Hibernia College
Hibernia College, based in Dublin, is an accredited online, third-level institution, delivering internet-based educational programmes to students in Ireland, the UK and across the globe.
The College is a global leader in the delivery of unique and competitively distinctive online and blended academic programming, and delivers to students in over 25 countries.
Hibernia College was founded in 2000 to meet the growing demand for flexible, lifelong learning that would not be restricted by location or time. This demand arises from the imperative to harness the potential of a knowledge-based work force to compete effectively on the global economic landscape. Today, this need has never been greater and Hibernia College is uniquely positioned to address it.
Hibernia College offers online and blended accredited programmes and continuing professional development (CPD) in two main disciplines, teacher education and management.
The College is Ireland’s largest provider of newly qualified teachers in the primary sector. Fifteen hundred students are currently enrolled in programmes leading to full postgraduate awards and four thousand engage annually in the College’s online CPD programmes. The College’s contribution has been referred to by the chief executive of the Irish government’s Higher Education Training & Awards Council 'as creating a new perspective and a paradigm shift in teacher education...an excellent service... caused traditional providers to re-examine their modes of delivery'.
In addition to the iTeach programme, in the UK Hibernia College is also a provider for the TDA & Learning & Teaching Scotland CPD programmes, and a partner in the GTCE Teacher Learning Academy CPD programme.
Hibernia College’s management programmes include a Masters in Pharmaceutical Medicine (considered by some in the sector to be the MBA of the pharma industry) and an online Masters in Financial Management & Control. This latter is also accredited by CIMA, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The pharma masters was developed initially with, and for, the Pfizer pharmaceutical corporation 'as a strategic leadership development initiative to support Pfizer’s leadership position in the industry….Hibernia College’s expertise & knowledge, in both business leadership and industry topics, is outstanding. 'The combination of the online accessibility and the engaging way in which the content is delivered ensures high quality appeal to learners and delivers the business benefits to Pfizer’s position in the pharmaceutical industry.' (Pfizer’s Senior Director, External Medical Affairs).
This programme won a silver award in the 2008 e-Learning Age category of ‘best online programme’. It is also captured by Towards Maturity as a case-study in work-based e-Learning: Towards Maturity - A Master Class and by Becta as an exemplar in Next Generation Learning @ Work. See Stephen Crowne (CEO of Becta)’s speech at the FE/Skills conference in March 2009, Time for a step change: Technology enhanced learning in Further Education and Skills
Hibernia College has grown steadily since 2000 and now employs 60 full-time staff in offices in Dublin, Westport and the UK and over 300 faculty members located across the world. It is seeking to continue to grow its contribution, through partnerships, within the UK education, management and FE/skills agendas.