Listing Awarding Bodies
Postgrad.ie lists all of the awarding bodies in Ireland, the UK and abroad. Most major postgraduate awards are made by bodies with statutory powers, but there are also many professional organisations that make their own awards in relation to postgraduate study. While courses and educational programmes in Ireland lead to qualifications from Irish awarding bodies, it sometimes be the case that courses lead to non-Irish awards, for example awards from international bodies, or national awards from other countries.
Certain Irish institutions are both providers of courses and programmes and also awarding bodies for postgraduate certification in their own right: these are the Irish universities and the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT).
An award is an academic qualification (degree, diploma or certificate) conferred in recognition of the successful completion of a higher education programme of study, either at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and issued by a designated awarding body. The National Framework of Qualifications sets out the criteria for major and non-major awards. Non-major awards include, minor awards, special purpose awards
and supplemental awards.
Major awards are the principal class of awards made at a given NFQ level and reflect a significant volume of learning, e.g. Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ, Level 8), Master Degree (NFQ, Level 9), Doctorate Degree (NFQ Level 10).
In Ireland, following the changes in the qualifications system as a result recent legislation, the number of statutory bodies has been reduced as the new awards councils FETAC and HETAC have assumed the the awarding functions previously fulfilled by several other Irish organisations such as the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA), Solas, Teagasc, the National Tourism Certification Board (CERT) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Postgrad.ie lists all of the awarding bodies giving postgraduate certification in Ireland and the UK below.
OCN NI (Open College Networks NI) is a UK regulated awarding organisation and educational charity that designs and awards vocational qualifications. These range from entry level up to and including Level 5, across all sector areas.
The Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) develops and awards professional and technical (vocational) qualifications. In addition, Ofqual regulates OCN NI to award similar qualifications in England.
Educational charity
OCN NI (Open College Networks NI) are an educational charity and an awarding organisation. They advance education by developing nationally recognised qualifications and recognising the achievements of adults and young people. They work with further education colleges, private training organisations, voluntary and community organisations, schools, SMEs and public sector bodies to provide learners with opportunities to progress into further learning and/or employment.
Awarding Organisation
As an Awarding Organisation, OCN NI develops high quality qualifications from entry level to Level 5. These meet the needs of learners and employers. They have registered over 360,000 learners throughout their history. In addition, OCN NI has worked with over 400 organisations.
Qualifications
OCN NI offers access to over 500 nationally recognised qualifications. Their qualifications cover a huge range of sectors, including:
- Administration
- Agriculture
- Building and Construction
- Business Management
- Childcare
- Engineering
- Hospitality and Catering
- ICT
- Marketing and Sales
- Performing Arts
- Sport, Leisure and Recreation
- Travel and Tourism
