Early Childhood Education and Care

Higher Certificate in Arts

Sonraí an Chúrsa

Cód CAO	AU491
Céim	6
Fad ama	2 Years
Pointí CAO	187 (2024)
Modh Seachadta	On-campus
Suímh campais	Mayo
Modh Seachadta	Lánaimseartha
Socrúchán oibre	Tá

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Forbhreathnú Cúrsa

This two-year Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care provides learners with a comprehensive education on the role of early childhood educators.

The Higher Certificate (Level 6) is designed to provide learners with a specialised education in early childhood education and care as a basis for a professional career in the field and as a basis for further academic and professional education.

The programme aims to provide learners with an education for professional practice in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). The programme has a practice development module which gives learners the opportunity to complete a student placement in an early-years setting every week of study for 12 hours. Early childhood is the period from birth to six years.

Applicants who hold a QQI Level 6 major award may be eligible for consideration to enter directly into the second year of the ECEC programme on the Mayo or Galway City campus. Applications for direct entry to the second year are by direct application.

Dul chun cinn

Following successful completion of Year 2 in the Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 6, students can apply internally for Year 3 of the Level 7 programme. Upon successfully completing Year 3, Level 7 students can then apply internally for Year 4 Level 8.

ATU Level 8 qualifications are recognised worldwide for postgraduate entry. Opportunities also exist for further education at master’s level to pursue careers in research, psychology, speech and language therapy, and primary teaching among others.

Download a prospectus

Réamheolaire Fochéime

Riachtanais Iontrála

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirement	5 subjects at O6/H7 English or Irish at O6/H7 Maths at O6/H7 or Foundation Maths at F2
QQI/FET Major Award Required	Any
Additional QQI/FET Requirements	None
Garda Vetting	Entrants to this programme will be required to undergo vetting by An Garda Síochána.

Táillí

Total Fees EU: €3000

This annual student contribution charge is subject to change by Government. Additional tuition fees may apply. Click on the link below for more information on fees, grants and scholarships.

Total Fees Non-EU: €12000

Fees shown are per annum.

Tuilleadh eolais faoi tháillí

Gairmeacha

There is growing recognition that Early Childhood Education and Care is a distinctive specialty with its own career pathways.

This Higher Certificate (Level 6) is designed to provide learners with a specialised education in early childhood education and care as a basis for a professional career in the field and as a basis for further academic and professional education.

It will offer enhanced employability within the rapidly professionalising sector; furthermore, the Higher Certificate will provide graduates with a career in the Early Childcare sector and opportunities to progress to BA in Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 7 and BA in Arts (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care Level 8.