Questions about the educational requirements.

aN.Droid

Hello,

I, among I'm sure many, am planning on applying for the gardai in the next recruitment drive.

My question is. I don't have a full leaving cert (When it came to it, problems arose and I couldn't complete it fully) But I do have a level 4 fetac certificate. The certificate did allow me to get into college albeit only a vocational one. Would this be sufficient do you think to apply for the guards also?

Ohh I also never got to finish the college course as problems arose again. (I know, it doesn't look good for me)

For the longest time I have wanted to join the guards. I consider myself quite intelligent and am sadened that I don't have a LC.

I know its a long shot, but there is always hope I suppose.

Thanks for any information you can supply me!

//EDIT also if there are any night courses I could take or day courses full time or not I would gladly take them. Please let me know if there are.

Shield

From the forum FAQ:

From Garda Website:

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must have obtained in the Leaving Certificate:
A grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics, and
A qualifying grade in 2 languages, 1 of which must be English or Irish, as follows:
English: a grade not lower that D3 at Ordinary Level
Irish: a grade not lower than C3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level
Other language: a grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, and
A grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, in not less than 2 other subjects

Or

The Merit Grade in the Applied Leaving Certificate

Or

Like Grades in another examination, which, in the opinion of the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, is not of a lower standard than the above.

If you have equivalent grades in the above subjects on your other qualification, then you would fulfill the requirements.

EDIT: Having just familiarised myself with the FETAC Award Framework, your Level 4 award seems to be sitting at the same level as 5th Year education level in secondary schooling. I highly doubt that this would fulfill the educational requirements.

Your best best would be to study the subjects above and sit them in next year's Leaving Certificate Examinations. There are plenty of places that would teach these subjects during the evening, but we don't advertise on the forum, so why not just Google "night courses" in the subject of your choice and in your city. You should get some good links back from the search.

aN.Droid

Hey,

Thanks for your reply PSNI.

I did a little digging on google myself and found the following.

http://www.dlvec.ie/userfiles/file/programmes/Fetac%20Level%204%20BTEI%20pdf.pdf

If you scroll down a bit it says the fetac level 4 is a LC equivalent. Maybe its just that course but I hope not.

Maybe someone can enlighten me?

Geri Boyle

Limericks wrote: »

Hey,

Thanks for your reply PSNI.

I did a little digging on google myself and found the following.

http://www.dlvec.ie/userfiles/file/programmes/Fetac%20Level%204%20BTEI%20pdf.pdf

If you scroll down a bit it says the fetac level 4 is a LC equivalent. Maybe its just that course but I hope not.

Maybe someone can enlighten me?

I'm pretty sure if you have a qualification in lieu of the Leaving Cert you still have to have qualifications in Maths and 2 Languages at least one to include Irish or English. I definitely read this somewhere as I posted it on here to another poster not so long ago. I'll try dig it out.
If your FETAC qualification includes these subjects your qualifications will have to be sent away to NQAI to be certified as equivalent to the LC.

I'll try dig out the info anyway.


EDIT: Here it is:

Click


Page 4 has entry requirements.
Applicants wishing to present alternative qualifications should note that alternative qualification must still contain qualification in mathematics and two languages, one of which must be Irish or English.
It also advises you contact the National Qualification Authority of Ireland at info@nqai.ie to see if your qualification is comparable.

For anyone reading that document though, this is "Notes for Candidates" for the last competition so any or all of that document could change for the next one for all I know.

Best of luck with the application

heyjay14

I too have a quick question and seems how this is the correct subject title dont want to start another thread.....

I have a state exemption from Irish but want to apply to join the guards in the next drive... Will this be sufficient enough to allow me join?

Geri Boyle

heyjay14 wrote: »

I too have a quick question and seems how this is the correct subject title dont want to start another thread.....

I have a state exemption from Irish but want to apply to join the guards in the next drive... Will this be sufficient enough to allow me join?

This is answered in the FAQ Thread Which has also been quoted by psni just a couple of posts up.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must have obtained in the Leaving Certificate:
A grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics, and
A qualifying grade in 2 languages, 1 of which must be English or Irish, as follows:
English: a grade not lower that D3 at Ordinary Level
Irish: a grade not lower than C3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level
Other language: a grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, and
A grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, in not less than 2 other subjects


2 Languages- At least one of which much be English OR Irish. If you have English plus one more language that is sufficient.

Can everyone please please please read the FAQ thread. It is Stickied at the top of the page with ***Please Read Before Posting*** beside it!
This is the third post today that asks a question that has already been answered in there.
This is the last time I'm asking this, in future all posts will be deleted.

heyjay14

Blue Belle wrote: »

This is answered in the FAQ Thread Which has also been quoted by psni just a couple of posts up.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must have obtained in the Leaving Certificate:
A grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics, and
A qualifying grade in 2 languages, 1 of which must be English or Irish, as follows:
English: a grade not lower that D3 at Ordinary Level
Irish: a grade not lower than C3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level
Other language: a grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, and
A grade not lower than D3 at Ordinary Level, in not less than 2 other subjects


2 Languages- At least one of which much be English OR Irish. If you have English plus one more language that is sufficient.

Can everyone please please please read the FAQ thread. It is Stickied at the top of the page with ***Please Read Before Posting*** beside it!
This is the third post today that asks a question that has already been answered in there.
This is the last time I'm asking this, in future all posts will be deleted.

Im sorry if this question has been answered before but I read the faq thread and it didnt really answer my question thats why I asked here... When I was given the state exemption it meant I didnt have to do irish or any other language so I didnt. The point of me having the exemption is because I have dyselxia so cant really do any languages..

Does this mean I cannot join the guarda??

Shield

heyjay14 wrote: »

Im sorry if this question has been answered before but I read the faq thread and it didnt really answer my question thats why I asked here... When I was given the state exemption it meant I didnt have to do irish or any other language so I didnt. The point of me having the exemption is because I have dyselxia so cant really do any languages..

Does this mean I cannot join the guarda??

You have to have either Irish or another second language. You may have received an exemption in your school years, but you still have to fulfill the educational requirements, just like everyone else.

Shield

Limericks wrote: »

Hey,

Thanks for your reply PSNI.

I did a little digging on google myself and found the following.

http://www.dlvec.ie/userfiles/file/programmes/Fetac%20Level%204%20BTEI%20pdf.pdf

If you scroll down a bit it says the fetac level 4 is a LC equivalent. Maybe its just that course but I hope not.

Maybe someone can enlighten me?

I will add to my fellow mod's comments by saying that, yes, it does say it is on the same level as passing the Leaving Cert, in much the same way that the education level at the end of 5th year secondary schooling is sufficient to pass the Leaving Cert. In other words, if you are half way through a course (5th and 6th year), and you have received 50% tuition of that course (the end of 5th year), then you are at a level where you can 'pass' the Leaving Cert. You only need 40% in any subject to pass it. It would be very difficult having received only 50% tuition of the course, but possible nonetheless.

Your problem will be showing that you fulfill the standard of education required in Maths, English and another language.

I see Maths as one of the 8 modules that the course offers, but I don't see English or another language.

Can you see it?

hurler_87

slightly off topic, but closely related enough to bring it up - but is it true that if one has a degree or masters that you start higher on the pay scale???

Shield

hurler_87 wrote: »

slightly off topic, but closely related enough to bring it up - but is it true that if one has a degree or masters that you start higher on the pay scale???

True.

EDIT: Back on topic for the OP please.

aN.Droid

Sorry,

I didnt mean I was going for that course, I was just using it as an example.

I have decided to go back and do my maths english and irish for the LC this year again (Yikes)

One question though, if I go ahead with this would it be possible too apply for the guards and pass the whole thing and wait til after the LC next year for an intake? Or would I have to wait for a new recruitment drive?

shakin

Limericks wrote: »

Sorry,

I didnt mean I was going for that course, I was just using it as an example.

I have decided to go back and do my maths english and irish for the LC this year again (Yikes)

One question though, if I go ahead with this would it be possible too apply for the guards and pass the whole thing and wait til after the LC next year for an intake? Or would I have to wait for a new recruitment drive?

i think you have to have LC done before interview AT LEAST, not sure though, my thinking is if you wont meet the requirements until this time next year, i dont think you can apply now.

open to correction of course....

Shield

shakin wrote: »

i think you have to have LC done before interview AT LEAST, not sure though, my thinking is if you wont meet the requirements until this time next year, i dont think you can apply now.

open to correction of course....

I believe this to be the case as well. You must fulfill the educational requirements before the closing date of the competition.

aN.Droid

psni wrote: »

I believe this to be the case as well. You must fulfill the educational requirements before the closing date of the competition.

Darn,

Ok. If that's what I must do I was really looking forward to getting my chance this year.

Thanks guys

Shield

Stick with it. Get the head down now while you have the time and determination. Get it into your head that you are preparing to be a Garda, and what you're doing is just part of the preparation stage.

Get involved in your community by doing something voluntary like Red Cross, Civil Defence etc. If you are old enough, apply to join the Garda Reserve to get a taste of what policing is like. The more you do now, the better your chances are of success when it comes to your interview.

All the best.

Thread closed.

Limericks wrote: »

Darn,

Ok. If that's what I must do I was really looking forward to getting my chance this year.

Thanks guys