The Education System

International Protection applicants have the right to access education in Ireland, however the main barrier to education is fees.

The below video (available in Arabic here) gives an overview of the Irish Education system for adults in the international protection process or from a refugee background.

Further Education

Further Education courses are Level 5 and 6 of The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) system. These courses are often referred to as PLC course. They usually last 1 year and start in September.

If you have a work permit, these courses usually cost between 50 and 500 Euro. We recently learned that the following Colleges in Dublin have significantly reduced their fees: Ballsbridge, Ballyfermot, Cathal Brugha Street (was Marino & Killester), Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Coláiste Íde, Crumlin, Inchicore, Liberties, Pearse, Plunket, Rathmines and Whitehall.

You may be able to access State funding for further education courses through the VTOS programme, please ask to speak to the VTOS coordinator at your chosen school for more information.

If you do not yet have a work permit, the school may charge you the International rate, which is a lot higher. This may depend on the school, so if you do not yet have a work permit, you can contact the school you wish to attend and ask them to clarify what fee you would be expected to pay. 

Higher Education (University)

Higher Education usually takes place in Universities and includes Bachelor degrees (QQI levels 7 and 8), Masters (QQI level 9) and postdoctoral degrees (QQI level 10). 

There are different routes to accessing Bachelor degrees in Ireland:

A. You can complete a level 5 Further Education course

B. You complete an Access course. These courses are run by Universities themselves but are equivalent to a level 6 further education course. They are 1-year, part-time courses designed to prepare adults, who may not have formal qualifications, to study at university. 

C. You can apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) as a mature student. This involves an interview and takes into account your professional, academic and personal experience. 

How do I pay for University?

1. The International Protection Scheme is open to International Protection applicants who have been living in Ireland for 3 years (or more) and don't have status yet. You must be progressing in your Education and meet income and other requirements to be eligible.
   
2. SUSI is open to people with status who have been living in Ireland for 3 years (or more). You must be progressing in your Education and meet income and other requirements
   
3. If you have been in Ireland for less than 3 years, you can apply for a Sanctuary Scholarship but they are limited in number. 
   

Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)

Back to Education Allowance is a weekly social welfare payment for people with status who are in full-time education. It is possible to receive a SUSI grant (to cover high education fees only), as well as the BTEA. 

To be eligible for BTEA you must be in receipt of a social welfare payment (this includes the Daily Expenses allowance) for a minimum of 9 months for University and 3 months for Further education. 

Please check this page on our website for more information on VTOS, the International Protection Scheme and SUSI and BTEA.

Unsure of what course to study?

We cannot advise you on what course would best suit you. Your local Education and Training Board (ETB) education guidance counsellor would be best placed to do this. Please check this map to find our local counsellor and contact them to make an appointment. 

Need to improve your English?

The ETB guidance counsellors should also be able to advise you about free English classes in your area. 

For more information on Education please visit this page which covers the following topics in detail: 

• Education: how to get started?
• Adult Education Guidance Map
• Further Education and Training 
• Higher Education (University)
• Understanding Fees
• State Funding
• Sanctuary Scholarships