What is TrustEd Ireland?

TrustEd Ireland is a new statutory quality mark and part of a suite of legislative measures designed to protect international learners. The new mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners from pre-enrolment through to the completion of their programme of education and training.  

Confidence in Irish education

The mark is intended to promote confidence, both nationally and internationally, in the quality of the Irish education system. It will ensure that international learners enrolled on programmes with higher education (HE) and English language education (ELE) providers are protected and receive a quality, consistent learning experience. TrustEd Ireland is a voluntary scheme; however, providers who wish to recruit non-EU/EEA learners on programmes that require immigration permissions/study visas will be required to apply for authorisation to use the mark. 

Confirmation of application 

If you wish to apply for TrustEd Ireland in the first application window, please click here to confirm your intention to apply: Confirmation of Application (qqi.ie).  The Confirmation of Application form will be accessible from 9am, Monday 2 September until 6pm, Friday, 27 September 2024. 

Codes of practice

Two codes of practice have been developed, one for HE providers, the Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners (HE Code), and one for ELE providers, the Code of Practice for Provision of English Language Education (ELE Code).   

HE and ELE providers who apply for authorisation to use the mark will submit a self-assessment report to demonstrate their compliance with the associated code of practice, and, in the case of ELE providers, meeting the Quality Assurance guidelines for English Language Education.  

Keep updated

Providers who wish to join our mailing list to be informed of TrustEd Ireland updates, please click here. 

Call for independent assessors

QQI is currently appointing independent teams of assessors to conduct its assessment of providers on its behalf. If you are interested in further information and expressing interest in becoming an assessor, please click here.  

Key documents  

These documents will take effect as of 1 September 2024 and should be used by HE and ELE providers applying for TrustEd Ireland authorisation in the first application window (14 October 2024 – 28 March 2025):  

• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of English Language Education to International Learners,  
• Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for English Language Education,  
• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners,  
• Policy on Authorisation to Use the International Education Mark.   

If you have any further questions, please contact the International Education Division at international.education@qqi.ie.