QQI announces the first English Language Education Providers authorised to use TrustEd Ireland Quality Mark
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the state agency responsible for the external quality assurance of tertiary education and training in Ireland, has announced the first group of English language education (ELE) providers to be awarded the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark, reinforcing Ireland’s recognised reputation as a trusted destination for international learners.
The TrustEd Ireland quality mark builds on existing quality assurance procedures already in place in Irish higher education. For the ELE sector the scheme establishes for the first time a formal engagement with QQI and a requirement to implement statutory quality assurance and regulation measures, a significant development for the sector.
James Lawless, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said: "International students coming to Ireland should have confidence in the quality of the education and supports they will receive. Ireland has built a strong international reputation for education, and the authorisation of the first providers under the TrustEd Ireland quality mark is an important step in strengthening and protecting that reputation. For the first time, authorised English language education providers will operate within a clear regulatory framework, helping to enhance quality, transparency and accountability across the sector and providing greater assurance for students choosing Ireland as their study destination.”
The TrustEd Ireland mark represents a clear indicator of quality assured education provision which will help international learners make informed decisions when coming to study in Ireland by identifying providers that meet rigorous quality standards.
In addition to setting high educational standards, TrustEd Ireland is underpinned by a Learner Protection Fund which will be managed by QQI. The fund provides both academic and financial bonding ensuring that arrangements will be made to allow learners to complete their studies with another provider or, where this is not possible, receive a refund of some or all of the most recently paid fees depending on the circumstances. All private higher education and English language education providers that are authorised under TrustEd Ireland will be required to contribute to the Learner Protection Fund.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Lynn Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer of QQI said “The TrustEd Ireland scheme establishes robust national standards for higher education and English language education providers and positions Ireland as a global leader in quality assured international education.”
She continued: “The announcement today marks a new era of quality oversight and regulation for the English language education sector in Ireland, with the establishment of formal, statutory engagement with QQI. Under the scheme, QQI has a statutory monitoring responsibility to ensure providers adhere to the agreed code of practice, ultimately ensuring that the rights of learners are protected during their time studying in Ireland.”
To obtain TrustEd Ireland authorisation, ELE providers must undergo a thorough due diligence assessment, which examines areas such as financial and legal structures and business plans to establish the capacity and capability of private education providers to deliver quality assured education programmes.
Under the scheme, providers must also have quality assurance procedures that are approved by QQI and demonstrate compliance with an associated Code of Practice. The Code includes key criteria to protect the experience of international learners from pre-enrolment through to the conclusion of their programme. ELE providers are required to undergo a site inspection as part of their assessment for compliance with the Code of Practice.
Once authorised under the scheme providers and eligible programmes will be published on a new TrustEd Ireland Authorised Providers: List of Eligible Programmes (Higher Education, Foundation and English language education programmes). This new list, which is managed by QQI, will supersede the current non-statutory Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), which providers’ programmes must be listed on to recruit non-EU/EEA/Swiss learners. The new TrustEd Ireland list will identify those programmes that comply with immigration requirements to enable Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration to determine applications for study visas and immigration permissions for study purposes.
In January 2026, a first group of 28 higher education institutions were awarded the TrustEd Ireland quality mark. Further applications from ELE providers and further HE providers are currently being reviewed by QQI with authorisation decision outcomes expected in Q4 2026.
Notes to Editor
About QQI
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for the external quality assurance of tertiary 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 also include the establishment of a code of practice for the provision of programmes to international learners, and to authorise the use of the international education mark, TrustEd Ireland, by providers who comply with it.
About TrustEd Ireland
TrustEd Ireland is a voluntary quality assurance scheme. Higher education and English language education providers are invited to apply to QQI for authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland quality mark.
Once authorised under the scheme providers and eligible programmes will be published on a new TrustEd Ireland Authorised Providers: List of Eligible Programmes (Higher Education, Foundation and English language education programmes). This new list, which is managed by QQI, will supersede the current non-statutory Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), which providers’ programmes must be listed on to recruit non-EU/EEA/Swiss learners. The new TrustEd Ireland list will identify those programmes that comply with immigration requirements to enable Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration to determine applications for study visas and immigration permissions for study purposes.
All education providers intending to recruit non-EU/EEA/Swiss students that require study visas 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 will continue in operation until the decisions from the second TrustEd application are announced which is scheduled for the end of 2026. After that point, ILEP will cease to operate, and providers will no longer be eligible to recruit these students unless they apply to QQI to obtain the TrustEd Ireland mark.
TrustEd Ireland authorised providers are required to co-operate with ISD in the monitoring of student compliance with immigration law and the conditions attached to their study 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 a dedicated website www.trustedireland.ie . The site provides clear, accessible information about authorised institutions and explains what the TrustEd Ireland mark represents.
English language providers awarded the statutory TrustEd Ireland quality mark in August 2026 are:
- Bridge Mills Galway Language Centre
- Emerald Cultural Institute
- International House Dublin
- Liffey College
- Patrick’s English Academy
