Students will now be able to pursue university degrees through a range of new third-level courses outside of the CAO points system.
The move is part of a drive to create alternative pathways to third level without the need to secure high points.
Students will be able to enroll in one of 23 courses across healthcare, enterprise, ICT and creative sectors.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris says the new pathway is transformational:
"You can start for example, in Bray, and you'll be able to do two years of an immersive media degree in Bray Institute of Further Education and the last two years in IADT. You'll be able to start your nursing degree in a College or Further Education in Castlebar and then complete that in the Atlantic Technological University and so many examples right across".
