A collection of case studies of evidence-informed interventions implemented by higher education institutions in Ireland to support student retention and progression across the undergraduate lifecycle. These exemplars are presented here as a national evidence base of student progression initiatives.
Benefit of this resource and how to make the best use of it
The case studies have been created to inform educators, academic programme developers, and curriculum designers across the higher education sector about the variety of interventions currently being used to increase student progression and address student non-progression in the Irish higher education context.
Higher education institutions can see at a glance how the initiatives described are implemented and monitored, and how the effectiveness of the initiatives has been demonstrated. Evidence of impact is emphasised in each case study, including quantitative data where possible.
The case studies range across areas including student wellbeing, experience & success, academic & curriculum focus, assessment & examination, data analytics & dashboards, and first-year experience. All case studies pertain to institutional initiatives that apply to full-time in-person programmes (major awards) at NFQ Levels 6–8.
The interventions described in the case studies serve as examples of good practice for higher education institutions aiming to increase student progression.
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)
This work is licensed under a CC BY license, allowing sharing and adaptation with proper attribution.
If you have modified or adopted this resource, share your version here. Tracking adaptations helps us measure impact and connects others with useful updates.
This poster offers educators an overview of designing a syllabus on the Canvas learning management system that supports personalised learning pathways. It highlights (1) a gamified pedagogy grounded in gaming principles and (2) adaptive learning strategies using MasteryPaths.
In 2018, the Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick launched Leganto, a reading list management tool designed to streamline access to academic resources for students. Leganto ensures equitable access to academic content, helping students engage with reliable sources and easing their transition into university-level study.
This toolkit draws on our experiences facilitating a SATLE-funded community-engaged learning project that brought students of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (UCC) together with people in Cork seeking international protection for a series of three wellbeing and creativity workshops.
The HEA Education for Sustainable Development Spotlight Series 2025: Case Studies Compendium brings together 115 case studies from higher education institutions across Ireland. It showcases how universities and colleges are integrating sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into teaching, research, curriculum design, assessment practices and community engagement. It offers a comprehensive picture of national ESD activity and provides an accessible resource for educators and policymakers seeking examples of practice-based innovation.
