Spring Intake in Ireland

Ireland is known for its world-class education system, which is why more and more international students are choosing to study in the country. There are two intakes in Ireland for students willing to apply. The major intake is the September intake in which all universities and courses are available. However, the spring intake in Ireland, also known as the January intake or the February intake is an alternative to the Sep intake in Ireland. 

Those who missed out the application deadline in the September intake of Ireland can still apply to the Irish university of their choice during the Spring intake in Ireland. Though not as major as the September intake, the spring intake still provides access to various colleges and courses in Ireland. Read this article to learn more about the spring intake in Ireland. 

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What is Spring Intake in Ireland?

The spring intake in Ireland is the second most major intake in Ireland which typically runs from January to May. This intake offers international students with more time to prepare their university application, appear for the language and subject tests, manage funds and gather necessary documents.

While fewer courses are available for international students during the spring intake, it also generally provides a smoother entry to the university by posing less competition. Students can opt to get admitted to various PG and/or diploma courses in Ireland. 

Spring Intake in Ireland vs. the Fall Intake: Which is Right for You?

Here is a brief comparison of both the September and the spring (January) intake in Ireland for international students. You can choose the intake right for you by balancing the factors given in this section as per your requirements. 

Application Timeline for the Spring Intake in Ireland

Applying on time for the spring intake can save you lots of time and prevent you from missing out on other university deadlines. Here is the general timeline for the spring/January intake in Ireland for international students:

• May (of the previous year): Research programs and universities in Ireland that are available for the Spring Intake. Shortlist institutions and understand their specific entry requirements and deadlines.
• June (of the previous year): Begin preparing your application documents, including transcripts, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and English language test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo).
• June - July (of the previous year): Submit your applications before priority deadlines. Some universities have rolling admissions; however, applying early is always recommended due to limited seats.
• July (of the previous year): After submitting your application, wait for the university’s decision on your application. At this time, if your application will be good enough for a scholarship, then the university will also provide you with a scholarship to study in Ireland along with your offer. However, you may receive conditional or unconditional offer letters, depending on the nature of your documents or the completeness of the list of documents submitted from your end. The university may ask you to submit certain documents and then offer you an unconditional offer. Check differences between a conditional and unconditional offer 
• August: After you accept an offer, accept it, pay the required amount of tuition fees, and begin your Ireland student visa application process immediately. Apply for PCC (mandatory) and arrange your funds.
• October: Apply for your Ireland Student Visa. 
• December - January: Arrive in Ireland, attend university orientation sessions and start your studies.

Eligibility Criteria for the Spring Intake in Ireland

While each university has specific requirements based on the program of choice, the general eligibility criteria for international students to study in Ireland include:

• Educational Qualifications:
• Undergraduate: A class 12 marksheet with a minimum of 70% from a recognised school or educational board (for example, CBSE/ICSE/state boards). Students may also need to check the specific subject requirements for STEM courses (e.g., Mathematics and Physics) and the arts for arts and humanities-related subjects.
• Postgraduate: A 3 or 4-year bachelor's degree with a minimum of 60-65% of marks or 3.3 GPA is required for admission to the prestigious master’s courses in Ireland. 
• English Language Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency through tests like:
• IELTS: Overall score of 6.0-6.5 with no band less than 6.0 for UG and PG.
• TOEFL iBT: 79+ marks
• PTE: 58+ marks
• Duolingo English Test: Accepted by some universities only, if you’re willing to take DET, make sure it is accepted by the university of your choice before paying the exam fees..
• Age Criteria: 17+ for undergraduate programs; no strict upper age limit for postgraduate programs.
• Gap Years: 1-2 gap year is generally acceptable with a valid explanation or relevant work experience only.
• Backlogs: Most universities accept up to 5 backlogs; some may accept 7-8 with a strong SOP. However, the same must be confirmed with the university. Check what is a backlog certificate here. 

Step-by-Step Admission Process for the Spring Intake in Ireland

Follow the below-given steps to make a smooth application to the universities in Ireland during the spring intake:

1. Research and Shortlist: Identify universities and programs available during the spring intake that align with your academic and career goal.
2. Check Requirements: Check out the course availability, entry requirements, and application deadlines on your university’s official website.
3. Prepare Documents: Gather all the necessary documents, including the academic transcripts, English language test scores, updated Resume/CV, SOP, LORs, proof of funds, and more.
4. Apply: Register and apply through the university's online portal or through the Central Applications Office (CAO) for some UG courses in Ireland. For postgraduate courses, some universities might use the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC), hence checking both these portals prior to your application is recommended. Check the options to study in Ireland after 12th.
5. Receive Offer Letter: The universities in Ireland examine each application received carefully and then roll out any offer to the prospective candidates. Hence, await a conditional or unconditional offer letter from the university and then proceed to apply for an Irish student visa.
6. Accept Offer: Confirm your admission by accepting the offer and paying the initial deposit or full tuition fees as required.
7. Apply for Visa: Initiate your student visa application process.

List of Documents Required to Apply for the Spring Intake

• Updated Resume/CV (especially for PG applications)
• Proof of Work Experience (if applicable for PG courses like MBA)
• University Offer Letter (for visa and admission confirmation)
• Valid Passport
• Academic Transcripts (10th, 12th, Bachelor's/Postgraduate)
• English Language Proficiency Scorecard (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs - typically 2-3 from professors or employers)
• Gap certificate (if required)

This was all about the spring intake in Ireland for international students. For assistance with studying inIreland, get Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free! Also, feel free to drop any query in the comments below.