Semester at IT Carlow

Earn credits and broaden your horizons at IT Carlow!

Carlow

semester

most majors

Scholarships up to €1000 are available

Engage in future-focused study at this leading Institute of Technology.

Known for its innovation, state-of-the-art facilities and multicultural community, IT Carlow attracts students from over 80 countries each year.

The top-tier aerospace engineering, media and sport programmes lure many international students – who often fall in love with Ireland’s South East along the way.

IT Carlow’s hands-on learning and vibrant campus culture promises an unforgettable experience inside – and outside – the classroom.

International students talk about what they like about IT Carlow

At A Glance

Semester at IT Carlow

Start Date

Fall: Early September-mid December

Spring: Early January-mid-May

Duration

1 semester - 2 semesters

Apply By

Autumn and AY: 1 April

Spring: 1 October

Fees

€13,805

What's included?

Airfare, mandatory international health insurance, visa costs, in-country transportation, and spending money aren’t included.

Application fee

€95 Non refundable

Commitment fee

€500 Non refundable

*Application and Commitment fees are in addition to the programme fee.

Scholarship

Up to €1,000

About IT Carlow

The Institute of Technology Carlow was founded in 1970. Now with over 7,000 students, it has a well established reputation for leading facilities, excellent student support services and strong sense of community.

IT Carlow has one of the highest rates of international students; about 15% of the student body.

Overseas students love the small class sizes and individual attention they get here.

The main campus is in Carlow town, with smaller campuses in County Wexford and County Wicklow. The Carlow campus is also home to the Dargan Centre, a €5 million purpose-built research facility, as well as a large sports complex.

Academic Departments

IT Carlow offers a wide range of courses across Business, Humanities, Science, and Engineering. All programmes offer career-focused education taught by knowledgeable and approachable lecturers. There are several programmes IT Carlow is particularly well-known for.

Aerospace Engineering: IT Carlow is the leading aerospace education facility In Ireland. This is the only Irish third-level institute to have its own on-campus aerospace centre, with a range of aircraft, a dedicated hangar, a wind tunnel and an avionics/UAV laboratory.

Media Production: The institute boasts leading production facilities including 4k cameras, a suite of digital media studios, and a broadcast-quality TV and radio studio. Teaching on the media course is done by experienced scriptwriters, producers, directors, animators, editors and camera operators with credits including CNN, Channel 4, and Sky.

Games Development: IT Carlow was the first Irish third-level institute to offer a B.Sc. in Computer Games Development. Alumni of IT Carlow’s industry-renowned course are now working for Aeria Games, Glu Mobile, Havok, Swrve, Demonware, DIGIT Games Studios and Microsoft.

Sports: Irish soccer star Robbie Keane and Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who both played for LA Galaxy, completed courses in IT Carlow. The Sport & Exercise degree courses are delivered in partnership with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), and Leinster Rugby Club.

Student Sandra Nyarko talks about the civil engineering programme at IT Carlow

Student Dillon O'Reilly talks about the Aerospace Engineering programme at IT Carlow

What can I study?

Accounting
Aerospace Engineering
Agribusiness
Architecture
Bioscience
Business
Civil Engineering
Computer Game Development
Digital Marketing
Electronic Engineering
Finance
Health Science
Human Resources
Interactive Design
IT Security
Law
Marketing
Mechanical Engineering
Media Production
Product Design
Software Development
Sports Coaching

"Studying abroad is an awesome opportunity and way to experience life and school in a different country. This experience has truly opened my eyes to how big the world truly is and how much the world has to offer."

Juliana PiñaGeorge Mason University - Global Health Major

Sport & Campus Life

IT Carlow’s 65 clubs and societies are a large part of the campus community. You can join a society at any time during the year and bond over interests as diverse as Board Games, Chess, Drama, Karting, and Sign Language.

The institute also has serious sporting pedigree, a result of its world-class sports facilities and the achievements of its teams and athletes at third-level elite and competitive sports.

No matter what your ability or level, there are plenty of opportunities to train, play or compete here. The choice of clubs is diverse, from archery to powerlifting, cricket to MMA, fencing to soccer.

The Barrow Centre sport facilities are well-equipped centres for strength, conditioning, fitness and sport. Students are free to use the sports hall, steam rooms, gym, as well as GAA, soccer and rugby pitches and sprint track.

A new €15 million South Sports Campus is being developed 1km from the main Carlow campus. When it’s completed in summer 2020 it will add 6 floodlit sports pitches and a state-of-the-art 400m all weather athletics track.

Insta-worthy stops along Ireland’s Ancient East

A preview of IT Carlow's new sports centre, opening in 2020

Exploring Carlow and Beyond

The IT Carlow campus is just 10 minutes walk from Carlow Town, one of Ireland’s largest towns situated on the banks of the River Barrow.

Carlow is around 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Dublin City, and 30 minutes from the charming city of Kilkenny (you’ll be visiting Kilkenny for both its magnificent castle and famous comedy festival).

International students rate Carlow for the affordable cost of living, green surroundings and friendly locals, as well as easy access to explore the rest of Ireland’s East. On weekends you can explore the famous beaches of Wexford or go north to Wicklow, the garden of Ireland.

What's Included:

Pre-departure advising and guidance
Tuition and registration fees
Student residence, homestay or apartment near campus
Airport transfer on arrival
In-country orientation & welcome event
24/7 Emergency support hotline
Excursions and cultural activities
Official Transcript
Meal plan (optional, with an additional fee, where available)

Airfare, in-country transportation, materials for class, meals, visa fees, and spending money aren’t included.

Where Will I Live?

Homestay accommodation

If you want a deep cultural immersion as part of your overseas experience, consider staying with a local family in homestay accommodation. You will quickly learn about Irish life, culture and customs and engage with the local community. You won’t have to cook either, as your breakfast and dinner are included. For many students, this home-away-from-home is one of the most meaningful parts of their study abroad experience. Families are fully vetted and chosen for their friendly and welcoming personalities as well as a curiosity about other cultures.

Click here for more information about homestays.

Dates

Academic year 2022/2023

AUTUMN 2022
- Arrive to Ireland: 4 September 2022
- University orientation: 5-9 September 2022
- Classes begin: 12 September 2022
- Classes end: 9 December
- Study period: 9-15 December 2022
- Exam period*: 16-23 December 2022
- Depart Ireland: 24 December 2022
- Transcripts**: Late February/March

SPRING 2023
- Arrive to Ireland: Early January 2023 TBC
- University orientation: Early January 2023 TBC
- Classes begin: 16 January 2023
- Easter break: 3-14 April 2023
- Classes end: 28 April 2023
- Exam period*: 2-18 May 2023
- Depart Ireland: 20 May 2023
- Transcripts**: Late June/July

*Exams are run very differently in Ireland than what you might be used to. The classes you take may or may not have final exams, and the ones that do can be scheduled at any stage during the exam period. This may mean you have one at the beginning of the period and one at the end with nothing in between. You must remain in Ireland and take all of your exams regardless of any time lapse in between sittings.

** Exam and semester results are not finalised immediately after the semester ends, rather they need to go through a detailed process and system of checks and balances. There is no way to rush official results regardless of when your home university prefers to receive them.

Application Deadlines

Autumn and academic year: 1 April
Spring: 1 October

Scholarships

We offer scholarships up to €1000 off the programme price. They are competitive, so act quickly and apply here now!

The scholarship application has two parts: a one-page essay about how the placement will contribute to your academic and career goals, and a choice of how you might record your internship experience. You can choose to either: