Springboard FAQ

MTU are delighted to host HEA Springboard+/HCI Pillar 3 funded courses for 2024/2025. The process can be quiet overwhelming, but we hope the below questions will help ease any worries you have.

All Springboard information can be found here. 

• I have accepted a place on a Springboard programme and have not heard anything, why is this?

The Springboard portal will only allow the required HEA eligibility documentation to be uploaded six-weeks before the course start date.  You will receive a notification when the portal has opened for you to upload your documents.  To clarify, as an example, if your course is due to start on September 12th, you will be able to upload documents from August 1st.

• Do I need to pay fees to take a Springboard+/HCI Pillar 3 course?

All NFQ Level 6 courses are 100% funded.  A 10% fee can apply for courses from NFQ Levels 7 to 9.  You can view the criteria on the Springboard website here.

• When do Springboard+/HCI Pillar 3 courses start?

Springboard courses have different start dates, but the majority begin from September onwards.  The start date for each course can vary.  Further information can be found within the relevant course page on the Springboard website.

• When will I receive my class timetable?

​Departments will contact Springboard students (once all eligibility documents are correctly submitted) prior to their course start date with course information including the class timetable.

• If I meet the eligibility requirements, am I guaranteed a place on a course?

No, places are limited, and many courses receive more applications than there are places to offer.  Priority is given to eligible applicants who are not in employment.

• I have been asked to complete “First Registration” / “Re-Registration”, what does this mean?

First Registration: A substantial amount of time may have passed between when you applied for your course and when it started.  Because of this, we ask Springboard participants to re-confirm their eligibility before we make a fee payment on their behalf.  It is important that you complete this step ASAP when you are asked to do so.  Failure to do so will mean losing your place on the course. 

Re-Registration: For courses that take place over two semesters, we ask applicants to complete Re-Registration. You do not need to provide any additional documentation during this step, you simply need to confirm for us that you are still actively participating on your course.  This is to avoid us paying a second fee instalment for any students who may have since dropped out of the course.  Again, it is important that you complete this step ASAP when you are asked to do so.  Failure to do so will mean losing your place on the course.

• I completed a Springboard+/HCI Pillar 3 course in the last academic year, but my status has not yet been updated to “Complete”.  What should I do?

If you have received your final grade and believe your status should have already been updated, you should contact the Course Owner directly for assistance.  The HEA does not have access to your grades and is therefore unable to update your status on our behalf.