For all students looking to study abroad, especially in a European country, Ireland is one of the popular destinations. One of the concerns for those who are planning to study in Ireland is that of what are the admission intakes and how to get the admission in a university in Ireland? Well, there are predefined admission intakes in Ireland and a standard admission process. This article will help you learn all you need to know about the admission intakes, process & requirements to study in Ireland.
Admission Intakes in Ireland
There are two primary admission intakes in Ireland viz. Autumn and Spring intakes. The autumn session begins in September, while the spring session begins in February. These two key intakes in Ireland might often confuse many of the international students interested to study at universities in Ireland. The following table outlines the key differences in between the two intakes, Autumn and Spring.
Key Differences Between Intakes in Ireland
|
Autumn Intake/Semester 1 |
Spring Intake/Semester 2 |
|
Autumn Intake/Semester 1 in Ireland begins in September. |
Spring Intake/Semester 2 commences in January or February. |
|
Autumn intake application deadline - June/July |
Spring intake application deadline - September / October |
|
The majority of the Irish universities start with their courses in Autumn Intake. |
The courses offered at the Irish Universities during the Spring intake is fewer as compared to the Autumn Intake. |
Note:
The intake commencement and application deadline is subject to change. Hence, students are advised to check university-specific intake for hassle-free admission.
Timeline for Admission at the Irish Universities
In comparison to the single intake in the Indian universities, there are two major intakes in Ireland for admission to the different courses. International students planning to seek admission to the courses in Irish universities can select from any of the two intakes, including Autumn (semester 1) and Spring (semester 2).
Timeline for Admission – Quick Glance
|
Particulars |
Month |
|
Autumn intake application deadline |
June/July |
|
Commencing of Autumn Session (Semester 1) |
September |
|
Spring intake application deadline |
September/October |
|
Commencing of Spring Session (Semester 2) |
January |
Which Intake in Ireland to opt for?
For many students, it becomes a bit confusing to choose the best intake for themselves. Students must consider various factors like the availability of their preferred program, academic records, entrance scores requirements, acceptance rates, etc., while choosing the best intake. Though many international students prefer the September intake, the January intake in Ireland is also a good opportunity.
Key factors to consider while deciding the admission intake to study in Ireland:
- The availability of your chosen course of study because the university you shortlist for admission may or may not have the opted course in multiple intakes.
- Each intake requires document preparation and admission procedure to be initiated in advance. If you expect your academic result late, choosing the intake on the basis of your documentation is essential.
- Some universities have higher intake capacity for the varied terms. Therefore, choosing an intake with a higher capacity can increase your admission chances.
How to Seek Admission to Universities/Colleges in Ireland?
The process for admission to the different undergraduate, postgraduate, and other degrees or courses in Ireland is predefined. It may vary subtly across universities in Ireland, but the overall procedure remains the same.
Applications Process for UG Courses in Ireland
Students interested in doing UG programs may apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO), while non-EU applicants must apply directly through the university’s website. However, while applying for some programs, all the students are supposed to apply through CAO.
Applications Process for PG Courses in Ireland
To get admission to PG programs, students can directly apply by referring to the official website of the university. International students are supposed to pay the application fee, which differs based on the program. Some universities ask students to apply through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) website.
Ireland University Application Deadlines
Following are the application deadlines at some of the popular universities in Ireland:
|
University |
Application Deadline |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
31 July (UG) |
|
30 June (PG) |
|
|
University College Dublin |
Differ as per the program |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
1 February |
|
University College Cork |
31 May |
|
Dublin City University |
1 July |
Admission Requirements in Ireland Universities
Language Requirements:
The IELTS and TOEFL are the standardized language tests that are considered while offering admission to qualified students. The average minimum cutoffs score required for Ireland university admission for international students is provided below:
|
English Test |
Minimum Required Score |
|
IELTS |
6.0 |
|
TOEFL iBT |
90 |
|
PTE |
36 (UG) , 63 (PG) |
|
Cambridge ESOL |
C1 or C2 |
Other Exams:
Apart from the language exams, students aspiring to study medicine, nursing and other healthcare courses there are required to take the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT) and Graduate Medical School Admission Test (GAMSAT) to secure admission to study medicine in Ireland. GMAT score is also required to pursue MBA in Ireland based educational institutions.
Admission Process in Ireland
The admission process in Ireland may differ to some extent from a university to another, but the standard process remains the same. Predefined steps need to be followed to seek admission to the chosen course of study in Ireland.
Following are the common steps for Admission in Ireland
- Choose the course for study in Ireland
- List the educational institutions for the admission
- Shortlist the top universities or colleges
- Explore the official university or college website for information
- Contact the educational institution for admission intake and other details
- Crack the English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL
- Prepare your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Register your candidature at the Central Applications Office
- Start applying to the college that fits you the most
- Get ready for the university or college interview
- Rush to seek for Ireland student visa, after your admission application gets accepted
Documents Required for Admission at Ireland Universities:
Proper documentation is an essential part of the admission process, and hence students are advised to ensure the documents are in order well in advance to avoid last minute hassle. Below you will find information about the type of documents required for admission in Ireland:
- Scanned copy of passport
- Accurate academic transcripts including High school leaving certificate (for UG course)
- Proof of holding a Bachelor’s degree or similar (for PG course)
- Any other certificates showing academic merit
- English language proficiency test result
- Other aptitude test scores, if required
- Statement of Purpose for Irish Universities
- Financial statements, which may include
- Bank balance statement
- Proof of loan sanction
- Income Tax return papers
- Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Passport-size photographs
Ireland offers a warm and welcoming environment to international students coming in from different parts of the world. The entire process to seek admission in Ireland is quite simple and straightforward, so apply with accurate documents to secure admission for your chosen intake at Irish university. Before applying make sure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirement and apply as per the deadlines of intakes in Ireland.
FAQs
- Are there scholarships options for study in Ireland?
Yes, numerous scholarships are offered to eligible and qualifying students. To know more about the available scholarships, international students are supposed to refer to the official university website for the updated information.
- Can I stay in Ireland post completing my studies?
Students who have completed their study in Ireland for 24 Month or more, are permitted to work for 2 years as Irish General Employment permits it.
- What is the procedure for Ireland university admission for international students?
Students looking for the answer to how to get admission in Ireland universities must apply as per the deadline with the essential documents. For application to any Irish University, students can directly apply by referring to the official website of the university.
