The Chinese and Irish ministries of education on Thursday signed an agreement on mutual recognition of higher education degrees.

The agreement will provide more convenient access for Chinese students with bachelor degrees to apply for master or PhD studies in Ireland, according to China's Ministry of Education.

Chinese students will also have more access to information on Ireland's education system and its universities, according to the agreement.

This agreement is of great importance to the promotion of cooperation between Ireland and China on education, said visiting Irish Minister of Education Mary Hanafin.

About 3,000 Chinese students are currently studying in Ireland, according to official figures.

Source: Xinhua