Quick answer
Ireland has two intakes for Nepali students: the main September intake, with almost every programme and most scholarships, and a smaller January or February intake, mostly in business, computing and management. For September, take IELTS or PTE in Kathmandu by January, apply between November and March, and apply for the study visa through AVATS in May or June.
- Many Irish masters programmes use rolling admissions and close when full, sometimes months before the published deadline.
- For a September start, get the MoEST NOC and pay the deposit between January and April.
- Dashain and Tihar (usually October to November) can delay transcripts, bank letters and the NOC in Nepal.
- For a January start, shortlist programmes and take your English test between May and July.
- Stay-back entitlement is the same for both intakes, but a January start finishes outside the main graduate recruitment season.
Ireland has two intakes: the main September intake and a smaller January (or February) intake. Nepali students should choose September if they can. Whichever you pick, start early, because offers, scholarships, the visa decision from New Delhi and housing all run on the calendar.
September intake
Almost every programme starts in September, most scholarships are tied to it, and you join the full cohort, which helps with friendships, societies and graduate recruitment cycles. The downside is competition: popular programmes and student accommodation fill early.
January intake
A smaller number of programmes, mostly in business, computing and management and more often at technological universities and private colleges, start in January or February. It suits students who missed September, are waiting for results, or need more time for funds. Expect fewer course options and fewer scholarships.
September vs January compared
| Factor | September intake | January intake |
|---|---|---|
| Course choice | Widest: almost every programme | Limited: mostly business, computing, management |
| Scholarships | Most awards tied to this intake | Fewer awards available |
| Housing search | Very competitive in August and September | Somewhat easier, but stock is still tight |
| Weather on arrival | Mild autumn | Cold, dark and wet winter |
| Class cohort | Full cohort, orientation, societies | Smaller cohort joining mid-year |
| Graduate recruitment timing | Aligns with autumn recruitment cycle | Finish off-cycle |
Timeline for the September intake from Nepal
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October to December (previous year) | Research programmes, shortlist, check entry requirements and fees |
| November to January | Take IELTS or PTE in Kathmandu; prepare SOP, CV, references and transcripts |
| November to March | Submit applications; apply for scholarships alongside |
| January to April | Receive offers, compare, accept; get the MoEST NOC and pay the deposit |
| March to June | Arrange funds or an education loan, medical insurance and accommodation |
| May to July | Apply for the study visa through AVATS and lodge documents for the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi |
| August to September | Fly from Kathmandu, arrive, register for your IRP |
Timeline for the January intake from Nepal
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| May to July | Shortlist January-start programmes and take your English test |
| July to September | Apply and receive offers |
| September to October | Get the MoEST NOC, pay the deposit, arrange funds and insurance |
| October to November | Apply for the study visa |
| Late December to January | Travel and register |
Plan around Nepal's own calendar too: banks, ministries and colleges slow down during Dashain and Tihar (usually October to November), which can delay transcripts, bank letters and the NOC. TU and other university results can also arrive late, so apply with provisional documents where the university allows it.
Worked example: planning backwards from September 2027
To have a visa decision by early August, apply for the visa in May or June. That means your offer, fee payment and medical insurance must be ready by May, so you accept an offer by April. Universities need a few weeks to decide, so apply by February or March, which means English test results in hand by January. Students who start in October or November the year before have the least stress.
Which Nepali students should choose January
- Students whose final TU or other university results arrive too late for September
- Applicants who need a few more months to build a clean six-month bank statement history
- Students whose preferred programme only runs, or also runs, in January
- Applicants refused a September visa who need time to reapply or appeal
How the intake affects your stay-back and job search
A September-start one-year masters usually finishes the following August or September, with results in the autumn, in line with Ireland's main graduate recruitment season. A January start finishes the following winter or spring, which can mean a quieter hiring window when you move onto Stamp 1G. Your stay-back entitlement is the same either way, but plan your job search around the timing.
Common timing mistakes
- Booking IELTS or PTE too late, so results arrive after the programme is full
- Waiting for every offer before accepting any, and losing a place or scholarship
- Leaving funds documentation until after the offer, when the six-month statement history is already too short
- Applying for the visa in late July or August, when processing is busiest
- Arriving in September without temporary accommodation booked
What to do if you miss September
You have three good options: apply for a January programme in the same field; use the extra months to strengthen your profile with work experience, a better English score or a short course; or apply early for the following September with a stronger application and better scholarship chances. Avoid enrolling in a course you do not want just to avoid waiting; a mismatched course makes the visa and the later job search harder.
Whichever intake you choose, put the key dates in one calendar (test date, application and scholarship deadlines, deposit deadline and target visa date) and review it weekly.
See current Irish intakes and open programmes on Admission Bravo and apply free.
Frequently asked questions
What are the intakes in Ireland for Nepali students?
Ireland's main intake is September, with a smaller January or February intake offered by some programmes, mostly in business and computing.
When should Nepali students apply for the September intake in Ireland?
Ideally between November and March before the September start. Many programmes use rolling admissions and fill early, and you need time for the MoEST NOC, fee payment and a visa decided in New Delhi.
Is the January intake in Ireland good?
It is a good option if you missed September or need more time, but there are fewer programmes and scholarships. September is usually the better choice when possible.
How long before the course should I apply for the Irish study visa?
Apply as soon as you have your offer, paid fees and funds ready, ideally about three months before your course begins.
Ready to apply?
Create your free account, compare programmes and apply online - then track every step in one place.
Get started free
