Students in both the UK and Ireland regularly receive some or all of their education in the other jurisdiction. This is one of the rights and entitlements associated with the Common Travel Area (CTA) that Irish and British citizens enjoy.
Every day, children and young people attend school in either jurisdiction, particularly cross-border on the island of Ireland. This is a matter of choice for families, as to what works best for them. This choice will continue under the CTA after the end of the transition period.
Following the conclusion of the EU-UK Trade and Customs Agreement (TCA), it is the Department’s assessment is that, overall, Brexit will not have a major impact on the day-to-day operations of schools.
Notwithstanding this assessment, it is possible that there may be longer term issues such as delays in supply chains, which needs to be closely monitored over time.
For more information on Brexit please see gov.ie/Brexit.
School principals that have a query can email Brexit_Desk@education.gov.ie
As provided under the Memorandum of Understanding on the CTA, Irish students will continue to be able to study in the UK and British students will be able to study in Ireland.
Applications: For those wanting to study in the UK, applications for higher education places in the UK will continue to be made using current systems.
For those wanting to study in Ireland, UK applicants should continue to use the Central Applications Office and where appropriate, the State Examinations Commission in the applications process.
Fees: Should you pursue your further and higher study in the UK, your fees will be set at the same level as citizens in the UK for the 2021/2022 academic year, and will continue on that basis for the duration of the programme for which you have registered. In this regard, it should be noted that Scotland have introduced fees of up to £9,250 per annum for Irish students with effect from the 2021/ 2022 academic year. This decision will not impact Irish students who are already registered on a higher education programme in Scotland. Any student who are pursuing their studies in Scotland and are liable for fees, should contact the Student Awards Agency Scotland (www.saas.gov.uk) to explore further finance options.
Student supports: Following the ‘Brexit’ amendment to Student Support Act 2011, the usual SUSI grant rules will continue to apply for UK and Irish students.
Similar to higher education, Irish students will continue to be able to pursue further education and training programmes in the UK, and vice versa, under the CTA.
Should you pursue your further education study in the UK, your fees will be set at the same level as citizens in the UK for the 2020/2021 academic year, and will continue on that basis for the duration of the programme for which you have registered. The CTA means Ireland and the UK will take steps to ensure Irish and British citizens can continue to access further and higher education into the future.
The EU’s Erasmus+ 2014-2020 programme provides funding for a range of international education and training projects, including student and staff mobility and exchanges, job shadowing, teaching assignments, and strategic partnerships between organisations.
The programme continues to operate fully for Ireland and the EU Member States. Following the conclusion of the EU-UK Trade and Customs Agreement (TCA), the UK Government has decided not to participate in the Erasmus+ Programme. Therefore, Erasmus mobilities to UK further and higher education institutions will no longer be possible.
The government will also introduce a scheme to allow for the continued participation in Erasmus+ mobilities for eligible students of higher education institutions in Northern Ireland, on the basis of temporary registration at Irish higher education institutions.
Professional qualifications are specific qualification requirements that a person needs to possess by law in order to access or pursue a regulated profession, or to engage in regulated activities in a given country. Qualification requirements vary between professions.
Following the conclusion of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), new professional qualifications issued by UK bodies will no longer be automatically recognised in Ireland under EU law, and vice-versa. This may have implications for those working or seeking to work in an EU Member State on the basis of professional qualifications obtained in the UK. However, if you have already had these qualifications recognised by the relevant EU regulator before the end of the transition period, there will be no change and you can continue to practice in Ireland or elsewhere in the EU.
The Government of Ireland has encouraged regulatory authorities in Ireland, some of whom operate on an all-island basis, to engage with their counterparts in the UK in order to manage the process of continued recognition of UK qualifications in national law in Ireland.
The EU-UK TCA provides a path to enable the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, which may be exercised at a later date. Information will be updated on this website as it becomes available.
If you have a query about your professional qualification, you should contact the relevant regulatory body for your profession.