The Irish university system offers programmes leading to a bachelors degree at the end of three or four years, depending on the course followed. In recent years some universities have introduced semesterisation and modularisation of courses, giving greater flexibility to students. Typically teaching at undergraduate level is by way of a programme of lectures supplemented by tutorials and, where appropriate, practical demonstration and laboratory work. Masters degrees are usually taken by course work, research work or some combination of both. Doctoral degrees are awarded on the basis of research.
Universities award their own degrees using external examiners to ensure consistency of standards.