LAST UPDATE | 27 May

THE COURSES MADE available as part of Springboard+, a government initiative that provides free and heavily subsidised college courses, have now been announced. 

The courses are provided “at certificate, degree, and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy”.

This year, courses are available in areas aligning with national economic priorities such as infrastructure planning, sustainable building, renewable energy, digital skills, cyber security, and artificial intelligence.

You can view here the full list of courses made available.

Thirty of the courses are new and available for the first time

Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless provided the update on the rollout of Springboard+. The initiative is backed by €34.4m in funding from the National Training Fund. 

It will deliver 7,719 places across 249 courses for the 2025/26 academic year.

Courses are flexible and accessible, with 96% delivered online or in blended format, designed to support working professionals, jobseekers, and those returning to further education alike, the department said.

Some of the universities offering courses that are covered include Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Cork, University of Galway, University of Limerick, and University College Dublin.  

A large number of places are also available in technological universities and institutes, with a large volume available for applications in ATU campuses across Ireland.

You can check your eligibility for the initiative here. You must have a valid PPS number and be living full-time in the Republic of Ireland.