The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) is the legal successor to the National Council for Educational Awards and awards higher education awards in Ireland in the extra-university system since 2001. It is an institution subject to the policies of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and awards many Institute of Technology courses.

The National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) was founded in 1972 and awarded the first National Certificates that year at five Regional Technical Colleges. Early on it was decided that the National Council for Educational Awards would be the only extra-university conferring institution in the State at higher education rather than having a multitude of competing institutions. During the 1970s this caused trouble as Fine Gael-Labour (National Coalition) government attempted to limited the council to subdegree awards only, later Fianna Fáil government of 1977 restored the full powers and placed it on a statutory footing in 1979.

The awards

Key:

† Not awarded after June 2006.
‡ Awarded from June 2005.

See also

• Education in Ireland
• Further Education and Training Awards Council

External link

• Official site