Advanced Certificate in Software Development and Networking
Level 6 QQI Award
Duration
This is a Full-time One Year course which runs from Sept. 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.
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.
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.
Certification
- Level 6 QQI Award Software Development (6M0691)
- CompTIA Certification (Optional)
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.
Additional Information
This course is delivered through a blended learning approach which is a combination of classroom and online learning.
Assessment
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
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
BEng Computer Engineering (AL704)
Athlone Institute of Technology - www.ait.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.
