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ATU brief Northern Ireland Assembly committee on ground-breaking all-island admissions pilot
University invited to Stormont to outline innovative measures supporting Northern Ireland students and widening access to higher education across the island of Ireland
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) appeared before the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Economy at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, yesterday, to provide oral and written evidence on its pioneering all-island admissions pilot.
The invitation follows growing interest in ATU’s innovative admissions reforms, which were developed following research into qualification trends in Northern Ireland (NI) and barriers preventing students from accessing higher education opportunities in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
A delegation from ATU outlined the origins of the pilot, its early impact, and how the initiative is helping to create more accessible and transparent progression pathways for students across the island.
The admissions pilot emerged from ATU’s Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF) project (2023-2025), which examined student mobility and progression routes between NI and the ROI. Research undertaken by the university found significant changes in how students in NI achieve Level 3 qualifications.
Analysis of Department of Education Northern Ireland data showed that only 60-64% of school leavers now follow a traditional A-level-only pathway, with approximately 36-40% pursuing mixed or vocational qualifications, including combinations of A-levels and BTEC or Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs). In the 2022/23 academic year alone, more than one-third of students did not complete the traditional three or more A-level route.
Despite this, current admissions processes in the ROI tend to favour traditional A-level profiles, creating barriers for a large and growing portion of students. During this research project which mobilised engagement with schools and careers advisors in NI, ATU identified key challenges for NI applicants:
- Difficulty translating mixed qualifications into CAO points scoring
- Lack of clarity around how vocational qualifications are recognised in ROI
- NI students tend to have greater familiarity with UCAS than with the CAO system
- Lower awareness of ROI university options among NI students and parents
- The research also found that a large majority of NI students remain within the UK system, with 77.9% progressing to institutions in Northern Ireland and 20.4% to Great Britain, highlighting an opportunity to widen participation south of the border
In response to the TUTF project findings, ATU’s Admissions Office has developed a new scoring approach to recognise mixed-qualification profiles, including combinations of A-levels and Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs).
The university will implement a two-year pilot scheme that will accept combined A-Level and BTEC/AAQ pathways and introduce a clear scoring framework aligned with UCAS-style recognition.
Dr Billy Bennett, Registrar and Chief Academic Officer at ATU commented
ATU’s all-island admissions pilot recognises the changing reality of second-level education in Northern Ireland and reflects our ambition to remove barriers, widen participation and create meaningful educational opportunities across the island. The scoring reform acknowledges the changing profile of NI students and aims to ensure that access to programmes in ATU reflects modern qualification pathways. During the two-year pilot scheme, ATU will monitor student progression and outcomes, share findings nationally to inform broader policy development and expand our engagement activities with NI schools through dedicated outreach engagement.
Fiona Kelly, Marketing Manager at ATU further added, “Since completing this research project, ATU has received funding under the Technological Enhancement Fund (TEF) to mobilise these research findings and translate insights into actionable policy recommendations, institutional practices, and cross-border engagement. The university is committed to engaging and supporting students in the NI region and the appointment of a dedicated Schools Engagement Officer for the NI market is evidence of our commitment to same. With university fees considerably lower in ROI when compared with NI and British universities, we are keen to bridge the gap and address barriers to entry for NI students to create an all-island progression opportunity for students. The BRIDGE project will provide more inclusive pathways to higher education for students across NI.”
Jacinta Ryan, Admissions Manager, “Students applying to ATU from NI are increasingly combining A-levels with vocational qualifications. Our responsibility is to ensure admissions systems reflect this reality and do not disadvantage capable applicants. This pilot is an important step towards a more inclusive and transparent pathway into higher education. The new scoring model was introduced for CAO applicants from NI in September 2026, with a full review scheduled in 2027 to assess impact and consider wider adoption.”
During the Stormont briefing, ATU representatives highlighted how the initiative supports student choice, improves access to higher education in border and regional communities, and contributes to skills development and economic growth on an all-island basis.
The oral evidence session took place at 11am on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, and broadcast live through Northern Ireland Assembly channels.
Photo caption: Pictured at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, following a briefing to the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Economy on ATU’s all-island admissions pilot are (l-r): JoAnne Kilmartin, Senior Development Officer, North South Engagement Centre; Fiona Kelly, Marketing Manager; Dr Billy Bennett, Registrar and Chief Academic Officer; Jacinta Ryan, Admissions Manager and Paul Hannigan, VP with responsibility for Cross Border. The delegation outlined how ATU’s innovative admissions framework is helping remove barriers and widen access to higher education for Northern Ireland students.
For media enquiries, contact:
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: 086 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie
