Harris to announce raft of new degree courses available outside ...

A doubling of new degree courses - including business courses - available outside the Central Applications Office points system will be made available from this coming academic year, writes Gráinne Ní Aodha.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is expected to announce the rollout of new programmes in the areas of nursing, business and science from September.

Under a pilot programme launched last year, students can enrol in tertiary programmes at further education institutions before moving on to higher education to complete their fully accredited degree.

The programmes have students who range in age from 18 to their mid-40s, are of various nationalities and are of an equal gender split.

Mr Harris will announce that every education and training board and technological university in the country will participate in the new tertiary programmes.

It is expected that nursing and psychiatric nursing programmes will be expanded into two other locations.

No tuition fee or student contribution fee is needed from tertiary students during the programme.

Student contribution arrangements apply but those eligible can apply for a student grant.