Explainer: Everything you need to know about Tertiary Degrees in Tipperary

The university experience isn’t exclusive to the cities any more. With Tertiary Degrees available through ETBs and partner universities throughout the country, there are more opportunities than ever to study to a Level 7 or 8 honours qualification in your own locality.

Tipperary ETB’s Tipperary FET (Further Education and Training) College joins this charge for the 2025/26 academic year with two new Tertiary Degrees launching in Thurles and Clonmel.

So, what are the benefits of Tertiary Degrees and what’s happening in Tipperary? Let’s take a closer look.

What are Tertiary Degrees?

Tertiary Degrees are a partnership between ETBs and universities which provide access for people to university degrees, without going through the conventional CAO points system. It’s a different route to the same degree.

Students complete Year 1 of their four year course at the local ETB, studying a ‘Common Entry’ selection of modules before choosing a more defined degree of study for Years 2-4, which will be completed at the partner university.

Entry requirements are never based on the CAO points system. Instead, students are selected based on requirements which are more specific to that degree, including certain subject requirements, portfolios, or an interview.

What Tertiary Degrees are available in Tipperary?

Two Tertiary Degrees in Tipperary are available to students from September 2025. The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Sports Science will be hosted at Tipperary FET College – Thurles (Archerstown) in Year 1, before students then progress to TUS (Technological University of the Shannon) Thurles for Years 2-4.

In Year 1, students will study modules including anatomy, nutrition, ethics of practice, strength and conditioning, biomechanics, and much more.

Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Arts, based in Clonmel, is also accepting applications. This Tertiary Degree will see students based at Tipperary FET College – Clonmel (The Mall) for Year 1, before progressing to TUS Clonmel for Years 2-4.

Modules in Year 1 include digital technology, audio storytelling, creative coding, animation, drawing principles, and much more.

What’s the cost of a Tertiary Degree?

Tertiary Degree students don’t pay fees in Year 1 when they’re studying at an ETB. This means that the Student Contribution, capped at €3,000 for the 2025/26 academic year, will only need to be paid for Years 2-4.

Find more information about the benefits of Tertiary Degrees on the National Tertiary Office (NTO) website.

How can I register for a Tertiary Degree?

Registration for Tertiary Degrees in Tipperary is open to Leaving Cert students who’ve received their results this month, as well as mature students and QQI course graduates too.

If you want to find out more about the two Tertiary Degrees available in Tipperary for 2025/26, please visit the website.

If you’d like to speak to somebody about Tertiary Degrees in Tipperary, please phone the FET Admissions Hub at 067 71001 or email admissions@tipperaryetb.ie.

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