Dublin City University - Qualifax

Appendix 5: Qualifications
Ordinary Bachelor Degrees – Level 7 (DG)
AWARDING BODY: DIT, HETAC or Universities
DESCRIPTION: Usually undertaken by students following a satisfactory level of
completion of a Higher Certificate programme. However, also offered as ‘ab-initio’
programmes, i.e. without having to complete earlier certificate programmes.
Honours Bachelor Degrees – Level 8 (HD)
AWARDING BODY: DIT, HETAC or Universities
DESCRIPTION: An Honours Bachelor Degree may, in certain cases, also be a
professional qualification. The length of study generally varies between three and
four years. In Veterinary Medicine, Architecture and Dentistry studies last for five
years. Medicine usually takes six years.
Post-Graduate Diplomas
AWARDING BODY: DIT, HETAC or Universities
DESCRIPTION: Courses that lead to postgraduate certificates and diplomas generally
last for one academic year. Highly vocational in content, they are often taken as
conversion courses by those who have no prior knowledge of the subject matter.
Master’s Degrees
AWARDING BODY: DIT, HETAC or Universities
DESCRIPTION: Taking a Masters degree involves studying an academic subject in
depth, either through a taught course or by research. You can choose to take a
Masters in an area that is related to your primary degree or opt for a subject that
you have never studied before.
Doctoral Degree
AWARDING BODY: DIT, HETAC or Universities
DESCRIPTION: Most doctorates are completed by research and candidates are
generally required to produce substantial dissertation, which must make a definite
contribution (however modest) to human knowledge.
Potential Progression Routes
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Higher Certificate/Ordinary Bachelor Degree/Honours Bachelor Degree/Masters
2 Years 1 year 1 Year 2 Years Level 6 / 7 /8 / 9
The majority of HEIs have progression or transfer pathways, which are designed to
facilitate students who have taken a relevant HETAC recognised course at higher
certificate or ordinary bachelor degree level.