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.
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
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 (2025/26 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.
The following programmes are currently funded by SUSI
| Course Description | Course Level | Total ECTS for Course | Total Duration of Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts in Law (Add-On L7) | 7 | 60 | 2 |
| Bachelor of Arts in Law (Honours) (Ab-initio) | 8 | 240 | 5 |
| Bachelor of Arts in Law (Honours) (Add-On L8) | 8 | 60 | 2 |
| Bachelor of Business Studies (Add-On L7) | 7 | 60 | 2 |
| Bachelor of Business Studies (Honours) (Add-On L8) | 8 | 60 | 2 |
| Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) | 8 | 240 | 5 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quality and Lean Management (Add-On L8) | 8 | 60 | 2 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quality and Lean Management (Ab-initio) | 8 | 240 | 5 |
| Bachelor of Science in Quality and Lean Management (Add-On L7) | 7 | 60 | 2 |
| Higher Certificate in Arts in Law | 6 | 120 | 3 |
| Higher Certificate in Business Studies | 6 | 120 | 3 |
| Higher Certificate in Science in Operations, Quality and Lean Management | 6 | 120 | 3 |
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
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+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF programme for employability, inclusion and learning 2014-2020. 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.