NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

I. Higher education system
Higher education in Ireland is funded to a significant degree by the State. A number of administrative bodies with
coordinating and planning
functions exist. In practice, however, each institution has a considerable amount of autonomy, especially in relation to
academic matters. Courses of higher education are provided at over 50 institutions.
The level of autonomy varies not only between the different groups of institutions, but also from college to college within any
single group. Overall, however, the concept of college autonomy is recognised by the State with the development of a higher
education system carried out in a spirit of cooperation between the two partners.
A number of bodies, listed below, have been established by the Government, each of which has a specific role or function in
the administration of higher education.
The Department of Education
The Department of Education has overall responsibility for the administration of public education. Most State subsidisation of
universities and other third-level educational colleges is channelled through this department.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA)
The HEA is a State body with both executive and advisory functions in relation to the support and development of higher
education by the State.
The advisory powers of the HEA apply throughout the whole of the third-level sector. Its funding role is limited to the
universities and specifically designated institutions.
Vocational Education Committees (VECs)
While the VECs are no longer responsible for the administration of
technical and continuing education, they do have an input into overall policy in this area.
The National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA)
The NCEA is the body that validates the majority of courses available in the National College of Art and Design and the
Regional Technical Colleges and it confers many of their certificates, diplomas and degrees. It also validates a wide number
of courses in the Dublin Institute of Technology. Awards in a number of independent (private) colleges are also made by the
NCEA.
The Central Applications Office (CAO)
The CAO rationalises the admission procedures for the universities and operates the Central Admissions Service for the
Regional Technical Colleges and Dublin Institute of Technology, and the Teacher Training Colleges.
Admission is based on the attainment of minimum academic standards in second-level education. The standard for each
course is set by the
colleges themselves. The CAO’s processing system is designed to offer applicants the highest preference course to which they
are entitled.
I.1. The institutions of higher education
The third-level teaching institutions may be divided into different groups according to the responsible authority.