Dundalk Institute of Technology is to be renamed Dundalk University College as part of its all-island university partnership with Queen’s University Belfast.
The agreement to establish Dundalk Institute of Technology as a University College of Queen’s University Belfast was first announced last November.
Both institutions have now issued an update on their strategic partnership, confirming the new name, which is subject to legislative changes.
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless recently brought a memo to Cabinet seeking approval for DKIT to join this all-island university group with QUB. This requires a legislative amendment to create a Technological University College, to be known as Dundalk University College, a college of Queen’s University Belfast.
Subject to regulatory approval, students entering DKIT this September are expected to graduate from Dundalk University College, which will operate as a designated awarding body in its own right.
New entrants to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from September 2027 will be able to register for QUB awards through Dundalk University College.
First-year PhD students enrolling from January 2027 may also register for QUB awards, subject to the same approvals.
DKIT President Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan said the institute has been working closely with colleagues at QUB, government officials, and sectoral stakeholders. He emphasised that the college remains fully committed to ensuring its students graduate with a university qualification.
Queen’s University Belfast President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer described the recent government approval as a significant step towards creating the first all-island university group. He said the partnership would drive economic growth and enhance student opportunities, while expanding education, research, and cross-border collaboration to strengthen the Dublin–Belfast corridor.
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