Ireland is a popular destination among international students seeking quality education and an enhanced standard of living. It has a rich heritage, picturesque landscapes and a vibrant nightlife which contributes to a unique experience hard to find anywhere else. Along with these, it is also an international centre for entrepreneurship, innovation and research which houses the main offices of several global companies. The universities in Ireland offer an exceptional experience, which reflects the intakes in Ireland trends.
Irish universities are an excellent choice, especially for international students. They have a long-born tradition of maintaining high standards of education and research, because of which Irish universities consistently rank amongst the best across the globe. They have in-depth research programmes and rigorous academic practices which prepare students for any kind of challenges in their careers ahead. For all those looking to migrate to Ireland for further studies, the admission process, visa requirements and annual intake are some of the important aspects to consider.
Which Are The Top Universities In Ireland?
According to the global rankings of 2022, the top 10 universities in Ireland are listed below. Students applying to any of these universities must focus on their particular requirements, the similarities to the overall intakes in ireland, and entrance exams while processing their applications.
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- Royal College Of Surgeons In Ireland
- National University Of Ireland, Galway
- University College Cork
- Dublin City University
- Maynooth University
- Technological University Dublin
- University Of Limerick
- Munster Technological University
Which Intakes in Ireland Are Available?
There are two major intakes in Ireland offered by universities throughout the academic year. The first is the Autumn intake which commences in September. The application deadline for this semester is usually around June or July. For both domestic and international students, this is the preferable intake to opt for since a vast majority of Irish universities begin their courses in the Autumn intake itself.
The second option available for students is the Spring intake which begins in January or February. The application deadline for this is generally around September or October. Although a lot of universities offer the choice of any Ireland intake, the number of courses available during the Spring intake is significantly lesser than those offered in the Autumn intake.
How To Decide Which Ireland Intake To Opt For?
If you’re confused about which intake to choose, there are a few key attributes, like acceptance rates, academic records, availability of your preferred programme, and entrance score requirement, that you can consider while making your decision. Arguably, availability is the most important one out of these. Since some universities offer certain courses under only one intake, it may be difficult to get a seat in your shortlisted college or university under the other intake. Secondly, your document file must be ready before you begin the admission process itself. In case you are expecting the results of entrance exams or tests later than usual, then it may be advisable to choose the intake before which you will have all the requirements ready. Lastly, it is essential to check the capacity. Some universities tend to offer a comparatively higher number of seats for one intake. Applying for the intake with greater capacity can significantly increase your chances of admission to the university.
What Timeline for Intakes in Ireland
The following table provides a comparison of the important steps of application between the Autumn Intake and the Spring Intake for the academic session 2023 – 2024.
| Steps | Autumn Intake (September) | Spring Intake (February) |
| Selecting the course and university of choice | As soon as possible | As soon as possible |
| Appearing for exams | February 2024 to March 2024 | September 2024 to October 2024 |
| Applying to colleges | April 2024 to May 2024 | October 2024 to November 2024 |
| Acceptance Letters and Interviews | May 2024 to June 2024 | November 2024 to December 2024 |
| Processing Ireland Study Visa and/or Education Loan | June 2024 to July 2024 | December 2023 to January 2025 |
| Tickets and Departure | July 2024 – August 2024 | January 2025 to February 2025 |
What Are The Admission Requirements For Applying To Irish Universities?
English language proficiency tests are common for admission to all courses in Ireland. Even if a university does not require these scores, they are mandatory for visa application. The minimum required score for each of the English tests is as follows –
Students applying for medicine, nursing and other healthcare programmes are required to appear for the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT) and the Graduate Medical School Admission Test (GAMSAT). Management courses like MBA and Master’s in Finance or Accounting require GMAT scores, whereas students applying to science courses are usually asked to submit their GRE scores.
What Is The Admission Process For Irish Universities?
Once you finalise the semester, the next step is to begin the admission process. For a maximum number of UG and PG courses, much of the admission process is predefined. For undergraduate programmes, students can apply through the Central Applications Office or directly via the university’s website. Similarly, for postgraduate programmes too, students have the option of applying through either portal. However, the application fee may differ slightly for international students. Some universities also direct their PG applicants to the official website of the Postgraduate Applications Centre.
There is a list of exquisite steps for applying to any Irish university. Although some minor details may differ from one university’s course to the other, the overall process broadly remains the same.
- The first step is to select your preferred course.
- Then, you must list out all the institutions which offer that particular course and are accepting applications. Out of these, shortlist the ones which offer the most scope for a future career.
- It is advisable to read about each university’s details thoroughly on their official website.
- The details about admission intake and availability of seats must be acquired next.
- Entrance exams like GMAT or GRE, English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS, and course-specific exams must be attempted by the students since the scores of all these will be required during admission.
- Some universities may require personal essays, a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation to be submitted along with the application. It is advisable to keep these documents ready beforehand.
- You must register at the Central Applications Office via their website to begin applying.
- The individual application process of each university or college must be completed.
- At this stage, some universities conduct personal interviews to finalise your admission.
- Lastly, apply for a student visa or any student loans and complete your admission process.
What Is The Cost Of Living In Ireland?
Another major aspect to consider during the admission process is the average cost of living. Although it essentially remains the same regardless of your choice of intake, factoring it in early can help you plan your education process more efficiently.
| Item | Expense per month |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | €488 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | €600 |
| Transportation | €109 |
| Food | €540 |
| Utilities | €185 |
| Groceries | €44 |
| Clothes | €88 |
| Entertainment | €48 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | €1,502 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | €1,614 |
| Annual Cost Of Living | €18,024 |
The above cost of living in Ireland data is sourced by UniAcco
FAQs
Q1. How many intakes does Ireland have?
Ans: The Autumn intake, which commences in September, and the Spring intake, which begins in January or February, are the two Ireland intakes available for students.
Q2. When should I apply for September 2024 intake in Ireland?
Ans: For September 2024 intake, you should start applying to colleges from April 2024 to May 2024.
Q3. When should I apply for February 2025 intake in Ireland?
An: For February 2025 intake, you should start applying to colleges from October 2024 to November 2024.
Q4. Is a study gap acceptable in Ireland?
Ans: As long as the study gap between your last academic year and the time of application is explainable, your academic credentials are just as good as any other person without a study gap.
Q5. Is it easy to get PR in Ireland after studying?
Ans: A student visa is only one of the requirements to get PR in Ireland. You must find a suitable job and get a work permit and stay in Ireland for a minimum period of five years to get your permanent residency.
Thank you for reading our guide to Ireland intake 2024 -25! Let us know your queries or suggestions in the comments section below.
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