A comprehensive guide for guidance counsellors supporting Irish students applying to UK universities through UCAS. Everything you need for the 2026 application cycle — deadlines, tariff conversions, the new personal statement format, references, and funding.
Central UK undergraduate applications — up to 5 course choices through a single submission.
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the centralised application system for undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges. Irish students can apply to up to 5 courses through a single UCAS application.
Many UK universities guarantee first-year accommodation, which is particularly attractive given Ireland's student housing crisis. Some health science courses don't require HPAT, and competitive programmes may accept slightly lower grades than Irish equivalents.
Irish students benefit from the CTA agreement, paying the same fees as UK students (currently £9,250/year in England) and accessing UK student finance. This protection remains post-Brexit.
Encourage students considering high-points CAO courses (especially medicine and health sciences) to also submit a UCAS application as a backup. Many report reduced stress knowing they have alternative options, and the process encourages early career research.
Contact information, nationality, residency status
Up to 5 courses at different universities
Junior Cert, current LC subjects, predicted grades
Part-time jobs, work experience (if applicable)
NEW 3-question format for 2026 entry
From guidance counsellor or subject teacher
All UCAS deadlines are at 18:00 UK time. Schools should set internal deadlines at least 2 weeks earlier to allow time for reference writing and application review.
UCAS Search tool displays 2026 courses for research
Undergraduate applications open — students can register and start applications
Applications can be submitted to UCAS
Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary applications
No late applications accepted for these courses. Must include all required admissions tests (UCAT, BMAT where applicable).
Equal Consideration Deadline — main deadline for most undergraduate courses
Applications received by this date are guaranteed equal consideration by universities.
UCAS Extra opens — add choices one at a time if holding no offers
Advisory deadline for universities to respond (reintroduced for 2026)
Universities must respond to January applications (reject by default if no response)
Reply deadline for offers received by 13 May
Final deadline for on-time applications. UCAS Extra ends. Applications after this go directly to Clearing.
Clearing opens — for students without offers or applying late
A-Level and Leaving Certificate results. Confirmation of places or Clearing/Adjustment.
Last day to add a Clearing choice
The Irish Leaving Certificate is recognised by UCAS and allocated Tariff points. Universities use these points alongside grade requirements to assess applications. A maximum of 6 subjects can be counted towards the Tariff (equivalent to 4 A-Levels).
Not all universities use Tariff points — some make offers based on specific grades only. Russell Group and highly competitive courses typically specify grade requirements rather than point totals. Always check individual course entry requirements.
| LC Grade | Percentage | CAO Points | UCAS Tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | 90 – 100% | 100 | 62 |
| H2 | 80 – <90% | 88 | 53 |
| H3 | 70 – <80% | 77 | 45 |
| H4 | 60 – <70% | 66 | 37 |
| H5 | 50 – <60% | 56 | 28 |
| H6 | 40 – <50% | 46 | 20 |
| H7 | 30 – <40% | 37 | 12 |
| LC Grade | Percentage | CAO Points | UCAS Tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 | 90 – 100% | 56 | 28 |
| O2 | 80 – <90% | 46 | 20 |
| O3 | 70 – <80% | 37 | 12 |
| O4 | 60 – <70% | 28 | 9 |
| O5 | 50 – <60% | 20 | 6 |
| O6 | 40 – <50% | 12 | 4 |
For reference, here's how common LC combinations compare to A-Level requirements:
Irish students often exceed Tariff requirements but may still need to meet specific subject requirements.
The personal statement format has changed from a single free-text essay to three structured questions. Students answering the old format will need to restructure their work.
Motivation and interest in the subject area
Students should cover:
Key role models or moments that ignited interest. Specific aspects of the subject that fascinate them. How current studies have developed this interest. Future career or academic aims connected to the course.
Academic preparation and subject knowledge
Students should cover:
Relevant subjects and what they've learned. Supercurricular activities (books, podcasts, lectures, online courses). Research or projects undertaken independently. Critical reflection on how they've engaged with material beyond the curriculum.
Personal qualities, experiences, and transferable skills
Students should cover:
Work experience and volunteering (linking skills to course). Personal experiences or responsibilities. Extracurricular activities and achievements. Qualities like resilience, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
UCAS recommends an 80:20 ratio of academic to co-curricular content for most courses. For highly competitive courses (Oxbridge, Medicine), this should be closer to 90:10. The academic substance should always dominate.
Be specific with examples rather than making vague claims. Use the PEEL method (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link). Start early and write multiple drafts. Reflect critically on experiences. Check all 5 course choices have relevant content.
Use clichés like “I've always been passionate about…”. List qualifications already shown elsewhere. Include emojis or overly casual language. Copy content or use AI to write the statement. Submit without thorough proofreading.
UCAS advises that AI tools like ChatGPT can be used for brainstorming, checking grammar, or generating ideas, but the final statement must be entirely the student's own words. Universities use plagiarism detection software that can identify AI-generated content. Authenticity is key.
The academic reference is a crucial component that universities cite as a deciding factor in admissions. It's the only part of the application the student doesn't control, providing context and verification of their academic potential.
References are now structured into three sections with a maximum of 4,000 characters total (including spaces, headings, and line breaks — aim for under 3,800 characters of text). UCAS recommends a concise, bullet-point style where appropriate.
Mandatory for applications through registered centres. Include:
Background about your school (type, size, demographics, academic achievements). Any circumstances that may have impacted student performance (building work, staff changes, COVID disruption). Your school's policy on predicting grades. For international schools: proportion applying to UK universities, how long you've taught the qualifications.
Only complete if applicable — tick “not applicable” otherwise. Students won't be disadvantaged by having nothing here. Include:
Health conditions or personal circumstances affecting performance. Bereavement or family difficulties. Any context that helps explain predicted grades vs. potential. Reasonable adjustments that may be needed (without naming specific disabilities unless relevant).
The main academic reference section. Include:
Student's academic ability and performance relative to peers (rankings, comparisons to previous cohorts). Specific skills relevant to their chosen course. Essay writing ability, critical thinking, analytical skills. Work ethic, commitment, and intellectual curiosity. Suitability for independent university-level study. Any achievements, awards, or notable contributions.
Admissions teams consistently emphasise that the academic reference helps them assess not only a student's current achievements but also their future potential. Concrete evidence (rankings, specific achievements, comparisons within the cohort) carries more weight than general praise.
Discuss their course choices, motivations, and experiences. Request a copy of their personal statement to complement (not repeat) their content.
Use rankings: “ranked 2nd of 63 in Biology” rather than “excellent student”. Provide concrete examples of achievements and abilities.
Gather input from teachers of relevant subjects. They can provide specific academic insights you may not have.
Highlight genuine strengths. If there are concerns, frame them constructively or focus on positive aspects instead.
Thanks to the CTA agreement between Ireland and the UK, Irish citizens pay home fees (the same as UK students) and can access UK student finance. This protection continues post-Brexit and is not affected by EU regulations.
Expected to rise to £9,535 for 2026/27
Similar structure to England
Lower fees for NI residents
Unlike EU students (who now pay international fees), Irish students can still access Scottish university funding through SAAS. Fees vary but are typically lower than England. Students should check with SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) for current rates.
Irish students can access Student Finance England (or equivalent bodies in Wales, Scotland, NI) for tuition fee loans covering the full cost of fees. Key points:
Loan covers full tuition fees (currently up to £9,250/year). Repayment only begins after graduation when earning over threshold (currently £27,295/year in England). Repayments are 9% of income above the threshold. Outstanding debt written off after 40 years. No credit check or means testing for tuition fee loan.
Apply via Student Finance EnglandIrish students may also be eligible for maintenance loans to help with living costs. This is means-tested based on household income. For 2025/26:
Living away from home, outside London: up to £10,227/year. Living away from home, in London: up to £13,348/year. Living at home: up to £8,400/year. Amount received depends on household income assessment.
Note: Eligibility and amounts may differ. Check with Student Finance for current rates and residency requirements.
Irish students studying in the UK or Northern Ireland can apply for SUSI funding. This includes:
Fee Grant: covers tuition fees (or portion) for students not on Free Fees. Maintenance Grant: up to approximately €3,000 towards living costs (for students meeting income thresholds). The grant is means-tested based on household income for the previous tax year. Non-adjacent rates apply for UK study (living 30km+ from your course).
Important: SUSI is NOT the same as UK Student Finance. Students can potentially access both — SUSI maintenance alongside UK tuition fee loan. Always apply to SUSI as well as UK student finance.
Many UK universities offer specific scholarships for Irish students. Examples include:
University of Glasgow RoI Bursary: £3,000/year for students receiving SUSI Special Rate Grant. Glasgow RoI Excellence Scholarship: £1,000/year for students with H1, H1, H1, H1, H2 or better. Various merit-based and subject-specific scholarships at individual universities.
Always check individual university websites for Irish-specific funding opportunities when researching courses.
Students should research funding options thoroughly before applying and not rely on assumptions. Fees vary between institutions and may increase. Always confirm current fees with individual universities and apply to both UK student finance and SUSI where eligible.
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Mon–Fri: 8:30am – 6:00pm (UK)
Contact via UCAS Hub
Single application fee for up to 5 choices
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