Frequently Asked Questions

The term dates for the Autumn Semester 2026 are as follows:

Orientation

The Orientation dates for Study Abroad students are from 31 August to 04 September 2026.

Teaching Term

The teaching term will commence on 07 September to 19 December 2026 (including exams).*

Exams

The Autumn examinations are 05 December to 19 December 2026.*

Please be sure to check the UL Academic Calendar for the latest updates on semester dates. 

*Please note that the orientation and academic calendar dates are subject to change.

Normally you can expect to hear about the status of your application approximately 24-48 hrs after submitting.

Our Autumn 2026 applications are currently closed. We will be opening up our Spring 2027 applications in mid-July 2026.

If you think you cannot commence your studies in Autumn, please contact your home university or provider and your UL study abroad advisors.

Students can apply through our online application portal

(Applications Closed) Spring 2027 Semester: Open mid-July 2026 and closing 1st November 2026

(Applications Closed) Autumn 2027 & Full Year 2027/8: Opened mid-February 2027 and closed 1st June 2027

GPA of 2.9 on a 4.0 scale is required for direct entry.

Applicants who do not meet this requirement should provide additional supporting documentation with their application and we will review on a case-by-case basis. This includes:

• Two letters of recommendation from a professor/advisor.
• Personal statement. This can be between 300 and 500 words and should outline why you would like to study abroad in Ireland.

Before you begin the online application, you will need to contact your study abroad adviser at your home university to get approval to study abroad. 

Once you have done that you need to: 

1. Get an electronic copy of your official transcript.
2. Get a colour photo scan of your passport.
3. Pre-select 10 classes. You will take 4 or 5 of these. Talk to your advisor and have a look at our information in Plan Your Academic Experience

If English is not your first language, you will be required to provide a language test:

• CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) B2.
• TOEFL 550 (paper-based) 210 (computer-based) / 80 (internet-based).
• IELTS (minimum overall score of 6.0).
• The minimum requirement for Duolingo English Test (DET) is a score of 110.

You can register for classes outside of your school although it is the student's responsibility to ensure that all module choices have the approval of their home institution for credit transfer. You must choose enough modules to make up a minimum of 24 ECTS.

Your home institution decides on credits to be awarded for modules completed at UL. We will be pleased to provide full information on our modules to enable institutions to make decisions regarding the transfer of credits.

The UL Academic Calendar can be found here

If you are experiencing difficulty with your application, please see our step-by-step application user guide.

If your problem persists, please contact us at study.abroad@ul.ie and include a screenshot of where you are experiencing difficulty and we would be delighted to help.

You have to pre-choose 10 classes to begin with. You can choose these from our Autumn 2026 Module Booklet

These module booklets contain all modules, which are available for Study Abroad students to take during their semester at UL.

Please note, these module booklets are subject to change. Updated booklets will be published as soon as they become available. 

Should you require further information on a module you are interested in, you can search the module code in the UL Online Book of Modules. 

Please note, the UL Online Book of Modules CANNOT be used for initial selection - it contains information on ALL classes, not just the ones available to visiting students. A full list of modules available for Study Abroad students can be found in our Autumn 2026 Module Booklet. Study Abroad students can ONLY choose their modules from the Autumn 2026 Module Booklet.

Typically, the information provided in the UL Online Book of Modules will suffice if you need to have the class pre-approved by your home university. However, should you require further information, please contact us and we can contact the course leader on your behalf.

Pre-selected Modules (10 modules submitted in your application)

You must choose a total of 10 provisional classes from the Autumn 2026 Module Booklet. You will complete final modules selection for 4 to 5. The additional classes are in case there is an issue with one of your initial choices once the module timetable is released, and you need to choose another. Please choose classes from the same academic year, where possible. 

Module Selection (after arrival)

Study Abroad students DO NOT register for their modules online in advance of arrival.

The UL module timetable will be emailed to students once it is published (this is usually published during orientation week) and students can then begin to compile their own timetable from the modules they have chosen. Please note, during orientation week, our office holds timetable information sessions along with multiple Q&A sessions, so you will get lots of support through this task. You call also meet with us for one-to-one help with timetabling/module selection during orientation.

If there are timetable clashes, students must choose from their alternative module list. This is why we ask you to submit 10 pre-selected modules (approved by your home university) in case of any clashes. The module timetable will not be changed.

During the first two weeks of the semester, Study Abroad students can try out different modules from their list of 8-10 prechosen modules. 

Once you have chosen which classes you wish to take, you will complete a module selection form that is submitted to the Study Abroad Team, ensuring that there are no clashes between your chosen classes on the timetable. This is why students are required to pre-choose 10 modules. The Study Abroad Team will then register students for their chosen modules. 

Since visiting Study Abroad students choose their own classes, you create your own timetable during orientation week. 

Please note, during orientation, our office holds timetable information sessions along with some Q&A sessions. You can also contact us for one-to-one help with timetabling/module selection. 

You can choose completely different classes from the modules you preselected during your application.

If you have already handed in your module selection form, you have until Week 5 to change classes. You can also contact us if you wish to do so.

Academic transcripts are approved by Academic Registry following each semesters' exam period once exam results have been issued to students. Study Abroad students will get a free digital transcript issued through Parchment.

You can find information on our Arrivals page 

IMPORTANT: For students who need to have an immigration appointment with Dublin Immigration, you will NOT be able to travel outside of Ireland until you receive your IRP card. We do not know on what date each semester the immigration appointments will occur, so please do not book travel outside of Ireland until you have your IRP card. It can take up to 3 weeks for you to receive your IRP card AFTER your appointment with immigration. 

Students from the EU and US citizens do not need a visa to study in Ireland. You can check if you need to apply for a study visa, by checking the Irish Department of Justice website here. Non-EU students who require a visa should apply for a study visa well in advance of departure. Guidelines on applying for an Irish study visa are available here. 

Non-EU students who do not need to apply for a visa to study in Ireland (such as US citizens), however will still need to register with immigration upon your arrival in Ireland.

For students who need to register with immigration, you will need to organise an appointment with the Immigration Officer. This process will be explained in detail during orientation week, but please see below for some guidance in advance.

Students are now required to apply for their Irish residence permit in the Dublin Immigration Office at Burgh Quay. To book an appointment to register your first time immigration residence permission, please create an account, or log into your existing account, on the Digital Contact Centre. Each registration appointment is linked to the unique applicant profile that booked it through the online account. Applicants are encouraged to book their appointment as soon as they have arrived in Ireland and enrolled on their programme. There is a charge of €300 each time you register. You can only pay the registration charge of €300 by debit/credit card.

The documents that you will need for your immigration appointment to get an IRP (Irish Residence Permit) card are: 

• Valid Passport
• An Immigration Letter (you will be able to request this from the Student Portal during orientation). Please print this letter and bring with you to your immigration appointment.
• Offer Letter (this was sent to you via email when you were first accepted on the Study Abroad programme). Please print this letter and bring with you to your Immigration Appointment.
• Evidence of financial support If you are supporting yourself – this can be a copy of up-to-date bank statements. We recommend bringing 6 months of bank statements if possible. Again, these need to be a hard copy printout.
• If your parents are supporting you financially, a notarised letter stating this. Again, this needs to be a hard copy printout.
• Proof of Medical insurance – a hard copy printout of coverage letter/policy.
• UL Student ID Card
• Proof of tuition fees paid for your programme. You will be advised on how to get this during orientation.
• Students will need to provide proof of address. You will get information on how to get this letter during orientation.
• Students may also be asked for 'Proof of your exam results'. Please take a copy of your most recent transcript from your home university if this is easily available to you
• Students may also be asked to produce another form of identification. If you do not have another form of identification other than your Passport or UL Student ID Card, this is okay.
• Remember there is a fee of €300 for the immigration appointment. This payment is made, by you, when you attend your immigration appointment.

Yes, this is an immigration requirement. 

There are a number of private medical insurance companies in Ireland offering health cover, which you are free to choose from. One of these companies are Arachnas Corporate Brokers (formerly known as O'Driscol O'Neill). Arachas offer a number of plans tailored to non-EEA international students. This can be purchased through TransferMate. 

Accommodation at University of Limerick is the best student accommodation choice for students. Living in residence offers you an opportunity to enjoy your time at university to the full. The campus at UL offers amenities, which are among the best in the country and compare well with many worldwide renowned universities.

When you live in our accommodation, you will have your own private study bedroom equipped with a good size study desk and free access to high-speed internet via the UL wired network. All accommodation offers a private bedroom with shared living space and kitchen. Some of our apartment style residences offer en suite. All villages are equipped with a full set of inventory. From pots, pans, pillows and duvets to a TV in the living room, we will have thought of all the essentials so that you do not have to go to additional expense.

You should apply online for accommodation as soon as you receive your offer to study at UL. Please do not delay in booking accommodation. 

You will need your ID number in order to do so. This can be found on the top left-hand corner of your offer letter. Applications are made through the Accommodation Office.

Accommodation on campus should be booked using this accommodation link. Your UL Student ID number will be needed to apply online. This is the Application Number on the top left-hand corner of the offer letter above. Any queries you have relating to accommodation should be directed to accommodation@ul.ie 

On-campus accommodation is in apartment style housing in one of the 8 campus villages or off campus rented accommodation close to the University. All eight 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.

We provide a wide range of services to Study Abroad students. The Study Abroad team can help you with any queries you may have while studying in Ireland. If you wish to talk to our team, you can email us at study.abroad@ul.ie and we can set up a meeting with you.

Staying well, both physically and mentally, is a critical part of successful student life. At UL, we have a number of supports available to you such as our Buddy Programme, Counselling, Disability Services, Chaplaincy, First Seven Weeks, UL Student Life and many more. If you want to find out more details on the student support services, see here

UL has five Learning Centres specific to different disciplines, which are available for students to access. These are the Science Learning Centre, Mathematics Learning Centre, Information and Communications Technologies Centre, Regional Writing Centre, and the Peer Supported Learning Centre (PSLC) for Electronic and Computer Engineering. You can find more information on these centres here

We organise a number of events for students during the year. The Global Engagement team offer many events in The Globe.

The UL Global Student Ambassador Programme allows current international students at UL to connect and share their UL experience with prospective students by sharing blogs about all the different aspects of your time here in UL.

Student Ambassadors can also take over the UL Global Official Instagram page, which allows prospective and current students to get a real hands-on look into the life of a UL student.
 
International Student Ambassadors are given the unique opportunity to help students with their burning questions about life in UL, as well as showing and telling students what life in UL is all about. If you’re interested in becoming a part of the UL Global Ambassador Programme, see here

The Buddy Programme is a great opportunity to meet domestic UL students and get insider tips! You will be matched with a UL buddy who has similar interests. Your buddy will contact you via email a few weeks before your arrival to introduce themselves. Here you can ask any pre-arrival questions you may have. 

Once you arrive, your buddy will meet you and share advice on settling into UL. Throughout the semester, your buddy will collect tickets for events for you and be available as a support when you need. At our free buddy programme events you will have the chance to meet a wider network of other UL students and new international students just like you. 

You can find more information on how to apply to the Buddy Programme here

Please email the Study Abroad team at study.abroad@ul.ie and we will be able to advise you. Depending on the letter, you may be able to automatically download this from your Student Portal.

You can find our Study Abroad brochure here which gives you an insight into the University of Limerick and the UL Study Abroad Programme. 

Here you will find a link to our Budget Planner for 2026/27 - 2027/28. This will help you plan for the cost of living in Ireland. Note: All fees are subject to change

Our Limerick City Student Guide is a very useful document to have while studying at the University of Limerick. This contains information on the top student hotspots in Limerick for food and nightlife, Limericks location in Ireland, bus services and things to see and do in Limerick.

Check out our UL Global YouTube page where you can find videos of international students describing their experience of studying at UL such as the one linked here.

Policy on Refund of Tuition Fees

The University accepts no obligation to refund any fee or part or any fee, paid in respect of any programme.  However, in the following circumstances the University may consider a partial refund of the fee paid.

Payment of Tuition Fees following enrolment at the University of Limerick:

If a student leaves the university within 3 weeks from the commencement of the course of study, 50% of tuition fees may be refunded.

• No tuition fee refund will be issued after 3 weeks.