Admission Process and Requirements
Documents Required for Application Process
- Academic Transcripts: 10th, 12th, Semester-wise mark sheets, Consolidated mark sheet, Degree certificate (Bachelor’s & Master’s, if applicable)
- English Language Requirements: IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo score
- Work Experience Certificate: If applicable
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR): From professors or employer/manager who know the student and can comment on their abilities
- Portfolio: If applicable according to the course
- Additional Certifications: Any relevant certificates
- Passport Copy: Front and back
Application Fees
Some universities charge an application fee, which must be paid by the student at the time of submission.
Steps for the Application Process
- Select the college and course
- Visit official websites of shortlisted universities/colleges to check course details thoroughly
- Prepare and gather the required documents:
- Work Experience Certificate (if applicable)
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Two Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Portfolio (if required)
- Additional Certifications
- Passport Copy (front and back)
- Submit the application on the university portal along with application fees (if applicable)
English Language Requirements
English language score is required to apply for any program in Ireland. It is a pre-condition for immigration and is a mandatory requirement while applying for the visa. The commonly accepted English scores for Ireland are IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English test. Duolingo English test is accepted on a temporary basis due to Covid pandemic.
Each University have their own requirements. ‘Study Ireland’ consultants will explain about the requirements in detail according to the course chosen. In most of the Universities, the minimum requirement for Undergraduate courses is 6.0 overall score in IELTS with minimum of 5.5 in each band. In relation to post graduate courses, the minimum IELTS requirement is 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band.
Students can apply for the Universities without the language score card. In that case, they will be issued with a conditional offer citing ‘English language requirement’. At a later date, once they submit the score card the full offer will be provided by the University/ Institute. ‘Study Ireland’ consultants will ‘follow-up’ with the respective Universities and keep the student updated.
Intakes
January intake
September intake
Tuition Fees & scholarships
Tuition Fees in Ireland
The tuition fees in Ireland are comparatively cheaper than in other developed countries. The education system in Ireland is world-class, known for significant research investments and government-funded grants provided to universities.
Tuition Fee Range
- Research Courses: Starting from €7,500 after scholarship
- Taught Courses: Up to €24,500
Deposit and Fee Payment Process
- Once an offer is issued by the university or institute, the student must pay the deposit within the specified timeframe. If the deposit is not paid on time, the offer becomes invalid.
- After paying the deposit, the remaining tuition fee (total fee minus deposit) must be paid according to the university’s policy.
Visa-Related Fee Payment Requirements
- Some universities require at least half of the tuition fee to be paid before applying for a visa.
- Others require the full tuition fee to be paid before the visa application.
- As per immigration requirements, students must pay at least half of the tuition fee or a minimum of €6,000 in advance.
- A fee receipt is mandatory and must be submitted with the visa application.
Scholarships
There are various scholarships offered by Universities & institutes. The levels of scholarships vary according to the academic merit of the students.
Some universities issuescholarship at the time when the offer is released. Some Universities might issue the scholarship at a later date for which the student needs to submit a separate application. ‘Study Ireland’ consultants will help you out with each & every aspect of the application to make sure that the student application is made without any flaws including the scholarship application.
Different types of scholarships available with each University
There are various scholarships available in different Universities. Award of scholarship by the university depends on different factors which include candidate’s academic criteria, social work, experience and other factors which it deemed to be necessary.
Scholarships may be classified for EU and Non-EU students. The students from the 27 member Euro zone may apply under the EU category. The students from other countries can apply under Non-EU category. The students from India should apply under Non- EU category.
SOP And LOR Drafting
SOP is an important piece of document for a student application. It gives the ‘program co-ordinator’ an understanding of the academic back ground and interests. ‘Study Ireland’ consultants will provide with the necessary supports for preparing the SOP. We will provide several samples of ‘SOP’ where the student can take references from them and start drafting the SOP. Students need to mention about the motivation to apply for the course, interest, goals and what they want to achieve upon completion of the course.
We will make necessary changes to the ‘SOP’ and advise the student on any changes if required. Some Universities require SOP which is mandatory for application submission. Some institutes and colleges don’t require an SOP for application submission however it is always an asset for the application.
Reference letteror letter of recommendation is similar. Students need to get the LOR from the college where they had studied or from the work place. Most of the Universities require academic reference letter and it’s the preferred one. It will provide admission officers with an insight on the quality of the candidate. Universities will also send an email directly to references for verification and it’s the student’s responsibility to intimate their reference to reply to the mail.
Tuition Fees & scholarships
Points to Note While Preparing the Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Motivation: Clearly explain what motivates you to apply for the course.
- Academic & Extracurricular Profile: Briefly mention your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, skills, and hobbies.
- Future Goals: Share your career goals and explain how the course will help in achieving them.
- Research the Department & University: Include specific knowledge about the university and department. Relate your past skills to the modules you aim to study.
- Research Aspirations: If you wish to pursue research in a related area, explain your interests and how the course supports them.
- Word Limit: Keep achievements concise and within the required word count.
- USP (Unique Selling Point): Highlight what makes you stand out among other applicants.
- Sequencing: Organize the SOP logically. Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs.
- Leadership Experience: Provide examples of when and where you led a team or guided others, and the skills you used.
- Review & Proofread: Review your SOP carefully. Check for grammar, spelling, structure, and word count. Ask friends for feedback before finalizing.
- Support Available: ‘Study Ireland’ consultants are available to help review and refine your SOP if needed.
Points to Note While Preparing Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Name & Designation: Clearly mention the name and official title of the person providing the reference.
- Email: Only official email addresses will be accepted; personal emails are not allowed.
- Date: The letter must include the date it was issued.
- Letterhead: The LOR should be on the company’s official letterhead, with a seal and signature.
- Academic References: Preferably from the Head of Department or professors familiar with your academic performance.
- Workplace References: Should come from a Manager or Team Leader if you’re including professional experience.
- Preference: Academic LORs are preferred by most universities. Workplace references are secondary unless you have significant work experience.
Additional SOP Tips (Repeated for Emphasis)
- Sequencing: Maintain a logical flow of content with well-connected sentences.
- Leadership Details: Share real-life leadership or team-guiding experiences and the skills used.
- Final Review: Always proofread the SOP, check the word count, and ask peers to review before submission.
- Consultant Support: You can take help from ‘Study Ireland’ consultants to refine your SOP if required.
Visa And Immigration
Notes on Visa Application
- Provide accurate and truthful information on the visa application.
- Original documents must be submitted for verification.
- Important: Do not submit false or fraudulent information. Students must exercise utmost care while preparing documents.
- Affix a recent photograph according to immigration department guidelines.
- Ensure all documents are signed wherever required.
- Apply for the visa well in advance to allow time for travel planning.
- Submit notarized copies of all educational qualification documents, if required.
- Any previous visa refusals must be declared in the visa application form.
- Misrepresentation in visa documents is a serious offence and may lead to visa rejection or disqualification for a certain period.
- All information provided must be backed with valid supporting documents. Incomplete documentation can delay the visa decision.
Note:
Under the ‘Approval in Principle’ scheme, students who are awaiting final exam results can apply for a visa. The embassy will make a conditional decision, and final approval will be granted once pending documents are submitted.
Visa applications for the September intake should be submitted early, as the volume of applications is high.
Student Visa process for Ireland:
Students must meet several conditions as part of the visa process:
1. Intention
- Students must prove that their sole intention is to study in Ireland.
- Supporting documents include Statement of Purpose (SOP), cover letter, academic certificates, and offer letter.
2. Financials
- Financial evidence is a vital part of the visa application.
- Students must show they can afford both tuition fees and living expenses.
- Acceptable sponsors are usually blood relatives, and proper documentation is required.
- Living expenses required:
- In Dublin: €12,000
- Other Counties: €10,000
- Part-time or full-time job income is not accepted as proof of funds.
3. Offer Letter
Students must obtain an offer from an institution recognized by the Government of Ireland.
- Most institutions are registered under QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) and HEA (Higher Education Authority).
4. Return to Home Country
- Students must demonstrate they intend to return home after completing the course.
- The SOP and cover letter should highlight how the course will help in achieving career goals in the home country.
Application Support
Students are advised to submit online or offline visa applications as guided by ‘Study Ireland’ consultants. They offer experienced support for documentation and application processing.
Visa Application Fees
The current visa application fee is INR 17,210. This includes:
- Multiple-entry visa category
- VFS verification and check service
- Courier and SMS service
Additional charges apply for optional services purchased from VFS.
Immigration Requirements
- After visa approval, students must carry all essential documents during travel:
- Academic documents
- Offer letter
- Medical insurance
- Bank statements
- Any other documents submitted with the visa application
- At the border, immigration officers may ask to see these documents.
After Arrival in Ireland
- Register with the college and request a bonafide certificate.
- Submit the certificate to the local immigration office during your appointment.
- The initial visa is valid for 3 months. It can be extended for 1 year by providing:
- Offer letter
- Bonafide certificate
- Bank statements
- Medical insurance
- A fee of €300 is paid to the immigration office.
- The IRP (Immigration Residence Permit) card will be sent to the student’s address within a month.
- Students receive a ‘Stamp 2’ visa on the residence permit card.
Work Permits
On completing the course with the university and securing the job offer with the company, the student might be able to secure ‘General skills’ or ‘Critical skills’ employment permit. Labour market test is required before issuing the permit under ‘General skills’. In order to secure the critical skills permit, the specific occupation should be listed on the ‘skill shortage occupation list’. There are several underlying facts underthe specific job which can decide on whether the candidate will be issued with either of the permits. There are several categories of permits which our ‘Study Ireland’ consultants will be able to explain in detail.
Safe & Security
Safety is an important aspect which the student needs to look at. Ireland is a very safe country and the crime rate is very lower compared to other European countries. It is good to take some safety precautions. It is better to avoid waking during late nights in the street and avoid having conversation with the people who are drunk.
Accommodation and living in Ireland
Accommodation is the vital part for the student in making a comfortable stay for them until they completetheir studies. There are various types of accommodation which includes Homestay, co-living, private student accommodation and family sharing. Depending on the students comfort and budget, they can choose either of them for their pleasant stay.
‘Study Ireland’ team highly recommends the students to choose to live with their fellow students as the cost will be low and there are several advantages. Family sharing is where a student can live with a family and the expense is also low in this case. They will be sharing common amenities. In case of Private student accommodation, there are several accommodation providers who provide accommodation exclusively for students in an apartment style complex. It’s expensive compared to other type of accommodation.
The accommodation in the capital city is very expensive compared with other cities and remote places. Shared accommodation is one of the best ways to find an accommodation where it is cost effective as well. In case of catering, the best way to reduce the cost is to prepare food on their own.
Accommodation in capital city (Dublin) is expensive and the cost per person would be in the range of 400-800 euros per month. In other cities like Galway, Cork and Limerick the cost would be around 300-600 per month. For groceries, the cost would be in the range of 100-150 Euros per month. It’s important to make a note that, the living cost depends on the student’s way of living.
‘Study Ireland’ consultants will provide the help and reference of the students who are already in Ireland which will help in securing the accommodation easily. It’s helpful for the students as they can make the contact with them which will help them in securing an accommodation.
Major Websites where students can find accommodation:
1. Daft.ie
2. Rent.ie
Student Visa process for Ireland:
The medical infrastructure in Ireland is one of the best in the world. All the students who are enrolling with higher education institutions in Ireland need to have medical insurance. It is also a requirement to submit the proof of health insurance while applying for the visa. Once the students enter Ireland, they need to get registered with a local GP and in case of any emergency they can visit them to get treated. There are different health insurance policies and according to the terms the claims can be made with the respective provider. In most of the Universities, there is an in house-GP where they can contact them in case of medical emergency.