Types of Degrees in Ireland (2024)

FAQs

Types of Degrees in Ireland? ›

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. Technological sector: Technological universities (TUs) make their own awards.

The four types of college degrees are associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. Colleges classify associate and bachelor's degrees as undergraduate degrees and master's and doctoral degrees as graduate degrees. Within those categories, you can earn many types of degrees.

NFQ Level 7 = Ordinary Bachelor Degree (3 years duration) NFQ Level 8 = Honours Bachelor Degree (3-4 years duration) NFQ Level 8 = Higher Diploma (1 year duration) NFQ Level 9 = Postgraduate Diploma (1 year duration) NFQ Level 9 = Masters Degree (1-2 years duration)

An “eight-year degree” typically refers to a doctorate degree or PhD.

An associate degree is a two-year degree typically offered at community colleges, technical colleges, and career colleges. However, some four-year universities offer them as well. Examples of some associate degrees include Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS).

A PhD is an NFQ Level 10 qualification, the highest level awarded by universities in Ireland.

A bachelors degree is an academic degree earned for an undergraduate course of study that could range in length of time. This depends on the country, discipline and sometimes the education institution. There is usually a difference between professional and academic bachelor programmes.

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.

What is the hardest college to get into in Ireland? ›

Atlantic Technological University (ATU)

As one of the leading and hardest universities in Ireland you can seek admission to, ATU has earned accolades for its pioneering work in the field of research and innovation. Students get to choose from a wide range of more than 600 programmes offered.

Importantly also, the Irish NFQ system is compatible with the ENIC-NARIC (European Network of Information Centres/National Academic Recognition Information Centres), which facilitates the recognition of academic qualifications throughout Europe and internationally in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New ...

The Irish education system is made up of first, second and third-level education and of further education. Almost all education is funded by the State. Explains the new arrangements and conditions for exempting certain students from the study of Irish in primary and secondary school.

Education in Ireland

The Irish education system is made up of primary school and post-primary school (also know as secondary school). You must ensure that your child gets a certain minimum education from the age of 6 to 16 or until they have completed 3 years of post-primary education.

In Ireland, qualifications are given a level: A 3-year Ordinary Bachelor's degree = Level 7; a 4-year Honours Bachelor's degree = Level 8; and a Master's degree = Level 9. To join a Master's degree (L9), international students first need an Honours Bachelor's degree (L8).

There are four types of degrees. In order of level of education, they rank as associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's or graduate degrees, and doctorate or professional degrees.

Degree 4 – quartic (or, if all terms have even degree, biquadratic)

A doctoral degree (Ph. D.) is the highest level of degree, often requiring several years of research and study beyond a master's degree. The length of time and course hours needed vary depending on the focus of the study.