Side by side with the publicly funded tertiary sector are a number of private institutions mainly involved in the provision of business and professional educational training. Courses on offer include; Accountancy and Business Studies, Law, Humanities, Hotel and Catering, Tourism Studies and Art. Many of the programmes offered by these colleges are validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and some have links with universities and/or professional associations through which the courses on offerare accredited.

Institutions engaged in the provision of education, some, at least, of whose programmes are validated by Higher Education and Training Awards Council:

Dublin Business School

Established in 1975, Dublin Business School (DBS) is one of Ireland's largest independent third level college. With over 9,000 students, DBS provides a comprehensive range of Full-time Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Evening Degree, Evening Diploma, Professional Accountancy and Executive Education programmes. DBS courses in Business, Management, Law, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Event Management, Information Technology, Arts, Media, Journalism, Psychology and Social Science. Profile Page

Griffith College

Griffith College offers both academic and professional programmes, full and part-time, short-term and long-term and from classroom to distance based. Profile Page

Hibernia College

Hibernia College is an international, third level, online college offering accredited, niche-focused educational programmes designed to address the growing demand for flexible, cost-effective, lifelong learning which is not restricted by location or time. Profile Page

IBAT College Dublin 

Established in 2004, IBAT College Dublin is one of Ireland’s fastest growing private education providers, with a global reputation for high-quality education and student care. Profile Page

Independent Colleges

Independent Colleges is a new concept in Irish education providing goal-focused, personalised tuition, supported by Independent News & Media plc. Independent Colleges offers courses in psychotherapy and journalism Profile Page