QQI announces first 28 Higher Education Institutions authorised to use TrustEd Ireland Quality Mark
Press Release
QQI announces first 28 Higher Education Institutions authorised to use TrustEd Ireland Quality Mark
New accreditation system signals Ireland’s commitment to quality, care and confidence for international students
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the state agency responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland, has announced the first group of 28 higher education institutions to be awarded the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark, reinforcing Ireland’s reputation as a trusted destination for international learners.
James Lawless, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said: “The introduction of TrustEd Ireland reflects my Department’s commitment to upholding and enhancing the quality and integrity of Irish education. Ireland is the first country in the world to develop a national quality mark for international education like this. It is only awarded to providers that meet rigorous national standards and will provide assurance to those looking to study in Ireland that they will benefit from a quality and supportive education experience with providers that are awarded the TrustEd mark”.
The TrustEd Ireland mark symbolises quality, care and confidence. The mark is awarded to providers who also demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellence in education and supporting the wellbeing and welfare of their international students.
Dr Lynn Ramsey, CEO, QQI said “TrustEd Ireland is a unique statutory quality mark for higher education and English language education, establishing national standards for institutions in international education.
For QQI, TrustEd Ireland signifies the enhancement of existing quality assurance and qualifications policy in higher education. It also establishes a statutory relationship with the English language education sector. TrustEd Ireland provides confidence for learners in the quality of their learning experience.”
TrustEd Ireland forms part of a framework of legislative measures designed in consultation with key stakeholders to protect international students. The TrustEd Ireland mark is authorised to higher education and English language education institutions that meet national standards. These standards ensure a quality experience for international learners from pre-enrolment to the completion of their programme.
TrustEd Ireland builds on existing quality assurance procedures already in place in Irish higher education, and for English language education, the scheme establishes statutory quality assurance and regulation measures, a significant development for the sector.
QQI is currently assessing applications for TrustEd Ireland from English Language Education institutions.
Notes to Editor
About QQI
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland. QQI validates programmes, makes awards and is responsible for the promotion, maintenance, development and review of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). QQI’s statutory functions include the requirements to establish a code of practice for the provision of programmes of education and training to international learners, and to authorise the use of the international education mark (TrustEd Ireland) by providers that comply with it.
About TrustEd Ireland
TrustEd Ireland is a voluntary scheme and all higher education and English language education institutions are invited to apply for authorisation.
However, it should be noted that the current non-statutory Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) in place since 2015 will be superseded, for the newly authorised providers, by the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark for student immigration purposes. A list of TrustEd Ireland authorised providers and programmes that meet immigration requirements will be published and maintained, enabling Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration to determine applications for visas and residence permissions.
All other education providers intending to recruit non-EU/EEA/Swiss students that require study visas and/or immigration residence permissions for the purpose of study (where such residence exceeds 90 days) must ultimately secure authorisation from QQI to use the TrustEd Ireland mark. The current ILEP list of eligible programmes (closed to new programmes since mid-2025) will continue in operation until the second TrustEd application cycle is complete. After that point, ILEP will be defunct and providers will no longer be eligible to recruit these students unless they obtain the TrustEd Ireland mark.
It is important to note that TrustEd authorised providers are required to co-operate with ISD in the monitoring of student compliance with immigration law and the conditions attaching to their permission, and must ensure that all students, including prospective students, are fully aware of their immigration obligations. In that context, all providers are required to share information with ISD in line with requirements set out in the Policy Statement on the TrustEd Ireland Scheme and Immigration requirements. Further information is available at: Immigration Legislation and Policy Guidelines - Immigration Service Delivery
To support students and their education partners in making informed choices, QQI has launched the TrustEd Ireland website. The site provides clear, accessible information about authorised institutions and explains what the TrustEd Ireland mark represents. Visit www.trustedireland.ie to check authorised institutions and learn more about TrustEd Ireland.
TrustEd Ireland policy documentation and resources for applicant providers are available on the QQI website.
Details of immigration requirements for international students may be found at:
What are my study visa options? - Immigration Service Delivery
Higher education institutions awarded the statutory TrustEd Ireland quality mark in January 2026 are:
Atlantic Technological University
CCT College Dublin
Dorset College
Dublin Business School
Dublin City University
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Dundalk Institute of Technology
Galway Business School
Griffith College
Holmes Institute Dublin
ICD Business School
Independent College
Institute of Banking
Mary Immaculate College Limerick
Maynooth University
Munster Technological University
National College of Art and Design
National College of Ireland
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Royal Irish Academy of Music
South East Technological University
Technological University Dublin
Technological University of the Shannon
Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Galway
University of Limerick
TrustEd Ireland assessment reports for the authorised higher education institutions are available at this link.
