Michael Creed
Question:182 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason Master of Arts are ineligible for higher education grants. [24398/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
My Department understands that what is in question is the qualifying examination course for admission to an MA degree programme. This exam enables graduates, who do not meet the specified requirements for entry to the MA course, but who wish to pursue such a course, to do so, on successful completion of the exam. For the purpose of the higher education grants scheme, an approved course is a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course, of not less than one year's duration, pursued in an approved institution. The qualifying examination course is a programme leading to entry to a post graduate degree course and does not satisfy the requirements of the higher education grants scheme to be deemed eligible for grant aid.