Academic Calendar

Intakes & Application Timelines in Ireland

Plan your application strategy with our guide to Ireland's university intake periods, application deadlines, and critical timelines for international students.

Annual Intake Periods

September (The main start for master's courses.)

January (A smaller start for some courses.)

Apply early

Many courses take applications until all places are full. Apply early so you do not miss out.

Most courses start in September. Some start in January.

Intake Periods

When courses start in Ireland

Two start points for international students.

Main

September start

September

Key Information

Most master's courses start
University College Dublin (UCD) holds orientation (welcome events) for new international students

Application Period

UCD takes applications from 1 October for most courses. It stops when all places are full.

Some courses

January start

January

Key Information

UCD holds orientation (welcome events) for the January term
Maynooth University's master's in Business Analytics starts in January

Application Period

Check each course page for its dates.

Plan the visa too

Visa decisions take weeks, so plan the visa together with your travel date.

Critical Timelines

Key steps before you start

In order, from offer to arrival.

From 1 October (UCD)

Apply to courses

Apply online on each university's website.

Tasks

• Check entry rules
• Prepare your personal statement (a short letter about why you want the course) and your references (letters from people who know you)

After your offer

Accept and pay

Accept your offer and pay your fee or deposit.

Tasks

• If your course fee is more than 6,000 euros (EUR), pay at least EUR 6,000 before you apply for the visa. If it is less than EUR 6,000, pay all of it.

From 3 months before travel