I am an English language education provider

To achieve the TrustEd Ireland mark, you must:   

• Meet the due diligence criteria specified in the regulations; 
• meet the requirements of the:  
  • Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of English Language Education (ELE Code); and the  
  • Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for English Language Education Providers (QA Guidelines for ELE) 

ELE providers who are authorised to use the TrustEd Ireland international education mark will be required to contribute to the statutory Learner Protection Fund.      

Step 1: Confirmation of application     

 There will be two initial application windows for the TrustEd Ireland mark:  

• September 2024  
• Autumn 2025   

If you plan to apply during the first application window in 2024, you must confirm your intention to apply here (link to the confirmation of application form). This will open on 2 September and close on 27 September 2024.    

• If you confirm your intention to apply for the TrustEd Ireland mark in 2024, you will be given access to the online application portal by the 14 October 2024.    
• If you decide not to apply during the 2024 window, you can apply in the 2025 application window.      

Step 2: Application portal  

If you have confirmed your intention to apply, you can access the application portal by 14 October 2024. You will have up to 24 weeks to prepare and submit your application through the application portal. The application portal will close on 28 March 2025.  You can submit your application at any time during the application window.  

Step 3: Self-assessment report 

As part of your application, you will be required to;  

• meet the criteria specified in the Due Diligence Regulations 
• submit the self-assessment report (IEM Application Statement, or IEMAS) 

You must prepare and submit the IEMAS, demonstrating how you comply with the following:  

• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of English Language Education to International Learners (ELE Code) and 
• Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for English Language Education Providers (QA Guidelines for ELE).  

The ELE Code and QA Guidelines for ELE establish a formal quality assurance process for the ELE sector in Ireland. The ELE Code includes a set of principles and criteria to  be complied with in the following areas:  

• requirements for premises​   
• operational, risk and human resources management ​   
• programme design​   
• supports and services for international learners​   
• marketing and recruitment    
• enrolment, fees, refunds and subsistence.​   

The QA Guidelines for ELE include a set of criteria to be met in the following areas:   

• organisational structures  
• management and governance of Quality Assurance  
• academic management structures  
• programme design  
• supports and services for international learners  
• staff supports and development  

Step 4: Assessment panel 

QQI will appoint an assessment panel to assess your compliance with the ELE Code and QA Guidelines for ELE as demonstrated in the IEMAS   

Step 5: Site visit  

The assessment panel will carry out a site visit inspection at your institution to verify that you have complied with the ELE Code of Practice criteria and the QA Guidelines for ELE criteria.  

Step 6: Engagement with providers 

The assessment panel may come back with questions and/or requests for extra information, which you will have an opportunity to respond to.   

It will take an average of 30 weeks to assess your application  

Step 7: Assessment panel report 

The assessment panel’s report will state if, and to what extent, you have complied with the ELE Code and the QA Guidelines for ELE.  

Step 8: Provider feedback 

QQI will share the assessment panel’s report with you. You will have the opportunity to review the report for factual accuracy and to respond to it.     

Step 9: QQI internal governance  

QQI’s Approvals and Reviews Committee will consider the findings and recommendations of the assessment panels, including your response, and make a decision on your application for authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland international education mark.  

Step 10: Decision on authorisation  

The Approvals and Reviews Committee will authorise or refuse to authorise you to use the TrustEd Ireland mark. You may receive authorisation with conditions. You may appeal if you do not receive authorisation.   

You can read more about the application process in Section 6 of the Policy on Authorisation to Use the International Education Mark.  

If you are accredited by ACELS and would like to apply for the TrustEd Ireland mark, you are required to complete the full application process. There will be no automatic transition from the existing ACELS scheme to TrustEd Ireland. 

ACELS providers who do not wish to apply for authorisation to use the mark will no longer have ACELS accreditation once the ACELS scheme is discontinued. 

There will be a 2-year transition period for providers with ACELS accreditation should you wish to apply for the process for TrustEd Ireland scheme. You can read more in section 9 of the Policy on Authorisation to Use the International Education Mark.  

The Interim List of Eligible Programmes is an interim measure pending the introduction of the TrustEd Ireland scheme. This list will cease to operate following the completion of the second TrustEd Ireland window in 2026.  

If your programme(s) is currently included on the ILEP, you must apply for and be authorised to use the TrustEd Ireland mark to continue to recruit non-EU/EEA international students who require study permission or student visas.    

If you apply for the TrustEd Ireland mark, you must comply with the Department of Justice in monitoring student compliance with immigration law.    

You can read more in Section 2.5 and 2.6 of the Policy on Authorisation to Use the International Education Mark.