Welcome to HECA

The association of respected independent, private providers of quality higher level education.

27,000

Number of HECA Students

379

Number of QQI Validated Programmes

172

Number of Nationalities in HECA Institutions

126,891

Number of Alumni

About HECA

HECA was formed in 1991 to represent the interests of its member colleges. Current HECA membership comprises most of the major independent colleges in Ireland.

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Our plans are strategically aligned to the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. HECA member Colleges are developing innovative programme development and delivery practices with a particular emphasis on distance and blended leaning. They are recognised as offering the highest quality student experience through rigorous feedback, strong progression and completion rates and external recognition.

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13 HECA Institutions

Current HECA membership comprises most of the major independent colleges in the country.

Membership is restricted to colleges meeting and abiding by stringent academic and operating regulatory criteria.

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172 Nationalities in HECA Institutions

2019, HECA has over 27,000 students from 172 different countries studying for a higher education qualification in Ireland.

Latest From Our Members

IICP College @IICP_Education·

51m 1333333985766858755

#personaldevelopment #counselling #Psychotherapy #QQI #level6 #teachingandlearning #cuttingedgeofawesome #learnaboutyourself #learngrowsucceed

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DBS@DBScollege·

1h 1333327503612665856

Our FINAL Online Open Evening of 2020 goes live tomorrow at 5pm. Learn more about funded postgraduate and modular programmes commencing in January, online diplomas commencing in Spring and all other intakes for 2021. Register today: https://www.dbs.ie/online-open-event #RealiseYourAmbitions

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HECA @HECA_IRL·

23h 1332992160506011648

Concur with @Dr_JosephRyan @andrewbrownlee7 the early & ongoing model of collaboration & work of the Irish public & independent FE & HE sector with @DeptofFHed worked effectively in providing early safe interventions for students/staff & more safe on-campus activities for 2020-21

Joseph Ryan@Dr_JosephRyan

Agreed @andrewbrownlee7. Coordination & close work with @DeptofFHed & all stakeholders has been key; as has the student focus and desire to put in place a safe plan with resilience to close of the academic year. @THEA_Irl @TheUSI @IUAofficial @QQI_connect @hea_irl @HECA_IRL https://twitter.com/andrewbrownlee7/status/1332433759715676160

Reply on Twitter 1332992160506011648 Retweet on Twitter 13329921605060116481 Like on Twitter 13329921605060116482

DBS@DBScollege·

29 Nov 1332965077415288834

Our Online Open Evening goes live on Tuesday, December 1st, from 5pm-6:30pm. Learn more about modular and postgraduate programmes commencing in January 2021, diplomas commencing in spring 2021 and all other intakes for September 2021. Register now at http://dbs.ie

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Griffith College @griffithcollege·

28 Nov 1332728462164058112

We're accepting final applications for our FREE Certificate in Admin & Digital Skills course. Limited spaces available, learn more here ⬇️ @hea_irl #onlinelearning
https://bit.ly/3lOoIlR

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Latest News

Statement of the Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA) on Level 5 Restrictions

October 22, 2020

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HECA member colleges engage with the wider society and have become a destination of choice for employers seeking to meet industry needs and continue to promote the brand of Irish education and private education overseas by seeking to attract significant numbers of international students.