Studying in the UK is still an option, even post-Brexit!
If you have any questions about Studying in UK, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.
Applying to College in UK
You apply through the UCAS system. If you haven’t applied by 30th June 2021, it’s not too late. From 5 July – 19 October 2021, you can apply for a course using Clearing. Clearing is how Universities and Colleges fill any places they still have on their courses.
Ucas, have agreed to move its deadline for accepting offers from Irish students until September 7th to accommodate the new Leaving Cert. results date.
While the Dept. of Education normally forward Leaving Certificate results to UCAS, it is advisable to contact your University/ College directly to confirm they have received your results – quoting your UCAS reference number and the relevant course. Successful applicants in receipt of conditional offers will receive confirmation of offers to which they should respond immediately. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a Clearing Entry Form (see below).
Clearing Process (Available places)
Clearing vacancies will be listed on http://www.ucas.com. The search tool on the clearing area of the site allows you to look for available courses by subject, city or university. Identify the course(s) you are interested. Make sure you research the details such as the course content, course duration, what qualification you will receive and also the grades you need in your Leaving Cert to apply.
Before you add a Clearing choice in Track, you need to call the University and give them your Clearing number (you can find this in Track), and Personal ID, so they can look up your application. Get informal offers over the phone – maybe from a variety of universities and colleges – then decide which one you want to accept. Only add a Clearing choice once you have permission from the university or college. Full details on Clearing Process here.
Tuition Fees/ College Grants
Applicants are liable to pay tuition fees .
England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Since 2012-2013 universities and colleges can charge new students up to £9,000 sterling a year for undergraduate courses. You can apply for a tuition fee loan which you only have to repay after you have graduated and are earning over £21,000 sterling a year. However, you are not entitled to maintenance support in the same way as home students. If you are an EU national who has been settled in the UK for over 3 years you will be classed as a home student and will be able to apply for financial support for living costs.
Scotland: Scottish students and EU students who start their first full-time degree course in Scotland do not pay fees as long as they meet the relevant residence criteria (pdf).
SUSI Grant
Depending on your income you may be eligible for a maintenance grant under the Irish Student Grant Scheme (www.susi.ie) but this does not include funding for tuition fees. SUSI is accepting applications in the usual way from Irish students intending to study approved courses in the UK and from UK students intending to study in Ireland, as they can continue to avail of student grants if eligible. Brexit will not affect the grants available to eligible students. Students from Ireland will continue to be able to study in the UK and students from the UK will be able to study in Ireland with grant rules continuing to apply in the normal way.