Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not have your English Language Qualifications yet, you can still apply for a programme. If you receive an offer, it will be conditional on the basis that you meet the University English Language Requirements prior to enrolment. 

All applicants must provide English Language Qualifications unless the official language of instruction in your home country is English.

See the English Language Qualifications we accept.

If you have not received your final results yet, you can still apply for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme. Please include your transcript of results to date. You should send along your final results as soon as they become available.

We can only accept Academic IELTS. If you have General IELTS, you will need to register for Academic IELTS.

Other English Language Qualifications we accept.

IELTS:  Composite score of 6.5 and not lower than 6 in any one component. Certain programmes require higher IELTS scores.

Please see here for other English Language Qualifications we accept.

You can apply without providing English Language Requirements but your offer will be conditional on the basis of meeting these requirements. 

Alternatively, we offer pre-sessional English courses to help students meet our requirements. Please see here for more information. 

Non-EU applicants can only apply for full time programmes due to visa requirements.

Yes UL work with a number of agents in different countries. Check your home country application information on the programme you would like to apply for. 

Yes. UL has a Language Centre on campus that offers a range of pre-sessional English language programmes.

Once an application is submitted, it typically takes 10-15 working days for a decision to be reached. 

You will be contacted by email if your application is missing any documents and you will be provided with a link to your applicant portal to upload outstanding documents.

You can track your application on your applicant portal, however, if you are unsure about the status of your application, please Contact Us

Once an application is submitted, it will be reviewed by our admissions team and the course leader. This process typically takes 10-15 working days, but can take longer during busy periods.  We will contact you as soon as a decision has been reached. 

For applications to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, you will be given the option to specify a first and second preference.

Once your application has been received by the admissions team, any outstanding documents will be requested by email. You will be given a link to upload your documents via your applicant portal.

If your password has expired, it is usually best to restart your application. You can request a password reset by using the forgotten password function or alternatively Contact Us

The closing date for Spring is the 22nd November and Autumn is the 10th of July.

You should provide 2 references.

References should take the form of scanned letters from your referees. 

Please provide one academic-related reference and one work-related reference. 

If you cannot provide an educational reference, two work-related references will suffice. 

Undergraduate programmes: 

• Completed online application form
• Certified/notarized copies of all transcripts and School /Degree/Diploma awards
• Copy of birth certificate or passport
• Include a copy of medical/disability documentation (only for applicants with a disability who require specific support)
• Copy of English language proficiency if applicable

Your place on the programme is held until your acceptance deadline. After this, your place on the programme is no longer secure. Paying within the deadline is strongly encouraged as programmes can fill up quickly. 

You can accept your offer by paying your €600 acceptance deposit. Please note, your acceptance deposit will be deducted from your full tuition.

We recommend paying online using TransferMate. TransferMate is an easy to use online payment platform which offers a secure, fast and affordable way to make your international educational payments around the world.

Alternatively, you can pay over the phone by calling +353 61 529097. This is a 24-hour automated service.

To defer your place you need to contact us.  Applicants can defer their offer once and after this they may be required to apply again.

Please allow 10-15 working days for your application to be processed.

If you are unsure about the status of your application, please contact us

If you would like to decline your offer you should contact us to confirm this.

Your €600 acceptance deposit is non-refundable. 

Your acceptance deposit will only be refunded if:

• You fail to meet the English Language Requirements outlined on your offer
• You fail to meet the academic requirements on your offer. 
• Your visa application is rejected.

If you are a new incoming student, you are required to pay your full tuition fee before the 31st of August 2024. You cannot pay in instalments over the course of the academic year. If you require a visa to enter the country you will have to pay a minimum of 50% of your tuition fee to receive your visa support letter. 

We have a number of partial merit-based scholarships. Once you submit an application for a programme, you are automatically reviewed for scholarship. If you are eligible for scholarship, you will receive the decision at the same time as your offer decision. For further information on available scholarships please clicks the links below.

Scholarships for International Students | UL Undergraduate Courses

Scholarships for International Students | UL - University of Limerick

You may only hold one scholarship. If you are in receipt of an external scholarship or external funding, you will not be entitled to hold a University of Limerick scholarship.

New incoming students are required to pay your full tuition fee before enrolment.  You cannot pay in instalments over the course of the academic year. If you require a visa to enter the country you will have to pay a minimum of 50% of your tuition fee to receive your visa support letter. 

There are two methods for paying your tuition fees:

TransferMate (Recommended)

The International Education Division is delighted to be able to offer students from outside the EU the option of paying their tuition fees for full-time programmes online. Fees for on-campus accommodation and medical insurance fees may also be paid online. With no international bank transfer fees and a better exchange rate guaranteed it is the preferred method of payment. Your student visa will be processed much faster.

If you have any queries relating to TransferMate, please contact edu@transfermate.com   .

How does it work?

You make a local bank transfer in your home country. This local payment takes one day. You then email International Student Payment Service (ISPS) a copy of your electronic funds transfer payment. ISPS receive instant notification from the local bank and transfers the money into the University of Limerick bank account. Proceed to pay for tuition / accommodation / medical insurance online

Proceed to pay your tuition fees/ medical insurance/ accommodation fees through TransferMate.

By Phone

Students can pay over the phone by calling 00353 61 529097. This is a 24-hour automated service. 

Information on tuition fees can be found on the UL Student Fees webpage

Please note, fees are subject to annual reviewal and are liable to increase.

You can find information for an approximate cost of living below

Should you require a letter formally stating the cost of living in Ireland for loan purposes, please contact us, quoting your full name, Date of birth and UL Student ID (if available).

Yes, your €600 acceptance deposit is offset against your tuition fees. 

Timetables are available the week before orientation.  

Your timetable can be accessed here

The International Education Division will organise an appointment with the Immigration Officer, details of which will be given to you during Orientation Week.

The Immigration Bureau in Limerick is located at the Garda Station in Henry Street. There is a charge of €300 each time you register. You can only pay the registration charge of €300 by bank giro or debit/credit card.

You will need to bring the following items to the Immigration Office to register for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP):

• A valid passport
• A valid UL student ID card
• Evidence of financial support (e.g. current bank statement indicating your name or a letter of guarantee from a parent or guardian indicating the availability of sufficient funds to cover you during your period of stay in Ireland or a letter from your sponsor confirming your financial status)
• A letter from the University of Limerick indicating that you are a registered student and indicating the start date and duration of your programme
• Evidence of fees paid or of funded research position
• Evidence of medical insurance
• Registration fee of €300 (payment by bank giro or credit card)

Please contact us  as soon as possible if you are not able to arrive in time for orientation.

You must attend your immigration appointment. If you have a class at this time, you must still attend your appointment.  Be sure to contact your lecturer/ tutor - they will understand that your immigration appointment is mandatory.

Please see here for information about travelling to UL.

Classes for the 2024/2025 academic year will begin on Monday September 9th, 2024.

An orientation programme will run prior to classes commencing. Students should also familiarise themselves with public health requirements in relation to travelling to Ireland. More information can be found on our 'Arrival in Ireland' page which is updated regularly. 

Key dates for the 2024/2025 academic year can be found online here.

UL Global will be coordinating an Orientation programme for all our new International students, which will include a series of social and cultural events for students throughout the academic year. These will be delivered virtually and in-person (where possible) and will be designed to assist and support new international students commencing their studies at the University of Limerick.

Dates for our orientation programme 2024 have yet to be confirmed. Please visit our Orientation page for regular updates on our orientation programme.

Yes, you can set up an Irish bank account after you have registered at UL.

There are a number of banks in the Castletroy area.

Banking for students is free. You will need to provide your passport and a letter indicating your Limerick address (which can be requested from the UL Global Office) when you open the account.

Students have to be studying in Ireland on a full time undergraduate or postgraduate programme before they are permitted to work in the country.

Study Abroad students are not permitted to work in Ireland. Please note that the information below is for guideline purposes only. Students should familiarise themselves with the Immigration Guidelines for Degree Students

International students that hold an immigration Stamp 2 are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the university term. During the holiday period students can work on a full time basis – up to 40 hours per week. This means you can work for 20 hours per week during term time or full-time (up to 40 hours) during June, July, August and September, as well as over the Christmas break. Please see here for more information

Students from the EU do not need a visa to study in Ireland. Non EU students should apply for a study visa well in advance of departure. Guidelines on applying for an Irish study visa are available here. 

If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed here you do not need to apply for a visa - however, you will still need to register with immigration upon your arrival in Ireland.

One of the Irish student visa requirements is that non-EU nationals must have private medical insurance. Medical insurance for students attending UL can be purchased online at a cost of €160.

If you require a visa to enter the country you will have to pay a minimum of 50% of your tuition fee to receive your visa support letter. If your tuition fee is under €12,000.00 you will need to pay a minimum of €6,000.00 before a visa support letter is issued.

Once UL receives this payment, your visa support letter will be issued. 

All non-European Union (EU) Students are advised to contact their local Irish Diplomatic Mission about a visa application.  Please allow a minimum of 8 weeks for this process. Late arrival will not be accepted. In countries where no such office is available, applicants should contact the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

The International Education Division will organise an appointment with the Immigration Officer, details of which will be given to you during Orientation Week.

The Immigration Bureau in Limerick is located at the Garda Station in Henry Street. There is a charge of €300 each time you register. You can only pay the registration charge of €300 by bank giro or debit/credit card.

You will need to bring the following items to the Immigration Office to register for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP):

• A valid passport
• A valid UL student ID card
• Evidence of financial support (e.g. current bank statement indicating your name or a letter of guarantee from a parent or guardian indicating the availability of sufficient funds to cover you during your period of stay in Ireland or a letter from your sponsor confirming your financial status)
• A letter from the University of Limerick indicating that you are a registered student and indicating the start date and duration of your programme
• Evidence of fees paid or of funded research position
• Evidence of medical insurance
• Registration fee of €300 (payment by bank giro or credit card)

Unfortunately, Campus Life Services cannot accommodate early check-in. 

Please click here for a brochure for Bed and Breakfasts and Hotels in the Castletroy area. Please note, this information should be used for guideline purposes only. The university does not accept liability for accommodation placed on this listing.

As soon as you have received your offer letter and student number you can apply for Campus Residences. Students can apply directly through the UL Accommodation webpage. Here you will need to register an account, please make a note of your log in details for future transactions.

To confirm your booking you will be requested to pay a €50 booking fee.

Please contact accommodation@ul.ie should you have any questions

On-campus accommodation is in apartment style housing in one of the 6 campus villages or off campus rented accommodation close to the University.  All six residential villages at University of Limerick are self-catering. We provide all cooking facilities and inventory.  While kitchen/living areas are shared with a maximum of 7 others, all study bedrooms are private.  While some villages offer shared bathrooms (maximum 4 sharing) our apartment residences offer en-suite facilities for those who wish to have their own toilet/shower.  For further information on each of the student villages please go to our accommodation website. 

If you wish to opt for off-campus accommodation, there also a number of off-campus residences and privately rented houses in the locality. Please see the UL Accommodation webpage for more information on accommodation or contact accommodation@ul.ie .

Please note, the university does not accept liability for accommodation advertised on the off campus database.

Please beware of fraudulent persons purporting to be landlords/landladies on Facebook, Internet sites or other media. Do not pay money to persons for accommodation, unless you are absolutely sure that they are genuine – landlords/ladies should not request full payment of rent before you have arrived in Ireland. Always request a contract be signed.

Please see the StudentLiving Website or contact accommodation@ul.ie, quoting your full name, date of birth and student ID number if available. 

Some undergraduate programmes have a 6-9 month cooperative education placement period.  The Cooperative Education & Careers team at the University of Limerick is responsible for the CoOp programme. Every year, they work with about 1,500 employers, both in Ireland and internationally, to secure placements for 1,600 undergraduates. CoOp is an essential part of the overall academic programme.  Cooperative Education gives students the chance to experience a real work environment before they graduate. There are no internships or placements in the taught Masters programmes.

Some undergraduate programmes have a 6-9 month cooperative education placement period.  The Cooperative Education & Careers team at the University of Limerick is responsible for the CoOp programme. Every year, they work with about 1,500 employers, both in Ireland and internationally, to secure placements for 1,600 undergraduates. CoOp is an essential part of the overall academic programme.  Cooperative Education gives students the chance to experience a real work environment before they graduate. There are no internships or placements in the taught Masters programmes.

The Graduate scheme enables non-EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for period of time after they have graduated from their respective course. During this period of time they can seek employment and work in Ireland without an employment permit.  Entry to the scheme is facilitated by application and the start of the scheme is based on the official receipt of exam results. For a full explanation of the scheme and requirements, please visit the INIS website.

Twelve Month Graduate Scheme
This scheme is open to a non-EEA student who has acquired an Honours Degree i.e. level 8 on the National Framework of Qualification from an Irish third level educational institution.

Twenty Four Month Graduate Scheme
This scheme is open to a non-EEA student who has acquired a Masters Degree, a Post-Graduate Diploma or a Doctorate Degree, i.e. a qualification from level 9 – 10 on the National Framework of Qualification from an Irish third level educational institution.

Applying for the Graduate Scheme
It is important to note that third level graduates are not automatically included on this scheme, i.e. individuals must apply for entry on to the scheme. Applications may be made at the applicant’s local Garda Síochána registration office.

Application Documents Required

• An original letter signed by the College Registrar (on the headed paper of the College) stating that the applicant has completed the course of study satisfactorily and the date results were made available. This can be requested from the UL Global Office ulglobal@ul.ie
• Current passport.
• Existing IPR ( formerly GNIB) Card
• Medical Insurance for the 12 months.
• Official UL transcripts.
• A payment of €300 by credit/debit card (cash not accepted).

Application Fees
The normal fees for the issuing of Certificates of Registration will apply to this Scheme.

Permission to remain
Persons who qualify under this scheme will be granted Stamp 1G for a 12 month period starting on the date upon which the person receives their exam results. The purpose of the permission to remain under this Scheme is to seek employment and gain a Hosting Agreement, Green Card or Work Permit. After 12 months, you may be eligible for the Green Card or Work Permit Scheme. This permission is granted by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Innovation. Those interested should also see http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/

Conditions
A person granted an extension to their permission to remain in the State under the Graduate Scheme shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
• Will be allowed to work for up to 40 hours per week without an employment permit
• Will not engage in self employment or operate a business in the State 

It is important to note the following:
A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme once. 
Once a student has availed of the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme they are not permitted to re-enter full time education and to be registered as a student at the end of this period.

Expiry
This scheme shall automatically expire after a period of 12 months for those with an undergraduate qualification, 24 months for those with a postgraduate qualification. 

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Yes. Membership is open to international and Irish students at UL. Further information and contact details can be found on the UL International Society website.

The standard Irish electricity point will take 220-240 volts. The most common plug is a 3-pin flat.