Top Universities for Spring Intake in Ireland 2024

Updated on 31 January, 2024

Anupriya Mukherjee

Anupriya Mukherjee

Sr. Content Writer

Ireland is one of the most popular global destinations for higher education. This is evident from the fact that it has eight universities in the QS World University Rankings 2024 list. When it comes to admissions, spring intakes in Ireland (or the January intakes) are hugely popular among aspirants. This guide is for the admission process and other aspects of spring intake courses in Ireland. 

Top Universities in Ireland for Spring Intake

Here are some of the leading spring intake universities in Ireland, as per the QS World University Rankings for 2024. 

QS World University Ranking 2024 University Name Intake Details*
171 University College Dublin Spring intake is available for some of the master’s courses.  The applications close once all seats for the program have been allotted.
289 University of Galway The application deadline is 30th October.
292 University College Cork Application deadline is in October.
426 University of Limerick Application deadline for Spring intake is 24th November.
436 Dublin City University The application deadline is 1st December for Spring intake.
801-850 Maynooth University The spring intake deadline is 31st October.
851-900 Technological University Dublin It closes by 30th June. 

*Mentioned dates are tentative and subject to change based on universities.

How to Opt for Spring Intake in Ireland

The Spring intake in Ireland usually begins in January or February. Hence, aspirants can apply online at these institutions after checking which courses are available for this period. 

Eligibility Criteria for Spring Intake in Ireland

The eligibility criteria for January intake universities in Ireland are usually the following: 

  • Overall average of 70% or above in HSC XII or other equivalent for undergraduate applicants. Alternatively, they can have a recognized international foundation course from an Indian/Irish/UK institution, following a validated syllabus. 60-65% is usually required. 
  • For entry into postgraduate programs, English language proficiency requirements have to be met along with holding a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with a 2.2 or higher award, depending on the subject. 
  • Students whose first language is not English should have a suitable score in an approved examination. Usually institutions may require IELTS 6.0-6.5 or equivalent. 

How to Apply for Spring Intake in Ireland

Applying for spring intakes in Ireland requires aspirants to submit their applications at the official websites of their chosen universities. Here are the steps to be followed in this regard. 

  • Choosing the right program and checking all the entry and country requirements. 
  • Checking the application deadline. 
  • Applying online through the student website of the university with all information and documents as required. 
  • Submitting all transcripts and certificates with the application. 
  • Applying for scholarships if they are available. 
  • Confirming the offer of place if it is provided by the chosen institution. 
  • Applying for the visa and taking care of all formalities and interviews. 
  • Completing scholarship formalities if approved. 
  • Pre departure tasks include gathering all necessary medical and health insurance documents, travel ticket bookings, financial statements, and other papers required by the institution. 
  • Registering for on-campus housing and making payments. 

Scholarships for Spring Intake in Ireland

Here are some scholarships that may help pursue spring intake courses in Ireland. 

Scholarship Name Name of the Institution Benefits 
Global Achievement Scholarship University of Galway €2,000 reduction in tuition fees for the first year of undergraduate study 
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship  All Irish Higher Education Institutions €10,000 and full fee waiver 
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Program Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

€19,000 is the stipend that is paid every year. At the same time, the maximum scholarship amount is €28,000 per annum

The contribution sanctioned for fees, which include non-EU fees, is up to €5,750 per annum (maximum)  

Direct research expenditure, which is eligible, is covered up to 

€3,250 per annum

Masters Academic Merit Scholarships National College of Ireland €2,000 - €4,000
Undergraduate Academic Scholarships National College of Ireland €2,000
Partial Scholarship Dublin Business School €500 - €1,000
Undergraduate Scholarships Maynooth University €2,000 per year
Taught Postgraduate Scholarships Maynooth University €2,000 per year

Source: Official website

With the globally recognized universities in Ireland, you can embark on the higher education journey in the country. Moreover, you can expect a myriad of opportunities that spring intake in Ireland 2024 will bring. It will offer you a rich and excellent academic experience along with a vibrant cultural landscape. 

Disclaimer: All the mentioned amounts and fees are indicative and subject to change any time.

FAQs

Does Ireland have a spring intake?

Yes, there are several universities in Ireland that have a spring intake. This is usually around January or February. It is accompanied by the autumn intake which is usually the primary one in the country. 

Which intakes are available in Ireland?

There are usually two intakes available in Ireland. These include the autumn intake which starts from early September and concludes in December. The spring intake starts from January and lasts until the month of May. 

Which intake is better for Ireland?

Both the autumn and spring intakes are good options for international applicants. Yet, the autumn intake is the primary one for most institutions. 

Does Ireland accept a study gap?

Yes, study gaps are often acceptable in Ireland. Several universities can accept study gaps provided there are reasonable explanations for the same and accounts of what aspirants did during that time. 

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Anupriya Mukherjee

Sr. Content Writer

Anupriya Mukherjee is a passion-driven professional working as a Content Marketer and earlier worked as a Digital Marketeer. With around 6 years of work experience, she has experience creating high-quality, engaging content for websites, blogs, news articles, video scripts, brochures, and ebooks.

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