Dublin City University - Qualifax

Appendix 2
Types of Higher Education Institutions
The third level education system in Ireland is broad in scope and encompasses the
university sector, the technological sector, the colleges of education and private,
independent colleges. The institutions which fall within the first three groupings are
autonomous and self governing, but substantially state funded.
Universities
There are seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern
Ireland. Universities offer degrees at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels
and undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas over a full range of disciplines. In
addition research is undertaken in many areas and the universities are also involved
in continuing and distance education programmes.
Teaching at undergraduate level is normally by way of a programme of lectures
supplemented by tutorials and where appropriate, by practical demonstrations and
laboratory work.
Universities award their own degrees using external examiners to ensure
consistency of standards. There is also a Higher Education Authority (HEA) which
oversees the work of universities on behalf of the Department of Education and
Science.
For a full list of universities and their contact details of universities see Section 2.
Institutes of Technology
There are 14 institutes of technology located throughout the Republic offering
programmes at degree, national diploma and national certificate levels in a wide
variety of subjects from craft to professional level. Many also run postgraduate and
degree programmes, both taught and by research. Most have schools of Science,
Engineering & Technology and Business.
The qualifications awarded by the Institutes of Technology are internationally
recognised by academic, professional, trade and craft bodies. In addition most
colleges also have courses leading directly to the examinations of the many
professional institutes. Section 3 contains details of all Institutes of Technology.
119