Higher Education in Ireland
by Anthony Terenzio
Ireland is an increasingly compelling option for international students for a number of reasons – chief among them the opportunity to study at any one of seven universities in the top 25% worldwide, not to mention the nearly unmatched industry access presented by its booming economy and the welcoming, affable, and whimsical reputation of its people. The ease and efficiency of applying to multiple universities (and courses within each one) via the Irish Central Applications Office (CAO) is a further feather in the cap of the Emerald Isle for prospective students. Here’s Hyll’s beginner’s guide to higher education in Ireland as an international student.
Why Ireland?
Ireland has long been a popular tourist destination, especially for Americans of Irish heritage, but even more enduring is its reputation as a center of educational excellence. Ireland is home to many of the world’s top universities, including some of deep historical significance like Trinity College Dublin (among whose many notable alumni are the likes of Oscar Wilde and Hozier, as well as many illustrious international students such as both of the co-creators of Game of Thrones). Irish higher education also provides a unique level of access to one of Europe’s fastest growing economies – the so-called “Celtic Tiger” has generated an influx of investment by multinational corporations, including many at the top of the tech sector who have established major operations there (Google, Microsoft, Meta, Linkedin, and Indeed to name a few) – and many Irish universities are prioritizing employability and industry access via experiential learning opportunities such as internships. Beyond the opportunities Ireland presents for your career prospects, it’s also known as a country of friendly, artistic, and tolerant people, has many university towns and cities with lively social atmospheres, and it is one of the safest countries to travel to in Europe. What’s more, higher education in Ireland can be extremely affordable relative to other countries – Irish nationals and EU citizens don’t pay tuition for many schools, and the Irish government even provides scholarships for international students to help make its universities more accessible to a global student base.
Ready to hop on the next Aer Lingus flight to Dublin? Read on to learn about the Irish university admissions system.
Applying via the CAO
The vast majority of Irish universities accept applications via the Central Applications Office, or CAO (however, there are exceptions – some students, more commonly those applying from outside the EU, may have to apply directly to the university. More on this below.). The CAO is a centralized online application that allows students to submit their candidacy for a ranked selection of up to 20 degree programs across institutions on a single application. For many students, this is the only application you’ll need to submit to apply to all of the institutions of higher education in Ireland on your shortlist, but exceptions apply (more on this later).
The CAO provides a handbook for the application process that is updated every year. There are also specialized guides for students, parents, and counselors/schools available on the CAO website, along with other resources. The handbook outlines a high-level timeline for the application process, which we’ll summarize here:
- Register with the CAO and pay the fee: this is as simple as visiting the website and entering in your basic demographic information and payment details. The fee is 30 euros for early registration (before January 20) or 45 euros for standard (by February 1). Late registration is possible by May 1st, but it incurs a 60 euro fee and may hurt your candidacy for more selective schools.
- Research and input your course selections: once registered, you’ll need to enter your course (degree program) choices in order of preference within your CAO application. The CAO includes a database of courses which you can search through, but it’s easiest to get information about each course directly from the university’s website. Once you know which courses you would like to apply to, you can add their “course codes” (alphanumeric codes corresponding to each course within the CAO database) to your application. Many universities include the CAO course codes on their websites. You are allotted a maximum of 10 course choices at both the “ordinary” and “honours” level (known as level 7 and level 8 courses, respectively), for a total of up to 20 courses across institutions. The deadline for submitting your initial choices is February 1st, but you’re allowed to make changes within the “change of mind” window from May to July if necessary.
- Receive and check the Statement of Application Record: the CAO will send a “statement of application record” in May to all applicants who submitted their application by the February deadline. This is essentially a confirmation of your applicant information (including course preferences) and should match what you submitted via the CAO portal, but students are encouraged to double check it for errors or omissions.
- Submit your Final Grades or Exit Exam Results: as soon as you complete your high school course of study and receive your final grades/exit exam results (varies by country—consult with your Hyll Academic Mentor to confirm your situation), send them directly to the CAO by mail. The CAO will assess your results based on the relevant conversion to the Irish grading system (see here for guidelines by category of non-Irish application).
- Receive your Offers: the CAO will send offers on behalf of each university following receipt of your grades/exit exam results, starting as soon as mid-June (after the standardized Irish “Leaving Certificate” exit exam takes place). The majority of offers are issued based on exam performance alone (i.e. places are offered to those with higher exam scores/grades).
Programs Not in the CAO
While most degree programs at major Irish universities can be applied to via the CAO, there are some exceptions that require direct applications to the university. In some cases, direct application may be required due to the specialized nature of the program or a requirement for supplemental application materials, like essays or exams, that aren’t submitted via the CAO. In others, a course may simply not be available in the CAO for an unknown reason (even when comparable programs at the same institution are). In all cases, it’s best to consult the university’s website, where the modality of application (CAO vs direct) is typically clearly indicated. When in doubt, feel free to contact us or reach out to the admissions office at the relevant university.
If a course is not available in the CAO, you’ll most likely have to apply through an application portal within the university’s website (if not the Common App for the four schools mentioned below). In some cases, this may require some duplication of what you have already entered into the CAO, or the application requirements/forms you have to complete could be different. Hyll mentors have expertise in higher education in Ireland and can assist you with navigating each university’s procedure and interpreting the requirements.
Non-EU Applicants
There are also certain universities that accept CAO applications from EU students but require direct applications from other nationalities. For this reason, it is especially important for non-EU students to confirm the correct procedure on an individual basis for each university they intend to apply to. There are also four Irish universities that accept international applications via the Common App: University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University of Limerick, and Mary Immaculate College. International applicants may also benefit from earlier admissions decision notifications.
Final Thoughts
Higher education in Ireland is an excellent choice for an international college experience. Its beautiful countryside, welcoming people, rich culture, and stock of excellent universities make it a compelling option for international and local students alike. Those studying business, technology, engineering, theatre, and history will find it a particularly apt environment for their studies, but we encourage students of all backgrounds to consider adding a few Irish universities to their shortlists.
Want to learn more about pursuing your degree in Europe? Check out some of our other articles on the topic:
