I am a higher education provider

If you are a publicly funded higher education provider, you must:

• have established QA procedures.
• have established access, transfer and progression (ATP) arrangements. 
• have your programmes or awards included in the National Framework of Qualifications
• meet the requirements of the Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners.

If you are a private/independent higher education provider, you must: 

• have established QA procedures; 
• have established access, transfer and progression (ATP) arrangements;  
• have your programmes and awards included in the National Framework of Qualifications 
• meet the requirements of the Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners, 
• participate in 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 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 the 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

You must prepare and submit a self-assessment report showing how you comply with the: 

• Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners. 

The Code establishes a set of principles and criteria with which you must comply. These relate to:​  

• ethical marketing and recruitment  
• accurate information provision to international learners​  
• fair, transparent, and consistent admission policies that encompass an institution’s role in qualifications’ recognition​  
• English language policy statement, including requirements relating to international foundation year programmes​  
• fees, refunds, and subsistence​  
• supports and services for international learners​  
• international learners enrolled on programmes leading to awards included within the NFQ, including learners enrolled on transnational and online programmes.   

Step 4: Assessment panel

QQI will appoint a panel of assessors to assess your compliance with the Higher Education Code of Practice.  

It will take an average of 28-30 weeks to assess your application.  

Step 5: Engagement with providers

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

Step 6: Assessors’ report

The assessors' report will state if you have complied with the Higher Education Code of Practice. 

Step 7: Provider feedback

QQI will share the assessors' report with you. You will have the opportunity to review the report for factual accuracy and to respond to it.   

Step 8: QQI internal governance 

QQI’s Approvals and Reviews Committee will consider your self-assessment report and the assessors’ report (including your response). 

Step 9: 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. 

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.