Higher Education Colleges Association

The Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA) is the representative body of independent third level colleges in Ireland, formed in 1991 to represent the interests of its member colleges and their students.

The Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA) is an association of fifteen privately funded higher education colleges, providing quality assured, flexible, cost effective and focused programmes at higher education levels (between Levels 6-10 on the National framework of Qualifications) which are both accredited and awarded by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland). Some HECA member colleges have been in existence for 40 to 60 years, with a well-established and credible tradition of responding to third-level educational needs of full and part time students over this period. In 2018, HECA provides higher education for approximately 21,000 students. This student body represents a significant percentage of all students attaining qualifications through private provision and as such HECA is one of the leading voices in independent, private higher education in Ireland.

Members of the HECA

• CCT, College of Computer Training
• Dorset College Dublin
• Dublin Business School, DBS
• Galway Business School
• Griffith College, Griffith College, Dublin, Cork and Limerick
• Hibernia College, Hibernia College
• ICHAS, Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences
• IICP, Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
• IIPMM, Irish Institution of Purchasing and Materials Management
• National College of Ireland, National College Ireland,
• OTC, Open Training College,
• SNMCI, Saint Nicholas Montessori College Ireland,
• Setanta College, Setanta College,
• SQT, SQT Training Ltd,
• IPTAS, The Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Sciences

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Key Statistics

• 1. The HECA college sector is growing. Overall student enrollment on programmes aligned to the NFQ grew to 13,930 by 2014/15.
• 2. 9,430 students were enrolled on QQI validated higher education programmes in 2014/15; this figure increases to 15,684 in 2015/16 with the inclusion of National College of Ireland.
• 3. This represented 9% of all taught higher education programmes in Ireland in 2014/15; approaching 10% in recent years.
• 4. HECA Colleges account for students attending 9.3% of all taught activity in Ireland.
• 5. 53% of the undergraduate cohort is mature learners.
• 6. 70% of the postgraduate cohort is mature learners.

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HECA Student Analysis https://infogram.com/heca-student-analysis-1hxj48nd0z8q4vg?live

HECA as the Voice of Independent Higher Education in Ireland

HECA providers consist of approximately 10% of the higher education population in Ireland and is a recognised voice of independent higher education. HECA act as a lobby and support group to serve common academic and commercial interests and HECA provides a unified voice in government and legislative circles and seeks representation on key government committees and boards.

HECA has made numerous submissions to bodies such as QQI, HETAC, NQAI, DES, and the HEA and has had important inputs into the development of independent third level education in Ireland. HECA also represents the independent education sector on a number of national and international educational bodies, such as QQI, The Bologna Process, International Education Board of Ireland, and The Irish Higher Education Quality Network IHEQN. HECA act as a lobby and support group to serve common academic and commercial interests and HECA provides a unified voice in government and legislative circles and seeks representation on key government committees and boards.

Teaching & Learning in HECA

HECA has a strong focus on ensuring the highest standards of quality amongst its members. The mission of the HECA Teaching & Learning Committee and the new HECA Quality Enhancement Forum is to promote the enhancement and quality of teaching and learning within HECA colleges. According to Dr Teresa Whitaker, author of A HANDBOOK AND TOOL KIT FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT IN INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN IRELAND, the "mission of the HECA Teaching & Learning Committee is to promote the enhancement of teaching and learning within HECA colleges, such that it has tangible effects in the classroom, effectively enabling people to learn".^[3]. As an association, HECA is able to provide a problem solving environment for its providers, which fosters sharing ideas, forming collaborations and instigating mutually beneficial educational initiatives.

References

External links

• Official website - HECA