In the Netherlands, only 10% of their undergraduate degree programmes have a selection procedure. For the rest, you have a right to a place on a programme, if you obtain their minimum entry requirements.

In the Dutch system, there are both Research Universities (several of which are higher-ranked than all of our own universities), which offer a more traditional text-book based education, and the more hands-on Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS).

Most of the programmes in the Research Universities have a 1st May application deadline (and a few even later) and most of those in the UAS have a deadline of 1st August (though some close earlier!).

Those programmes with a selection procedure had a deadline of 15th January, so it is too late to apply to programmes such as Psychology, However, note that some of the Research Universities offer a US-inspired Liberal Arts & Sciences programme where, after a general first year, you can major in the subject of your choice (such as Psychology). Despite having a selection procedure, some of those programmes are still open for applications.

The city of Groningen which has a large population of Irish students, both at
the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

So, there are programmes available in a wide range of areas, including:

- Business
- Fine Art
- Design
- Media
- Physiotherapy
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Science/Life Sciences
- Physics
- Maths
- Computer Science/IT
- Politics
- Languages
- Sports Studies

and many more

Because there is no selection, the Leaving Cert  points required are very modest. There is also very generous Student Finance available from the Dutch government.

Contact EUNICAS to discuss which programmes suit you.

(Note: There are also many programmes available in Italy in subjects such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Engineering and Business)

More and more Irish students, faced with the points mountain at home, have become aware of the opportunities to study health sciences, through English, in Continental Europe and are going to Italy, Poland, Spain and elsewhere to qualify in their chosen profession with qualifications recognised in Ireland. Importantly, Leaving Cert points are largely irrelevant in securing places on these programmes.

So, if you want to be a doctor, a dentist or a vet come to this event and discover your options, including entry requirements, costs and accommodation.

Some of the universities, which represent the top choices of Irish students who have already travelled to study, will be making presentations and are available to meet. It is quite likely that, well before the stressful months of the Leaving Cert endgame, you will have secured a place at one of these universities.

Remember, high Leaving Cert points are a poor predictor of success as a Doctor or a Vet! here 

Register for this free event here

U. Pavia

Applications Open in the Netherlands on 1st October

Applications open this weekend for students looking to join undergraduate programmes in Dutch universities for the 2024/25 academic year.

For almost all programmes,, you have the same chance of getting a place, if you apply of first day of applications period or last day. It is a long application period so for those Leaving Certificate and A-Level students panicking about submitting their application on time, deadlines are fairly distant.

For those programmes with a selection procedure (only some 10% of programmes), applications close on 15th January. For most other programmes in the Research Universities, the deadline is 1st May and, in the Universities of Applied Sciences the deadline is 1st August,

There are a few exceptions to the deadlines, some earlier and some later, You should check for these on the relevant programme profile.

When students first apply, they will need a copy of their passport (which must be current so if it isn't, apply now to get it renewed. As the application processes, there will other documents that you need to provide. EUNICAS details these in the step-by-step Application Guidelines you will receive, when you submit your Pre-Application Form. We will also advise you on the number of courses you can apply to, whether you meet the entry requirements and other important considerations.

There is still time to apply to the following programmes, for entry Sep/Oct 2023 (with application deadlines in brackets). Fees vary

Biosciences

U. Camerino ITA (05 Nov)

JKU Linz AUS (05 Sep)

Dentistry

U. Siena ITA (29 Sep)

MU Wroclaw POL (08 Sep)

Humanities/Classics

U. Rome La Sapienza ITA  (28 Oct)

International Studies/Global Humanities

U. Rome La Sapienza ITA  (31 Oct)

Medicine

U. Bologna ITA (29 Sep)

U. Milan ITA (29 Sep)

U. Padua ITA (29 Sep)

U. Pavia ITA (29 Sep)

(nine other public universities in Italy)

MU Wroclaw POL (08 Sep)

NCU Bydgoszcz POL (08 Sep)

Pharmacy

U. Rome ‘Tor Vergata’ (04 Sep)

Physiotherapy

U. St Camillus ITA (02 Oct)

Vincent Pol U POL (15 Sep)

Psychology

U. Nicosia CYP (01 Sep)

Politics

U. Milan ITA (05 Sep)

Radiology/Radiotherapy

U. St Camillus ITA (02 Oct)

Veterinary Medicine

Wroclaw UELS POL (17 Sep)

There are also some programmes in Austria, Finland, Germany & Netherlands that have a second alternative start date, in February.(in addition to entry in September). Check with EUNIICAS if there is a programme available in an area of interest to you.

-One of the differences between studying Engineering in Ireland and in mainland Europe is that, at home, we often have the opportunity to do a Common Engineering first year, before specialising in a particular area of Engineering from second year. This is not generally available in Europe. However, at the impressive Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen there is a structure that is half-way there.

For example, you can opt for a broad first year in their Electronics programme, then choose your specialization: Mechatronics, Sensor Technology, Electronics or Mechanical Engineering. Note also that, after a successful first year in a University of Applied Sciences (UAS), students can transfer to Engineering degrees in other areas at Research Universities.

Remember though that the Research Universities are much more text-book based than the highly practical UAS. Hanze UAS offers lots of hours in labs, workshops, visiting companies and building sites. It also has a Makerspace where you can access 3D printers, metal-working and wood-working machinery etc, at all times of the day (and free to use for everyone!). There are also two engineering internships as part of the Hanze programme. Often the company in which you did one of your internships becomes your employer, after your graduate. The engineering programmes at Hanze have a very good graduate employment rate.


Students design their own racing car and enter it for competitions

So, if you want to study on one of the top Engineering programmes in Europe, a programme that is very-hands on and practical, studying in a city which boast a high number of Irish students, in a country with a reputation for high quality and creative engineering, Hanze is the place for you!

(and, remember, your Leaving Cert points are irrelevant!)

See programmes here: https://www.hanze.nl/en/programmes?facet_level=bachelor&facet_fieldsofinterest=70f9d0fb-1668-4e82-9066-18a7081798b6&facet_languages=en