and May 2027.

Whatever course students embark on, the Lir Academy opens up an array of brilliant options. With an impressive success rate of graduates going to work in theatre, film, TV and more, Lir offers the highest standards of training to aspiring performers.

• The Lir’s Open Day takes place on November 21, as part of the Trinity College Dublin Undergraduate Open Day.

PULSE COLLEGE
pulsecollege.com
Tel: (01) 478 4045

If you’re serious about exploring a career in Audio, Film, Animation or Gaming, Dublin’s Pulse College offers a cutting-edge blend of both academic perspectives and practical skills – with courses designed and delivered by experienced industry professionals. Based in the iconic Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Ringsend and in Smithfield, Dublin 7, the college runs a thrilling range of courses, from part-time diplomas and certificates to full-time certificate and undergraduate degree programmes.

Pulse College

Their BA (Hons) degree programmes – in Music Production and Audio & Music Technology all kick off on September 21st, and will see students obtain and develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern industry. For those who want to fast-track their Audio & Music Technology knowledge, Pulse College also offers a one-year Diploma course option, starting on October 10th.

• For more, see pulsecollege.com