Admissions Process for International Students
In order to apply for your desired programme, you will need to provide the following documentation to accompany your online application form:
- Original or certified copy of birth certificate or passport
- Original or certified copy of residence permit* (*only if you are resident in an EU state).
- Original or certified copy of school leaving examination certificate OR high school transcripts- including forecast results if final results are not available.
- Original or certified copy of full academic transcript(s) of any third-level studies and proof of the final degree.
- Original or certified copy of IELTS or TOEFL scores for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Original or certified copy of the official translation to English.
February 2026 Enrolment Deadlines
Classes for February 2026 intake commence the week of 23rd February, late enrolments will be accepted up to the 6th of March 2026.
An early deadline will apply by December 12th 2025 for students needing an entry visa for Ireland to allow time for visa application pre-course commencement.
Students requiring an entry visa in advance of entering Ireland for their programme must meet the following deadlines to allow time to account for the full visa process.
Relevant information and a list of countries deemed non prior-visa required is available via the link here: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving-country/visas-for-ireland/visa-requirements-for-entering-ireland/
Please be aware that the above early deadlines do NOT apply to students from one of the listed countries, but who are already in Ireland under a valid visa.
All student enrolments for our September 2025 intake must be entirely completed, and the students attending class by Monday, September 15th 2025 at the latest.
All student enrolments for our February 2026 intake must be entirely completed, and the students attending class by Monday, March 9th 2026 at the latest.
English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not English may be required to sit either an IELTS or TOEFL test (or equivalent) at Independent College. Students applying for a Level 8 programme at the College are required to have achieved the equivalent of the IELTS 6.0 and Level 9 applicants should have the equivalent of an IELTS 6.5.
ALL English language qualifications must be dated within 2 years of the chosen intake start date.
An English language certificate from an accredited English language school would also be accepted as confirmation of English level, provided that the certificate:
- Has been issued within 12 months of the chosen intake start date AND
- Specifies the student’s level achieved as being Advanced (C1) or Proficient (C2)
Please note that attendance letters are not accepted as confirmation of language level.
English Language Policy Statement
The College classifies applicants into the following three categories depending on their English language levels:
Category 1: Direct Entry
Applicants in this category provide official certification of their attainment of the English language level requirement for the programme, either in their application or in advance of programme commencement. Subject to verification of the qualification by the College, these learners are eligible to join their programme directly, without any requirement to attend supplementary English language classes or to provide evidence of further advancing their English language level.
Category 2: Supported Entry
These applicants provide official certification of their attainment of an English language level at the nearest grade immediately below that specified for the programme in their application (for example a grade of 6 on IELTS rather than 6.5). These learners can avail of the College’s 4-week Pre-Sessional English programme or any other English language programme with the associated fee and levels. Participants who successfully complete the pre-sessional programme with the minimum required score for their programme will advance to a required interview for the Independent College admissions process. Learners must have a minimum attendance percentage of 80% to progress and must participate actively in classes to be marked present. On successful completion of their course, participants will also receive a certificate of completion with their achieved English language score. It is also possible for confirmed Independent College learners to elect to join as well, for the purpose of refreshing their academic English skills prior to commencing their programme. The pre-sessional programme is designed solely for the purposes of applicants preparing for Independent College academic programmes and is not available to outside applicants.
Category Three: Deferred Entry
Applicants whose English language level is below that required for either direct or supported entry are invited to undertake English language programmes, either with a partner provider of the College or with another provider by paying the associated fees. These learners are not eligible to undertake any part of the College’s higher education programmes until they meet the English language requirements stipulated for Category 1 or Category 2 learners. Deferred Entry learners enrolling on full-time English language programmes with the College with a view to subsequently progressing onto Higher Education programmes in the College can undertake the International Pathway with the College’s partnership with On Campus Ireland, an approved pathway programme (International Foundation Programme) for international learners who do not meet direct entry requirements to Independent College. This is an Irish Government, QQI-accredited, pathway with guaranteed progression, subject to learners meeting admission requirements, to Independent College’s undergraduate programmes. The foundation programme enables participants to learn essential English language skills, develop required subject knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of Irish culture in preparation for academic life at Independent College.
Interview Process
Individual interviews are a mandatory step for all those applying to programmes at Level 9 Postgraduate Level.
For those applying for BA programmes an interview maybe requested if deemed necessary by the College on a case-by-case basis. The necessity of such invitations to interview will be determined in line with academic standards for the programme in question.
Protection of Enrolled Learners
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 requires that all programmes of 3 months or more in duration have in place arrangements for the Protection of Enrolled Learners to ensure learners have the opportunity to complete their programme of study. Independent College has learner protection arrangements in place with respect to enrolled learners on all QQI-validated courses and have put in place this arrangement through a partnership with the insurance company Arachas. Details of which are available from our Admissions team.
Health Insurance
Proof of Medical Insurance – Travel Insurance will not be accepted. The Health Insurance costs €130 for one year coverage, with the insurance provider Guard.Me. Insurance payment can be made to the College account; please add your student number and “Health Insurance” as a reference. Please note that once your payment is confirmed, you will be sent a form to confirm the details required for your medical insurance. Upon completion of this form, we will request your insurance through the Guard.Me platform, which typically takes up to 48 hours for the insurance company to send the policy document. Please allow at least 7 days to get everything done.
Contact:
Our Admissions team can be contacted during business hours at this number (WhatsApp) directly +353892037699
Direct students can contact Catherine Bertrand at email info@independentcollege.ie for aid in the application process.
For queries related to existing applications, please email our Admissions team (contact – Tuba Shaikh) at email admissions@independentcollege.ie