Certificate in Hospitality Studies

This programme is designed specifically for applicants who have experienced socio-economic disadvantage and/or educational disadvantage. Each candidate is screened at the short-listing stage to determine eligibility for the programme.

Mature Students (22 years of age or over on the 1st of January 2024):

There are no standard educational requirements, such as the Leaving Certificate, but all applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a mature student. Applicants who are 22 years of age or over on the 1st of January on the year of entry are considered mature students.
• Be able to demonstrate a desire to pursue third level programmes and a level of learning ability suitable to do so.
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in English at level suitable to commencing the programme.
• Candidates who already hold a higher education qualification (level 6 Higher Certificate award or above) with no evidence of deterioration in academic ability, will be considered ineligible.
• Non-EU/EEA candidates must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and have Visa/GNIB stamp 4 status or have international protection status in Ireland.
• Be ordinarily resident within the EU/EEA/Swiss Confederation for 3 out of the last 5 years.

Young Adults (21 years of age or younger on the 1st of January 2024):

This programme offers opportunities to young adults who have experienced socio-economic disadvantage. To be considered eligible applicants must satisfy three of the following SED indicators:

1. Parents have not gone to college (higher education).
2. Applicant has attended a DEIS school for at least 2 years.
3. Family income in 2020 was below the following:

Less than 4	€45,790
4-7	€50,325
More than 8	€54,630

Add €4,670 to the total income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full time college, university or post leaving certificate further education course.

4. Be from a socio economic group underrepresented in higher education.
5. Live in an area of urban or rural disadvantage.
6. Family received a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for atleast 26 weeks in the tax year two years prior to the year of application. For example, applicants for 2024 must submit financial documentation for 2022.

Special consideration is given to applicants from the Traveller Community and applicants who are/were in the care of the state.

There are no standard educational requirements, such as the Leaving Certificate, but all applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be able to demonstrate a desire to pursue third level programmes and a level of learning ability suitable to do so.
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in English at level suitable to commencing the programme.
• Candidates who already hold a higher education qualification (level 6 Higher Certificate award or above) with no evidence of deterioration in academic ability, will be considered ineligible.
• Non-EU/EEA candidates must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and have Visa/GNIB stamp 4 status or have international protection status in Ireland.
• Be ordinarily resident within the EU/EEA/Swiss Confederation for 3 out of the last 5 years.

• Food & Beverage Assistant
• Restaurant/Bar/Public House Assistant
• Barista
• Mixologist
• Reservations and Reception Assistant
• Waitress/Waiter
• Customer Service Representative
• Server Assistant
• Food Runner
• Host/Hostess
• Catering Assistant
• Customer Services Representative Assistant
• Airport Representative
• Front Desk Agent
• Tourism Officer Assistant
• Operations Assistant