Study in Ireland
Recognition for Qualifications
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is responsible for developing and maintaining the National Qualifications Framework, as well as ensuring quality standards in the higher education sector and English language schools. The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is used to identify the qualifications achieved by students, and it is continuously reviewed to ensure quality assurance.
The NFQ is especially beneficial for international students as it provides a framework for understanding the level and standards of different qualifications in Ireland. It helps students make informed choices about their qualifications and consider their career options.
How to Apply
Undergraduate Courses
The application process for Irish higher education institutions differs for EU and non-EU students. Your status is determined by your initial application and cannot be changed after the first year of registration. If you are an EU applicant, please click on the EU Applicant link for more information.
EU Applicants
EU citizens must submit their application forms through the Central Applications Office (CAO), unless otherwise specified. The CAO provides an application pack with a handbook that lists all the courses offered and explains the application process. Online applications are also available for convenience.
To determine if you are an EU applicant, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You are ordinarily resident in the European Union, have received full-time post-primary education, and/or have worked full-time in the European Union for three of the five years prior to admission to an Irish college.
OR
- You hold a passport from a European Union state and have received all full-time post-primary education in the European Union.
OR
- You have official refugee status or have been granted humanitarian leave to remain in the State and have been ordinarily resident in the European Union for three of the five years before admission to an Irish college.
Please note that during a registered program, a student’s registered status cannot be changed from EU to non-EU or vice versa. If the student is under 23, the parent(s) must also meet the residence requirements.
All other applications are considered non-EU applications.
Application Deadlines & Charges
Applicants should apply as early as possible to avoid last-minute issues. The application fees are non-refundable. Please take note of the following deadlines:
- Normal application: €40, closing date 1st February (5.15 pm)
- Online discounted rate: €30, closing date 20th January
- Late online application: €40, closing date 1st February (5.15 pm)
- Late paper application: €80, closing date 1st May (5.15 pm)
- Change of mind: No fee, closing date 1st July (5.15 pm)
Requirements for Entry
Due to the limited number of available places and the number of applicants, the entry requirements for courses may vary each year. Irish students compete for entry based on their scores achieved in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination, where they are graded on their best six subjects.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma may also be considered as fulfilling the minimum entry requirement for university programs, provided the grades and subject combinations align with the current published requirements. In addition to the minimum requirement, specific course and faculty requirements must be met. Some institutions may have additional requirements.
English Language Requirement
Proficiency in English is crucial for students whose first language is not English, as all instruction at Irish higher education institutions is in English.
English proficiency must be demonstrated before being accepted for a degree program. Many universities and colleges offer English language training courses for students who wish to study with them. There are also 94 private English language training schools that offer short- and long-term courses.
Results from the following examinations may be accepted as proof of English language ability, provided they meet one of the four outlined standards:
- Irish Leaving Certificate in English (Ordinary Level grade D)
- GCSE English Language (grade C)
- GCE O-Level English Language (grade C)
- University of Cambridge (Pass in Use of English Examination)
- IELTS (Composite score of 6.0-6.5 with not less than 6.0 in any one component)
- Cambridge Proficiency (Grade C)
- Cambridge Advanced (Grade A)
- ARELS oral examinations (Pass)
- ETAPP (Grade C1)
- PTE Academic (Minimum score of 36)
Medicine
If you plan to study medicine in Ireland, you will need to take the HPAT assessment test. This test is designed for EU students applying for undergraduate medicine at Irish medical schools. The HPAT-Ireland results are combined with the Leaving Certificate exam scores to determine eligibility for undergraduate medicine places. A minimum of 480 points is required, along with meeting the matriculation requirements of the medical school.
For non-EU applicants, please contact the International Office of the college you are interested in applying to.
Student Visa
To apply for a student visa, you must do so online on the AVATS website. Follow the instructions carefully, as they may vary depending on your location. You will need to submit your original passport, passport-sized color photographs, the relevant application fee, and supporting documents. Check your eligibility status and book your flights to Ireland only after receiving confirmation.
If your visa application is refused, you have the option to appeal the decision within two months. Once you arrive in Ireland, you must schedule an appointment with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service office at the Registration Office and pay a fee of €300 to receive a residence permit.
Evidence of Fee Payment
There are two options for providing evidence of fee payment:
- Include a copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds from the Irish bank of the college, showing details of the beneficiary’s name, address, and bank details, as well as the sender’s details. A letter from the Irish college confirming receipt of the fee should also be included.
- Provide a receipt showing that student fees have been lodged with an approved student fees payment service.
If you have any further questions, please contact the administration office. College fees are a matter between the student and the college, and in the event of a rejected visa request, the college should refund the tuition fees (minus any small administration fee) within a reasonable period of time.
Alternatively, for degree program students, an education bond with a minimum value of €7,000 can be lodged with an approved student fees payment service as an alternative method of demonstrating financial ability.