Software Development & Networking - Advanced
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
This is a Full-time One Year course which runs from September to May, 4 days a week, Monday to Thursday. Exact details of the timetable will be given out to students during the induction process prior to class commencement in September.
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
Level 5 QQI Award in Software Development or Information Technology or Electronic Technology
For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) - appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college.
Applicants whose first language is not English require level B2 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.
Careers / Further progression
Progression Opportunities
Although Level 6 is directed more at employment whereas Level 5 is the primary CAO route, Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 and Level 6 major award. Places are not guaranteed and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. It is the students' responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process, especially if a student is looking for advanced entry into third level and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie
Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.
Progression Examples
BSc Computer Science (DN201) Level 5 Award Software Development required.
BA Arts (DN520)
BA Humanities (DN530)
University College Dublin - www.ucd.ie
BEng Computer Engineering (TU713)
BTech Networking Technologies (TU716)
BSc Computing (TU756, TU859)
BSc Computing (Information Technology) (TU757, TU860)
BSc Computer Science (TU856) Level 5 Award Software Development required
BSc Cloud Computing (TU865)
Technological University Dublin - www.tud.ie
BSc Computer Science (MH601/MH602)
BSc Robotics and Intelligent Devices (MH306)
Maynooth University - www.nuimaynooth.ie
BSc Creative Computing (DL836) - Advanced entry into 2nd Year
IADT, Dún Laoghaire - www.iadt.ie
Career Paths
There are a number of possible job opportunities for students with a solid programming background. The key areas of employment include: junior programmer, software developer, website design/maintenance, IT user support technician, network administration and network security.
Further information
Courses commence in September 2023.
The following standard fees apply to all courses within DFEi
Non-Refundable course acceptance fee €40
Non-EU Nationals fee €3,653 with relevant visa
The following variable fees apply to all courses within DFEi.
Student Services fee to cover course ID card, materials, photocopying, equipment, licenses etc
Examination fee to cover professional examination certification
Other costs to cover books, field trip expenses or additional certification.
Exemptions may apply.
Sources of Funding
PLC Maintenance Grant Scheme
The Department of Education and Skills (DES) provides a means-tested maintenance grant scheme for those attending full-time further education. All applications for grants are made on-line through SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Refer to www.susi.ie.
VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme)
This scheme applies to all courses within DFEi and is designed to assist unemployed people over 21 with an opportunity to return to full time education without losing benefits. Early application, directly to DFEi, for this funding is required, as there are a limited number of places. Refer to www.vtos.ie.
BTEA (Back to Education Allowance)
This scheme is run by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and allows people in receipt of certain social welfare payments to retain those payments whilst participating in full-time further education course. Refer to www.welfare.ie.
SOLAS Fund for Students with Disabilities
The Fund for Students with Disabilities allocates funding to further and higher education colleges for the provision of services and supports to full-time students with disabilities. Applications to the fund are made on behalf of an eligible student by DFEi. Submissions should be made to the Guidance and Disability Officer in DFEi.
Other Funding Sources
Students are advised to check Local Partnerships including Southside, Bray, Northside and Wicklow Working Together for any funding that maybe available.
Admissions for the academic year 2023/2024 are now open
Applications are only accepted online
Five Step Admissions Process 2023/2024
Step 1 - Apply online. No application fee charged.
Step 2 - Offer: You will be notified by DFEi with an offer of a course place. Please check your junk mail.
Step 3 - Acceptance: To secure your place, you must submit additional data required through your individual online account and pay your €40 non-refundable acceptance fee (only payable online). Failure to complete this process will result in you not securing your place on the course.
Step 4 - Registration: This is done through your online account. This involves paying all of your course fees in full and uploading all of the relevant documentation below on or before Friday 25th August 2023
Step 5 - Induction and Commencement: Induction is provided before course commencement. You will be notified in due course of the relevant dates.
No application fee.
Overview
This advanced course is ideal for students who want to pursue a career in the technology sector. Software is ubiquitous and critical in almost every facet of the knowledge economy, as a result, industry's demand for information technology skills are insatiable. In this course, our industry experienced staff will teach both the practical skills and give you the experience to build software applications. On completion of this course, you can start work in this field and begin shaping, improving and building the digital world we live in, or have the possibility of gaining entry to third level at an advanced level. This course is supported by FIT (Fast Track into IT) which is a unique IT led initiative that offers students the opportunity to acquire essential skills to gain employment in the thriving IT sector. Students are given training in job interview techniques and CV preparation. Visits to companies are also organised with a view to possible internships.
Special Features
Free Full Suit of Adobe Software for all students on this course for one year to facilitate assessment.
All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, outlook and OneDrive.
Project Management incorporating Project+ (Blended learning) through ecollege
Object Orientated Programming
Software Architecture
Graphical User Interface Programming
Web Development
Relational Database
Personal and Professional Development
Network Infrastructure
Network Security
Communications
Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:
Student Record
Collection of Work
Assignments
Examination (Written)
Project
Skills Demonstration
A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details.
6M0691 - Software Development.
Certification:
Level 6 QQI Award Software Development (6M0691).
CompTIA Certification (Optional).
Additional Information:
This course is delivered through a blended learning approach which is a combination of classroom and online learning.
Tel: 01 280 9676
Email: info@dfei.ie
www.dfei.ie