Welcome to the Fourth Level Ireland - University Graduate Education resource website.

All Irish universities offer exceptional graduate education opportunities in all disciplines, both taught and research degree programmes. The universities are central to national policy, which seeks to enhance Ireland's innovative capacity across all economic and social sectors.

In Ireland higher education is referred to as third level education. To promote its importance and distinctiveness, graduate education is increasingly referred to as the ‘Fourth Level’.

To lead and inform the development of the Fourth Level the Irish Universities Association, with support from the HEA’s SIF programme, is coordinating a Deans of Graduate Studies Network-the Fourth Level Network, which is engaged in a number of activities.