National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP)

The National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP) was launched in April 2016 by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

NStEP aims to strengthen student engagement in decision-making across Irish higher education, supported by the Steps to Partnership Framework (2022). The Programme seeks to champion a strong culture of partnership between students and staff through practice-based projects, training and capacity building, as well as informing policy developments.

Student engagement is underpinned by the idea that students are partners and co-creators within a learning community, and NStEP aims to actively embed these principles within higher education. Involvement in NStEP requires a partnership between HEI staff and student representatives, with HEI leadership and Students’ Union leadership signing partnership agreements to participate.

NStEP has three strategic objectives:

1) Strengthening the value of student engagement nationally
2) Developing the leadership capabilities of students in Irish higher education
3) Supporting staff and students across the sector to foster a culture of partnership