Bray Institute of Further Education

What Bray Institute of Further Education does

Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE) is a publicly funded Further Education and Training (FET) college located on a six-acre site in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, operating as a constituent institute of the Kildare/Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB). The institution delivers Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses at Certificate, Diploma, and honours degree level across 16 academic departments spanning Art, Design, Music, Computing, Engineering, Sport, Animal Care, Social Studies, Childcare, Hair/Beauty/Wellness, Science, Business, Hospitality, Health, Film/Computer Gaming, Acting/Dance, and English Language. BIFE enrols over 1,200 full-time learners and approximately 3,000 part-time learners annually, attracting students nationally from across Ireland and internationally.

Instruction is delivered through standard educational technology including Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams), the FETCH course registration platform, and Adobe tools for creative courses, with Think-cell provided free to students. The curriculum is accredited through QQI, BTEC, ITEC, VTCT, and HND frameworks, and the college maintains structured progression pathways to Irish universities (UCD, Maynooth, SETU, TUD, NCI) and UK institutions. Notable partnerships include Liverpool FC International for soccer coaching, FAI for coaching awards, and Erasmus+ partnerships with seven European institutions for international placements.

BIFE's revenue model is primarily government-funded: tuition for Irish and EU PLC students is largely covered by the European Social Fund, with non-EU international students paying the economic cost as determined by the Department of Education. Additional revenue includes a non-refundable €50 acceptance fee, annual €150 learner services registration fee, evening class fees, and BIFE Bus transport fares. In October 2024, BIFE was selected as one of three FET Colleges of the Future, securing substantial capital funding for a new state-of-the-art campus building to consolidate dispersed KWETB provision across Bray and North Wicklow.

Name

Bray Institute of Further Education

Legal name

Bray Institute of Further Education

Website

https://bife.ie

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE) is a publicly funded Further Education and Training college in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, operating under KWETB and delivering PLC courses, degree programmes, and evening classes across 16 academic departments to 4,200+ Irish, EU, and international learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bray

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. PLC Course Tuition: Tuition costs for PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) courses are covered largely by European Social Fund for Irish and EU citizens. Non-EU international students pay economic cost of the course as determined by the Department of Education.
2. Learner Services Fees: Acceptance fee of €50 (non-refundable) paid when offered a place. Registration fee of €150 for learner services paid annually. Some courses have additional costs for uniforms or professional body registration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bray Institute of Further Education is a publicly funded Further Education and Training (FET) college that delivers full-time Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, part-time courses, evening classes, and tertiary degree programmes across 16 academic departments. Courses lead to QQI, BTEC, ITEC, HND, and honours degree certifications, preparing school leavers, mature learners, and international students for employment or progression to higher education.

Product overview

Bray Institute of Further Education (BIFE) is a Further Education and Training (FET) college offering a diverse portfolio of educational programmes. The institution operates as a single integrated offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, providing full-time PLC courses, part-time programmes, and evening classes across 16 academic departments. The core educational products include vocational Certificate and Diploma programmes (QQI, BTEC, ITEC, VTCT certified), Higher National Diplomas (HND), and honours degree programmes delivered in collaboration with partner universities. Key programme categories span Business & Administration, Computing & Engineering, Health, Hospitality & Tourism, Arts & Design, Sport, Animal Care, Film & Computer Gaming, Music, and Social Studies. The institution also provides student support services including career guidance, counselling, and learning support, as well as international opportunities through the Erasmus+ programme. Notable specialised offerings include the Liverpool FC-affiliated Soccer Coaching programme and various pre-university pathways enabling progression to higher education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-Time PLC Courses Full-time Post Leaving Certificate programmes at Certificate, Diploma, and Degree levels across 16 academic departments (Art, Business, Computing, Health, Hospitality, Sport, Music, Film & Gaming, Social Studies, etc.), leading to QQI, BTEC, and ITEC certifications for school leavers and pre-university progression.
• Part-Time Courses Part-time daytime and evening educational programmes including vocational training, professional skills, and personal development courses for mature learners and community adults.
• Evening Classes (Night School) Night school offerings including language classes (French, Italian, Spanish, Irish), arts (painting, pottery, photography), wellness (yoga, pilates), and professional skills (digital photography, first aid) for community learners and hobbyists.
• Tertiary Degree Courses Higher education degree programmes at honours bachelor level (e.g., BA Hons Digital Business, BA Hons Immersive Media Production, B.Bus Hons Business & Psychology) offered in collaboration with partner universities and awarding bodies.
• Soccer Coaching and Player Development (BTEC) BTEC-certified football coaching programme delivered in collaboration with Liverpool FC International, providing coaching qualifications and pathways into sports careers.
• Soccer Coaching & Player Development Advanced Advanced football coaching programme featuring UEFA B-licensed coaching, FAI coaching awards, and BTEC certification for professional-level coaching and sports performance.
• Sports Injury and Massage Therapy / Pre-University Physiotherapy QQI Level 5 and ITEC-certified sports therapy programme preparing students for sports massage careers or progression to physiotherapy degrees.
• Computer Software Development with AI Computing programme covering software development with integrated artificial intelligence concepts and applications, leading to recognised qualifications for software development careers.
• Computer Networks & Cyber Security (Level 6) Level 6 programme in computer networking and cybersecurity covering network infrastructure, security protocols, and digital protection for entry-level IT security careers.
• Music Production HND Higher National Diploma in music production covering recording techniques, mixing, mastering, and digital audio workstation proficiency.
• TV & Film Production Television and film production programme covering video production, editing, and media creation techniques with industry-standard equipment.
• 3D Game Design Game design programme focusing on 3D modelling, game engine usage, and design principles for interactive gaming experiences.
• Erasmus+ International Placements Programme International work placement programme enabling BIFE students to spend 3-4 weeks abroad gaining vocational experience with Erasmus Plus grant funding through partner institutions in Finland, Spain, Czechia, Italy, and Malta.
• Guidance and Counselling Service Free professional career guidance, counselling, and personal development support services for registered students, including CAO/UCAS application workshops and wellbeing support.
• Student Learning Support Service Inclusive education support services providing assistive technology, additional learning support, and examination accommodations for students with disabilities or additional learning needs.
• BIFE Bus Transport Service Subsidised bus transport from Gorey, Arklow, Wicklow Town, Beehive, and Rathnew to the BIFE campus, with tickets purchased via the TFI GO app on a two-term academic year structure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Strong progression rates to higher education through CAO applications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Liverpool FC InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Liverpool FC International for Soccer Coaching and Player Development programme. Students learn Liverpool Way coaching methodologies from UEFA B-licensed Head Coach. The partnership provides exclusive coaching certification pathway and elite-level sports education.
• Luksia (Finland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner institution in Finland for student work placements. BIFE learners spend 3-4 weeks on vocational training placements abroad developing skills and cultural awareness.
• Kisakallio (Finland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner institution in Finland. Provides work placement opportunities for BIFE students as part of their vocational training and international experience.
• Malaga (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner in Spain for international work placements. Enables BIFE students to gain vocational experience in Spanish-speaking environment.
• Valladolid (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner institution in Spain. Supports international placement opportunities for BIFE students seeking European work experience.
• Chomotov (Czechia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner institution in Czech Republic providing work placement opportunities for BIFE students in Central Europe.
• Bologna (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner (IFOM) in Italy. BIFE students can undertake international work placements in Italy as part of their vocational education.
• MaltaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ partner in Malta for international student work placements. Provides Mediterranean-based vocational experience opportunities.
• Football Association of Ireland (FAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAI coaching awards integrated into Soccer Coaching programmes. Students earn certifications including Me & My Ball (5-7 yrs), Me & My Skill (8-11 yrs), Me & My Teammates (12-14 yrs), FAI Grassroots Coach, and FAI Safeguarding awards. FAI PDP 3 recognized for advanced programme entry.
• QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)coreOthersAwarding body for PLC courses providing QQI Level 5 Awards in various disciplines. BIFE programmes lead to QQI certification recognized for further education progression and employment.
• BTEC (Pearson)coreOthersInternational vocational qualification provider. BIFE offers BTEC International Level 3 Certificate and BTEC Certification (International Subsidiary Diploma) in Sports programmes, providing internationally recognized credentials.
• ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council)coreOthersInternational beauty and complementary therapy awarding organization. BIFE Sports programmes include ITEC Level 3 in Sports Massage Therapy, providing professional industry certification.
• Kildare/Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB)coreOthersParent educational authority. BIFE is a constituent institute of KWETB, which funds operations, provides governance, and supports institutional development including capital projects.
• SETU (South East Technological University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education progression pathway. BIFE graduates commonly progress to SETU Carlow and Waterford campuses for degree programmes in Sports Science, Recreation & Sport Management, and related fields.
• Local Employers (Job Placement Network)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInstitute maintains relationships with many local and national employers who notify BIFE of job vacancies. Job placement service supports work experience and graduate employment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pearse College of Further Education: Pearse College is a Dublin ETB FET college offering a comparable portfolio of PLC and evening-class programmes across multiple departments; very similar positioning, funding model, and learner base to BIFE.
• Liberties College: Liberties College is another Dublin ETB FET institution delivering PLC and night-school programmes to comparable cohorts; directly comparable in programme breadth and ETB-funded model.
• Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute (DFEi): DFEi is a constituent college of the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB offering PLC, BTEC, and QQI programmes in Wicklow/Dublin fringe, directly comparable to BIFE in scale, programme mix, and Irish FET role.
• Cork College of Commerce: Cork College of Commerce is a Cork ETB college offering full-time PLC and evening programmes across multiple disciplines — broadly the same proposition as BIFE for a regional Irish FET audience.
• Waterford College of Further Education: Waterford CFE is a Waterford and Wexford ETB FET college delivering the same mix of PLC, QQI, and night-class programmes under the national ETB funding model, comparable in scale and learner base.
• Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE): BCFE is a City of Dublin ETB FET college with a similarly broad PLC, BTEC, and QQI portfolio and a strong music/creative specialism, providing a like-for-like comparator on government-funded Irish FET operations.
• Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education: Coláiste Dhúlaigh is a Dublin ETB college with comparable PLC certificate and diploma offerings across 16+ departments; positioned identically to BIFE within the Irish public FET sector.
• Galway Technical Institute (GTI): GTI is a Galway/Roscommon ETB FET college offering PLC programmes, evening classes, and progression pathways, serving as a regional peer institution for BIFE in programme design and governance structure.

Broad incumbents

• South East Technological University (SETU): SETU is a designated progression partner for BIFE graduates and a substantially larger higher-education provider; overlapping in computing and sports pathways, making it both an articulation partner and an indirect competitor.

Others

• Solas: Solas is the national FET sector funding and oversight body that channels programme funding to BIFE and other ETB colleges; relevant as the sector-wide policy/coordinator counterpart rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BrayInstituteFE
• Facebookfacebook.com/bifeinstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/brayinstitutefe/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bray Institute of Further Education