NTO announce new route for Primary Teaching as part of latest expansion to Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees

Posted: 1 May, 2026

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has this week announced details of 32 new Tertiary Bachelors’ Degree routes open to applications for the upcoming academic year 2026/2027. This expansion almost doubles the Tertiary Bachelors’ Degree route options for students to 78 and delivers opportunities in 24 counties in Ireland.

Now in its third year, this 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 and 1,200 places available to students in 2026 outside of the traditional points system.

New Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree in 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 in Primary Teaching will be delivered over five years. Learners will complete a 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 Level 8 Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching.

Continued expansion of the tertiary education model

The expansion forms part of the continued development of the tertiary education model, which is coordinated through the National Tertiary Office. With 13 programmes introduced in its first year in 2023/2024, the initiative has grown significantly, with 41 courses delivered in 2025 and a further 39 new courses launching for 2026/2027, reflecting strong learner demand and continued sectoral collaboration.

Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees provide enhanced access to higher education by beginning study within Education and Training Boards (ETBs), with a seamless progression 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, achieved through an alternative, more flexible route.

Courses are available across a wide range of disciplines, including Nursing, Social Work, Business, ICT, Arts, Process Manufacturing, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Applied Life Sciences and Education. Programmes are co‑designed by ETBs and HEIs in partnership with industry, supporting learner progression while addressing critical skills needs across the country.

Speaking at the 2026 course launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said: “Today we are announcing that pathways to Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees will be available in every county this year for the first time, and the courses available to choose from has doubled.

“These programmes remove long‑standing barriers such as points pressure and initial fees, while maintaining the same academic standards and outcomes as any other degree pathway. They offer flexibility and fairness and reflect the reality that talent and potential exist in every walk of life. I would encourage anyone considering their next step in education, whether leaving school or returning later in life, to explore these opportunities.”

Also speaking at the 2026 launch and announcement of the new Primary Teaching Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “The introduction of a new Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree pathway into Primary Teaching is a significant step forward in how we support the next generation of teachers in Ireland. We are opening the door to a broader and more diverse cohort of future teachers. This is about ensuring that talented, committed individuals who may previously have been excluded can now pursue a career in primary education, while also strengthening the long-term sustainability of our teaching cohort.”

Tanya Jones, Head of the National Tertiary Office, said: “Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees are built on people’s potential and interests, not on points. They are opening doors for individuals who may never have seen third-level education as an option and offering a real chance to progress into higher education without the traditional barriers that can hold people back.

“With courses available in every county for 2026, including a new pathway into Primary Teaching, these programmes are designed to answer directly to skills shortages while setting learners on a productive and rewarding path. By starting locally in an ETB, with no points requirement and no tuition fees in the early years, Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees give everyone, no matter their starting point, the opportunity to follow their ambitions and graduate with the same Bachelor’s Degree, through a route that works for them”

Dr Alan Wall, Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), said: “The continued expansion of Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees is a clear priority for the Higher Education Authority. We are pleased to be working in partnership with SOLAS through the National Tertiary Office to grow these opportunities nationwide, and the availability of 80 courses for 2026 reflects both the strength of that collaboration and the demand from learners seeking an alternative, more accessible path”

Deirdre McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer of SOLAS, said: “Through ETBs, further education provides a supportive and accessible starting point for learners in every community, creating strong progression routes into degree‑level study. SOLAS is pleased to continue working with our partners to support the success and development of these pathways nationwide.”

To find out more information about Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees and to apply visit www.nto.ie.