Autumn Intake at Irish Universities – The What, When and Why

Ireland is a popular study destination and with its historic universities and rich cultural heritage, it is no surprise! Students can choose between two intakes to study in Ireland.

The autumn intake which starts in September is the more popular one and almost all universities offer courses during this time. If you’re thinking of applying for the next autumn intake, we have all information you’ll need including important dates and an application timeline.

Key features of autumn intake in Ireland
Application end time	End June/early July
Acceptance letters	August
Term dates	September - May

The autumn intake

The autumn intake starts in September and runs until May. It is considered the primary intake in Ireland and almost all universities offer courses to start during this time. If you’re sure you want to do a Masters in Ireland and don’t want to wait for the next autumn intake you can always check if your course is available for the spring intake (February start).

Applications for most autumn intake courses end in June but deadlines vary depending on universities so you must check before you start planning your applications.

The autumn intake timeline

It is always a good idea to start as early as possible when deciding what you want to study for your Masters and where. Use our autumn intake application timeline so you don’t miss out on anything!

Step #1 – December of the year before you want to start – Do your research

Although applications won’t open until the following year, it is always a good idea to start early! This way, you won’t be rushing, and you can take your time to gather all the information you can before making a decision.

Step #2 – January/February – Get supporting documents ready

Once you’ve found the courses you’re interested in, you can start getting all the required documents ready. You can find this information in course listings but don’t hesitate to get in touch with the university if you have any questions.

You will most likely need to submit personal statements, references and English language test results (if you are not a native speaker).

Step #3 – March/April – Search for funding options

Irish Masters funding can help cover tuition fee and sometimes also include a stipend for your living expenses! It is a good idea to look for funding, especially if you are an international student on a budget. Depending on the kind of funding you are after, you can either apply at this stage or you might have to wait until you have been accepted into a university.

Step #4 – May/June – Apply to your university

You should have everything ready to go by this stage and you can begin actually applying to your chosen university. You’re likely to hear back with acceptance letters in July/August.

Step #5 – July/August – Apply for your student visa and find accommodation

Depending on your nationality you might need to apply for a student visa to study in Ireland. If you need a visa, you’ll only be able to apply once you have a confirmed place at an Irish university. You must give yourself enough time to complete the visa application and account for any processing delays.

This is also the best time to start looking for accommodation in Ireland. Student accommodation is competitive, so it is always a good idea to start looking as early as possible!

Step #6 – September – Get ready to fly!

Now all that’s left to do is fly! Give yourself a few days before your lectures actually begin to take in the new place and its culture.

You can read our guides on Irish universities, student visas and life as a student for more information. If you’re already decided that Ireland is the place for you and you’ve missed the autumn intake application window, don’t worry, you could apply for the spring intake which starts in February. Read our guide for more information.

Why should you study in Ireland in the autumn intake?

The autumn intake is considered the primary intake and is when most students apply. And rightly so!

There are more courses on offer as compared to the spring intake.
There are more opportunities to get involved in campus activities like student clubs and organisations as it is the start of the academic year.
You’ll have first dibs on the on-campus student jobs, compared to the spring intake.
More people apply for the autumn intake which means you’ll get to experience a more vibrant and diverse campus.
If you’re using your Masters to get into a career, you’ll be able to start looking for post-graduation jobs from the summer.

Find a Masters in Ireland

Browse Irish Masters degrees in our course finder

Taru Medha

Taru joined FindAMasters as a Content Writer in 2022. She creates well-researched, thorough content for our guides and blogs, as well as short video content for our social profiles. She has a Bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University in India and completed a Masters degree in Global Journalism from the University of Sheffield in 2021, giving her personal experience with postgraduate study as an international student.