A NEW route into primary school teaching is now available in Limerick with reduced college fees that requires no points.
As part of the latest expansion of Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree Routes, prospective students can study for a Bachelor’s Degree with Limerick and Clare ETB.
The course allows for a seamless transition to Mary Immaculate College (MIC) to continue the degree, with no tuition fees for at least the first two years while studying in an ETB.
It will be delivered over five years with learners completing the foundation year Level 5 before progressing to MIC for years two to five.
A Bachelor’s degree in Computing with AI will also commence at Limerick and Clare ETB with a transition to Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
Other new routes include 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, and Agricultural Science with further expansion in Nursing provision.
Now in its fourth year, the tertiary programme expansion reflects demand for alternative, more accessible routes into higher education, with student numbers increasing by over 218 per cent 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.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 course launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, said: “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.”
To find out more information about Tertiary Bachelor’s Degree routes and to apply visit nto.ie.