Appealing a decision made by QQI
Under legislation, a provider can make a formal appeal against any of the following decisions of QQI:
- Refusal to approve proposed quality assurance procedures (Section 31(5))
- Withdrawal of approval of quality assurance procedures (Section 36(6))
- Refusal to validate a programme of education and training (Section 45(4))
- Withdrawal of validation of a programme of education and training (Section 47(5))
- Withdrawal of validation of a programme of education and training not offered for 2 years (Section 47(8))
- Refusal of a request for delegation of authority to make an award (Section 53(11))
- Specification of a condition for the purpose of delegation of authority (Section 53(12))
- Withdrawal or variation of delegation of authority to make an award (Section 55(7))
- Refusal to list an awarding body Section 55C (11))
- Refusal to include an award of a listed awarding body in the Framework (Section 55D (5))
- Withdrawal or variation of a listing of an awarding body (Section 55H (10))
- Withdrawal of approval of procedures for access, transfer and progression (Section 59(6))
- Refusal to authorise the use by a provider of the international education mark (Section 61(12))
- Withdrawal of provider authorisation to use the international education mark (Section 63(9))
The Appeals Process is provided for in Statutory Instrument No. 545 of 2025.
In summary
A notice of appeal must be completed and submitted within 21 days of the date of notification of QQI’s decision.
A fee is payable for every appeal. This must be paid before your appeal can be considered by the appeals panel. If your appeal is upheld, the fee will be refunded to you in full. Please note, there is no refund if an appeal is rejected or withdrawn.
On receipt of a notice of appeal and confirmation of receipt of payment of the fee, the notice of appeal will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Appeals Panel, who will convene an appeals board meeting to consider it.
Normally, the appeals board will consider an appeal based on documentation provided by a provider and QQI. However, if necessary, an oral hearing of the matter may be required.
The outcome of each appeal will be determined by a majority of the members of the appeals board, who will either confirm the original decision or direct QQI to reconsider it.
Further detail may be found in the QQI Operating Procedure for Determining Appeals under S.I. 545 of 2025.
If you have additional queries in relation to the QQI appeals process please email appeals@qqi.ie
The appeals panel is made up of independent people, who are appointed by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to consider appeals against specific decisions of QQI.
Membership of the Appeals Panel
[Awaiting appointment of Appeals Panel Members]
A valid appeal will be considered by an appeals board comprising three members from this panel.
