QQI, the state firm accountable for the external quality control of tertiary education and training in Ireland, has actually announced the very first group of ELE companies to be granted the TrustEd Ireland statutory quality mark.
For the ELE sector, the plan establishes for the very first time an official engagement with QQI and a requirement to implement statutory quality control and policy procedures, a substantial advancement for the sector.
“International students concerning Ireland should have confidence in the quality of the education and supports they will get,” stated James Lawless, minister for additional and higher education, research study, innovation and science.
He added that Ireland has “developed a strong global reputation for education, and the authorisation of the first suppliers under the TrustEd Ireland quality mark is a crucial action in reinforcing and securing that track record”.
“For the very first time, authorised English language education providers will run within a clear regulative structure, helping to improve quality, transparency and accountability across the sector and offering greater assurance for students choosing Ireland as their study location,” the minister continued.
According to QQI, the TrustEd Ireland mark represents a “clear indication of quality assured education arrangement which will assist global learners make informed choices when concerning study in Ireland by identifying service providers that satisfy rigorous quality requirements”.
In addition to setting instructional requirements, TrustEd Ireland is underpinned by a Learner Defense Fund which will be handled by QQI.
“The fund offers both academic and financial bonding guaranteeing that plans will be made to enable students to complete their research studies with another provider or, where this is not possible, receive a refund of some or all of the most just recently paid charges depending on the circumstances,” stated QQI in a declaration.
It included that private college and English language education suppliers that are authorised under TrustEd Ireland will be required to add to the Learner Protection Fund.
Talking about the announcement, Lynn Ramsey, CEO of QQI stated: “The TrustEd Ireland plan establishes robust national requirements for higher education and English language education companies and positions Ireland as a global leader in quality guaranteed international education.”
She said that the statement “marks a new era of quality oversight and policy for the English language education sector in Ireland, with the facility of formal, statutory engagement with QQI.”
“Under the scheme, QQI has a statutory monitoring obligation to guarantee companies follow the concurred code of practice, ultimately making sure that the rights of students are secured throughout their time studying in Ireland.”
Lynn Ramsey, CEO of QQI
“Under the plan, QQI has a statutory tracking duty to make sure suppliers comply with the agreed code of practice, ultimately guaranteeing that the rights of learners are safeguarded throughout their time studying in Ireland,” she added.
Speaking with The PIE News, English Education Ireland’s CEO Lorcan O’Connor Loyd said his organisation invites today’s statement.
“Getting the first suppliers authorised under TrustEd Ireland is a real milestone for the sector and a strong signal of Ireland’s commitment to quality assurance for global learners. Our members have put considerable work into fulfilling the new requirements, and it’s good to see that recognised,” said Lloyd, whose organisation and members had previously boycotted the accreditation plan, pointing to issues around the structure’s fee structure and emergency situation student security fund.
“Some important concerns remain open. There’s still unpredictability for companies around Defense of Enrolled Learners arrangements under the new plan,” discussed Lloyd.
“We have real issues about the cost concern the plan put on ELE suppliers. Universities are exempt from this financing requirement, which produces an uneven playing field for the private education sector. No education supplier is currently paying into the TrustEd Learner Security fund, so the practical monetary effect hasn’t been evaluated yet.”
To acquire TrustEd Ireland authorisation, ELE companies must go through a comprehensive due diligence evaluation, which takes a look at locations such as financial and legal structures and organization plans to develop the capacity and ability of personal education companies to provide quality ensured education programs.
Under the plan, providers must also have quality control procedures that are authorized by QQI and demonstrate compliance with an associated Code of Practice.
The Code consists of essential criteria to secure the experience of worldwide students from pre-enrolment through to the conclusion of their program.
ELE suppliers are required to undergo a site evaluation as part of their evaluation for compliance with the Code of Practice.
Once authorised under the scheme companies and qualified programs will be published on a brand-new TrustEd Ireland Authorised Providers: List of Qualified Programmes (Higher Education, Foundation and English language education programs).
This new list, which is handled by QQI, will supersede the existing non-statutory Interim List of Eligible Programs (ILEP), which providers’ programs should be listed on to hire non-EU/EEA/Swiss students.
The new TrustEd Ireland list will identify those programs that adhere to migration requirements to allow Migration Service Shipment (ISD) in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration to identify applications for research study visas and immigration consents for research study functions.
“In January 2026, a very first group of 28 higher education organizations were granted the TrustEd Ireland quality mark. More applications from ELE companies and further HE suppliers are currently being evaluated by QQI with authorisation decision results expected in Q4 2026,” QQI’s statement read.
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