All QQI providers, including the college concerned, are required to have quality assurance procedures in place which include provision for the management of recognition of prior learning (RPL) and the granting of exemptions. They are also required to operate within the context of those procedures. In the case referred to by the Deputy, the college concerned contacted QQI in relation to the granting of exemptions. From a QQI perspective, and in relation to programmes which lead to its awards, the integrity of the QQI award is critical and any exemptions which might be granted by a provider must be done in the context of best RPL practice. In the case concerned, the studies completed by the learner when enrolled in Eden College could be considered to be broadly equivalent to a level 6 Higher Certificate; or the first two years of a 4 year Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree, or the first two years of a Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree; or the first year of a three year Honours Bachelor Degree.
As the programme on which the learner was to be enrolled is a three year Honours Bachelor Degree, the learner could only be considered to have completed the equivalent of the first year of that programme. A learner who had completed a level 7 degree in a cognate area could gain access to the final and third year of the programme. With regard to the above, it should be noted that exemptions are granted on a subject by subject basis, based on the achievement of the stated programme learning outcomes. QQI has been in contact over the past few weeks with providers, with a view to ensuring a consistent approach to the issues and ensuring equity of treatment for all of the learners impacted by the closure of private colleges. QQI continues to issue relevant advice as new information emerges. In general, the reasonable accommodation of students on non-English language courses is more challenging than those attending English language courses. There are a greater variety of courses involved and it will take longer to determine in what way high-quality private colleges can find alternative provision for these students. A website, www.studenttaskforce.ie, has been set up to maintain communication with all students concerned.
