Mobility
Enic (European Network of Information Centres) and Naric (National Academic Recognition Information Centres) were established to improve the recognition of qualifications and periods of study in European countries and beyond* – thereby facilitating the mobility of workers, students, teachers and researchers.
Enic was created by the Council of Europe and Unesco to give effect to the terms of the LRC (Lisbon Recognition Convention) in signatory countries. In EU countries, Narics perform this role.
QQI hosts the Irish Enic-Naric centre. We provide:
Advice on the general academic recognition of qualifications gained outside of Ireland
Contact information for professional recognition bodies where professional recognition of a foreign qualification is required
Information on the Irish education and training system and promote the recognition of Irish qualifications abroad
The intention of the LRC is that awards obtained in one signatory country are recognised in all the others. Therefore, Enic - Narics advise you on using your qualifications throughout the EU and beyond.
The signatories to the European Cultural Convention are: the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA**) and Turkey.
If you hold an Irish qualification and would like advice on recognition in a certain country, please see the
Enic-Naric website for contact details of Enic-Naric centres.
Advice
It should be noted that the status and scope of Narics differ depending on the country.
For instance, in the majority of states, institutions of higher education are autonomous. They make their own decisions on the admission of foreign students and exemptions from parts of study programmes on the basis of education undertaken elsewhere.
As a result, most Narics do not take decisions but offer information and advice.
If you hold an education and training award and want information on how you can use it in any of the designated countries, see the Enic-Naric website.
*Enic includes signatory countries to the
Lisbon Recognition Convention such as the US, Australia and NZ.
The Lisbon Convention (Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region) helps achieve fair recognition of both completed higher education qualifications and qualifications providing access to higher education in the European Region.
** EEA = EU member states plus
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
