Department of Education Repository - Resources for Students

Education Ireland- AAEI

Education Ireland facilitates and supports the development of Ireland as an international education centre. Its website hosts information on courses in universities, institutes of technology, private colleges and language schools, as well as application procedures, academic requirements, visa requirements and fees.


FETAC- Further Education and Training Awards Council- FETAC

FETAC is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland, with qualifications ranging from level 1-6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Programmes are offered nationwide by a range of providers in education and training centres, in colleges and in the workplace. Over 1,400 centres throughout the country offer a wide variety of programmes leading to FETAC awards.

Higher Education Authority of Ireland (HEA)-HEA

The HEA is the official planning and development body for higher education and research in Ireland. It is also the funding authority for the universities, institutes of technology and a number of designated higher education institutions. Its website contains information about research programmes, access and funding. The body also operates the National Access Office, which looks at the participation rates of marginalised groups in higher education. The Office’s Plan for 2008-2013 is available on the HEA website.

Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)-ICOS

The ICOS aims to promote the general welfare of international students in Ireland. Its website contains information about studying and living here in Ireland, as well as its publications.

Linguasnet.com-Linguasnet

This is an interactive multimedia language course specially designed for improving listening and speaking skills. You can learn for free through animations, interactive exercises, listen and repeat, and games.

National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)-NALA

NALA is concerned with developing policy, advocacy, research and offering advisory services in adult literacy. It has created an interactive website 'WriteOn.ie' to help adult literacy and ESOL students improve their reading, writing and number skills. On the site, students can learn about words, numbers, learning to learn and technology:
Write on

National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI)-NQAI

The NQAI is responsible for maintaining and developing the National Framework of Qualifications(NFQ), and is the National Coordination Point for the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF). The NFQ is designed to put the learner at the centre of the education and training system in Ireland by helping to ensure that the level and standard of qualifications can be compared . This helps the individual to make informed decisions about their education and training choices. The NFQ is designed to capture all learning from the very initial stages to the most advanced. Qualifications in the NFQ are recognised in Ireland and internationally.

The NQAI also operates Qualifications Recognition (QR), which provides academic recognition for foreign qualifications. Information on the service is available in several languages on the website. A growing number of Country Education Profiles are available in the International Qualifications Database on our website.

The NQAI also operates QualifaX (Qualifax), the Irish National Learners’ Database. This provides comprehensive information on a wide range of courses across further and higher education and training. It includes a range of useful tools such as an interest assessment, events calendar, and information on student grants.

The former Advisory Council for English Language Schools is now part of the NQAI.


State Examinations Commission (SEC)-SEC

The SEC is responsible for the development, assessment, accreditation and certification of the national second-level examinations- the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate. The organisation’s website contains useful information for exam candidates, including information on non- curricular EU languages, which students may sit at the Leaving Certificate Examinations.


Student Finance -Student Finance

This website provides information on course fees, as well as details on eligibility requirements for free fees. It also hosts information about other sources of assistance for students, such as the Fund for Students with Disabilities, the Back to Education Allowance, the Student Assistance Fund and the Millennium Partnership Fund. There are answers to frequently asked questions, and details and links to other organisations and websites that may be of interest and/or assistance.

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)-VTOS

VTOS offers unemployed people an opportunity of returning to structured learning in an adult setting, and takes place in over 100 locations throughout the country. The centres offer a variety of learning opportunities, depending on their location and size.




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