Courses
Admissions & Support
Funding Opportunities
A range of financial supports are available to students within the Faculty of Continuing, Professional, Online and Distance Learning. These include government-backed schemes that offer subsidised or fully funded places on eligible programmes, alongside grant opportunities for those who meet specific criteria. These supports are designed to reduce financial barriers and enhance access to part-time and flexible higher education.
Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy
The Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been introduced to enable more learners to address critical skills gaps and engage with lifelong learning through short, flexible courses known as micro-credentials. The Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy is funded by Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The following programmes are aproved for 80% funding from May 2026, under the Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy (LFS) initiative:
Certificate in AI and Emerging Technologies Level 6 10 ECTS
Certificate in Arts in Futures Thinking for Sustainability Level 9 10 ECTS
Certificate in Café and Restaurant Operations Level 6 10 ECTS
Certificate in Cybersecurity Essentials Level 6 5 ECTS
Certificate in Data mining and Machine learning Level 9 10 ECTS
Certificate in Design for Sustainability & Circurlar Economies Level 9 10 ECTS
Certificate in Engineering in Data Analytics & Prediction Level 9 10 ECTS
Certificate in Engineering in Fundamentals of Digital Design & Solidworks CAD Level 6 10 ECTS
Certificate in Engineering in Sustainable Product & Process Development Level 9 10 ECTS
Certificate in Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Level 6 10 ECTS
Certificate in Generative AI and Large Language Models Level 9 5 ECTS
Certificate in Prompt Engineering for Generative AI Level 6 5 ECTS
Certificate in Science in Decarbonisation Solutions for Built Environment Level 9 20 ECTS
Certificate in Science in Project Design Control and Risk Management Level 9 20 ECTS
Certificate in the Legal, Social and Ethical Implications of AI Level 9 5 ECTS
Course applications are accepted only through Springboardcourses.ie. To apply please visit https://springboardcourses.ie/
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy has been set out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and will be administered by the course provider that you are applying to during the admissions or registration process.
Micro-credential Fee Subsidies are available on identified micro-credentials only and are limited. Course providers will administer the subsidy on a first come first serve basis to eligible applicants unless otherwise stated.
To be considered eligible* for the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy, you will need to:
1) Be living fulltime in the Republic of Ireland
2) Have your own, valid PPS Number
3) Meet the nationality/visa requirement
a) You are an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss national or:
b) You have Stamp 4/Stamp 4 EU FAM, Stamp 5, or Stamp 6 on your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. This includes those resident here on Stamp 4 on the basis of
- Having permission to remain in Ireland as a family member of an EU citizen or;
- Having official Refugee/Subsidiary Protection status in Ireland /being here on the basis of refugee family reunification or;
- Having been granted Humanitarian Leave to Remain in the State (prior to the Immigration Act 1999) or;
- Having permission to remain following the Minister’s decision not to make a deportation
4) IMPORTANT: in addition to 1.2.3 above you must:
- Have lived in either the EU, the EEA, the UK, Switzerland for at least 3 out of the last 5 years
- Any period the Department of Justice can count towards Citizenship can count towards residency (except stamp 2 & 2 a)
- If you have Refugee/Subsidiary Protection status in Ireland, residency is counted from the date you applied for International Protection
Note 1: Applicants who are in receipt of an eligible DSP payment are not expected to demonstrate that they meet the Nationality/Visa requirement or 3 of the previous 5 years EU/EEA/UK/Swiss residency requirement.
Note 2: The process for determining eligibility is undertaken by the third level institution to which the student is attending.
5) Non-EU Applicants:
Residency for 3 out of previous 5 years in the EU/ EEA/ UK/ Switzerland:
Non-EU applicants, with the exception of “Unemployed” status and in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment, must provide evidence limited to the following visas for three out of previous 5 years residency in the Republic of Ireland:
- Stamp 1
- Stamp 3
- Stamp 4/ Stamp 4 EU FAM/ Stamp 4D
- Stamp 5
- Stamp 6
Note 1: Stamp 2 & Stamp 2A are not reckonable towards residency and cannot be included in determining 3 out of previous 5 years residency.
Note 2: Residency in another qualifying jurisdiction outside the Republic of Ireland (and in the EU/ EEA/ UK/ Switzerland) for non-EU nationals is assessed on a case-by-case basis and proof of equivalent visas is required. Holiday or educational visas are not acceptable.
7) Employment Status:
When applying for the Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy through a participating institution you must indicate your current employment status:
- Employed – Working either for yourself or someone else. The sector you are working in and the size of the company.
- Unemployed – Not currently working, receiving a qualifying welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection (unless you are formerly self-employed) and actively seeking employment.
- Returners – You are a homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months.
- Recent Graduates – You are a graduate from a full-time NFQ Level 8 degree within the 12 months prior to the start of the course and you do not fit into one of the above categories.
8) Education and other entry criteria
Entry requirements are set by individual course providers and may include recognition of prior experience and learning.
Which DSP payments are accepted?
- Jobseekers Benefit
- Jobseekers Transition Payment
- Jobseekers Allowance
- One Parent Family Payment
- Disability Allowance
- Qualified Adults of Working Age, where they can establish an entitlement to a qualifying payment in their own right
- Careers Allowance
- Farm Assist/Fish Assist
- Widow’s. Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory or Non-contributory Pension
- Blind Pension
- Deserted Wives Allowance
- Working Family Payment
- DSP work schemes: Community Employment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme and Tús
If you are signing for social insurance contribution credits, you may also be eligible.
If you are formerly self-employed, you do not need to be in receipt of a Department of Social Protection payment.
NB: If you are thinking of taking up a micro-credential course you should contact your local social welfare office before enrolling on the course to let them know of your plans, and to check whether you need to go through any further steps with that Departments’ services or if it will impact your payment. Participation on micro-credential course does not provide any guarantee of continuation of a Social Protection payment.
SUSI Funding for Part-Time Undergraduate Courses
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s national awarding authority for student grants. Established in 2012, SUSI operates under the City of Dublin Education and Training Board and administers funding in line with the Student Support Act 2011 and related regulations . SUSI offers financial assistance to eligible students pursuing approved part-time undergraduate courses, aiming to reduce financial barriers and enhance access to higher education
| Course Name | Final Award | QQI Award Level | Total ECTS for course | Total duration of course in years | Course Code | TUS Website Link |
| Higher Certificate in Science in Operations, Quality and Lean Management | Higher Certificate | 6 | 120 | 2.5 | AL_SQUAL_6FS | Operations, Quality & Lean Management (Higher Certificate, L6, 120 ECTS) (SUSI Funding) – TUS |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quality and Lean Management (Level 8 Add on) | BSc Hons | 8 | 60 | 1.5 | AL_SQLMA_8FS | Quality and Lean Management (Bachelor of Science (Honours), L8, 60 ECTS) (SUSI Funded) – TUS |
| Higher Certificate in Business in Business | Higher Certificate | 6 | 120 | 2.5 | AL_BSTDA_6FS | Business (Higher Certificate, L6, 120 ECTS) (SUSI Funded) – TUS |
| Higher Certificate in Arts in Social Enterprise and Community Development | Higher Certificate | 6 | 120 | 2.5 | AL_BENTP_6FS | Social Enterprise and Community Development – Higher Certificate – TUS |
| Bachelor of Arts in Business, Enterprise and Community Development | BA | 7 | 60 | 1.5 | AL_BENTP_7FS | Social Enterprise and Community Development – BA – TUS |
| Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Enterprise and Community Development | BA Hons | 8 | 60 | 1.5 | AL_BENTP_8FS | Social Enterprise and Community Development – BA (Hons) – TUS |
| Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Law | BA Hons | 8 | 240 | 5 | AL_HLAW_8FS | Law – (BA Hons, L8, 240 ECTS) (SUSI Funded) – TUS |
Funding Available for Part-Time Undergraduate Students at TUS
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is committed to widening access to higher education through flexible learning. If you’re considering studying part-time at undergraduate level, you may be eligible for a fee contribution grant to help with the cost of your course.
How Funding is Calculated
The level of funding you may receive depends on the number of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits you undertake during the academic year.
What are ECTS Credits?
ECTS credits reflect the total workload required to successfully complete a module or course. Used across Ireland and Europe, this system ensures consistency in how higher education programmes are structured and recognised.
Funding Examples
- Example 1: If you’re completing 16 ECTS credits and your course costs €3,000, SUSI may contribute €2,250, with you paying the remaining €750.
- Example 2: If you’re completing 16 ECTS credits and your course costs €1,400, SUSI may cover the full cost.
The table below outlines the maximum fee contribution available:
| Credits per Academic Year | Max Contribution |
|---|---|
| 5–9 ECTS | €750 |
| 10–14 ECTS | €1,500 |
| 15–19 ECTS | €2,250 |
| 20–24 ECTS | €3,000 |
| 25–29 ECTS | €3,750 |
| 30–34 ECTS | €4,500 |
| 35–39 ECTS | €5,250 |
| 40–44 ECTS | €6,000 |
| 45–49 ECTS | €6,750 |
| 50 ECTS | €7,500 |
Who is Eligible?
To be considered for a fee contribution, you must meet several criteria:
1. Nationality
You must be an Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss national, or have an eligible immigration status or leave to remain as recognised by the Department of Justice.
2. Residency
You must have been resident in the Irish State, EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland for three of the past five years.
3. Income Thresholds (2026/27 Academic Year)
| Household Type | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 4 dependents | €64,315 |
| 4–7 dependents | €70,490 |
| 8+ dependents | €76,410 |
| For each additional person in full-time or approved part-time study | +€4,950 |
4. Previous Education and Progression
You must be progressing in your education, i.e., undertaking a course:
- At a higher level than any qualification you currently hold
- Not repeating any year or part of a course (except in exceptional cases)
There are limits to how long you can receive support at each level of study.
How to Apply
- Create a SUSI Account
Visit the SUSI Student Portal to set up your account. - Complete the Application
Follow SUSI’s guide to fill in the form accurately. - Submit Required Documents
If requested, submit supporting documentation as outlined in SUSI’s checklist. - Receive a Decision
SUSI will notify you if your application has been awarded or refused, along with details on next steps or how to appeal.
How the Contribution is Paid
If your application is successful, SUSI pays the fee contribution directly to TUS, once we confirm the number of ECTS credits you’ve registered for and completed.
If you have any questions or need help with your SUSI application, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Skillnet Ireland Funding
Skillnet Ireland, the national agency responsible for the promotion and facilitation of workforce learning, supports over 15,000 companies through 60+ enterprise-led learning networks annually.
Skillnet supports Irish businesses by helping them to identify relevant training requirements and working with them to source the best option to meet their needs. Its ambition is to develop Ireland’s talent base and enable Irish SMEs to reach their full potential through lifelong learning and professional development.
Skillnet fosters an enterprise-led approach to workforce development. It operates under a joint investment model, part-funded by participating businesses in one of our 60+ learning networks. Each network, funded by Skillnet Ireland, is a cluster of companies from the same sector or geographical location. This approach has received international recognition as a model of best practice from the OECD and ILO, amongst others.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.
The following programmes are currently funded by Skillnet Ireland
| Course Description | Course Level | Total ECTS for Course | Total Duration of Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Certificate in Business Year One | 6 | 60 | 1 |
| Higher Certificate in Business Year Two | 6 | 60 | 1 |
Requests for support can be emailed to sharon@countytipperarychamber.com. All agreements are subject to funds being available.
This County Tipperary Chamber Skillnet programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Union, and network companies.
Springboard+ Funding
Springboard+ is a Government initiative offering free and heavily subsidised courses at certificate, degree, and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy. These areas include ICT, engineering, green skills, manufacturing and construction, among many others.
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, via the National Training Fund, and the European Union.
For more details see www.springboardcourses.ie
For more details on the EU funding for Springboard+ see www.EUFunds.ie
The Springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers free courses at certificate, degree and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy. Springboard+ 2026 is funded through the National Training Fund and forms part of the EU ESF Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme (EIST) 2021-2027.
The majority of courses are part-time for a maximum of 12 months and are open to all eligible applicants regardless of their employment status. For more information go to https://www.springboardcourses.ie.
TUS has been awarded €5.5 million in Springboard+ funding to deliver 23 part-time, flexible online programmes across high-demand areas like Business, , Logistics, Quality, Executive Management, Cybersecurity, Aviation, Sustainability and more.
Over 980 places will be available from September 2026 — many of them fully funded.