Irish Universities?

[Middersweekly]

Is anyone else’s DC planning on applying to an Irish university or has anyone been to an Irish university/college? We live in the EU not UK so technically an EU university would be better from a finance point of view. There seems to be some good universities in Dublin such has Trinity College. Would love to hear people’s experiences.

One massive difference between the Dublin universities for general courses is the number of students living at home. Courses that are only available in one or two universities will have a mix but the more generic courses like Arts, Law, Business, Science will have a much higher percentage of students who live at home than the universities in other cities. That can make a big difference socially.

Also Dublin is very expensive for accommodation. However, the real issue is availability. It's really, really hard to get accommodation. Ds went to UCD and it was a nightmare. First year isn't so bad as a lot of the on-campus accommodation is reserved for them and international students (EU doesn't count as international).

I would definitely look at some of the other universities. Cork and Galway are both very good. I'm not familiar with Law in Limerick but it is generally a good University.

@Needmoresleep - The solution was to apply to Ireland as well, then defer the place. If the girl failed her first year in France she could then start again in Ireland where the expectation is that once accepted you will graduate.

Deferring a course is not easy in Ireland. Very few deferrals are awarded and only for exceptional reasons. I would be very surprised if she had been awarded a deferral, unless some serious lying was done.

@Needmoresleep

Ahh. Perhaps the mum was not as clever as she thought she was. Though technically the DD had already been accepted for her Irish deferred place, as she had not failed elsewhere at that point.

Taking up another university place elsewhere in the same academic year immediately forfeits the deferred place. Universities will check if a student has previously started a course elsewhere as it affects the fees paid.

I would not be surprised if there were serious lying. I also suspect it would be difficult for an Irish University to check whether an EU applicant had started a course in another country. And the girl did then pass her first year in France so there was not a problem.

To a large extent medicine is different. Other routes include finding overseas Universities who offer clinical training in Ireland, which is what my Asian friend's son did. The RSCI and UCD even have a campus in Malaysia and grant Irish degrees there.

Yes. Medicine is heavily reliant on the international market. RCSI is predominantly international students. All the other universities have approximately 50% places allocated for overseas students.

@Needmoresleep

I would not be surprised if there were serious lying. I also suspect it would be difficult for an Irish University to check whether an EU applicant had started a course in another country. And the girl did then pass her first year in France so there was not a problem.

To a large extent medicine is different. Other routes include finding overseas Universities who offer clinical training in Ireland, which is what my Asian friend's son did. The RSCI and UCD even have a campus in Malaysia and grant Irish degrees there.

As police vetting is also required, a false declaration would be a criminal offence and would have serious consequences.

Yes but she was not enrolled in any university at the time she was made an offer by an Irish university which she then deferred. So no false declaration.

I too thought it was morally a bit wrong. However international applicants often have no links or loyalties to the country (often countries) they are applying to. They simply want the best ‘deal’ in terms of course, university reputation, fees etc.

@Middersweekly I haven't read the fully thread yet, but I wouldn't personally automatically assume Trinity is the best fit. Look at the courses of interest and select a uni from there rather than selecting a uni first. If cost is a consideration, look at the Universities outside of Dublin as accomodation costs will be lower. Limerick, Galway and Cork all have universities. Sligo, Waterford, Athlone, Dundalk and some other places also have third level institute that offer degree courses.

Some universities have better reps in particular subject areas rather than an overall all reputation - if that makes sense.

Can I ask a question here, hijacking a bit but many of you such as @DramaAlpaca and @EarringsandLipstick seem clued in because your children have been through this already and it's all still ahead of me.
If you live in south dublin and your child is applying to Maynooth as a 3rd choice, if she doesn't get in to ucd or trinity, would she be eligible for a grant towards accommodation in maynooth? I think it'd be a good experience, but can I afford this! i hate having to say whoah slow down there when she feels charged with excitement and I'm thinking eeeeek how much is this.

I mean not as a third choice on the CAO, not sure of the courses she's going to put down in what order yet, but it's her third favourite location.

@ Needmoresleep

Yes but she was not enrolled in any university at the time she was made an offer by an Irish university which she then deferred. So no false declaration.

If she got a deferral but was capable of enrolling in a French university, there was definitely a false declaration. You can only get a deferral in extenuating circumstances.

Although there is a bus to maynooth 67x from outside ucd. I know it wouldn't be impossible to get to Maynooth.

@MuserOwl - grants are based on parental income so if she would be entitled to a grant in Trinity or UCD, she'd be entitled to one in Maynooth. The amount depends on how far you live from the university. Less than 45km, and it's assumed she is commuting and she'd get the lower rate. More than 45km and she'd get the higher rate towards accommodation. susi.ie/adjacency/

It is less than 45k apparently!

I'm a single parent on 28k roughly. No rent or mortgage though. Their Dad pays maintenance but sporadically and less than the court ordered amount so it's annoying, I have less money than I have on paper.

So sounds life she'd get the rate that assumes she's commuting. We live less than 45km from the university my dd attends too. She did move out but she's paying the accommodation herself. She's been working part-time since TY so had money saved. Any way your dd could do similar? You didn't say what year she is in.

Thanks for that susi link
I looked at it last year but I need to really familiarise myself with it now.

I think they ask for the last six months' bank statements when the time comes.

My DD is in 6th year. She has money in her CU but only about 2k, she'll need that for spending money I think.
I have time! I think you cannot apply for a susi grant until after your child has an offer (which makes sense)

@MuserOwl - My DD is in 6th year. She has money in her CU but only about 2k, she'll need that for spending money I think.

My youngest is in 6th year too. Their year have really suffered most with lockdown etc.

2k won't get her very far with accommodation. There will be plenty of kids commuting to Maynooth but I'd say she'd be better going to a Dublin university if she's going to be living at home. From a social perspective, she would be better off.

I went to Galway for my undergrad. The rain oh my goodness the rain! It didn't stop from October-May! I'm from the east of Ireland and didn't think twice about the weather in the west before college but it is so much wetter there. If your DC isn't used to rain it might be too miserable for them. It is great craic though!

I did my masters in UCD and really liked my course. The leisure centre is excellent as well. There isn't as much of a student feel about Dublin as Galway.

Yeh, I know, I am hoping she can eke out that 2k for spending money and get in to ucd or trinity. Ideally!
If money were no object I'd send her to Galway. She wants the whole student experience which is influenced by what she's seen in american films! eg Pitch Perfect.

Cold, damp flat is not quite the same as Pitch Perfect

She'd be in for a shock!
American films have a lot to answer for.

Lol Shayisgreat! DD is literally the palest person in Spain and loathes the heat so I think she would fit right in in Galway 🤣

My suggestion is to make them watch The Young Ones

@SeasonFinale