The Awarding Bodies - Irish Computer Society

Awarding Bodies are organisations that are authorised to make awards, certification, or award qualifications

Listing Awarding Bodies

WhichCollege.ie provides an overview of awarding bodies operating in Ireland, the UK, and internationally. While many postgraduate qualifications are issued by organisations with statutory authority, a wide range of professional bodies also grant their own awards linked to advanced study. Although most Irish courses lead to qualifications from domestic awarding bodies, some programmes result in international or non‑Irish awards, depending on the institution or field of study.

A number of Irish institutions act both as education providers and as awarding bodies in their own right. This includes the Irish universities and the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), which have the authority to confer postgraduate qualifications.

An academic award (whether a degree, diploma, or certificate) is granted when a learner successfully completes a recognised programme of higher education at undergraduate or postgraduate level. These awards are issued by designated awarding bodies and are aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The NFQ distinguishes between major and non‑major awards, with the latter covering minor, special‑purpose, and supplemental awards.

Major awards represent the primary qualification type at each NFQ level and correspond to substantial learning achievements. Examples include an Honours Bachelor Degree at Level 8, a Master’s Degree at Level 9, and a Doctoral Degree at Level 10.

Recent legislative changes have streamlined Ireland’s qualifications system, reducing the number of statutory awarding bodies. The responsibilities previously held by organisations such as the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA), Solas, Teagasc, CERT, and Bord Iascaigh Mhara have been consolidated under the awards councils FETAC and HETAC.

Below, WhichCollege.ie outlines the awarding bodies responsible for certification across Ireland and the UK.

young female student sitting with a laptop on her lap smiling

The Irish Computer Society (ICS) advances, promotes and represents the interests of ICT professionals in Ireland. The ICS provides its members with:

An independent representative voice
Independent means of keeping up-to-date
Resources for professional development
A network of contacts in the ICT sector
Europe-wide professional recognition
Guidance on professional standards

The Irish Computer Society also works to advance and promote computer literacy throughout the Irish population by:

Providing a means for current and potential computer users to achieve certified qualifications
Encouraging the continuous development and availability of ICT curricula, and the use of appropriate ICT throughout the education system
Furthering Ireland's economic, educational and cultural participation in the worldwide Information Society

Educational and Social Initiatives from ICS

The ICS operates and supports a range of initiatives designed to support Ireland's economic and social development through IT.

Their focus is on community-based social inclusion. They also aim to spark the innovative and creative spirits of students. Their programmes include ChooseIT and CLISTE as well as the Computing Curriculum.

ChooseIT shows second-level students some of the good things about a career in Information Technology. CLISTE is a digital skills programme designed specifically for the Irish primary classroom. The ICS Skills Computing Curriculum for second-level students.

In addition, the ICS offers Continuous Professional Development for ICT professionals to progress in their careers.

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