PATH

The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) is a dedicated fund committed to increasing participation by under-represented groups in higher education.

The fund, valued at over €30 million, was established by the Department of Education and Skills, now the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, in 2017 as a commitment to support the National Access Plan: A Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education.

Trinity College Dublin belonged to a six-college consortium comprising, Institute of Art and Design (IADT), Marino Institute of Education (MIE), National College of Art and Design (NCAD), University College Dublin (UCD), and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in a HEA-funded initiative to collaboratively promote and advance equality of access to higher education for under-represented groups.

All six colleges have a long tradition in the development of measures to address issues of educational inequality, and engagement with communities that are distant from higher education. In adopting a collaborative approach, the Consortium built on this platform of experience, to identify opportunities to create synergies, to develop approaches to sustainability, and contribute to knowledge and practice in the field of equality of access and participation.

This Consortium oversees the following projects:

The 1916 Bursary

Encourages the participation and success of students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.

PATH 5 Traveller and Roma Access and Participation

To increase the participation and progression of Traveller and Roma students in Higher Education and to support the achievement of the National Access Plan. This is a collaborative project with UCD Access & Lifelong Learning, and RCSI.

Creative Arts Summer School

Linked with further education, DEIS schools and a range of cultural institutions to raise awareness of creative qualifications and the opportunities within creative industries.

Open Learning

Open Learning is a programme of cross-institutional study based on a modular and student-centred approach. Open Learning modules are offered on a part-time, individualised basis.

Community Mentoring

Extends the existing mentoring programmes within cluster HEIs, and through an inter-institutional and cross-community approach, harness the power of access students and graduates to support the development of bridging capital.

Dublin Learning City

Dublin as a Learning City involves collaboration with community, education and government partners to develop intergenerational learning communities.