UNDER GRADUATE¬
Enquiries concerning admission to a graduate course should be sent by the students to the institutions at least twelve months before the proposed start date. Most institutions do not have a formal closing date for receipt of applications; however, admission to a taught course may have to be submitted by a specific date which varies from course to course. It is also advisable to apply as early as possible given the closing dates and possible level of competition for scholarships given by foundations, trusts and the universities themselves.
POST GRADUATES¬
For Admission to Master’s Degree a UK Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject, awarded with first or second-class Honors, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard from a university or educational institution of university rank is required. Where the US/Canadian marking scheme is used, a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required.
LANGUAGE TESTS ¬
You may have to take one of the following tests: International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) with score 6 or above depending on the course and institution; grade C in Cambridge Proficiency of English or Cambridge Advanced English; Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with score 550 or above; NEAB University Entrance Test in English for speakers of other languages at Grade 3.
If international students plan to study in England’s top universities, they will need to take the IELTS Test. However, TOEFL test can also considered as part of their admission requirements in many universities but keep in mind it is not accepted by many British universities yet. From Cambridge and Oxford Universities, to Kings College, the Imperial College of London and Regent’s College, the IELTS or TOEFL test is part of the admissions process to determine whether non-English speaking students have the language skills to succeed.
A limited number of scholarships for overseas students are available from the universities and colleges themselves. These are awarded solely at the discretion of the individual institutions who set down their own criteria for eligibility. Students are advised to contact the institution of their choice directly, to obtain further information.
The Department of Education and Science also has a limited number of scholarships. For details contact:
International Section
Department of Education and Science
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Tel:+353-1-8095029
Fax:+353-1-8741933
Website: http://www.irlgov.ie/educ
Many overseas students studying in Ireland are sponsored by their own governments or through other international scholarship programs. In most cases applications should be made through the Ministry of Education in the student’s home country.
The main costs that students can expect to incur while studying in Ireland include fees, accommodation and living expenses. These vary considerably depending on the course, the institution and the lifestyle of the student.
The figures given below provide a guideline only for budgeting. Costs do not remain static, so it is important to double check fees with the institutions of your choice and to ask their advice on other living costs. Living Expenses vary depending on the type of accommodation preferred and on the personal expenditure of the student.
To give some idea of the total cost involved, the following approximate figures for 2001/2002 are given as a guide to overall expenses for one academic year (usually 9 months). All prices are in Euros.