How to apply to university in Ireland

Ireland is an often-overlooked gem for students looking for higher-education opportunities fully taught in English at a very reasonable cost.

EU students do not require visas to study in Ireland, but students from other countries might have to apply for them. The Irish HE system is flexible, with a ladder-like structure, so it is possible to enter at different stages and move upwards if necessary.

Going to university in Ireland

A useful starting point is to show students this short video: Why study in Ireland? It is a good way to get students’ attention and encourage them to research the higher-education opportunities that Ireland offers.

To search for courses, students should consult the Qualifax course directory and refine their searches according to the level and subject they are looking for. For EU students applying with A levels, entry to an Irish university is based on the number of Central Applications Office (CAO) points they score from their A levels. It is helpful to point out to students that an extra 25 points are added for an A level in mathematics, and a fourth A or AS level also offers additional applicant points.

No personal statement or reference is required. Students should check the entry criteria carefully in terms of required subjects and have in mind that it is compulsory to have an IGCSE-level qualification in a language other than English.

Depending on their A-level grades, students should be looking at Level 7 (ordinary bachelor’s degree, taking three years) or Level 8 (honours bachelor’s degree, which takes three to four years). For reference, Level 7 courses are of a similar level to foundation entry in the UK, while Level 8 equates to a UK honours degree.

Students are allowed to apply for up to 10 Level 7 courses and 10 Level 8 courses. It is imperative to emphasise to applicants that the courses must be listed on the application form strictly in order of preference. This is vitally important, because a student may move upwards but never downwards on their list of choices.

Applying to university in Ireland

The CAO handbook is updated annually and it is your go-to document, outlining the whole application process. Study it carefully so that you have an overview of the whole process. It is comprehensive and contains all the details you need about making an application and receiving and accepting an offer.

Students apply through the CAO and there is a useful demo application form to practise on. Advisers should note that there is no adviser portal, as in the Ucas system, so you cannot view your students’ applications. It is therefore very important that you explain to students that they need to be responsible for checking all email correspondence from the CAO and any communications they receive regarding their CAO applications.

Key points to remember

• The Central Applications Office (CAO) has excellent resources for guidance counsellors.
• Encourage students to look beyond Dublin – there are many excellent locations to study in Ireland.
• Students’ 10 course applications can include different courses in one institution or multiple institutions.
• Periodically during the process, students may change the preference order of their choices.
• Access routes are available: find out more – including deadlines – here.
• Medicine requires an admissions test: the HPAT. Students must register and prepare for this separately.
• Achieved qualification certificates must be certified in a specific way and physically posted to the CAO office in Ireland. If you fail to do this, your application will not be considered. This information is detailed under supporting documents on the CAO website.
• Offers are made based on CAO points, and these can vary each year. So students need to think about their preference lists very carefully.
• Offers are made relatively late in the cycle (currently the end of August) and this can be complex to manage if students are applying to many countries.
• Offers come in offer rounds, which continue for some time. It is paramount that students read the CAO guide to be informed about their next steps.

Financial matters

Because of the way the government funds students in Ireland, EU students pay the “student contribution” – so that is what they should look at in terms of course fees.

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s national awarding authority for further-education and higher-education grants. Students can check their eligibility for grants by using the eligibility checker.

A word about accommodation

Accommodation is limited in Ireland, so students need to research and plan carefully in order to secure rooms. Applications for accommodation are usually time-critical, so it’s vital to conduct in-depth research in advance.