Guidance and Counselling in Higher Education   

Academic Guidance

In higher education, two services normally co-exist in the universities and in most of the Institutes of Technology, namely, a careers advisory service and a personal counselling service.

Psychological Counselling

In higher education, two services normally co-exist in the universities and in most of the Institutes of Technology, namely, a careers advisory service and a personal counselling service.

Career Guidance

All Irish universities and institutes of technology provide career advisory services, which are specialist services that are separate from the counselling and other student services offered in institutions. Whilst the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has issued guidelines on the provision of careers advisory services, the qualifications and training of those who staff them are determined by the institutions themselves. Approximately 100 staff—including careers advisers, placement officers, related support staff, and information officers—are currently employed in the careers services of these institutions.

In the light of the recent deterioration in the labour market, careers guidance services in the higher education sector are increasingly important. There is also now an enhanced focus on ensuring the ‘work readiness’ of students as the higher education sector seeks to become more responsive to the evolving skills needs of the labour market. As envisioned in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, in the coming years there will be an expansion in the work placement and service learning opportunities offered to undergraduate students as an accredited component of their course across a range of disciplines.  As well as providing students with experience of the practical application of their skills in workplace and community settings, these placements will assist students in making informed career choices.