Third-level education in Ireland

Third-level educational institutions

A wide range of institutions in Ireland provide third-level education. The university sector, the technological sector and the colleges of education are substantially funded by the State. In addition, there are a number of independent private colleges.

The Higher Education Authority is the statutory agency responsible for the funding of universities, institutes of technology and certain other higher education institutions. It has an advisory role in relation to the whole sector of third-level education.

University sector

Universities in Ireland are State-funded, but they are generally autonomous. There are 7 universities in Ireland. These include:

• The National University of Ireland (NUI) which is the umbrella university covering University College Dublin (UCD), University College Galway (UCG), University College Cork (UCC), and St Patrick's College in Maynooth.
• The University of Dublin, which is generally known as Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
• The University of Limerick (UL)
• Dublin City University (DCU)

Technological sector

The technological sector includes institutes of technology which provide programmes of education and training in areas such as business, science, engineering, linguistics and music to certificate, diploma and degree levels. There are 14 institutes of technology located around the country. In the Dublin area they are Dublin, Tallaght, Blanchardstown and Dun Laoghaire. Outside Dublin they are Cork, Waterford, Tralee, Dundalk, Athlone, Galway and Mayo, Sligo, Letterkenny, Limerick, and Carlow.

Colleges of education

Several colleges of education in Ireland provide specialised training for primary school teachers. They offer a 3-year Bachelor of Education degree and an 18-month postgraduate diploma. Post-primary teachers generally do a primary degree, followed by a postgraduate diploma. You can find more information in our document on teacher qualifications.

Other colleges

In addition to State-funded colleges, a number of fee-paying third-level educational institutions offer courses, mainly in professional vocational training and business. Some of these colleges are linked to universities or professional associations and their qualifications may be accredited accordingly – see  below.

Third-level qualifications

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a system of 10 levels which allows the different standards and levels qualifications to be compared. A diagram of the NFQ is on the website of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). Third-level qualifications are Levels 6-10 in the Framework.

Award of qualifications

In the university sector the 4 awarding bodies are the National University of Ireland (UCD, UCC, UCG and Maynooth), Dublin University, Dublin City University and the University of Limerick. The Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) is the awarding body for third-level educational institutions outside the university sector. The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the awarding body for further education and training. It also awards Higher Certificates (NFQ Level 6). More detailed information is in our document on further and higher education qualifications.

Universities: The State-supported universities all award their own degrees and other awards. University students qualify with Ordinary Bachelors degrees (NFQ Level 7) or Honours Bachelors degrees (NFQ Level 8). Universities also offer Masters (NFQ Level 9) and Doctoral (NFQ Level 10) postgraduate degrees.

Institutes of technology (ITs): The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) makes its own awards. The other institutes of technology grant degrees, diplomas and certificates, which are validated by HETAC or FETAC. Students generally qualify with Higher Certificates (NFQ Level 6) or Ordinary Bachelors degrees (NFQ Level 7). Honours Bachelors degrees (NFQ Level 8), Postgraduate Diplomas (NFQ Level 9) and Higher Doctorate (NFQ Level 10) are also available.

Other colleges: The other State-supported colleges generally grant awards that are validated by HETAC or FETAC. The private colleges make awards, some of which are validated by foreign universities and some of which are validated by HETAC or the FETAC. Some of their awards are not validated by any outside body.

Progression is a feature of the National Framework of Qualifications. Often a Level 6 certificate awarded by HETAC or FETAC can offer the opportunity to continue on to a NFQ Level 7 or Level 8 degree. The Higher Education Links Scheme allows those with a FETAC Level 5 and  Level 6 (NFQ) qualification to progress to higher education. You can download a leaflet about progression (pdf) from the FETAC website.

How to apply

If you are thinking of going to college you can search the Qualifax website for details of courses. Generally, applications for undergraduate courses in Ireland are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO). You can find more information in our documents on application procedures and entry requirements, third-level fees and tax relief for third-level fees. Information about postgraduate study is in More about this topic.

If you think you might qualify for a grant, you will find information on maintenance grant schemes for students on third-level courses and grants and funds available for mature students.

Where to apply