Learning & Teaching

Teaching and Learning in Irish Universities

Irish universities are dedicated to student-centred learning and teaching as core pillars of our mission, enabled by creative scholarship and innovative research which we apply to enhance the economic, social and cultural well-being of our nation. The universities are continuously engaged in ensuring that the learning and teaching which takes place is of the highest possible quality, up-to-date, relevant, and delivered to students in a variety of suitable ways, particularly in light of rapid advances in digital learning and a need to expand lifelong learning opportunities.

IUA Part-Time/ Flexible Subgroup

The IUA Part-Time/ Flexible Subgroup is composed of University and Institute of Technology representatives and other key stakeholders, to examine prevailing issues associated with part-time/ flexible higher education, and propose a set of principles to inform the development of a more coherent, systematic and viable approach. The resulting Position Paper – “A Student is a Student is a Student” – was endorsed through a sectoral consultation process across Irish higher education and by the IUA and THEA Registrars/ Vice-Presidents Academic Groups. To view and download the “A Student is a Student is a Student” position paper here.

Quality

The quality of learning and teaching in Irish universities is also dependent on close interaction with high quality, relevant research and scholarship. This is crucial, from undergraduate studies to doctoral programmes, in keeping teaching up-to-date and ensuring that learning is inspired by a spirit of curiosity and discovery. Much of the research which takes place in Irish universities is undertaken in close cooperation with research partners in other countries, and many researchers in Irish universities have studied or worked abroad. This ensures that they experience the broader benefits of internationalisation in gaining research experience in another country and using that to enrich their own work at home. Please see the Research & Innovation section of this website for information about research underway in Irish universities.

Collaboration in the Higher Education Sector on Quality

The universities, in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), have invested heavily in learning and teaching over the past two decades. Standards and a reputation of excellence have been built up and many important innovations have taken place in the ongoing transformation of learning and teaching across the Irish university sector.

The universities also work closely with and contribute to the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, which was established as a national resource with a central focus on enhancing the quality of the learning experience for all students in higher education. The National Forum plays a vital role in supporting excellence in learning and teaching in Irish higher education, in line with key objectives outlined in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030.

Learning and teaching in Irish universities is enhanced by regular and comprehensive external and internal quality assurance procedures and quality enhancement initiatives. Please see the Quality Assurance section of this website for information. All courses offered in Irish universities lead to qualifications which are included on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and the Irish Register of Qualifications. These qualifications are underpinned by core principles of quality, recognition, access, transfer and progression, and are recognised internationally for the purposes of further study and employment.

Student Volunteer

Student Volunteer was an initiative set-up and supported by the Irish Universities Association. It was created as a one-stop-shop portal connecting higher education students with civil society organisation volunteering opportunities.

From 01/07/2023, responsibility for operation of the website was transferred from the Irish Universities Association (“IUA”) to the University of Limerick. For students: Your own / local institution will continue to manage your personal data for the purposes of managing volunteering opportunities and arrangements.

Visit the new Student Volunteer website at www.studentvolunteer.ie or click the button below:

Student Mobility

Some of the innovations in learning and teaching are linked to European and international developments, where Irish universities play an active role in a variety of programmes and networks. The European University Association ‘Trends’ project often highlights Ireland as an example of good practice, and demonstrates that collaboration and exchange among European universities are important catalysts in enhancing learning and teaching. For information about the Bologna Process, intergovernmental cooperation of 48 countries across the European Higher Education Area with current rounds featuring a strong emphasis on learning and teaching, please click here.

EMASI (Enhancing Mobility for Access Students Ireland) Project

Irish universities are committed to ensuring their students and staff experience the broader benefits of internationalisation. International mobility is encouraged for all student cohorts to have the opportunity to experience learning and teaching in another country and use that to enrich their own work at home. The presence of the large and growing numbers of international students in Irish universities is important in contributing to the internationalisation of curricula and campuses, enriching the learning and teaching environment and the student experience, making students more prepared for the changing world of work and a variety of cultural settings. In 2018, the IUA published a report of the EMASI (Enhancing Mobility for Access Students Ireland) project. This Erasmus+ KA3 project was delivered by IUA, working under the auspices of the then Department of Education and Skills, with the support of the Higher Education Authority. The report and a toolkit with practical resources for HEI staff to enable and widen participation in study or internship abroad can be found on: https://mobilitytoolkit.ie/.

EPFIME (Enhancing a thought-out Policy and Framework on Inclusive Mobility across Europe) Project

IUA was a partner in the EPFIME project (Enhancing a thought-out Policy and Framework on Inclusive Mobility across Europe). This 2019-2021 project was co-funded by Erasmus+ KA3 and was led by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training. It looks at widening participation by students with disabilities in incoming and outgoing international mobility programmes. The project tools to support higher education institutions and national authorities across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in implementing sustainable inclusive mobility policies and measures for students with disabilities are now available on the https://inclusivemobility.eu/ European platform.

Most recently, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science invited IUA to partner on an Erasmus+ KA3 peer-learning project on inclusive student mobility. The 2019-2021 PLAR-4-SIMP project is also led by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training, with delegations from 14 EHEA countries, looking at strengthening mutual learning and deepening exchange of practice regarding widening participation by underrepresented students in international mobility programmes.

Centres for Learning and Teaching

Forerunners in Europe and internationally, all universities have centres for learning and teaching. These centres work to foster and maintain a culture of excellence in learning and teaching among staff and students, providing information and resources. They promote innovative methods that encourage active learner engagement and critical thinking through which students can develop their knowledge, skills and competences to the highest level, and offer professional development opportunities for staff who teach. The centres maintain close links with partner higher education institutions in Ireland and internationally. Please click on the university links below to find out more:

Dublin City University

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Maynooth University

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Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin

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TU Dublin

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University College Cork

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University College Dublin

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University of Galway

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University of Limerick

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Our Charter Commitment to Learning and Teaching

“BUILD ON THE QUALITY OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE IN A DIGITAL AGE” BY…

  • Developing a coherent national programme in digital learning in partnership with Government.
  • Expanding capacity for growing numbers and to drive adult (25 – 64) lifelong learning in Ireland from the current 6.5% to the EU average of 10.7% by 2030.
  • Increasing international student numbers to 15% of the overall student population and employing strategies to achieve the Bologna target for outward mobility of 20% of the student population undertaking a study or internship placement abroad by 2025.

Lewis Purser is IUA’s Director of Learning & Teaching and Academic Affairs

Nora Trench Bowles is IUA’s Head of Lifelong Learning, Skills and Quality