<P> Third - level education in the Republic of Ireland includes all education after second - level, encompassing higher education in universities and colleges and further education on Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other courses . The degree - awarding authorities approved by the Government of Ireland, which can grant awards at all academic levels, are University of Dublin, National University of Ireland (Cork, Dublin, Galway and Maynooth), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology, Higher Education and Training Awards Council, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth (Pontifical University), and University of Limerick . The King's Inns of Dublin has a limited role in education specialising in the preparation of candidates for the degree of barrister - at - law to practice as barristers . Medical schools in Ireland also have particular regulation . There were seven establishments of higher education within the Republic of Ireland ranked among the top 500 universities worldwide by the Times Higher Education Supplement in 2008 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> EFQ level </Th> <Th> EHEA cycle </Th> <Th> NFQ level </Th> <Th> Major award types </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Level 1 Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Level 2 Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Level 3 Certificate Junior Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Level 4 Certificate Leaving Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Level 5 Certificate Leaving Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Advanced Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Short cycle within 1st </Td> <Td> Higher Certificate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> 1st </Td> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> Ordinary Bachelor's degree </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> Honours bachelor's degree Higher diploma </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> 2nd </Td> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> Master's degree Postgraduate diploma </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> 3rd </Td> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> Doctorate degree Higher doctorate </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What does third level education mean in ireland