Instructions for Applying

  1. Step 1 – Select the programme(s) code you wish to apply for
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    To do this, select the Institution you are applying to on the right hand menu then:
    • browse the Institution's own website prospectus or
    • look up the programmes on the PAC website by selecting the Postgraduate Programmes link. Then select Taught/Research/etc as appropriate. This will bring you to a section where you can browse the programmes by school/department/course title. The links on this page will direct you back to the Institution's own online prospectus to ensure that the prospectus information is always the most up to date available.
    Please make note of the programme/course code, this will be required when filling out the application form.
  2. Step 2 – Start Application
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    By selecting the `Apply` link along the menu at the top of the page or the `Apply Here` button at the top, you will be redirected to either log on to your existing PAC account or alternatively register on the PAC system.

    To Register a User Account:
    • select the ‘Register’ button on the Right Hand menu on any page on the PAC system.
    • You will need to provide an email address and password for your account.
      Please ensure that the email address is one that you will continue to have access to, college emails are not recommended. You will then be asked for some basic information in order to create your account.
    Once logged in, please select the type of programme you wish to apply for and you will be redirected to the start of the application form.
  3. Step 3 – Fill in Application form
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    Each Institution's application form is slightly different but the basic information required remains the same.
    You are required to provide some additional personal information, details of your previous qualifications and sometimes experience to support your application.
    Sample screenshots of the application form can be seen under each Institution's FAQ section.
    You can save your application form at any time in the process and return via the Application status link which is under the `My PAC` section on the right hand menu when you are logged into the system.
  4. Step 4 – Pay Application Fee
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    Your non-refundable application fee is payable directly to PAC.
    You can pay your fee online using a Credit Card (Visa,Mastercard) or Laser card for a fee of €45 for each Institution you apply to or alternatively you can pay by Bank Draft or Bank Transfer at a later date, this will incur an additional €5 processing fee.
    Your application will not be visible to the Institution until you have paid your fee.
  5. Step 5 – Submit supporting documentation
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    Each Institution will have a set of supporting documentation required in order to enable them to process your application. You will be notified of what these documents are at the end of completing the application form.
    Documents will include Result Transcripts if you graduated from an Institution other than the one you are applying to, proof of EU status in the form of a birth cert, photocopy of passport, etc.
    Specific programmes may also require additional documentation just for that programme.
    To submit your documentation you can either upload it directly to the system via the My Application page or alternatively post it to the Postgraduate Applications Centre directly.

    Documents MUST be in a clear format, be of good quality and a readable size.
    Poor Quality/unreadable documents will seriously affect the assessment of your application.

    Documents must be:
      * a valid doc/docx/txt/pdf/pjpeg/jpeg/jpg/gif/png/rtf file
      * no bigger than 5mb in size


    PLEASE NOTE: For NUI Galway, transcripts must be certified true copies. Transcripts cannot be uploaded and must be posted into the PAC office.
  6. Step 6 – Track your application status
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    You can track the status of your application at any time via the Application Status section of the website. Here you can upload any additional documentation you require as well as view the current status of your application.
    Your application is processed by the Institution you have applied to and all correspondence on the status of your application will come from them via the PAC system.
    Once the status of your application changes you will receive an email notification telling you to sign in to the Application Status section.
    It is very important that you keep monitoring your emails for any updates as the Institution may need you to respond to a query in a timely manner in order to continue your application.