Semester Abroad

Study in Ireland for a Semester Abroad

Spend an unforgettable semester studying in Ireland, by joining our increasingly popular ‘Semester Abroad Program’ at Carlow College, St Patrick’s. Our college has partnership arrangements with several higher education institutes across the US, giving American students the chance to study in Ireland for a semester as part of their undergraduate degree, offering international students the opportunity to dive into an Irish lifestyle. As part of our study abroad program, learners can also take courses at SETU Carlow.

Experience the culture and history of Ireland

Students in this program will enroll as full time students at Carlow College, earning 12-18 semester credits. The cornerstone of the semester abroad program is The Irish Experience course. This multi-disciplinary course covers fascinating topics such as Irish history, literature, music, language, politics and identity. You will also take fun field trips to areas of historical and cultural significance – expanding your research into the topics covered on the course. For more information, click on the field trip tab below.

The remaining course options are similar to those students take at their home college and include:

Broaden your horizons and make lifelong friends

The semester abroad program provides a perfect opportunity for students to enhance their educational experience, make new friends and try life abroad for the first time. Choosing to study in Ireland for a semester gives a valuable insight into a different culture. It is a great way of broadening your horizons, grow as an individual and making lifelong friends from around the world.

On-campus Accommodation

If you choose to study in Ireland with Carlow College, we offer on-campus accommodation to international students on the Irish Experience program. Accommodation is available at Lennon House which is situated within easy walking distance of the main college building and Carlow town centre.

For more information, contact Dr Eric A. Derr in the International Office: intloffice@carlowcollege.ie.

Courses

Incoming semester study abroad students are can take courses across all the undergraduate degree programs at Carlow College.

Disciplines include:

Creative Arts
English
History
Media Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Theology

Incoming semester study abroad students can also take courses at SETU Carlow.

Disciplines include:

Marketing
Business
Accounting
Media & Public Relations
Health Sciences (e.g. Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology)
Information Technology

As such, study abroad students can choose from a wide selection of courses that fulfil either general education or major/minor credit hours (generally 12 / 15 credit hours). Learners should consult with their home institution or study abroad provider to ensure their chosen courses will transfer back to their academic program of study.

To learn more about the courses on offer at Carlow College, click here.

To learn more about the courses on offer at SETU Carlow, click here.

Field Trips

The academic program is enriched and deepened through excursions to places of cultural and historical significance. Excursions are taken to a range of iconic Irish attractions, including those listed below.

The cost of transportation and entry fees for all cultural excursions are included in the program cost.

Co. Carlow / Wexford

Dunbrody Famine Ship
St Mullins
Mount Leinster
Ducketts Grove
Brownshill Dolmen

Dublin City

Trinity College Dublin
Book of Kells
Dublin Castle

Co. Wicklow – Glendalough

Glendalough Heritage Centre and National Park

Kilkenny City

Co. Kerry

Belfast City

Political Murals Tour of Belfast
Crumlin Road Gaol
City Hall

Life in Carlow

Carlow Town

Carlow, Ireland, affectionately known as Carlow-town, is a bustling Irish country town. With a population of 25,000, Carlow is home to two colleges: SETU Carlow and Carlow College. The town is known for its great night life, has many fascinating cultural sites to explore, as well as VISUAL on the grounds of Carlow College. Carlow is well-connected to bus and train routes – with the train station just 5 minutes walk from the college, connecting you to Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny and Waterford trains passing through regularly. There is also a bus station with many more routes to travel throughout the country. Dublin is about an hour away and is easily accessible by both train and bus.

The town is also well serviced by cafes, restaurants, bars and two shopping centres.

Housing

The cost of housing is included in the program fee. Housing is provided at Lennon House, a residence hall on the college campus. Residing at Lennon House is a requirement of the program. Each student will have a private bedroom and will share living space, kitchen, and bathroom with two or three other students. WiFi is available in the residence hall and is included in the fee. Laundry facilities are located on the premises. Bed and bath linens are provided.

Meals

Meals are not included in the program fee but there are fully functioning kitchens available for student use. Students are expected to cook or provide meals for themselves. Many students enjoy group dinners in the common area in Lennon House. Additionally, a nice selection of grocery stores and eating establishments are located within walking distance of the College.:

Accommodation

Carlow College, St Patrick’s offers on-campus student accommodation for students on the Semester Abroad program in Lennon House. It is a short walk to the main college building and Carlow town centre.

Each student will have a private bedroom and will share living space, kitchen, and bathroom with two or three other students. WiFi is available in the residence hall and is included in the fee. Laundry facilities are located on the premises. Bed and bath linens are provided.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

This program is open to students who have a strong interest in immersing themselves in Irish culture and heritage. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older as of the program start date. The minimum age requirement is strictly upheld. All applicants are required to complete an application form.

To be considered for admission, students must meeting the following minimum admissions requirements:

completed at least twelve credit hours at their home institution by the time they commence their studies at Carlow College (credits taken in AP, CLEP, IB, etc. may be counted toward the twelve-hour total);
obtained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 out of a 4.0 at their home institution;
be a learner in good standing at their home institution;
obtained a grade of B or higher in a written composition course completed at a post-secondary institution;
be a registered learner at an affiliated institution of Carlow College.

Carlow College welcomes applications from learners with disabilities or additional support needs. As such, Carlow College is committed to making reasonable accommodations to ensure that academic opportunities are available to all appropriately qualified applicants, irrespective of disability. Applications from learners with disabilities are subject to the same academic selection process as all applicants.

How to Apply

All study abroad applications are due to the International Officer at Carlow College by 15 October (Spring Term) and 15 May (Autumn Term). An application is considered complete when it includes:

a completed Carlow College, St. Patrick’s Semester Study Abroad Guidelines and Application Form;
a copy of your passport page showing your photograph and personal details;
certified copies of transcripts from current institution of study;
if your first language is not English, attach evidence of proficiency in English (IELTS Score or equivalent); find out more here: English language requirements for admission to Carlow College, St. Patrick’s
if you have elected to provide evidence of disability or learning differences, please submit along with your application a letter from the Disability Office (or equivalent) indicating the supports you currently receive.

Please note that the issuance of student visas is for the duration of the learners’ academic studies. As such, visas do not permit learners to remain in Ireland prior to, or after the conclusion of, the academic term.

An application is considered complete when it includes:

a completed U.S. Semester Study Abroad Application Form;
an up-to-date and official academic transcript;
the nomination by the International Officer / Study Abroad Advisor at the learner’s home institution.

Fees

Carlow College will not directly process learner fees for an American student’s tuition or accommodation. All learners enrolled in The Irish Experience Program are registered through their home institution. As such, all payments for tuition and accommodation are processed through the learners’ home institution.

Carlow College will invoice affiliated institutions for Carlow College tuition and accommodation; in turn, the affiliated institutions will process tuition and accommodation payments on the learners’ behalf. For a complete program price, please contact your study abroad representative.

Immigration

All study abroad students at Carlow College, St. Patrick’s will need to obtain a Stamp 2A study visa. Students from the United States do not need to apply for this visa prior to arrival to Ireland and the application will be submitted during Induction Week.

Once you arrive in Dublin Airport, the Immigration Officer will stamp your passport with short-term permission to stay, normally for one month but can be up to 90 days.

It is recommended that you have the following documents to show the Immigration Officer at your point of entry into Ireland:

valid passport;

acceptance letter from Carlow College, St. Patrick’s,

proof of medical health insurance

And proof of sufficient finances.

During Induction Week, you will meet as a group to go through the visa application process in more detail, arrange your visa appointment and answer any questions you may have.

NB: You will not be able to book an appointment with Immigration until you have arrived in Ireland and have completed your registration with Carlow College.

Required Documents for a Study Visa Application:

Below are the documents that you will need to complete your registration:

Passport

A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond your planned stay in Ireland. Please note that when you are asked for the biometric page of your passport, this is the page that shows your photograph, passport number, date of birth and etc.

Entry Stamp (this will be stamped at the airport (passport control)

Letter of Acceptance For Your Study Abroad Programme

This letter will confirm that you have been accepted into a study abroad programme and will be sent to the address provided as part of your application prior to your departure.

Letter of Registration For Your Study Abroad Programme

This letter will confirm that you are a registered study abroad student at Carlow College. This letter will be issued in hard copy at Induction after you have officially registered. Please note that, as part of our Memorandum of Agreements with your home institution / organisation, all fees for the semester study abroad experience for tuition and accommodation are invoiced directly to the home institution / organisation.

Letter of Accommodation For Your Study Abroad Programme

This letter will confirm that you will be residing in on-campus accommodation, Lennon House. Please note that all mail is processed through Reception. This letter will be issued in hard copy at Induction after you have officially registered.

Proof of your Exam results/ Transcripts

Please ensure that you have your official transcripts from your home institution. These are provided to Carlow College as part of your application, but you will need to the official hard copy with you.

Proof of Financial Support

You must show evidence that you can support yourself financially during your semester study abroad. The amount of €833 per month is required:

€3,332 (in total) for Fall Term; and

€4,165 (in total) for Spring Term.

Personal Support

You must provide an up-to-date bank statement, showing what money has been paid into and out of the account over the last six months. You must submit this whether you are covering the costs of your studies yourself or not.

Bank statements must be on headed paper. Where original bank statements are not available, internet printouts will be accepted once every page has been notarised by the bank and the statement is accompanied by letter from the bank confirming its authenticity. Handwritten entries or details on bank statements will not be accepted

Your name, address, account number and account type must be visible on the statement.

Any large or irregular lodgements (for example – student loans, lodgement of Savings Certificates, the sale of a property or any similar type sources) must be fully explained.

If you are sending a bank statement from a deposit / savings account, you must also include a letter from your bank confirming that you can take money from that account

Credit cards are not accepted as evidence of finances.

Family / Friend Support

If you are being supported financially from a family member or friend, a notarised letter is required stating that they are supporting you. The documents below must also be submitted in hard copy to the Immigration Officer at the Immigration Appointment.