Study systems in Europe

Degrees are linked to levels of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). At undergraduate level you will come across three levels:

• Level 6 – Higher Certificate – short vocational programmes,
• Level 7 – Ordinary Bachelor Degree,
• Level 8 – Honours Bachelor Degree – a full bachelor's degree that gives access to master's programmes.

After a bachelor's you can go on to a master's and then a doctorate (PhD). EU applicants apply for undergraduate programmes through the CAO; for master's and doctoral programmes you apply directly to the institution.

Minimum entry requirements differ for Level 8 and for Levels 6 and 7 – the CAO guidelines for EU/EFTA/UK school leaving certificates give the details.

Ireland – bachelor's programmes
Ireland – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Ireland – master's programmes