Postgraduate Non-EU Students: How Do I Apply to Masters by Research and PhD's?
Application Procedure for Postgraduate Research Masters and PhD
Application Procedure:
- Contact the relevant department with your research proposal to identify a proposed supervisor. Once you have established a supervisor and you have discussed your proposed research area, you can apply online through PAC at http://www.pac.ie/
- For more information on the Academic Departments in University College Cork and particular research interests, please browse the UCC academic web pages at http://www.ucc.ie/acad
- Apply online through PAC at http://www.pac.ie/
- Include an application fee of Euro 45 (non-refundable) payable by Bank Draft, Postal Order or Credit Card - Laser and Visa accepted.
- Certified true copies of all relevant supporting documentation must be posted to the Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway, Ireland
Important: Please ensure you mark all documents sent to PAC in Galway with your PAC number
Please note:
- Applications for research programmes are accepted throughout the year
- There are 4 start dates - October, January, April and July
- Please ensure that your application is made at least 8 weeks prior to your preferred start date
Required Supporting Documentation
You must submit Original or Certified True Copies of the following documentation:
- Academic transcripts of your academic career to date from the Registrar of your University(s) including your final degree results.
- The proof of conferring of the degree (parchment/official statement from your University confirming the conferral date and your degree).
- For other academic/professional non-degree qualifications, please forward proof of award of the qualification and official results, if applicable.
- Reports/Letters from two academic referees indicating your potential for postgraduate study.
- Birth Certificate, Passport and Residence Permit* (* Necessary if you are resident in an EU state).
- Evidence of name change if necessary (marriage certificate, passport, deed poll entry etc.)
- IELTS or TOEFL score for applicants whose first language is not English. Language School Certificates are not accepted.
- Official documentary evidence of financial support OR funding. If the proposed funding is from private sources please submit an original Bank Statement (with account balances and the equivalent amount in Euros) or such evidence as would indicate that they will be in a position to meet the anticipated expenditure.
- Official translation to English of the original documentation of applicants whose documentation is not in English.
- Research proposal - (a typed research proposal of 1,500 words approx.) in the case of the research programmes offered through the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Law and Medicine
If you are unable to provide any of the documentation listed above at the time of application, please email ieoapplications@ucc.ie advising us when you expect to forward it. Outstanding documentation should be forwarded to Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway, Ireland immediately when available.
Please note: Conditional offers will be sent to successful applicants who have not yet completed their studies. Conditional Offers are not acceptable for the issuing of visas.
English Language Requirements
All applicants whose first language is not English are required to sit either an IELTS or TOEFL test.
English Language Requirements for Postgraduate Degree Programmes:
- College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences: IELTS 6.5
- College of Business and Law: Business IELTS 6.5 and Law IELTS 6.5
- College of Science, Engineering and Food Science: IELTS 6
- College of Medicine and Health: IELTS 6.5
With no individual section lower than 5.5
Language Centre UCC
For more information on the English courses which are offered at the Language Centre EFL, please follow the link below:
Closing Date
Research programmes (Masters & PhD)
There is no specific closing date for applications for Research Masters and PhD’s as there are 4 start dates throughout the year - October, January, April and July.
You should therefore apply at least 3-6 months prior to the commencement date to allow for your application to be processed.
Processing of Application
Acknowledgement:
The International Education Office will send an e-mail to the applicant to acknowledge the receipt of the application within 5 working days.
Registration, Verification and Decision:
- Applications are registered and all supporting documents are verified in chronological order. Incomplete applications will not be processed
- All applications go through three different stages of approval.
- Department
- College/Faculty
- AC Graduate Studies Committee - for noting
- A decision will be made on individual assessment of each application. The International Education Office will send a Letter of Acceptance or Conditional Letter of Acceptance to successful applicants
Prospective students are advised to complete their applications at least 3-6 months in advance of their desired start date.
Letter of Acceptance:
A Letter of Acceptance is an important document which should kept for immigration purposes, registration at UCC and throughout the duration of your study. This letter is also important for applicants from a visa requiring country for visa application purposes.
Conditional Letter of Acceptance:
A Conditional Letter of Acceptance contains one or more conditions which need to be met by the applicant, for example: providing final results, a higher IELTS/TOEFL score, etc. A Letter of Acceptance will then be issued once you fulfil the condition(s) of the offer.
It is important to note that a Conditional Letter of Acceptance will not be accepted when applying for a visa, therefore you will need to obtain a Letter of Acceptance prior to beginning your visa application.
What is next?
The following documents will be sent together with your Letter of Acceptance:
- Payment Details
- Checklist detailing the steps you need to take prior to arrival and registration at UCC
- Student Visa Requirements Information (This only applies to visa requiring students)
- Information Booklet for International Full Degree Students
The following will be sent with the Conditional Letter of Acceptance:
- Form One (on which you indicate whether you are accepting or refusing your place at UCC)
- Checklist detailing the steps you need to take to obtain a Letter of Acceptance
- Student Visa Requirements Information (This only applies to visa requiring students)
- Information Booklet for International Full Degree Students
Important: Please make sure that your contact details are correct in the application form.
Please note that if an application is received from a UCC Partner / Agent then all the correspondence will be sent to the UCC Partner / Agent.
Applicants from China and India can apply through UCC’s Partners/Agents in: China and India
Should you use this entry route to UCC please note that:
- All correspondence from UCC will be sent to the UCC Partner / Agent
- Any queries should be forwarded to the UCC Partner / Agent
- Application forms can be obtained from UCC Partner / Agent
