A Degree Student
- You must show you are progressing academically and passing exams to advance to the next year of the programme.
- You must provide proof of full-payment of courses to the higher education institution.
- You can't avail of any State Benefits.
- You can only stay in Ireland for a maximum of seven years.
- You can't move from a degree programme to the language and non-degree programme.
- Students must show a letter of renewal to prove they have maintained private medical insurance.
What is a Degree Programme?
The Degree Programme refers to full-time, day-time academic courses leading to major awards as outlined below at or above Level 7 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
There are six types of major award available in Ireland at these levels:
- NFQ Level 7 = Ordinary Bachelor Degree (3 years duration).
- NFQ Level 8 = Honours Bachelor Degree (3-4 years duration).
- NFQ Level 8 = Higher Diploma (1 year duration).
- NFQ Level 9 = Postgraduate Diploma (1 year duration).
- NFQ Level 9 = Masters Degree (1-2 years duration).
- NFQ Level 10 = Doctoral Degree (approximately 4 years duration).
Degree programme courses are those that lead to any of the awards below:
- Ordinary Bachelor Degree.
- Honours Bachelor Degree.
- Higher Diploma (after completion of an Honours Bachelor Degree).
- Postgraduate Diploma (after completion of an Honours Bachelor Degree).
- Masters Degree.
- Doctoral degree.
Certain ‘awards’ offered by international universities which satisfy the above definition will also be regarded as Degree Programme courses.
Refund Policy
Students who have paid some or all of their fees to a college and are then refused a visa will be refunded the cost of the course. They must provide documented evidence of this refusal. Any charge or percentage charge deducted from fees by the college for administration purposes must be clearly stated in its refund policy.
Frequently asked questions about student visas