have lever 7 degree want to start plc can I get BTEA

osullid1

Hi there, in very confused . I have a level 7 pass degree in Leisure Management and want to do the Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design with Ballyfermot College. Can I apply for Back to Education Allowance if I stay on social welfare from now to September 2013? Im currently on social welfare since June 2012.

Additional Information:

I am 30 years old.
I was told previously that I can only get BTEA if I study higher than my current level ie Level 8. I think the HND in Graphic Design is classed as a level 5???

any advice would be much appreciated

ggireland

Yes, as far as I can recall you can proceed to an educational course and retain your social welfare payments i.e. BTEA regardless of the level of the award.

I know for a fact that if a person applies for a grant from their local local authorities/VEC etc. then that person must progress a level if he/she wishes to recieve a grant (lets say an individual recieved a grant for a level 5 course, failed 2 modules and went back to do the course again the following year, he/she wouldn't get a grant for the 2nd year). However, if the individual didn't get a grant for his/her first attempt at lets say a level 5 course then he/she will be issued with a grant even if its his/her 2nd attempt at a course of the same level.

Also, a Higher National Diploma isn't a FETAC level 5 course, its a higher educational qualification roughly equal to the first 2 years of a degree course.

The level of the course is (both the first year, and the 2nd yr) includes modules with outcomes at both level 6 and level 7.

Many educational providers classify the HND as level 6+ or level 6/7.

However the Irish Qualification Authorities recognize it as roughly equavilant to a HETAC Higher Certificate (which is also a 2 year degree level course)

In the UK HND's are undertaken as a sub degree course in universities (i.e the student gets a qualification after each year of univeristy, for example; a Higher National Certificate for year 1, a Higher National Diploma for successful completion of year 2 and a degree (either at pass or honours level) in the 3rd year...

The first year of the HND course will give u a Higher National Cert qualification.

This is equal to a FETAC level 6 advanced cert (as both courses feature eight modules at level 6 on the NFQ)

The 2nd yr includes another 8 modules....

BTEC/Edexcel - a UK awarrding body for both further and higher education accredites the award..

Check out HND and HNC on Wikipedia.....

Tasden

In order to qualify for BTEA you must be moving up a level on the NFQ. So if you have a level 7 you must be applying for a level 8 or higher. If you're unsure of the levels check out the NFQ site.

Long Term Louth

You will not Receive BTEA unless you are progressing.