HCI Eligibility

People in the following categories are eligible to apply for courses in the HCI Pillar 1 (subject to the applicant meeting all residency and nationality/visa requirements and any academic requirements):

Note: For Stamp 4 holders or Stamp 4 EU FAM, residency will be calculated from the date of receipt of the Stamp 4.  Any period of residency in the state before this date will not be taken into consideration.

For the Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing, 1-year full-time programme, the following categories are eligible to apply:

(1) People in Employment

Please note that those in employment, under the HCI Pillar 2022/23 initiative, 90% of the fees are covered by HEA and 10% of the fees are payable to the college for this category of applicants.  The applicant must also meet the nationality/visa requirements and residency criteria, i.e. they must be able to demonstrate that they have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme.  Either the applicant or their employer can pay these fees.  Should your employer be paying your fees, please contact us and we can forward you a company sponsorship form in order to invoice to your employer.

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTATION:

A copy of a most recent payslip

OR

This category of applicant will also be required to provide a copy of their most recent ‘Employment Detail Summary’ or other relevant revenue documentation.

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

(2) Self-Employed

Self-employed applicants are eligible to apply.

PROOF OF SELF-EMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

A letter from their accountant or relevant documentation from Revenue showing that they are self-employed in Ireland would suffice

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

(3) Returners

Returners are those who are not in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection, have previous history of employment but may require upskilling or reskilling to transition back to the workforce.  Applicants must have been a homemaker or on other caring duties or economically dependent on a partner or spouse for a minimum period of 9 of the previous 12 months.

PROOF OF RETURNER DOCUMENTATION:

Applicants must swear a declaration before a Commissioner for Oaths attesting to their status. A form to complete this process is available here.

Fees: The fees for this programme under this category are fully funded at 100%.

(4) Recent Graduates

Under the HCI 2022/2023 Initiative, recent graduates are eligible to apply for this programme, i.e. Level 8 2022 Graduates.

PROOF OF RECENT GRADUATES:

A copy of your transcript of results of the level 8 degree or a copy of the parchment confirming the award.

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

(5) The Unemployed

To be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 course, a person must be in receipt of an eligible DEASP payment or be signing for social insurance contribution credits, have a previous history of employment or self-employment and be actively seeking work.

Note: Applicants must be in receipt of any of the following social welfare payment for 9 of the previous 12 months and hold at least a Level 8 qualification.

• Jobseekers Benefit 

• Jobseekers Allowance 

• One Parent Family 

• Disability Allowance 

• Qualified Adults of Working Age 

• Carers Allowance 

• Farm Assist/Fish Assist 

• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory or Non-contributory Pension 

• Blind Pension  

• Deserted Wives Allowance 

PROOF OF UNEMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

Most recent copy receipt of payment of any of the above categories.

OR

A copy of a bank statement showing receipt of payments will suffice.  If this is provided, please ensure you redact your account number, BIC and IBAN but your name should remain visible, AND

A Letter from the DEASP confirming you are in receipt of any of the above social welfare payment for 9 of the previous 12 months

Fees:    The fees for this programme under this category are fully funded at 100%.

(6) Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP)

Applicants in in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) at the point of application you will be required to transfer to a Jobseekers payment. The time on the PUP will satisfy the full 9-month requirement to qualify for Back To Education Allowance (BTEA). Applicants in this category should contact their INTREO office to discuss this change. Full-time ICT Conversion and HCI Pillar 1 courses are supported under the (BTEA).  Once the BTEA has been approved, a copy should be emailed to the admissions office.

PROOF OF PREVIOUSLY SELF-EMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

Proof of most recent payment;

OR

A copy of a bank statement showing receipt of payments will suffice.  If this is provided, please ensure you redact your account number, BIC and IBAN but your name should remain visible; AND

A copy of the BTEA approval letter

Fees:    The fees for this programme under this category are fully funded at 100%.

NOTE: If your eligibility status changes prior to commencing the course, you will need to contact the admissions office to assess are you still eligible to enrol on the programme. Failure to do this may result in you losing your place on the programme.

Application Procedures

All applications must be submitted online via the Springboard+ website.  Please note that documentation supporting the applicants status will be required as part of the application process.  Please visit the Springboard+ website for further information on participant eligibility and funding eligibility requirements.

The following documents are required by DBS as part of the application process.  When you apply through the Springboard website, a member of the admissions team will be in touch in relation to requesting the following documents:

• Academic Transcripts of Results (this is a breakdown of each year, all the modules studied and all results achieved).If these transcripts are in a language other than English, we will require the originals together with official translated copies;

• Proof of ID (Driver’s Licence or Passport);

• Proof of Residency for all applicants for 3 of the last 5 years.This can be revenue documents, letter from DEASP office or letter from previous or current employer;

• For Non-EU applicants currently residing in Ireland, a copy of your Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Card or proof of residency is required to demonstrate that you have been residing in the EU for 3 of the last 5 years;

• For applicants who do not hold the required qualification and are applying through APEL (Approved Prior Experiential Learning), a recently updated and detailed CV is required with education and work experience to date.In addition, a personal statement is required outlining your reasons for applying for the course and why you would be a suitable candidate.This should be in the format of a word document and have between 500 and 700 words.

• For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language Test such as IETLS, Cambridge, PTE, Duolingo, or DBS English Placement Test.Test certificates must be dated within the last 2 years.

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner.   More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS (https://www.dbs.ie/terms-and-conditions) and on programme handbooks provided at induction.

 *Eligibility and entry requirements apply.