University Intake Timeline: Ireland – Autumn Semester

If you’re looking forward to studying at a top Ireland university, we recommend that all of our clients begin their process with a well-planned and structured timeline – thus ensuring that each required step is completed in a timely manner. While each student’s timeline will differ based on a number of individual factors, we’ve put together a timeline for you to get an idea of what yours could – and should – look like.

Universities in Ireland have two major intakes in a year at the beginning of its 2 major semesters. While in India, students can only enter university in the first semester, in Ireland, students have the ability to commence their studies in whichever term suits them, subject to various factors including course availability.

The Hurray Overseas Education Counselling team has put together some information on the intakes so that you can decide on your choice of university.

Intakes:

1. Autumn/Semester 1: commences in September

2. Spring/Semester 2: commences in January

The exact date of intake will differ as per the university, and sometimes as per the programme, particularly in the case of postgraduate programmes. As and when you lock down on your preferred university and/or programme, remember to keep note of the specific intake dates in order to plan accordingly. 

The following timeline is based on the assumption that you would be opting for the Autumn/Semester 1 intake in September 2021, which is often preferred by Indian applicants.

Timeline

Step 1: Research and selection – July-August 2020

• This is the step that most of you reading this post, are probably on – researching which universities and programmes are best suited to what you want to study in Ireland. You may have started earlier or later – but by the end of August you should preferably have chosen the universities and programmes to which you wish to apply.

Step 2: Clearing standardised tests – August-November 2020

• You are most likely aware that for admission to university programmes in Ireland, you would be required to provide proof of sufficient proficiency in English. All Irish universities accept a number of English proficiency tests as proof of the same, such as IELTS, Cambridge English, PTE Academic and TOEFL.

• Depending on the university/programme, there may also be additional entrance exams to be answered.

• Before you can apply to a university, preparing for and clearing these tests is essential – this three to four month period (though you may certainly begin earlier), is meant for just that.

• Plan to take the test, leaving yourself with enough time to get your certificate, in time to process your application.

At Hurray we offer specialised training courses especially for IELTS and PTE Academic – enrol with us, and we will ensure that you are prepped and ready to take the test on time, and clear it with the required score – or higher!

Step 3: Applying to university – December 2020-January 2021

Application deadline for Ireland – while for undergraduate admissions, the deadline for application falls between February and May, for postgraduate admissions, application deadlines vary greatly as per the university/programme in question. 

• It is essential to keep track of the individual deadlines for each of your selected universities/programmes. 

• However, we recommend completing and submitting your application well in advance of the final deadline, owing to the following reasons:

  • Entry to several universities and/or programmes is highly competitive, some of which have limited seats and will close applications once they are filled.

  • International students will need to budget time for the possibility of an interview, as well as for the Visa application and flight ticket reservation. 

• Thus, assuming you are applying for the September term, you should be prepped and ready to submit your application, with all the necessary supporting documents – including your Statement of Purpose, college essays, Letters or Recommendation and so on, as applicable to your programme, by December-January 2021, depending on various factors.

• Furthermore, if you have identified a scholarship that you wish to apply for, it will have its own deadline – in this case you will have to process your admission accordingly.

• Interviews, if any, are generally scheduled in February-March.

Step 4: Notification of acceptance and preparing to relocate – April-August 2021

• You are likely to receive notification of either acceptance or rejection by May-June 2021, depending on the university or programme.

• Once accepted, you will be given a Letter of Acceptance, following which you must pay the tuition fee and confirm your enrolment in the university.

• The next important step is your Visa application. 

• For the Visa application, you will require the Letter of Acceptance with proof of fee payment and enrolment, as well as a valid passport, and other documents as required.

• You can submit your visa application up to 3 months prior to the start date of your programme – assuming your programme starts on September 1, 2021, this means you can submit your application on June 1.

• Your visa will take up to 8 weeks to be processed.

• Thus, if everything has gone according to plan thus far, you can book your tickets to Ireland by August 2021.

• After you receive your visa, you will have to register yourself with Immigration in Ireland prior to the date stamped on your visa.

• Keeping this date, as well as additional tasks such as settling into your accommodation in mind, you can plan when to fly to Ireland.

Step 5: Commence study! – September 2021

• If everything goes as planned, you will be in Ireland and ready to enter university, right on time!

• Prior to commencement of classes, you will have to attend the Orientation Week.

Based on your specific dates, your timeline may have variations – but you can nonetheless use the above structure, keeping in mind the number of weeks each step requires, in addition to the key dates for your preferred programme, and plan accordingly.

The Hurray Overseas Counselling team has the expertise required to help you plan your timeline, as well as to carry out each step to success. To learn how we can tailor our services to your exact requirements, book your one-on-one counselling session now! Reach out to us via email: overseaseducation@hurrayedutech.com, or phone: 8971357928, for more details