New Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree options available in Tipperary for 2025/2026 academic year

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has today announced the details of new Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees including some in Tipperary, bringing to almost 40 the number of Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees now open to applications across the country, for the upcoming academic year 2025/2026.

The National Tertiary Office was established in 2023, representing a new era in higher education, providing enhanced access for people – of all ages - who may not be able to otherwise earn a Bachelor’s Degree.

Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees commence in Education and Training Boards (ETBs), with a seamless transition to Higher Education Institutions. Entry is not based on CAO points, and there are no tuition fees for the year spent in the ETB.

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Amongst the new Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees revealed this week, is a BSc (Hons) Digital Arts, which starts in Tipperary FET College (Clonmel -The Mall) with a seamless transition to Technological University of the Shannon (Clonmel Digital Campus).

Also open to applications for the first time this year is a BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Science which commences in Tipperary FET College (Thurles – Archerstown) and graduates from Technological University of the Shannon (Thurles Campus).

Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees were first open to applications for the 2023 / 2024 academic year. There were 13 Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree programmes in the first year. That has almost trebled for 2025/2026 with 38 programmes nationwide.

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In addition to a wide range of existing Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees across Business, ICT, Arts, Engineering, Social Sciences, Early Learning & Care, Agricultural Science, Sport, Manufacturing & Construction and Health & Welfare, the following new options are being revealed today.

The programmes are designed in partnership with industry to tackle skills shortages and equip students for careers in sectors that need them.

• BSc (Hons) Digital Arts (Tipperary FET College and Technological University of the Shannon)
• BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Science (Tipperary FET College and Technological University of the Shannon)
• BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (Cork College of Further Education and Training and University College Cork)
• BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy (Kerry College of Further Education and training and University College Cork)
• BSc (Hons) ID Nursing (Waterford Wexford Education Training Board and South East Technological University)
• BSc (Hons) Radiography (City of Dublin Education and Training Board/ Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board and University College Dublin)
• BA (Hons) Politics, Society and Media (City of Dublin Further Education and Training College Ballyfermot Road/ City of Dublin Further Education and Training College, Rathmines and Technological University Dublin)

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said: "I'm pleased to launch the third round of tertiary degree programmes. These initiatives are giving more students than ever the chance to pursue their ambitions without being tied down by the CAO points race.

“I understand that many young people feel anxious about their educational future, worrying each year if their Leaving Certificate results will be enough to get into the course they want. These programmes ensure that your exam results won't limit your options. If you're willing to study and work hard, there's a path for you in tertiary education."

Tanya Jones, Deputy Director of the National Tertiary Office, said: “Whether you’re finishing school, returning to education, or upskilling later in life, Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees are about meeting you where you are and helping you get to where you want to go. Learners should be able to pursue a degree regardless of their background, family circumstances, or financial situation. No points are required, and there’s no college fees during in the early years in ETB. There are no compromises; students earn the same Bachelor’s Degree, it’s just a different route. Options and demand are increasing year on year, demonstrating the need for and importance of a more accessible route like the one presented by Tertiary Bachelors’ Degrees.”

Host of the Talking Bollox podcast, Terence Power, is supporting the launch of the new Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees. He said: “You don’t need points. All you need is potential. This kind of opportunity just wasn’t around for us when we left school. To see it available now, for people who otherwise might never get the chance to realise their full potential, is genuinely class.”

Find out more information about Tertiary Bachelor’s Degrees at www.nto.ie.