Ireland’s Colleges of Education offer a narrow range of qualifications, compared to Universities or Institutes of Technology. Traditionally, they exist to provide primary school teachers for Irish schools. Therefore, the majority of students who graduate from a College of Education do so with the same qualification: a Bachelor of Education degree.

This qualification, just like all the others available to school leavers at Irish third level institutions, falls within the structure of the National Framework of Qualifications. (The National Framework of Qualifications was introduced in October 2003 to streamline the Irish education system. The Framework is intended to encompass all education and training awards in Ireland, providing recognition for learning achievements at all levels, and organising all courses into an easy to understand ladder system).

Within the Irish third level undergraduate system, the courses available are higher certificates, ordinary bachelor degrees (formerly known as national diplomas) and honours bachelor degrees. These qualifications fit in at levels six, seven, and eight respectively in the National Framework of Qualifications. Colleges of Education only offer level eight qualifications - honours bachelor degrees.

Two of Ireland’s Colleges of Education offer courses that act as preparation for a career as a post-primary teacher. The Mater Dei Institute specialises in training students to become religion teachers, while St. Angela’s College of Education is the only specialised home economics teacher training college in Ireland.

As well as the Bachelor of Education degree, Ireland’s other Colleges of Education have used their expertise in the field of education to offer courses in a few related areas. Examples include Bachelor of Education in Education & Psychology, Irish Studies and Religious Studies and Education, Business Studies and Religious Studies.

Students looking to move up the ladder to postgraduate study will be well served, as a degree from a College of Education is accepted as preparation for a postgraduate diploma or masters degree (Level nine).