Further education in Northern Ireland
This information is for deaf young people and families of deaf children in Northern Ireland. Read our information for England and Scotland.
Many deaf young people will leave school at 16 and move onto a further education or a 6th form college (NI Direct). College can be a very different environment to school. Deaf young people's support needs might change as a result.
Deaf young people may need additional support to choose a college and course.
Choosing a college
There are 6 further education colleges across Northern Ireland (NI Direct).
By law, colleges are not allowed to unfairly discriminate against deaf young people. This means they cannot refuse a place to a young person just because they are deaf. They must make reasonable adjustments so that they can access their education. Find out more about deaf young people’s rights in education.
Sometimes specialist support is needed. This might include a British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter or note taker. A deaf young person may be expected to have a formal support plan in place, for example, a statement of special educational needs (SEN). A statement of SEN makes sure there is funding in place for this support.
Some colleges have in-house teams with specialist staff. A deaf young person may prefer to go to a college that has a lot of experience of working with deaf students. The institution may have better deaf awareness and be able to offer a deaf peer group.
Additional support at college
Additional support received in school may not automatically transfer to college. Some local authority sensory support services work in colleges but many do not. This can mean that support from a Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) stops.
If a deaf young person has a statement of SEN with agreed support from a ToD, the support should continue at college. Find out more about the additional support available in education.
NI Direct has lots of information about the disability support available at college.
Personal profiles
Deaf young people can use personal profiles to share with teachers at college. A personal profile is a document that brings together the most important information about them. It can be shared with anyone working with them so they can support them in the best way possible.
Deciding what course to take at college
This is a decision a young person has to make.
The choice of courses available depends on the entry requirements and exam grades. Many young people benefit from talking to a careers adviser to help them decide what to do.
Qualifications a deaf young person could get in further education include:
- GCSEs
- A Levels
- Training programmes
- Apprenticeship qualifications
- Foundation Degrees
- HNCs
- HNDs
Remember, most jobs are open to deaf people with the right support in place. See our information about work and employment.
Useful resources
Full references for this webpage are available by emailing
informationteam@ndcs.org.uk