Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
4th Apr 2018

Ireland to create new technological universities

The Irish government has passed legislation that will lead to the creation of a new category of higher education institution within Ireland’s post-secondary system. The Technological Universities Act was passed into law on 21 March 2018, and, as the name suggests, it provides for new technological universities to be created by merging two or more existing institutes of technology. There are currently 14 institutes of technology (IOTs) in Ireland, nearly all of which were initially founded as regional technical colleges beginning in the 1960s. The IOTs were first established to offer certificate and diploma-level programmes, and mainly in business, engineering, and science. In the late 1970s and after, they also began to introduce full undergraduate degrees and then advanced degrees as well. The strategy to create new technological universities out of the IOT system is enshrined in Ireland’s National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. The government envisions that these new institutions will be based in different regions around the country, and will focus on science and technology programmes that are “vocationally and professionally oriented.” An accompanying statement from Ireland’s Higher Education authority sets out that, “A technological university will be distinguished by a mission and ethos that is aligned and consistent with the current mission and focus of institutes of technology with an emphasis on programmes at levels 6 to 8 [editor: this refers to advanced certificates and undergraduate degrees] and industry-focused research. A technological university will also be expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating access and progression particularly through relationships with the further education and training sector.” “This is a transformative piece of legislation and I am delighted that it is now enacted. The Technological Universities legislation has been a high priority for this Government and will radically change the higher education landscape,” added Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor. “The creation of technological universities provides the opportunity to drive regional development and provide more opportunities for individuals, enterprise and the community. These institutions will have significant impact and influence regionally, nationally and internationally.”

The first technological unis

With the legislation in place, the government expects to move quickly to establish the first new technological universities later this year, perhaps as early as September. Ten of Ireland’s 14 IOTs have already joined consortia that are actively engaged in the process to be designated as technological universities. The two consortia that have progressed the farthest along this path are:

  • TU4Dublin, which is made up of the Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tallaght and Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
  • Munster Technological University (MTU), consisting of Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee

Many observers expect these will be the first two groups to successfully complete the designation process. Two other consortia covering a total of five additional IOTs are coming behind them as well:

  • Technological University for the South-East (TUSE), consisting of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow
  • Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA), consisting of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Sligo, and Letterkenny Institute of Technology

This group of up to four new technological universities will be a significant addition alongside the ten universities operating in Ireland today. On the one hand, the formation of the new technological universities will address a few issues in the Irish system, including merging smaller institutions to create improved economies of scale. The new institutions will also provide for more balanced regional linkages for Irish universities, and will provide more communities across the country with a university of their own. On the other hand, this is a move that could also strengthen recruiting, and for international students in particular. As the Irish Times recently reported, “Cash-strapped institutes of technology have become increasingly reliant on international students who pay big money to study abroad, especially US and Chinese students. Many of these students do not immediately understand what an ‘institute of technology’ is, says DIT president Brian Norton. The term ‘university’ in ‘technological university’, on the other hand, is known to all.” For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • UK’s stiffening compliance regime already having an impact on international student recruitment Read More
  • Search data highlights surge in student interest in Asian and Middle Eastern destinations at mid-year Read More
  • Australia raises enrolment limits for 2025/26 but are they reachable? Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

UK’s stiffening compliance regime already having an impact on international student recruitment It would be fair to say that compliance is top of mind for international educators in the United...
Read more
Search data highlights surge in student interest in Asian and Middle Eastern destinations at mid-year Aggregated search data from Keystone Education Group reveals a distinct spike in student interest in destinations across the...
Read more
Australia raises enrolment limits for 2025/26 but are they reachable? A joint 4 August 2025 media release from the Ministers for Education, Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, and...
Read more
US: International commencements could drop by 30-40% this September A new analysis from NAFSA and the research consultancy JB International projects that international student commencements in the...
Read more
Nearly 30 Canadian language programmes closed in Q1, marking the “sharpest decline in the sector’s history” The peak body for Canada’s language training sector is sounding the alarm. Languages Canada reports that more than...
Read more
Recruiting in Taiwan: An established student market adapting to demographic change Fast Facts Population: 23.4 million Youth population: 9.8% aged 15–24, but the population is ageing Youth unemployment rate:...
Read more
Australia’s central bank highlights importance of international students to national economy The Reserve Bank of Australia, the country’s central bank, has released a special bulletin on the economic impact...
Read more
Measuring the impacts of the first full year of Canada’s foreign student enrolment cap In January 2024, Canada’s immigration ministry (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC) announced a two-year cap on...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links