In the Netherlands, and other northern European countries, the universities are broken down into the more text-book based Research Universities (most of which are higher-ranked than our own universities) and the more hands-on and employment focused Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). The application deadline has passed for most (but not all) of the programmes at Research universities whereas a lot of the programmes in the UAS are still open. A selection includes:

- Animal Husbandry (Van Hall Larenstein UAS)
- Animal Science (U. Wageningen)
- Arts & Culture (Radboud U)
- Arts. Media & Society (Leiden U.)
- Creative Business (NHL Stenden UAS)
- Environmental Sciences (Avans UAS)
- European Studies (NHL Stenden UAS)
- International Business (Radboud U)
- International Business (Avans UAS)
- International Hotel Management (NHL Stenden UAS)
- International Studies (Leiden U)
- Liberal Arts & Sciences (U. Tilburg)
- Liberal Arts & Sciences. Start Feb 2024 (U. Maastricht)
- Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy (Fontys UAS)
- Physiotherapy (Fontys UAS)
- Software Engineering (Fontys UAS)
- Urban Studies (Leiden U)

In Poland, there is a growing range of programmes, beyond the well=known Health Sciences programmes, including:

- Aerospace Engineering (Warsaw UT)
- Architecture (U. Warsaw)
- Biomedical Engineering (Lodz UT)
- Dentistry (MU Lodz)
- Dentistry (MU Wroclaw)
- Earth Sciences (Jagiellonian U.)
- Medicine (MU Lodz)
- Medicine (MU Warsaw)
- Medicine (MU Wroclaw)
- Psychology (U. Warsaw)
- Veterinary Medicine (Wroclaw UELS)

There are increasing numbers of English-taught programmes in Italy, in addition to the popular Health Science programmes. Programmes include:

- Architecture (Poli Milano)
- Architecture (Poli Torino)
- Artificial Intelligence (U. Milano)
- Biosciences (U. Camerino)
- Business & Economics (U. Bologna)
- Dentistry (U. Siena)
- Earth & Climate Dynamics (U. Padua)
- International Relations (U. Bologna)
- Medicine (at 13 public universities)
- Nursing (U. Roma La Sapienza)
- Nursing (U. Campania)
- Pharmacy (U. Bologna)
- Politics (U. Milano)

This is just a selection of programmes, from three countries, that are still open for applications. There are other programmes in these countries, as well as in other countries across Europe.

Impact of Delayed Leaving Cert Results on European Admissions

Update 1st August 2022

There are obviously concerns that our results will be too late for over 1000 Irish students waiting in diverse admissions systems for entry to the first year of programmes in continental European universities, particularly in those countries where results are required by 1st September. EUNICAS understands the latest situation to be as follows, in the countries listed:

Denmark: With our students already challenged by our earlier mid-August deadline for the delivery of results, the deadline for receipt of results will not be extended beyond 31st August.

Germany: our 2022 results were already too late for entry 2022, so most Irish students have applied using 2021 (or earlier) results, or are waiting to apply next year. (Note though that some programmes have a second entry window in February 2023 for which our 2022 results will be available)

Netherlands: the normal deadline for the submission by students of their "High School Diploma" (Leaving Certificate) results is 01 August, and this is normally extended to 31 August for Irish and UK students.*

Universities have a good measure of flexibility in setting/reviewing their own admissions deadlines and almost all universities have confirmed to EUNICAS that they will accept late results and that Irish students can start their programmes on 1st September, including U. Amsterdam, U. Leiden, U. Groningen**, Tilburg U., U. Utrecht, VU Amsterdam, U. Maastricht*,Avans UAS, Fontys UAS, Hague UAS, Hanze UAS and NHL Stenden UAS. EUNICAS is working with all Dutch universities, on behalf of Irish students, to gain the certainty they require.

* U. Maastricht require, at enrolment, a Graduation Statement, signed by your school
** at U. Groningen, their BSc Medicine programme has confirmed that they wil NOT accept late results.

BREAKING NEWS!! The BSc Psychology programme at Groningen have now confirmed that they will accept late results.

Note, that most universities will require payment (or at least a commitment to payment) of fees by 31 August, so to avail of any extension you must pay your fees by 31 August. This is before you receive your results and might require confidence that these results will meet entry requirements. (In this situation, EUNICAS suggests that you take the option to pay fees by instalments, the first instalment not falling due until the 3rd week of September)

The Ministry in the Education, in the Hague, has now written to all institutions asking them to be flexible with Irish students, and clarifying that there are no legal requirements preventing them from accepting late results.

Lithuania: Although the academic year starts in Lithuania on 01 September, most universities are confirming to EUNICAS that they will accept results beyond that date.

Romania: our results are already later than deadlines for results in med and vet schools in Romania. Some have a second round of applications, which can accommodate the traditional date for publication of our results and, in some cases, the extended date. We are currently looking for flexibility here.

Spain: Currently, UNED, the local qualifications verification authority, is having difficulties validating late results.

Italy and Poland: the academic year in both of these countries starts in October, with commensurate timelines for the provision of results, No issues are expected here. However, note that because of the lateness of our results, Irish students must pre-enrol for the U. Pavia Medicine programme (deadline 22.07)

EUNICAS is working tirelessly, with a wide selection of European universities, in an attempt to minimise the impact of this delay on Irish students.

Registrations for Entrance Test for Italian Med Schools (IMAT) Close on 22nd July

Following an announcement by the Ministry of Education in Rome  IMAT registrations opened on 4th July on the www.universitaly.it website. They will close on 22nd July at 14.00 (Irish time) This test is for entry to medicine and dentistry programmes , taught through English, commencing October 2022. 

Note that because of the lateness of our results, Irish students must pre-enrol for the U. Pavia Medicine programme ((deadline 22.07)

The entrance test (13th September) is run in the universities themselves, as well as in cities around the world, including London, but not Dublin. Note that some test centres are already full!

All students who have set up a EUNICAS account and submitted a Pre Application Form, selecting one or more of these programmes, has received updated Application Guidelines in their mailbox.

Increasing numbers of Irish students are now studying medicine, through English, at thirteen public Italian universities. Tuition fees are low, between EUR 0 and 4000 pa, fixed with reference to family income. Feedback from students, on the quality of the programmes and life in Italy, is very positive.

Most importantly, your Leaving Cert points are completely irrelevant. Different world, eh???

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information

Courses still available for 2022/23
These are just a selection of some of the many programmes still available

Animal Husbandry
VH Larenstein UAS NETH 1^st Aug

Architecture
Politecnico di Milano ITA (tba)
Politecnico di Milano ITA (tba)
Warsaw UT POL 24^th May

Business
Avans UAS NETH 1^st Aug
Hague UAS NETH 1^st Aug
Hanze UAS NETH 1^st Aug
U. Bologna ITA 20^th Jun

Computing/IT
Fontys UAS NETH 1ss Aug
NHL Stenden UAS NETH 15^th Aug
Poli Torino ITA tba
Radboud U NETH 1^st Jul

Creative Business
NHL Stenden UIAS NETH 15 Aug

Dentistry
U. Siena ITA tba
MU Lodz POL 31^st Aug
MU Wroclaw POL 8^th July
U. Murcia SPA 31^st July

Engineering (Automotive)
HAN UAS NETH 1^st Aug

Engineering (General)
KU Leuven BEL 1^st June

Engineering (Mechanical)
Hanze UAS NETH 1^st Aug
Fontys UAS NETH 1^st Aug
Poli Torino ITA tbs

Environmental Science
Avans UAS NETH 1^st Aug

European Studies
KU Leuven BEL 1^st June
(partners with:
Sorbonne FRA
U. Bologna ITA)

Hotel Management
NHL Stenden NETH 15^th Aug

International Development
VH Larenstein UAS NETH 1^st Aug

International Relations
U. Bologna ITA 24^th July
U, Warsaw POL 10^th Sep

International Studies
U. Leiden NETH 15^th July

Liberal Arts & Sciences *
Tilburg U NETH 1^st June
U. Utrecht (UC Roosevelt) 1^st Jun


Law/International Law
Hague UAS NETH 1^st Aug
U. Torino ITA 15^th Jul

Medicine
50+ programmes still open: check with EUNICAS

Natural/Life Sciences
HAN UAS (Chemistry NETH 1^st Aug
HAN UAS (Life Sci) NETH 1^st Aug
Radboud U (Chemistry)NETH 1st Jul
U. Bologna (Genomics) ITA 13^TH Sep
U. Camerino (Bioscience) 6^th Nov

Pharmacy
U. Bologna ITA 8^th September

Physiotherapy
Fontys UAS NETH 15^th June

Politics
U. Milano ITA 5^th Sep

Psychology
Lithuanian UHS LITH 15^th June
U. Warsaw POL 5^th July
U. Murcia SPA 31^st July

Radiology
Fontys UAS NETH 15^th June

Sports Science/Studies
Hanze UAS NETH 31^st May
U, Murcia SPA 31^st July

Teaching
NHL Stenden UAS NETH 15^th Aug

Veterinary
Lithuanian UHS LITH 15^th Aug
UVM Budapest HUNG 30^th June
Warsaw ULS POL 30^th Aug
Wroclaw UELS POL 1t July

* On the Liberal Arts & Sciences programmes, students do a wide-ranging first year before selecting a Major/Specialisation (e.g. Psychology, Law. Bioscience, Digital Science, International Relations etc etc) and a Minor in another subject

Note: Some programmes in Netherlands, Finland and Germany have a second (alternative) start. Check with EUNICAS.

We're Back! Meet Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences in Dublin

Until recently, a lot of the interest in studying in the Netherlands has been directed towards the more academic research universities. Admittedly, these are excellent. However, increasing numbers of Irish students are preferring the more hands-on, employment focused approach of the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS).

Importantly, these universities are finding that Irish students, in particular, match their preferred profile of students. Some of these universities are coming to Ireland in April to meet students and their families. They are bringing with them Irish students who are already studying in the Netherlands.

Programmes are offered in areas such as Physiotherapy, Game Design, Animal Husbandry, Business, Art & Design, IT, Hotel Management, Law, Engineering, Global Development, Music, Event Management, Sports Studies, Teaching and many more.

Above: Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen

Programmes in the UAS are overtly employment-focused with a much more practical, hands-on, project-based style than the more academic (albeit excellent) programmes at research universities. The UAS programmes usually include one or two internships. Irish students on these programmes are enjoying an approach to education that, though less academic and more practical, is still very high in quality. Commentators in Higher Education, suggest that these programmes are a great match to the needs and preferred learning styles of many Irish students.

Entry requirements are very reasonable (Leaving Cert point are irrelevant!) – only five passes at Leaving Cert  are required: reflecting students’ right to an education in mainland Europe and sidestepping the need to obsess about Leaving Cert points. Importantly, students with a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification qualify for degree programmes at UAS. There is also a special route for mature students!

Note that, if you successfully complete first yea r, you meet the entry requirements for the Research Universities.

Tuition fees are low: Eur 2206 p.a., with a long-term interest-free loans from the Dutch government, to pay these fees. There are other loans/grants available for living expenses. Also, if you qualify for a SUSI Maintenance Grant, you can take it with you. This all ensures that it is often less expensive to study in the Netherlands, than in Ireland.

So, if you are interested in a programme that directly prepares you for the employment markets of the 21st century, programmes which you have the right to join and can afford to attend, it is certainly worth considering the Universities of Applied Sciences.

This event is free. Register here:
https://dutchunisapril22.eventbrite.ie

Remember, you have a right to an education!!!