Knowledge Zone

At the end of sixth year, you do your Leaving Cert exam.

Nobody says “At the end of sixth year, you do your Level 4 or Level 5 certificate exam.” At least, nobody outside of the deep, dark depths of education does.

But that’s what the Leaving Cert exam is.

Depending on the level of subjects you study, you’re either getting a Level 4 or a Level 5 certificate after passing your exams at the end of sixth year.

The Leaving Cert has been known as such for decades, but for some reason, college courses are known by their levels rather than their names. Level 7 or Level 8 registers with prospective students faster than a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) does.

We all have a vague idea of what a Level 7, Level 8 and Level 9 degree is. What we need to have a better understanding of is what it means.

Levels are outlined by the QQI’s National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). University degrees in Ireland start at Level 7 and go up to Level 10. This is a consistent measurement across all colleges so any course that is Level 7 or Level 8 in one college is held to the same standards as the Level 7 or Level 8 in another college.

It’s important to understand that the NFQ is an Irish standard. Other countries have their own national framework of qualifications and their numbering can be different.

But international qualifications can be measured against the NFQ in Ireland. This allows students with international degrees to qualify for the same postgraduate courses or same career opportunities as those who come through the Irish education system.

Having an internationally awarded degree might even open new doors for you. It won’t close any in Ireland at the very least.

Portobello Institute is an accredited QQI centre. We write and develop QQI programmes that are accredited through QQI. While Portobello Institute is based in Dublin, we also offer international qualifications through London Metropolitan University (LMU). We write, validate and deliver degree programmes that are accredited through LMU.

Our international degrees sit on the NFQ at Level 7, Level 8 and Level 9 depending on which course you choose.

The QQI website offers a very useful interactive chart to explain the specifics of each level.

Brexit does not prevent LMU from being the awarding body for our degrees. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) still acts as an equalizer to measure degrees from different countries against each other.

LMU courses have received top marks from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency. More than two-thirds of the university's research output was adjudged to be world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised by the Research Excellence Framework.

As a result of their success, they have attracted students from more than 140 countries.

Those students have gone on to find quick success after graduation too.

When the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey was carried out in 2017, it was found that 96.7% of LMU graduates were in work or further study within six months of graduating. That while the college itself boasts more female than male students and more Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities than white students.

Portobello Institute was founded 40 years ago on the principle of making education accessible for everyone. By working with LMU, we are able to offer alternative routes to the same calibre of accredited education that you aspire to.

For more information on the courses available at Portobello, you can choose from one of our six department pages. If you’re not sure what you want to do or if you already know what course you want to do and would like to know more about it, you can contact a member of our admissions team.

• Brandon McLean will handle any general enquiries you have or questions about Facilities Management courses. You can call him at 01 892 0035 or email at brandon.mclean@portobelloinstitute.com. You can also set up a meeting with Brandon directly if you pick a time and date that suits you here.
• Johanna Shaw is our Sports course advisor. You can call her at 01 892 0024 or email at jo.shaw@portobelloinstitute.com. You can also set up a meeting with Johanna directly if you pick a time and date that suits you here.
• Jennifer Matteazzi is our Early Years and Montessori course advisor. You can call her at 01 892 0031 or email at jennifer.matteazzi@portobellinstitute.com. You can also set up a meeting with Jennifer directly if you pick a time and date that suits you here.
• George Boylan is our Special Needs Assisting, Fashion and Travel course advisor. You can call him at 01 892 0041 or email at george.boylan@portobelloinstitute.com. You can also set up a meeting with George directly if you pick a time and date that suits you here.