Springboard Funded Courses 2019

Eligibility for Springboard Funded Places

Residency Rules 

In order to participate on a Springboard+ course you must meet the eligibility requirements and that you are normally resident in the state at the time of course commencement and also hold a valid PPSN.

Applicants who are employed will need to meet the residency requirements, i.e. that the applicant has been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme.

Multiple Courses

• Participants may not enroll in more than three courses in any five-year period. They may re-engage with the Springboard+ programme after a break period of two years. This criteria will be strictly enforced.
• Participants who enrolled in more than one Springboard+ course since the inception of Springboard in 2011, and did not complete any course, are not eligible to apply in 2019. This criteria applies to all categories of applicant outlined below.
• Participants who enrolled in just one course, since the inception of Springboard+ in 2011, but did not complete, are eligible to apply in 2019.
• All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below and any additional requirements as outlined by the course provider.

Rules Relaxed for SB 2019

• The restriction on moving from one discipline area to another has been removed.
• The requirement to move up the NFQ ladder has been removed.

Recent Graduates

One-year full-time and two-year part-time ICT Skills Conversion courses are open to recent graduates. However, to participate in a NFQ Level 9 (Post Graduate) course, a period of at least one year must have elapsed since completing a full time undergraduate degree course leading to a major award at level 8 on the NFQ.

More Information

The Higher Education Authority (HEA), who run the national Springboard+ initiative, has comprehensive eligibility information at https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility which covers all individuals' circumstances. These pages include a useful eligibility reckoner app, an informative FAQ section, and contact details for the Springboard Freephone Helpline staffed by adult education guidance experts.

Expert, free and impartial advice is available from your local Adult Education Guidance service office including offices in Waterford/Wexford, Kilkenny/Carlow, Tipperary and Cork. If you are struggling to choose the best option for you then make an appointment for a discussion about course choice, funding etc. with the experienced adult education experts in these centres.

The best source of definitive advice on specific issues related to eligibility and social welfare benefits is your INTREO Case Officer.

If I'm Not Eligible Are There Other Funded Courses Available?

There are funded course opprotunities available from other organisations such as Skillnets - for example the Waterford Chamber Skillnet. The Citizen's Information website maintains a list of funded programmes available. Again, the best source of imopartial advice is your local Adult Education Guidance service as listed above.

Academic Entry Requirements 

Academic eligibility criteria for WIT Springboard+ courses are set out on each course page. All applications must be supported by electronic copies of academic certs uploaded to the Springboard site. If you do noty have a electonic copy then simply take a picture of the certs with your phone and upload that.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Where candidates do not currrently meet the formal academic entry requirements (set out on each course information page) they may be able to advance their application using the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism. RPL allows candidates to make a case that they do meet entry requirements through a combination of formal certified learning and learning through experience (most typically work experience). RPL applications must be made by filling out (please type) the Springboard RPL form and submitting it along with supporting documents such as academic certificates and transcripts etc.

Download WIT Springboard RPL Form

English Language Competency

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit documentary evidence of competency in English. Please see Click Here for WIT’s English Language Requirements.

What's the right course for me? 

Expert, free and impartial advice is available from your local Adult Education Guidance service office including offices in Waterford/Wexford, Kilkenny/Carlow, Tipperary and Cork. If you are struggling to choose the best option for you then make an appointment for a discussion about course choice, funding etc. with the experienced adult education experts in these centres.

Joan Mangan – [email protected] / 051 302849 

Lorraine Quirke – [email protected] / 051 834137 

WIT Lifelong Learning Office - 051 302040