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This page is for individuals from/residing in other EU countries who wish to undertake a full degree at the University of Limerick.
EU applicants are considered in competition with Irish school leavers. Consequently, offers cannot issue until after the Irish Leaving Certificate results. Results are usually released mid-August, with Round 1 offers following a few days later. See timetable of events for key dates. Eligible applicants remain on the waiting list and may be offered in order of merit in later rounds, in accordance with CAO procedures. We do not issue conditional offers.
Please note: The definition of EU/Non-EU applicants is based on fee assessment criteria. If you are unsure whether you are an EU or non-EU applicant, please visit the fee assessment page.
Information about Erasmus+ and other study abroad and exchange programmes can be found on the UL Global website.
Generally, if you are eligible for EU fees and applying for the first year of an undergraduate degree, you must apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO). It is best to apply online at www.cao.ie. The CAO handbook gives details of application procedures and closing dates.
Applicants not eligible for EU fees and transfer applicants (post year 1) must apply directly to the University.
Recognised Qualifications for EU/EFTA/UK Countries
Detailed information regarding the recognised qualifications from each EU/EFTA/UK country can be found on the CAO website.
For each country, the document outlines the recognition of the school leaving examinations. The document also contains details on the recognition of multi-national qualifications including the European Baccalaureate and the International Baccalaureate.
Understanding the Page for your Country
- Be sure to read the section titled "Understanding the page for each country" on page 10 of this document before navigating to the relevant country page.
- In the table in the section "What is the minimum I need?", for Level 8 courses at the University of Limerick, you should use the "2 H5 required" section.
- To use Tables 1 & 2, details of the specific subject requirements in the Leaving Certificate for each undergraduate course are available from the relevant course page in the Undergraduate Prospectus.
Applicants presenting older qualifications or qualifications not listed in the document should submit a query attaching scanned copies of those qualifications.
All University of Limerick students must have a high level of competence in the English language.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of this competence by achieving the minimum standard in a recognized English language test, as outlined below.
- Proficiency test results must normally have issued within two years prior to the start of your course (i.e. for entry in September 2025, only results attained since 01 February 2023 will be accepted).
| Examination | Minimum Standard Requirement |
|---|---|
| Matriculation Examinations | From European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved |
| Irish Leaving Certificate English | Ordinary Level Grade D or above |
| TOEFL |
580 (paper based) |
| IELTS | Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any component |
| ETAPP (English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes) | Grade C1 |
| GCE "O" Level English Language/GCSE English Language | Grade C or above |
| University of Cambridge ESOL |
|
| GCE Examination Boards |
|
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic |
Minimum score of 61 (with no section score below 59) |
| Oxford English Test | Overall minimum 140. Individual skills 125. |
| Language Cert ESOL | B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 33 in each skill |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) |
|
Be sure to check the entry requirements for your desired course prior to application, as some courses may have different minimum language requirements.
The Qualifications and Assessments section of the CAO Handbook provides information on documentation or evidence you may need to supply to support your application.
More information on how applications are assessed is available within the Entry Requirements Criteria for EU/EFTA/UK applicants document on the CAO website.
The Entry Requirements Criteria for EU/EFTA/UK applicants document on the CAO website contains an indication of levels required for minimum matriculation for the more commonly presented non-EU examinations.
HOW TO APPLY
European Union applicants must apply to the
University of Limerick via the Central Applications Office (CAO)
Contact Academic Registry
Main Building, E0-001
University of Limerick
The information provided here is as a guide only, and may be updated from time to time. You are advised to consult official documentation, including the University of Limerick Academic Regulations, as the authoritative version
Data Protection: We will process your Personal Data in accordance with our Student Privacy Notice.