Education Routes to Irish Careers
Find how to qualify for your chosen career — university/CAO, further education, apprenticeships, bootcamps, Springboard+ and professional routes, mapped to real Irish careers.
Apprenticeship
Earn-as-you-learn programmes combining employer training with college phases, leading to QQI Level 6–8 qualifications across trades, ICT, hospitality and finance.
Careers you can reach via this route
SOLAS electrical apprenticeship — typically 4 years combining on-the-job training with phase-based college study.
View Construction & Trades JobsAccounting technician apprenticeship as an alternative entry route.
View Finance & Accounting JobsHigher level construction and engineering apprenticeships are emerging for site-based routes.
View Engineering JobsCommis chef and chef de partie apprenticeships combining college and on-the-job training.
View Hospitality & Tourism JobsBootcamp
Intensive 12–24 week programmes — often for career changers — focused on job-ready skills such as software development or data analytics.
Careers you can reach via this route
Intensive coding bootcamps (12–24 weeks) for career changers with a prior degree.
View Technology JobsCertification
Short industry certifications (e.g. forklift, manual handling, IPTC pharmacy technician) that improve entry prospects and pay.
Careers you can reach via this route
Forklift and manual handling tickets improve pay and progression.
View Logistics & Warehousing JobsConversion
Springboard+ and conversion courses — often government-backed for career changers — usually in tech, data and digital skills.
Careers you can reach via this route
Data analytics bootcamps and Springboard+ courses for career changers.
View Technology JobsDirect entry
Apply directly to employers — attitude and aptitude matter more than formal qualifications, with progression through experience.
Careers you can reach via this route
Apply directly to warehouse agencies and distribution employers — often no experience needed.
View Logistics & Warehousing JobsFurther Education
Level 5/6 courses at Education and Training Boards (ETBs), PLCs and further education colleges — practical, shorter routes that also progress into Level 7/8.
Careers you can reach via this route
Higher Certificate / Level 6 in Software Development through a further education college, progressing into Level 7/8.
View Technology JobsLevel 5/6 Professional Cookery in a further education college or National Hospitality Training Centre.
View Hospitality & Tourism JobsLevel 6/7 marketing certificates and diplomas in further education.
View Marketing & Media JobsPharmacy technician courses at Level 5/6 in further education colleges.
View Healthcare JobsLevel 5 Special Needs Assisting course through further education colleges.
View Education JobsInternational
Registration or recognition of an overseas qualification with the relevant Irish body (e.g. NMBI, Teaching Council) to work in Ireland.
Careers you can reach via this route
Qualified nurses from abroad can apply to NMBI for registration to work in Ireland.
View Healthcare JobsMature Route
Entry routes for learners over 23 who may not meet standard Leaving Certificate requirements — common in nursing and teaching.
Careers you can reach via this route
Mature student entry routes and integrated nursing degrees for those over 23.
View Healthcare JobsOn the job
Direct entry with training in the workplace — common in hospitality, retail and logistics where experience is valued over formal study.
Careers you can reach via this route
Many chefs build a career through kitchen experience and progression through the brigade.
View Hospitality & Tourism JobsSome train as a technician while working in a community pharmacy.
View Healthcare JobsOnline
Flexible accredited online courses for learners who need to fit study around work or other commitments.
Careers you can reach via this route
Accredited online SNA courses for flexible entry.
View Education JobsPostgraduate
Level 9 masters or professional qualifications (e.g. Professional Master of Education) for graduates who already hold a Level 8 degree.
Careers you can reach via this route
Professional Master of Education (PME) for graduates with a Level 8 degree.
View Education JobsProfessional
Professional body qualifications (e.g. ACCA, CPA Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland, DMI, CIM) studied while working in a training role.
Careers you can reach via this route
ACCA or CPA Ireland exams while working in a training firm.
View Finance & Accounting JobsDigital Marketing Institute (DMI) or CIM qualifications for career changers.
View Marketing & Media JobsUniversity
Level 8 honours degrees via the CAO at universities and technological universities (TUD, UCD, TCD, UL, UCC, MU, ATU, SETU, MTU). Typically 3–4 years full-time.
Careers you can reach via this route
Level 8 Computer Science degree via the CAO (e.g. TCD, UCD, DCU, UL, Maynooth).
View Technology JobsLevel 8 BSc in Nursing (UCD, TCD, UL, UCC, NUIG, DCU) via the CAO — 4 years.
View Healthcare JobsLevel 8 Business/Accounting degree via the CAO, then a professional training contract.
View Finance & Accounting JobsBachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) via the CAO (DCU, Marino, Froebel/UL, Mary Immaculate).
View Education JobsLevel 8 Civil Engineering degree (TCD, UCD, UCC, UL, NUIG, DIT/TU Dublin) via the CAO.
View Engineering JobsLevel 8 Business/Marketing degree via the CAO.
View Marketing & Media JobsLevel 8 in Data Science, Statistics, Maths or Business Analytics via the CAO.
View Technology JobsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the CAO?
The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate Level 8 and Level 7/6 courses at Irish universities and colleges. You apply once and list course choices in order of preference.
What are Springboard+ courses?
Springback+ provides government-funded and part-funded places on higher education courses for people looking to upskill or change career, with a strong focus on tech, data and digital skills. Many courses are part-time and designed for those in work.
Can I get to a degree through further education (PLC)?
Yes. Many learners complete a Level 5/6 Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) or further education course and then progress into a Level 7 or Level 8 degree via advanced entry or the CAO.
Which route suits career changers?
Bootcamps, conversion/Springboard+ courses, professional qualifications and higher apprenticeships are all designed for career changers who may already hold a degree or work experience in another field.