There are many intakes in Ireland that you should know about if you plan to apply to universities. There are two major study intakes in Ireland: spring (February) and autumn (September-October). Here is all you need to know about the same.
As mentioned, there are two intakes in Ireland for students. They include the following:
Spring Intake- This one is not applicable for all universities and courses in Ireland. There are slightly lesser courses and universities available for applicants in this intake. The timeline begins in February.
Fall or Autumn Intake- It is the core intake for Irish universities, and all institutions and programs are usually available at this time of the year. The timeline begins from September-October onwards.
The first stage is selecting your preferred institutions and educational programs. Most universities offer their courses in the September or Fall intake. Align your choice of course with your future academic or professional objectives and course affordability. Irish universities have varying application deadlines across courses. Make sure that you note them down along with eligibility guidelines from the official websites of universities.
Sit for Examinations (February to March)
You will have to meet the eligibility guidelines for studying at Irish universities. You will have to provide TOEFL/IELTS scores along with scores in standardized examinations such as GRE or GMAT. You will have to prepare for these examinations, book your test dates and appear for the same. It takes some time to get the results in hand as well. You may have to sit for them again if you are not happy with your scores.
Begin applications at institutions (April to May)
If you are ready with your university list where you are eligible and fulfil all testing needs, you can go ahead with your applications. Submit applications online at universities with all documents, including your LORs, SOPs, CVs, score sheets, etc. Get your LORs from professional managers, supervisors or teachers/professors. The documentation procedure should begin one month before the deadline for applying.
Interviews and Letters of Acceptance (May to June)
The university will inform you about your application being selected. If you are interested, do not wait till the last moment. Confirm your enrollment and pay the non-refundable deposit well before the deadline. Video or personal interviews may be needed in some scenarios as well.
Education Loan and Study Visa Formalities (June to July)
Once you get the acceptance letter, you can start applying for your Ireland study visa. Ensure that you have applied at least three to four months before departure. You will have to provide all supporting documents for your visa application and proof of funds. This is also the best time to complete formalities for your education loan.
Now that you are done booking your flight tickets, make sure that you land in Ireland at least one month before the semester in September commences. Check out accommodation options individually if you are not staying on campus. Create your checklist of things that you have to carry. You will also have to arrange an international credit/debit card.
February Intake in Ireland Study Guide
Research is Important
Shortlist all preferred institutions and programs that you want to apply for. Look for the fees, eligibility criteria and deadlines for admissions. Find all information on the official portals of universities and colleges.
Take your necessary examinations (September to October)
You will have to sit for standardized examinations such as GRE or GMAT and take English language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS. Make sure to prepare yourself thoroughly while booking test dates in advance. Budget some time for retaking these examinations if you wish to improve your score.
The beginning of the application procedure (October to November)
Once you have chosen your universities and have all your test results in hand, you can begin applying online at their portals with all documents. Get your LORs from professors, teachers or supervisors and practice writing SOPs. Keep all your documents ready, and then finish your applications to all the universities you are interested in.
Interview and Letter of Confirmation (November to December)
If you have successfully obtained admission into any Irish university, the institution will let you know and send you the letter of acceptance. You should affirm your admission swiftly before the final deadline and pay the non-refundable deposit. You may have to clear a video interview in some cases as well.
Education Loan and Visa Procedures (December to January)
Once you receive your official university acceptance letter, the visa process should begin immediately. Check out all the guidelines, pay the application fee and apply with all documents. Arrange your education loan before applying for your visa since it requires proof of funds. The visa application process should happen at least three months before your departure.
Departure Arrangements (January to February)
You should make sure to book your flight tickets in a way that ensures arrival in Ireland around one month before the start of the semester. Check out on-campus accommodation options or look for housing off-campus if required. Get yourself an international credit or debit card for meeting necessary costs. Make your checklist of essential items and tick them off while packing.
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