How to Apply
Apply to study in Ireland
Application procedures differ depending on the type of course you are applying for. Before submitting an application, you should try to get as much information as you can about your preferred programme, institution and accommodation as well as funding and student visa criteria. Once you are completely satisfied with all your choices, you will need time to gather the necessary paperwork.
Qualification Recognition
The Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is responsible for developing and maintaining the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) and for quality standards (Quality Assurance and Pastoral Care) in both the higher education sector and English Language schools.
Students are encouraged to use the National Framework of Qualifications to identify the qualification they will achieve before making decisions. Qualifications recognised through the NFQ are quality assured. This means that you can have confidence that your course, and the institution at which you are studying, are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is intended to put you, the international student, at the centre of the education and training system in Ireland. The NFQ provides a structure (a framework) to understand, compare and contrast the level and standard of different qualifications. This helps you to make informed decisions about your qualification choices and to consider progression opportunities available to you.
Apply for a course
Depending on what you plan to study, undergraduate, postgraduate or English language courses, contact iBridge Consultancy for further necessary procedure.
Undergraduate course Requirements-Non EU Applicants
Entry requirements for courses may vary from year to year, depending on the number of places available and the number of applicants, so there is a great deal of competition for the more popular programmes. Irish students compete for entry based on results achieved in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination. Students are graded on their six best subject scores.
The International Bacculaureate (IB) Diploma is also accepted as meeting the minimum entry requirement for higher education programmes, provided due notice is taken of the various grades and combinations of subjects indicated in the current published entry requirements. Specific programme and faculty requirements must be met at all institutions. All applications are assessed individually and the Diploma does not guarantee admission. Individual institutions may stipulate requirements additional to the minimum required.
English Language Requirements
A good grasp of the English language is essential for students whose first language is not English. You need to be able to understand, converse and write English well as it is the language of instruction at all Irish institutions of higher education.
Students must show a proficiency in English to be accepted for a degree programme. Good news – many universities and colleges provide English language training courses for students hoping to study with them. There are also over 100 private English language training schools nationwide which run short and long-term courses.
The list below indicates the minimum standards in English which should be met. All English language certificates must have been issued within 2 years of the expected commencement date of your course. In certain circumstances, results in examinations other than those outlined below may be accepted as proof of ability.
Examination |
Level Required |
|
IELTS |
Composite score of6.0- 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in any one component |
| PTE Academic |
Minimum score of 36 |
Medicine
If you are interested in applying to study medicine in Ireland, please note that you will have to do the HPAT assessment test which was introduced for EU students applying for undergraduate medicine in the medical schools in Ireland. The score achieved in the HPAT-Ireland examination will be added to the Leaving Certificate points to create a total points score. Students will be eligible to compete for undergraduate medicine places provided they achieve a minimum of 480* points AND meet the matriculation requirements of the Medical School [Link to a PDF document for HPAT]
Postgraduate course Requirements-Non EU Applicants
English Language Requirements
If you have difficulty reading this, then maybe you should rethink your choice of course.
All postgraduate courses are given in English and students applying for degree courses must be able to speak, read and write the language fluently in order to take part in tutorials, seminar discussions and examinations.
If your native language is not English or your undergraduate education was not in English, then you will have to pass an approved test before registering for any course.
Examination |
Level Required |
|
TOEFL |
220 (computer-based test) 550 (paper-based test) |
| IELTS |
Composite score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in any one component |
|
PTE Academic |
Minimum score of 63 |
Please note that test scores are only valid for 2 years.
Medicine: GAMSAT
If you are interested in applying for graduate entry medicine, you will need to do the GAMSAT examination. GAMSAT is a specific test developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for medical schools offering graduate-entry programmes. GAMSAT is required by all EU graduates applying for the 4 Year Graduate Entry Medicine Programme (GEP).
Evidence of Course
The college should provide an original letter, indicating that the person has been accepted on a full-time course of education (specify subject) entailing 15 hours or more study in a privately funded course. Provisional letters offering a place are not acceptable. The college must be in a position to satisfy the Department of its educational and other credentials.
Fees
Evidence must be supplied that the course fees have been paid in full. However while this is desirable, it is not expected that an applicant pay more than € 6,500 prior to visa approval. Evidence of payment may be incorporated into the above evidence of course letter which should include accommodation, fees and other relevant charges.
Private Medical Insurance
Every student should have full private medical insurance. Evidence of such insurance cover will be taken to be the Letter of Acceptance provided by the host school, college, university or other educational institution. This Letter of Acceptance will contain details of the insurance cover taken out on behalf of each student by the host school, college, university or other educational institution on behalf of the student.
Student Visa
Like most other countries, Ireland requires candidates from many non-EU countries to have a visa to come and study in Ireland. If you are a citizen of any of the non-EU countries , you must apply for a visa before you travel to Ireland. The student immigration process is divided into two categories, based on whether you are applying for a degree programme offered by a higher education institution or you intend to pursue an English-language or non-degree course