Has anyone heard details of this new fourth level education? How does it work and what is the criteria. Will funding be available, or is it self funding, ie. research?
If you're talking about the 'Level 10' qualification being described in the new EU-harmonised/HETAC-friendly 1-10 scale, it is the PhD. Which is self-funded, to the tune of €3,500/€4,500 p.a. in fees (plus foregone earnings) — unless you wangle a scholarship or other external funding.
(Of course, not all 'Level 10's are equal... whatever Brussels says! )
It was mentioned in the budget on Wednesday and we (my daughter) and I wondered what it was all about as she was interested at some stage in going back to education. All I heard was a new level four Phd. there was no other details given.