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Does Ireland only offer a September intake for public universities and how early should I apply for a Postgraduate?

04 Sept 2026 · Answered by Mohit Tanna · 2 min read
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No, September is not Ireland's only intake, since some universities also run a smaller January or February intake with limited courses. For the main September intake, applications open around October, so aim to apply between October and December since popular courses fill up on a rolling basis.

Mohit Tanna
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No, September is not Ireland's only intake, since several universities also run a smaller January or February intake for select postgraduate programs, though course choice is far more limited then. For the main September intake, applications typically open around October, roughly 10 to 11 months ahead, and you should aim to apply between October and December since popular postgraduate courses fill up on a rolling basis.

Ireland Postgraduate Intake and Application Timeline

DetailTiming
Primary IntakeSeptember, with the widest course selection
Secondary IntakeJanuary/February, limited course availability
Applications OpenAround October, about 10 to 11 months before September intake
Recommended Apply-By WindowOctober to December for rolling-admission courses

Why Applying Early Matters

  • Many postgraduate courses use rolling admissions and close once capacity is reached
  • Competitive fields like Computer Science, Data Analytics, and Business fill up fastest
  • Some programs stay open until May, June, or July, but do not count on it
  • Check individual university portals like Trinity, UCD, or UCC for exact deadlines

My Advice

Do not wait until spring to apply for a September intake. Get your application in between October and December, especially if you are targeting Computer Science, Data Analytics, or Business, since those courses at Trinity, UCD, and UCC routinely close months before the official deadline.

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