New FAQs

Yes. The Open College has agreed its quality assurance procedures with QQI and is registered with QQI to offer programmes leading to QQI awards on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Click here for more information.

Benefits of gaining a QQI award with The Open College include:

• Choice: Over 90 QQI Level 5 & 6 programmes across a wide range of subject areas.
• Flexibility: Start at any time and study at your own pace.
• Support: Continuous one-to-one tutor support throughout your learning journey.
• Recognition: QQI validated and nationally recognised qualifications.
• Value: Flexible learning with strong student support and practical study options.
• Services: Garda Vetting support and work placement insurance available where applicable.
• Accessibility: Study online from anywhere in Ireland at times that suit you.

Learn more about The Open College.

We offer over 90 QQI Level 5 & 6 programmes through distance learning, eLearning and attendance learning. Subject areas include Childcare, Healthcare, Special Needs, Business, Management, Law, Psychology, Journalism, Sports and more.

All QQI awards are recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland and are widely recognised internationally.

View all courses.

QQI stands for Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland.

QQI is responsible for maintaining standards, validating programmes, maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications and ensuring awards are quality assured and recognised.

Yes. The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) links specific QQI Level 5 and Level 6 awards to reserved places in many higher education programmes in Ireland.

You should always check the latest entry requirements with the CAO and the individual college or university.

Click here for more information.

• Study from home, work or another location that suits you.
• Learn at your own pace.
• Access course content across devices.
• Flexible part-time study options.
• Ongoing tutor support and feedback.
• Draft submission opportunities and academic support tools.

At present, students can only complete our QQI accredited courses if they can meet any required placement and exam requirements in Ireland.

Some non-accredited online programmes may be completed while living abroad.

Our courses are written by professionally qualified and industry-experienced lecturers and tutors, and are updated regularly to ensure that content remains accurate and relevant.

Yes. Many of our distance learning courses can be paid for over a three, six or ten month period, depending on the course.

We may also run special Easy Payment offers during the year on selected major awards.

Please click here for further details.

There are several ways to pay your course fees:

• Online by credit or debit card
• Cheque or postal order
• Bank transfer
• Cash or banker’s draft

For payment help, email info@theopencollege.com or call us on 01 206 1828.

Yes. We offer discounts to previous students who wish to complete additional courses with us.

Please email info@theopencollege.com and include your previous student number before enrolling.

Yes. We have Protection for Learners arrangements in place for programmes over three months in duration.

This means that if a programme cannot continue for any reason, legally binding arrangements are in place to protect affected learners.

If you wish to cancel your enrolment, you may do so in writing within 7 days of enrolment, provided course materials are returned in their original form.

A €150 administration fee is non-refundable.

Click here for refund terms and conditions.

For the majority of our courses, assessment is based on assignments or project work completed during the course. In some cases, there may also be a final assessment.

All student work for QQI programmes is marked by an Internal Assessor and quality assured through Internal Verification and External Authentication.

Yes. You can submit fully completed draft assessments to your tutor by email.

Feedback is generally provided within 7 days, excluding weekends.

For most individual components, around 16 to 18 hours of study per week is recommended over the 8-week completion period.

Yes. You are assigned a tutor for the duration of your course.

Tutors can support you with:

• Course content queries
• Assessment guidance
• Written feedback
• Draft submissions
• General course-related challenges

Tutors aim to respond to course-related emails within 48 hours excluding weekends.

Once you enrol, we provide a course pack. While it is not always necessary to purchase additional books, doing so may support your learning and broaden your knowledge of the subject.

Yes. The Open College is a registered organisation with the Garda Vetting Unit and can support students where Garda Vetting is required.

If you have lived outside the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland for 6 months or more, you may need to obtain an overseas Police Clearance Certificate if requested by a placement provider.

Any associated costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

Useful overseas police clearance information can be found here.

Yes. Our insurance plan covers learners who are on work placement as part of their course, at no extra cost where applicable.

Not every course requires work placement. Childcare and Healthcare courses commonly do.

Typical minimum requirements are:

• Major awards: 150 hours
• Component awards: 20 hours

Please check the individual course page for exact requirements.

Yes. If you need proof of enrolment or another course-related letter, please contact us at info@theopencollege.com.

Yes. You can request a prospectus here:

Request a prospectus.

Forms

• Interim Course Student Feedback Form
• End of Course Student Feedback Form
• Extension Request Form
• Deferral Request Form
• Assessment Declaration Form

Useful links

• Student Charter
• Our Learning Environment
• Send us your query

Yes. Most of our courses lead to a QQI qualification at Level 5 or Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Once you have completed your course and required assessments, your work is prepared for the next certification period.

The process includes:

• Internal Verification by The Open College
• External Authentication
• Issue of provisional results
• Issue of final QQI certificates

For details on upcoming certification dates, please contact info@theopencollege.com.

Internal Verification is the process of checking that assessment procedures have been applied correctly, learner evidence is present and marks and grades have been recorded accurately.

External Authentication is carried out by an independent QQI quality assured external authenticator to help ensure fairness, consistency and accuracy of assessment results.

Yes. Appeals can be submitted within 14 days of receiving your result.

View appeals information.

QQI awards use the Common Awards System.

Typical credits are:

• Major awards (Level 5 and 6): 120 credits
• Minor awards/components (Level 5 and 6): 15 credits

For modules or component awards, students usually have up to 8 weeks to complete.

For major awards, students usually have up to 13 months to complete the full programme.

For most online distance learning courses, completion time ranges from 8 weeks to 12 months, depending on the programme.

Please check the individual course page for exact details.

Extensions may be allowed depending on the time elapsed and individual circumstances. Please contact the college to discuss your options.

A major award may be completed in less than 12 months, but it is demanding. In practice, it would be difficult to complete one in much less than 10 months.

Yes. People on Social Welfare Benefits or Jobseekers may be eligible for Department of Social Protection funding or TESG funding towards a course.

Funding decisions are made by the relevant DSP facilitator and depend on eligibility and funding availability.

Typical steps include:

• Print the course details you are interested in
• Arrange an appointment with your local DSP facilitator
• Explain how the course supports your back-to-work plan
• Request funding support
• If approved, send the forms to us for completion

Some courses require attendance at workshops or exams. Dates and times are made available in advance and are listed on the relevant course page before enrolment.

To complete our courses, you should have access to:

• A PC, laptop or tablet
• A reliable internet connection
• An up-to-date browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari
• Adobe Reader
• Word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs

Students may be allowed to transfer to another course provided the request is made in writing within 7 days of enrolment, includes reasonable justification and any applicable additional fees are paid.

An administration charge may apply.

It may be possible to apply for exemptions where course content has already been covered by a previous qualification. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning.

Exemptions are not granted on the basis of work experience alone.

Yes. Appeals must normally be submitted within 14 days of receiving the result.

Click here for appeals information.