Night Sky Guide
This programme is designed to train individuals to lead stargazing sessions, equipping hospitality professionals, outdoor professionals, and those experienced in guiding groups in outdoor settings to lead a guided tour of the night sky.
| Award Name | Level 5 Component Award (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Minor |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Component Award (Level 5 NFQ) | Minor | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
17 weeks.
This course will run in Killorglin Campus, Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5.30pm – 9.30pm for 17 weeks. Some flexibility needed to take advantage of the dark sky.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must be 18+ years of age on entry to the course.
Competent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or Higher).
Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.
Applicants should have a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 4 when accessing a Level 5 programme, plus experience of working with groups in the outdoor environment.
Places will be offered to those who meet entry requirements and are successful at interview.
Further information
Start date 04/11/2026
€200
Fees apply to all part-time programmes.
A fee waiver is in place for applicants in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. You can check your fee waiver eligibility with Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP), INTREO or your Local Employment Service (LES) office.
Learners in employment may also be granted a fee waiver under the Skills to Advance Initiative. For more details on this please contact Claire at business@kerrycollege.ie
Participants will develop the expertise to lead stargazing experiences, sharing the wonders of the night sky in an engaging, educational, and safe manner across various outdoor environments.
The programme prepares learners to explore and interpret the night sky, enabling them to share its wonders in an accurate and inspiring way. While the focus is on observing celestial objects and phenomena, participants will also learn to enhance the experience using tools such as binoculars, sky maps, telescopes, and astronomy software.
Target learner group
This programme is aimed at:
• Hospitality professionals with appropriate experience in guiding
• Those who work with groups in an outdoor environment or
• Qualified and experienced Tour Guides or
• Qualified and experienced Outdoor Professionals
What will I study?
1. Share understanding of astronomy concepts to captivate and inspire a group to explore the night sky.
2. Identify celestial objects in the night sky with a group on a stargazing activity, using appropriate resources and methods.
3. Complete a stargazing tour including planning, delivery and reflection for a broad audience.
Night Sky Guide 5N22946
Contact our Kerry College Admissions Offices – Tralee on 066 714 9696, Killarney on 064 662 2593 or parttime@kerrycollege.ie