Ireland

Eligible students from Ireland still pay the same fees as UK students at USW.

We have three vibrant campuses around the capital city of Wales; Cardiff. Here, you can enjoy a high standard of living at a low cost. You’ll be surrounded by the best of South Wales’ cities, coast and countryside, and we’re only 2 hours from London via train. Most of our 500 + courses are recognised or accredited by professional organisations and are all taught with employability in mind. That’s why 96% of USW graduates are in Employment and/or Further Study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22).

Everything you need to know

Due to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement between Ireland and the UK, Irish citizens enjoy a right of residence in the UK that is not reliant on the UK’s membership of the EU.

Irish citizens, resident in the Republic of Ireland, the UK and/or Islands for three years or more, who intend to study in Wales for the academic year 2023/24 will be eligible to pay the same tuition fees as Welsh students and are eligible to receive tuition fee loans from Student Finance Wales subject to existing eligibility criteria. However, unless they have lived in the UK and/or the Islands for three years before the start of the course they will not be eligible for maintenance support.

The CTA involving Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man facilitates the ability of Irish and British citizens to move freely within the CTA. Flowing from this right to move freely are associated reciprocal rights and privileges that are enjoyed daily by British citizens in Ireland, and Irish citizens in the UK. These include access to all levels of education, healthcare, employment and social benefits on the same basis as citizens of the other State.

This means that Irish citizens do not need to apply for status under the EU Settlement scheme. Nonetheless, Irish citizens can make an application under the scheme, should they wish to do so. All Irish citizens are exempt from immigration control as per the immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020.

Foundation Years are available to students who don't meet the academic requirements for entry directly onto year 1 of a Bachelor degree.

English Qualifications

We consider grade B3 or above at Ordinary level or grade C3 or above at Honours level for undergraduate awards

Academic Qualifications

Irish Leaving Certificate – we will accept the UCAS tariff points from the equivalent Leaving Cert results, with a minimum of four Honours/Higher level subjects. Please visit the UCAS website for more information on UCAS tariff in relation to the Irish Leaving Certificate.
We also accept the QQI or FETAC awards with a minimum level 5 certificate in a relevant subject area. For Nursing applications, we would require a minimum of 6 distinctions and 2 merits. For all other courses, we require 5 distinctions and 3 merits.
Students who are interested in applying for one of our Nursing or Midwifery courses, click here for lots of helpful information including preparing to apply, making your application, entry requirements, understanding how your application is processed and preparing for the next stage in the application process.

English Qualifications

We consider grade B3 or above at Ordinary level or grade C3 or above at Honours level for postgraduate awards

Academic Qualifications

A good Bachelor Honours degree.

Please contact us with any questions you may have about studying and applying to the University of South Wales.

Sera Evans, Head of Recruitment
Tel: +44 (0)1443 6 54408
Email: [email protected]
Address: USW International, University of South Wales, Llantwit Rd, Treforest, South Wales, CF37 1DL