From further education and training (FET) to higher education (HE): Performance of CAO candidates with QQI FET awards

On average about 12,000 of CAO applicants each year include reference to QQI FET awards in their application. Many of these applicants have both a QQI FET award and a Leaving Certificate.

This analysis focuses on a subset of this group of learners: QQI FET learners who achieved a level 5 or 6 major award in a single sitting (i.e. within one academic year) and applied to the CAO in the same academic year.

The analysis presents the CAO points attained by these learners from their QQI FET awards in 2018 – 2022 and provides an insight into how, and in what subject areas these QQI learners may potentially progress to HE through the CAO using their QQI award.

Key findings from this analysis:

• There is an upward trend in the overall number of learners with this profile between 2018 and 2022. The numbers increased in 2022 by 10% from 2021.

• The average CAO points earned by these learners in 2022 decreased from 2021 by 5 percentage points.

• In 2022, 37% earned the maximum CAO points possible (i.e., allowed under the Higher Education Links scheme, 390 points), a decrease of 29% from 2021.  The greater proportion of higher grades observed in 2020 and 2021 is likely to be related to factors associated with the COVID-19 experience.

• One in four achieved an NFQ Level 5 QQI award in Nursing Studies.

• The top 5 QQI major awards in terms of numbers of these learners have been the same since 2020, namely: nursing studies; business studies; community health services; applied social studies; and laboratory techniques.

You can view more detailed information in our interactive graphic below.