Listing Awarding Bodies
WhichCollege.ie provides an overview of awarding bodies operating in Ireland, the UK, and internationally. While many postgraduate qualifications are issued by organisations with statutory authority, a wide range of professional bodies also grant their own awards linked to advanced study. Although most Irish courses lead to qualifications from domestic awarding bodies, some programmes result in international or non‑Irish awards, depending on the institution or field of study.
A number of Irish institutions act both as education providers and as awarding bodies in their own right. This includes the Irish universities and the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), which have the authority to confer postgraduate qualifications.
An academic award (whether a degree, diploma, or certificate) is granted when a learner successfully completes a recognised programme of higher education at undergraduate or postgraduate level. These awards are issued by designated awarding bodies and are aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The NFQ distinguishes between major and non‑major awards, with the latter covering minor, special‑purpose, and supplemental awards.
Major awards represent the primary qualification type at each NFQ level and correspond to substantial learning achievements. Examples include an Honours Bachelor Degree at Level 8, a Master’s Degree at Level 9, and a Doctoral Degree at Level 10.
Recent legislative changes have streamlined Ireland’s qualifications system, reducing the number of statutory awarding bodies. The responsibilities previously held by organisations such as the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA), Solas, Teagasc, CERT, and Bord Iascaigh Mhara have been consolidated under the awards councils FETAC and HETAC.
Below, WhichCollege.ie outlines the awarding bodies responsible for certification across Ireland and the UK.
IPASS (Irish Payroll Association) is Ireland’s premier provider of Payroll and VAT training and certification. They specialise in training which covers the operation of PAYE, PRSI, the Universal Social Charge (USC), the operation of Employment Law and the operation of UK PAYE and NIC.
They also provide training in the operation of the Irish VAT system, Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT), Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) and consultancy services in all of the areas covered by our training courses.
IPASS (Irish Payroll Association) represents a cross-section of payroll professionals and businesses from every sector of the economy and they are recognised by both the business community and Government Departments as the leading providers of information and education on payroll related matters.
At a time when payroll operations were never more complex, IPASS also provides educational seminars, an annual Payroll Conference & Exhibition, a membership body, representation to Government Departments and they offer additional services to help members and students to enhance their payroll operations, to meet new legislative requirements and to address changes in the workplace.
