NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

There are eight colleges of education located throughout the country, three of which offer degree courses leading to
qualification as teachers of specialised subjects at secondary school level. The five remaining
colleges of education provide approved degree courses which lead to qualification as a primary school teacher.
(The Education Departments in the universities each offer a one-year postgraduate diploma course in education. The award —
higher diploma in education — is recognised for the purpose of teaching students at secondary level.)
National Distance Education Centre (NDEC)
The NDEC was established in 1982 to develop distance education programmes and is operated under the governing body of
Dublin City University. Teaching programmes are provided at diploma, degree and postgraduate levels in such areas as
information technology, humanities and accounting and are accredited by Dublin City University or the university which is
acting as study centre. Short-term programmes in computing and continuing professional education courses are on offer and
are accredited by the relevant professional bodies.
Other institutes, colleges, schools
Other institutions of higher education, mainly specialist in nature, also exist. The fields of study provided for, include art and
design, music, business studies, accounting, professional legal studies and hotel and catering management. The institutions
which do not receive State subsidy are in this sector.
Forms of post-school education not previously mentioned include secretarial and office skills courses, training for the Garda
Siochana (police force), and religious instruction in seminaries. A broad range of post-leaving certificate courses has emerged
covering business skills, computing, languages and other related subjects. Not all of these are classified as ‘higher education’.
For further details, see Section III.
I.2. Number of students
In 1992/93, there were 84140 full-time students in higher education in Ireland. The current rate of participation among the
national 17-19 age cohort is 42%. This rate has risen sharply in the past decade and reflects the rapid growth in demand for
higher education. Fees for higher education courses are, however, quite high; and a further weighting of approximately 100%
is applied for students from outside the EC (1).
I.3. Organisation of courses of study
The academic year generally runs from September/October to finish with examinations in May or June. For some courses,
final examinations are taken in September, although teaching finishes in May or June. The remainder of the time is for reading
and individual study. The year is organised into three terms (trimesters) or, less commonly, two semesters.