2026 Shortlist

Announcing the Finalists for the 2026 Education Awards. We're delighted to reveal this year's shortlist. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on 16th April 2026 at the Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath.

View Finalists by Category

Overall Excellence Award

The winner of this award will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Best Masters Programme

FINALISTS

LLM Advanced Legal Practice

Law Society of Ireland

MSc Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

PCI College

MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

PCI College

MSc Information Systems for Business Performance

University College Cork

MSc Sustainable Development, Agri-Food and Co-operatives

University College Cork

MSc Functional Foods & Product Development

University of Limerick

MSc in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

University of Limerick, CSIS Department

Best Erasmus Programme

FINALISTS

Dublin College (DDLETB)

Mary Immaculate College

Mayo College of Further Education

RCSI University

University of Galway

UL Global University of Limerick

International Engagement Award

FINALISTS

Edhoc International

Mary Immaculate College

Maynooth University

Technological University of the Shannon

University of Galway

Ul Global, University of Limerick

School of Medicine UL

Best Language School

FINALISTS

BILINGUAL LEARNING CONSULTANCY

Englishour

Gaelchultúr

Irish College of English

Best Further Education Provider

FINALISTS

Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training - KCETB

Drogheda Institute of Further Education

European College of Aesthetic Medicine &

Law Society of Ireland

Mayo College of FET

National Learning Network

South Eastern Regional College

Innovative Access to Third-Level Education

FINALISTS

Drogheda Institute of Further Education

Innopharma Education

Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet

National College of Ireland

Phlow Academy

South East Technological University

South Eastern Regional College

TU Dublin

Technological University of the Shannon

University College Cork

Best Library Team

FINALISTS

BORD BIA

Innopharma Education

National College of Ireland

Best Student Experience Award

FINALISTS

Certified Irish Angus

Limerick and Clare ETB

Dunboyne College of Further Eduction

Griffigh College

National Learning Network

Phlow Academy

South Eastern Regional College

Technological University of the Shannon

Technological University of the Shannon

Best Online Learning Experience

FINALISTS

Alison

BILINGUAL LEARNING CONSULTANCY

Chartered Accountants Ireland

CMIT

CyberSkills

Flúirse Education Solutions

Forus Training

Law Society of Ireland

Phlow Academy

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Student Engagement & Communications Award

FINALISTS

Limerick City and County Council

Maynooth University

Munster Technological University

Munster Technological University

Phlow Academy

Academic Registry, UL

Best Collaboration Award – Domestic (Economic, Digital & Workforce Development)

FINALISTS

CyberSkills

Drogheda Institute of Further Education

Gaelchultúr

Immersive Software Engineering

Innopharma Education

InVera Medical Limited

MTU

Health Professions Education Centre, RCSI and iPainCentre, Beaumont Hospital

Technological University of the Shannon

New Horizons Southern Strategic Alliance

Best Collaboration Award – Domestic (Public Good, Culture & Social Impact)

FINALISTS

Alison

Atlantic Technological University

TSVH Unit, EDI Office, SETU & WLCSP, WCCC

Kilkenny and Carlow ETB (KCETB)

Mary Immaculate College

Mary Immaculate College and Middletown

South East Technological University and Buíon Phort Láirge

The Autism Acceptance Festival

Academy of the NearFuture & Gaelbhratach

University of Galway

Best Collaboration Award - International

FINALISTS

Alison

Griffigh College

Mary Immaculate College

Maynooth University

University of Galway

Career Impact Strategy – Employability, Access & Skills Development

FINALISTS

Maynooth University

MTU Access Service

National College of Ireland

Atlantic Technological University

RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery

LINC Consortium

WILL Network

Career Impact Strategy – Industry Engagement, Placements & Work-Based Learning

FINALISTS

CyberSkills

Munster Technological University

Technological University of the Shannon

Technological University of the Shannon

University of Limerick

Best Education Outreach Award - Community & Public Engagement

FINALISTS

ADAPT, DCU

South East Technological University

CyberSkills

Law Society of Ireland

Lead the Way podcast

Munster Technological University

National College of Ireland

O’ Connor’s Music School

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Best Education Outreach Award – Learner, Schools & Academic Engagement

FINALISTS

Academy of the Near Future

BILINGUAL LEARNING CONSULTANCY

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Irela

Phlow Academy

Ulster University

University of Galway

University of Limerick

Department of Biological Sciences, UL.

Excellence in Sustainability

FINALISTS

Munster Technological University

National Learning Network

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

South Eastern Regional College

Technological University of the Shannon

University of Limerick

Most Innovative Digital Transformation

FINALISTS

ATU MyCareerPath

Maynooth University

National College of Ireland

National Learning Network

Phlow Academy

StudentVolunteer.ie

Technological University of the Shannon

Department of Biological Sciences & ITD

University of Limerick

University of Limerick

Best Marketing / Communications Team

FINALISTS

Edhoc International

National Learning Network

Technological University of the Shannon

LINC Consortium

Ulster University

University of Limerick

Diversity, Inclusivity, Equality Award

FINALISTS

Blossom4life

South East Technological University

University College Cork

Best Graduate Training Programme

FINALISTS

Depaul

Iarnród Éireann

Pharmalliance Consulting Ltd

Best Internship Programme Award

FINALISTS

BMS Cruiserath

Motorola Solutions

QT Technologies Ireland Limited

Apprenticeship Programme Award

FINALISTS

BioMarin International Ltd

Errigal Group

ESB

Apprenticeship Programme Award – Education Provider

FINALISTS

National College of Ireland

University College Cork

Best Workforce Upskilling Initiative

FINALISTS

Alison

Cork College of FET- Bishopstown Campus

Flúirse Education Solutions

Iarnród Éireann

Innopharma Education

Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet

Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

Medtronic

Slieve Russell Hotel

Smart Docklands

Best Research Project

FINALISTS

Criminalising Hate

European Centre for the Study of Hate

NeoSepsis: Research producing a life-changing neonatal test kit in Uganda

Maynooth University

Active Ease

Munster Technological University

Availability of Cognitive Rehabilitation for People with Dementia in Ireland (CR-Ireland)

National College of Ireland

Learn AR: Ethical Augmented Reality for Handwritten Learning and Assessment

Phlow Academy

Reimagining Secondary Education Through Mastery-Based Digital Learning Research

Phlow Academy

REAL-T: Re-Engaging Active Learning through Teamwork

Technological University of the Shannon

ENGAGE Reverse Mentoring Project

UCC

Excellence in Education by a Professional Body

FINALISTS

Chartered Accountants Ireland

Chartered Accountants Ireland

CyberSkills

European College of Aesthetic Medicine &

South East Technological University