HOW TO APPLY for a TAUGHT Postgraduate Programme
HOW TO APPLY for a RESEARCH Degree Programme
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Taught Programmes - Application Process
All applicants apply through the online application system by choosing a programme from one of the four faculties. Non-EU students may wish to contact the International Education Division first before completing an online application.
International Office: Tel: +353 61 202414 Fax: +353 61 213062 email: international@ul.ie. Visit the International Office website
What to include (upload) with your application
- Certified results for all examinations mentioned on your application form and/or confirmation of the award of your qualification(s).
- Evidence of English language proficiency.
- Certified translations of your award and transcripts if they are not in English
- A copy of your birth certificate or passport
Please note that certain programmes request additional documentation such as personal statements and/or references. Please check the programme entry requirements to ensure you have included the required information.
An Application Fee of €35 (electronically) or €40 Bank Draft/Cheque will apply to all taught postgraduate programmes.
What happens after I apply?
Once you submit your application online, you will receive an email acknowledgement. It is important that you upload all your documents at the time of application as you will not be able to upload these at a later stage. If you do not have your documents at the time of application, you will need to mail them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office once they become available.
Your application will then be passed to the Course Director who will decide whether or not to offer you a place. Some programmes require interviews and you will be notified of the date, time and venue.
Decision Letter
You will receive one of the following letters from the Postgraduate Admissions Office:
- An unconditional offer. You satisfy all of the academic conditions required and we are offering you a place.
- A conditional offer. You do not yet satisfy the academic conditions required before entry but you propose to do so. The conditions are listed in the offer letter and may include English language tests as well as degree results.
- Letter of regret. We are unable to offer you a place.
Please note that a decision is authoritative and official only if it has been sent in writing from the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
Accepting a place at the University of Limerick
To accept your offer you must pay your acceptance deposit and send in part (a) of the fee giro to the Postgraduate Admissions Office. On receipt of this giro slip, the Postgraduate Admissions Office will change the status of your application to Firmly Accepted. You will receive an orientation pack in August. The orientation pack will provide you with full details of orientation and enrolment.
Deferring your offer
You cannot defer a place on a taught postgraduate programme without the permission of the Course Director. If you are offered a deferral, you will receive a letter from the Postgraduate Admissions Office confirming that a deferral has been granted. You should then contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office before March of the following year to confirm that you will be accepting your place. If you are not offered a deferral, then you must re-apply for the programme the following academic year.
Admissions Appeals Process -
Research Degree Programmes - Application Process
EU & Non EU Applicants - All applicants should first try to identify a potential supervisor and a project. Information on research activities in each Faculty are available here:
Information on research institutes and centres in UL is available here.
Funded postgraduate research positions are advertised on the Graduate School webpage. Click here for current positions.
Once you have identified a supervisor and have agreed a project with your proposed supervisor, please complete the Research Application Form available in either PDF format or Word format and return it to the Postgraduate Admissions Office. Please note that funded applicants should ensure that a Financial Aid form is completed, signed and submitted to the finance office. Find more information on the schedule of fees for research postgraduate students. If you have any queries please contact the Graduate School.
Applicants who have not identified a supervisor may complete an Expression of Interest Form. The form will be sent to the relevant Assistant Dean of Research.
Application Deadlines
Applications for graduate research are accepted on an ongoing basis.
What to include with your application
- Certified results for all examinations mentioned on your application form and/or confirmation of the award of your qualification(s).
Research Proposal
Provide a detailed proposal of the research to be undertaken (on separate sheets if necessary).
This should include a section on 1) Aims; 2) Objectives; 3) Research Methodology and 4) Project Description.
For Science & Engineering proposals please use the following headings:
1) Background; 2) Objectives; 3) Work to be done; 4) Methods to be used; 5) Novel aspects; 6) Scientific or Engineering theoretical issue(s) addressed; proposal to be a maximum of 2 pages.
Evidence of English language proficiency.
If English is not your first language please indicate the score you achieved if you have completed an English language proficiency test. Table 1 below outlines the English Language Requirements
Table 1: English Language Entry Requirements
| IELTS | Overall score of 6.5 or above, with no leass than 6.0 in any one component |
| TOEFL | A minimum score of 213 (computer-based) 550 (paper based) |
| Uni of Cambridge ESOL Examination |
Grade C or higher on a Certificated of proficiency in English (CPE) |
What happens after I apply?
Completed application forms are reviewed by the relevant faculty and then presented on a monthly basis to the Postgraduate Research Committee. Following this meeting applicants will receive a decision letter from the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
Equal Opportunities
The University of Limerick is fully committed to the provision of equality of opportunity and is opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. University policies and procedures do not discriminate against individuals on grounds such as gender, marital or family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.