Details of 32 new Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree routes that will be open to applications for the upcoming academic year 2026/2027 have been announced, significantly increasing the route options for students, delivering opportunities in 24 counties across Ireland.
Amongst the new Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees open to applications for the upcoming academic year are the following courses in Cork: a BA Applied Social and Community Development – commencing in Cork ETB (Morrison’s Island Campus) with a seamless transition to Munster Technological University Bishopstown Campus; BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Supply Chains and Logistics – commencing in Cork ETB (Morrison’s Island Campus) with a seamless transition to Munster Technological University, Ringaskiddy Campus and a BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Performance and Coach Education – commencing in Cork ETB (Tramore Road Campus) with a seamless transition to University College Cork.
In addition to the options available to learners this year is a new route into Primary Teaching, as well as in Health and Welfare, Business, Applied Sciences, Arts and ICT fields of study, namely Social and Community Development, Digital Business, Nutrition, Food and Business Management, Sustainable Supply Chains and Logistics, Applied Sports Performance and Coach Education, Media Technologies, Networks and System Administration, Software and Technology, Computing with AI, and Agricultural science with further expansion in Nursing provision.
Now in its fourth year, the Tertiary Programme expansion reflects strong and sustained demand for alternative, more accessible routes into higher education, with student numbers increasing by over 218% since the programme’s introduction, growing from 148 learners in 2023 to 471 learners in 2025. In response to this demand, 1,200 tertiary places will be available to applicants in 2026 outside of the traditional points system.
NEW ROUTE INTO PRIMARY TEACHING
A significant development within this expansion is the introduction of a new pathway into Primary School Teaching through a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), broadening access to the profession and supporting a more diverse pipeline of future primary teachers.
The Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree route into Primary Teaching will be delivered over five years. Learners will complete the foundation year at NFQ Level 5, delivered by Tipperary Education and Training Board or Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, before progressing to Mary Immaculate College for years two to five, completing the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching.
CONTINUED EXPANSION OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION MODEL
Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree routes provide enhanced access to higher education, giving an opportunity to begin study within Education and Training Boards (ETBs), and then seamlessly progress to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Entry is not based on points, and no tuition fees apply during the first one to two years of study while learners are enrolled in an ETB. Students graduate with the same Bachelor’s Degree qualification (NFQ Level 7/8) as they would on any other degree pathway, but achieved through an alternative, more flexible route.
Courses are available across a wide range of disciplines and programmes are co-designed by ETBs and HEIs in partnership with industry, supporting learner progression while addressing critical skills needs across the country. To find out more information about Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree routes and to apply visit www.nto.ie.
