Image 3 women posing for a group photo in front of a stand at a higher education fair, indoor setting.

We are delighted to present our 2025 higher education guide, developed to provide information to students from Ireland wishing to study in the UK, and students from the UK wishing to study in Ireland.

It provides guidance on understanding the Common Travel Area, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) as well as points conversion, the financial support available and other frequently queried topics.

The guide was distributed at the most recent Higher Options student recruitment fair which takes place in Dublin each September. This event features more than 150 colleges and is comprised of Irish universities, colleges of higher and further education, European, UK and International universities, admissions bodies and information stands. This year there was more UK stands than ever before and a dedicated UK hall! British Council Ireland were particularly delighted to host UCAS, the Scottish government and Welsh Government in Ireland on our stand at this year’s fair.

The meaningful connection between British Council Ireland and UCAS was established to promote greater understanding of educational opportunities for full-time students from Ireland and the UK through improved knowledge, guidance and information using higher education entrance systems. This aligns with one of the deliverables UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement announced by the UK and Irish governments in March 2025.

The higher education guide explores key info for students moving between the UK and Ireland for university, more specifically: 

  • Common Travel Area (CTA): Free movement and home tuition fees for students from Ireland and the UK.
  • Students from Ireland in the UK: UCAS application, qualification conversion, and financial support.
  • Students from the UK in Ireland: CAO process, points conversion, and funding options.
  • Practical Info: Visa rules, healthcare access, and useful references. 

Access the full document via the Downloads section below.

External links