Diploma courses to be upgraded to degrees

COURSES previously recognised for diploma awards will earn graduates a higher education degree from next autumn, under changes to third level qualification systems.

The move should make Irish third-level awards more meaningful to both overseas employers and foreign students considering taking courses here.

The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland has put forward the changes in the format of a new framework, which sets different qualifications at set levels. There are 10 different levels, ranging from level one, recognising basic literacy and numeracy, to level 10 for a doctorate degree.