Pearse college

What Pearse college does

Pearse College of Further Education is a publicly funded Further Education and Training (FET) institution established c.1970 in Crumlin, Dublin 12, and operated under the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). It delivers QQI-accredited courses at Levels 4, 5, and 6 — alongside ITEC and FAI certifications — across nine academic departments: Access, Business/IT/Media, Education, Horticulture, Health/Sport/Science, Built Environment, Photography, Leaving Certificate, and Pre-Apprenticeships. Delivery formats include full-time PLC, part-time BTEI, VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) for long-term unemployed adults, Pre-Apprenticeships, and Skills to Advance work-based learning for employed workers.

The college's product portfolio is built around progression to Irish third-level institutions through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), with formal articulation arrangements including a facilitated-entry agreement with Trinity College Dublin for University Access Course graduates, and direct Year 2 entry routes into TU Dublin programmes. Core technology consists of standard off-the-shelf education software — Moodle for learning management, VSWARE for student records, and Microsoft Office 365 for communications — with no proprietary platform or AI capability.

Revenue is derived primarily from state allocations through CDETB and SOLAS, supplemented by modest course registration fees of €50–€350 per student. Most courses are tuition-free, and BTEI/VTOS programmes are free for social welfare recipients and medical card holders. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the MIT online application portal (mitcms.enrol.ie), FetchCourses.ie, on-campus enrolment, and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X). The four primary student segments are adult/mature learners (primary), school leavers, employed workers seeking upskilling, and unemployed adults over 21.

Name

Pearse college

Legal name

Pearse College of Further Education

Website

https://pearsecollege.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pearse College of Further Education is a publicly funded FET college in Dublin, Ireland, operated by CDETB. It delivers QQI-accredited Level 4–6 programmes across vocational and academic departments, serving adult learners, school leavers, employed upskillers, and long-term unemployed adults, with progression routes to Irish universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Diploma-to-Degree / Articulation & Credit-Transfer Pathways (EDAIAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM), Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Further Education
• Adult Education
• QQI accredited courses
• Vocational training
• PLC courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin 12

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Pearse College is publicly funded through the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). Core funding comes from SOLAS and government sources for Further Education and Training programmes.
2. Course Registration Fees: Students pay non-refundable registration fees ranging from €50 to €350 depending on the course. Most full-time PLC courses charge €50 registration fee. Some courses like Complementary Medicine charge €250 per module.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pearse College is a Further Education college in Crumlin, Dublin 12, delivering QQI-accredited full-time, part-time, and work-based programmes at Levels 4, 5, and 6 across departments including Access, Business/IT/Media, Education, Horticulture, Health/Sport/Science, Photography, The Built Environment, Leaving Certificate, VTOS, BTEI, Pre-Apprenticeships, and Skills to Advance. Courses lead to QQI, ITEC, and FAI certifications with progression routes to third-level universities through the Higher Education Links Scheme.

Product overview

Pearse College of Further Education is a Further Education and Training (FET) college operated by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB), located in Crumlin, Dublin 12. The institution offers a diverse portfolio of vocational and academic programs across multiple departments including Access, Business/IT/Media, Education, Horticulture, Health/Sport/Science, Built Environment, Photography, and Leaving Certificate preparation. Programs range from QQI Level 4 to Level 6 certifications, with two main awarding bodies: QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) and ITEC (for Beauty, Spa Therapy, Sports & Fitness). The college provides full-time, part-time, and work-based learning options including Pre-Apprenticeships, VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme), and BTEI (Back to Education Initiative) programs. Many courses offer direct progression routes to third-level institutions through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), including facilitated entry to Trinity College Dublin through the University Access Course.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Access Department Courses Adult education pathways including University Access courses, Archaeology & Heritage Studies, European Studies & Languages, and Preparation for Further & Higher Education with ESOL. Leads to QQI Level 4-5 certifications with progression routes to Trinity College Dublin.
• Business, IT & Media Department Courses Pre-University Marketing & Business, Business IT & eCommerce, and Computer Science (Software Development) leading to QQI Level 5 awards with pathways to business and technology degree programmes.
• Education Department Courses Stage One Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care (Level 5), Pre-University Teaching and Inclusive Education with Irish (Level 5), and Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care (Level 6) for careers in childcare and as Special Needs Assistants.
• Horticulture Department Courses Introduction to Horticulture (Level 4), Horticulture (Level 5), and Advanced Horticulture (Level 6) with practical training in plant propagation, garden design, and sustainable horticulture practices.
• Health, Sport & Science Department Courses Care of the Older Person, Pre-University Science (Laboratory Techniques), Food & Bio Sciences, Soccer Coaching & Sports Psychology, Physiotherapy Assistant, Speech & Language Therapy Assistant, and Pre-Apprenticeship in Laboratory Technician/Analyst.
• Photography Courses Two-year photography programme covering digital, portrait, documentary, and fine art photography; Year 1 leads to QQI Level 5 award (5M2094) and Year 2 to QQI Level 6 award (6M3732) with progression to university degree programmes.
• Leaving Certificate Programmes Adult Leaving Certificate (2-year full-time) and Repeat Leaving Certificate (1-year) programmes in English, Maths, Irish, Biology, Business, French, and Geography at higher and ordinary levels.
• The Built Environment Department Courses Architectural Technology with Sustainable Construction, Carpentry & Furniture Making, Advanced Woodwork with Furniture Making and Design, Pre-University Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Product Design, and Design Portfolio Preparation.
• Pre-Apprenticeship Programmes Pre-apprenticeship training in Laboratory Technician/Analyst and Construction Technology. QQI Level 5 awards designed as pathways to apprenticeships through SOLAS or progression to higher education in construction, engineering, and laboratory sciences.
• BTEI Part-Time Courses Back to Education Initiative part-time programmes including Front Office IT & Reception Skills, Sports & Fitness, and Flexi Programme with QQI Level 4-5 component certificates. Free to social welfare recipients and medical card holders.
• Skills to Advance Work-Based Learning Free upskilling courses for employed workers in healthcare, logistics, childcare, and office administration sectors. Courses include Healthcare Support, Logistics & Distribution, and Office Administration to Support Childcare Services with QQI Level 5 certifications.
• VTOS Courses Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme fee-free full-time Further Education programmes across all departments including Business, Horticulture, Built Environment, and Health with QQI Level 4-6 awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students completing the University Access Course with 3 academic distinctions and overall General Studies Award can gain facilitated entry to Trinity College Dublin Arts, Humanities & Social Science courses

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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearse College is a college of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB). CDETB provides governance, funding, and institutional oversight. The college operates under CDETB policies including Data Protection Policy, ICT Usage Policy, and Records Management Policy.
• Trinity College Dublin (TCD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearse College offers a Trinity Access Programme providing facilitated entry to Trinity College Dublin for students over 23 years of age who complete the University Access Course with three academic distinctions and an overall General Studies Award. This is a unique progression pathway exclusive to Pearse College.
• QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)coreTechnology or IntegrationQQI is the national awards body for Further Education and Training in Ireland. Pearse College courses are accredited at QQI Levels 4, 5, and 6. QQI awards enable progression through the National Framework of Qualifications and Higher Education Links Scheme.
• ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council)coreTechnology or IntegrationITEC provides international qualifications in Beauty & Spa Therapy, Complementary Therapies, Sports & Fitness Training, and Customer Service. Pearse College offers ITEC qualifications in Complementary Medicine and Gym Instruction.
• IFFA (Irish Freight Forwarding Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearse College partners with IFFA in the delivery of the Logistics & Distribution (Skills to Advance) course. This collaboration supports students pursuing careers in distribution, logistics, and international freight management.
• SOLAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOLAS is the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training in Ireland. Pearse College coordinates with SOLAS for VTOS programmes and apprenticeship pathways through the Further Education and Training system.
• FAI (Football Association of Ireland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAI provides Kickstart 1 and Kickstart 2 coaching qualification programmes as part of the Soccer Coaching & Sports Psychology course. These qualifications form the foundation for attaining higher FAI coaching badges.
• TU Dublin (Technological University Dublin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong progression links with TU Dublin across multiple programmes including Pre-University Engineering (offered in collaboration with TU Dublin Tallaght campus), Architectural Technology, Business, and Computer Science courses. Many courses provide direct entry to Year 2 of TU Dublin degree programmes.
• UCD (University College Dublin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple progression routes to UCD through Higher Education Links Scheme for courses including Archaeology, European Studies/Languages, Business Studies, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, and Social Sciences.
• DCU (Dublin City University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgression routes to DCU through HELS for courses including Cultural and Heritage Studies, Modern Languages, Business Studies, Nursing, Science programmes, and Early Childhood Education.
• Maynooth UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgression routes to Maynooth University for Arts, Science, Psychology, and Food Science programmes through HELS and direct applications.
• SETU (South East Technological University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgression routes to SETU (Waterford) for Architectural Technology through HELS, providing entry to Year 2 of Architecture Degree.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Cavan Institute: QQI-accredited further-education college in the border region offering PLC and VTOS programmes with comparable QQI progression routes. Similar product and funding model but operates outside Dublin.
• Moate Business College: QQI-accredited further-education and training college in the midlands delivering PLC and VTOS programmes. Similar QQI accreditation framework and progression pathways, but different geographic catchment.

Direct peers

• Crumlin College of Further Education: Sibling CDETB further-education college located in the Crumlin area of Dublin offering QQI Level 4–6 PLC courses with similar progression pathways. Pearse's own website cross-promotes Crumlin College, confirming direct overlap in catchment and product.
• Rathmines College of Further Education: CDETB further-education college in south Dublin delivering QQI PLC and Leaving Certificate programmes. Competes for the same Dublin adult-learner and HELS progression market as Pearse.
• Sallynoggin College of Further Education: CDETB further-education college serving Dublin with QQI Level 4–6 programmes and VTOS/BTEI offerings. Comparable funding structure and target segments.
• Inchicore College of Further Education: Dublin CDETB further-education college focused on QQI Level 4–6 vocational programmes for adult learners. Comparable course mix, funding model, and learner demographic to Pearse.
• Liberties College: CDETB further-education college in Dublin's Liberties area offering QQI-accredited PLC courses with university progression routes. Direct competitor for the same adult-learner pool.
• Ballyfermot College of Further Education: CDETB further-education college in Dublin offering QQI Level 4–6 PLC courses with strong arts, media, and vocational portfolio. Direct competitor for Dublin adult learners and progression-route applicants.
• Coláiste Dhúlaigh (CDETB): A CDETB further-education college with multiple Dublin campuses delivering QQI- accredited PLC programmes across business, IT, healthcare, and creative arts. Operates under the same parent (CDETB) with overlapping funding streams and learner segments.
• Whitehall College of Further Education: CDETB further-education college in north Dublin offering QQI PLC and Leaving Certificate programmes. Competes directly for the same Dublin adult-learner demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PearseCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/PearseCollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/pearsecollege/?hl=en&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=pearsecollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pearsecollege

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pearse college