ILEP vs TrustEd Ireland
If you are a non-EEA student, the English course you choose must be on an official list of eligible programmes for your student permission (Stamp 2). Ireland is changing how that list works, so this guide explains what the ILEP and TrustEd Ireland are, how they differ, and what to check before you enrol.
What is changing in 2026
Ireland is moving from the ILEP to a new quality framework called TrustEd Ireland, operated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). The first providers authorised to use the TrustEd Ireland mark were announced during 2026. This is a transition, so for now both the ILEP and the TrustEd Ireland list of eligible programmes can matter. Check whichever currently applies to your course.
What is the ILEP?
The ILEP is the Interim List of Eligible Programmes. It lists the courses, including English language programmes, that allow a non-EEA student to apply for a Stamp 2 student permission. English language programmes on the ILEP generally last at least 25 weeks.
What is TrustEd Ireland?
TrustEd Ireland is a QQI quality framework and mark for English language (and other) education providers. It is replacing the interim arrangements. Providers are authorised to use the TrustEd Ireland mark, and the eligible programmes are published on the TrustEd Ireland list. It is designed to give students a clearer signal of quality and learner protection.
Programme eligibility vs provider recognition
These are two different things, and it is the point students most often get wrong. A provider being recognised or authorised does not automatically mean every course it offers qualifies for a student visa. Eligibility is set at the programme level. Never assume a school-wide "visa-approved" badge covers all of that school's courses.
What this means for you
- Check the specific course you want, not just the school, on the current official list.
- Confirm the English programme lasts at least 25 weeks if you need a Stamp 2.
- Keep the school's acceptance letter, which you need for your permission.
- Verify before you enrol or pay, because the lists change during the transition.
Eligibility depends on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm the current rules on the official sources below before you make any payment.
How to check your course
Use the official lists and student information. If a course does not appear on a current eligible list, it will not support a student permission, however good the course itself is.
Last reviewed October 2026. The move from the ILEP to TrustEd Ireland is ongoing and the eligible-programme lists change, so always confirm your specific course on the official ILEP list, the TrustEd Ireland list and irishimmigration.ie before you enrol or pay.