How many backlogs or attempts are considered by universities when evaluating my application in Ireland/New Zealand?

Both Ireland and New Zealand look closely at your backlog history, but how strict they are depends heavily on the tier of institution you are targeting. The one rule that holds everywhere is that active backlogs, subjects you have not yet cleared, are an automatic dealbreaker, while cleared backlogs are judged on a sliding scale. Here is how each country's tiers typically evaluate your file.

Backlog Tolerance by Institution Tier

What Matters Beyond the Raw Number

• Universities typically count each failed subject once as a backlog, not every attempt, so failing math twice and clearing it on the third try is usually logged as one backlog with three attempts.
• A backlog in a subject core to your intended Master's, like programming for a Computer Science applicant, weighs more heavily than one in an unrelated elective.
• Both countries and their visa officers typically ask for an official Backlog Certificate detailing your history, and hiding a backlog is treated as misrepresentation.
• A rough first year followed by a clear upward trend in your final semesters is usually looked at favourably by admissions committees.

My Advice

Request your official Backlog Certificate from your college early, since it takes time to process and you will need it regardless of which university tier you target. If your backlog count sits above what your target university typically accepts, apply to a mid tier or private institution in the same country instead of gambling on a top tier reach, and use your statement of purpose to show your upward academic trend clearly.