In February 2019, following the introduction of the Technological Universities legislation in March 2018, the Munster Technological consortium, consisting of the Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee, submitted an application seeking designation as a technological university.

The application was assessed by an International Advisory Panel and they furnished a report to the Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh T.D., which is available to download, together with the Minister’s response. In his response, the Minister made the decision to postpone the granting of the application and set conditions with which the two institutes were jointly required to comply by end Q1 2020.

In March 2020, the Munster Technological consortium submitted their report on their compliance with the conditions set, to the Minister for Education and Skills for consideration. The report was assessed by the Higher Education Authority and an International Advisory Panel, with input to the process also provided by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). The HEA furnished a report to the Minister for his consideration. Following consideration of this report, the Minister notified the consortium of his proposed decision to grant the application.

Munster Technological University was designated as a technological university in January 2021.