Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Menu Trinity Search



You are here Registration > FAQs

If you cannot find the answer to your question, contact us using one of the methods listed below, or call in to visit the Academic Registry service desk.

Phone: +353 (0) 1 896 4500

Email: academic.registry@tcd.ie

Webchat: Click here

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Student Registration

How do I complete registration?

Invitations to register are sent out in batches. This usually commences in August. Students receive an in-tray message to their my.tcd.ie portal to let them know that registration is open. Click on the 'Register' tab in the left hand corner of the portal and complete each of the tasks shown.

As each task is completed, the red X beside the task will turn to a green tick. When all tasks have been completed the student will be fully registered.

Please note that the payment of fees on the my.tcd.ie portal does not constitute registration. You must return to the Registration screen and accept the terms and conditions to be fully registered.

Students must complete the registration process every academic year.

To find out more about registration, you can watch our video below.

I am having difficulties registering. Who should I contact?

Contact the Academic Registry for assistance. You can submit an enquiry via email, with the subject line ‘Registration Query’, to academic.registry@tcd.ie, or you can click the ASK AR button on the registration screen.

Where can I get a Trinity Student ID card? How much does it cost?

To apply for a student ID card, or TCard you must first complete registration. You can apply for your card on the TCard website. The Trinity student ID card is free, but a replacement card costs €20 and can be purchased at the Academic Registry service desk in the Watts Building.

I sat reassessment exams and I have not been invited to register.

A passing grade must be uploaded to a student’s record before the student can be invited to register. Because reassessment exams take place later in the year, the records of students who sit reassessment exams are uploaded later than students who pass their annual summer exams.

Invitations to register are usually issued towards the end of September for students who have taken reassessment exams and have received a passing grade.

I spent the last academic year on an exchange programme and I have not been invited to register.

Students returning from Erasmus or other exchange programmes will be invited to register subject to the publication of a result for the academic year they spent abroad. Students awaiting the publication of results should contact their School or Course Office in the first instance.

CAO Application

I have the points but I did not get an offer. Why is this?

Points are not the only criteria that determine whether an offer can be made.

Applicants are advised to check that they have met the minimum entry requirements or course specific requirements for the course if they have not received an offer. Some common reasons for not receiving an offer are listed below:

  • An applicant’s results do not include English, Mathematics or a language OR they do not satisfy the course requirements. Applicants from other EU countries must satisfy the English Language qualification outlined on the Admission Requirements page under the 'English Language Requirements' tab.
  • The course(s) for which the applicant applied has an interview/test e.g. Drama, Music, Adelaide (TR093), Medicine (HPAT-Ireland). If the applicant did not pass their interview they will be ineligible to receive an offer.
  • The applicant has not provided their final results. The CAO automatically receives the Leaving Certificate and most A Level results. Applicants who are presenting other examinations (e.g. French Baccalaureate, German Abitur etc.) must submit a certified copy of their results to the CAO.
  • Information on how to apply as a Mature Student can be found on the 'How to Apply' page on the Mature Students webpage.

My results were not available on time for Round One, but now I have the points for the course. Will I definitely get an offer in Round Two?

If the results were not submitted by the applicant in time and there are places available after Round One, an offer will be issued. However, if a course is oversubscribed, the university may not be in a position to automatically offer a place and the applicant may have to wait until there is a vacancy.

There was a mistake in my Leaving Certificate results and I now have the points for the course I wanted.

Any amendments to Leaving Certificate results will be notified to the Academic Registry by the CAO. We cannot act until we receive the formal notification from the CAO. As soon as the result is received we will re-assess the application and make an offer in the next round if a place is available. If not, a deferred place for the following year may be offered at the discretion of the Admissions Officer.

(Note: This applies when the applicant has been notified of a mistake rather than where an applicant has specifically applied for a re-check of their marks.)

I got my 4th course choice on my CAO – what are the chances of getting a higher offer in the next round?

Offers will only be made in subsequent rounds if places are still available.

Offers may be made in subsequent rounds only if applicants do not accept places in Round One, therefore it is not possible to predict whether or not places will be available.

I am planning to get my results rechecked. If I have enough points after the re-check, am I guaranteed a place on my chosen course?

If, as a result of the re-check process, an applicant receives an upgrade which brings their results to the points required for a course, we will do everything we can to offer a place. However, the results of the re-check process are not issued until early October, at which time many courses are full. Sometimes, it may not be possible to accommodate additional students. In this case, the student will be offered a deferred place for the following year.

I want to defer my place. What do I have to do?

Applicants who have received an offer from the CAO may apply to defer their entry. On receipt of the offer, the applicant must do two things:

  1. DO NOT accept the offer
  2. Contact the Academic Registry (academic.registry@tcd.ie) , stating the reasons for the request. The request must arrive at least two days before the ‘Reply Date’ shown on the Offer Notice. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing. If the deferral is not granted, the offer can be accepted for the current year.

Deferrals will not be granted to applicants who wish to take up a place in another third level institution in Ireland or elsewhere; or where a student is repeating the Leaving Certificate.

What is Random Selection?

If you look at the list of minimum entry levels you will notice that some points scores have an * beside them. This means that not all students on that points’ level were offered a place. To allow offers to be made fairly to students with the same number of points, a random number is generated when the points are being calculated and this ranks students in order. Random numbers range from 001 to 999.

I got my first choice but I really want my second choice. Can I change?

No, it is unfortunately not possible to move down your list of course choices.

Can I change courses once I register at Trinity College Dublin

It is possible to apply for an internal transfer. However, students must have the points and must fulfil other requirements for the course into which they wish to transfer. Transfer cannot be used as a “back door” entry into a course. Transfer is also subject to there being places available and therefore cannot be guaranteed.

More information can be found on our 'How to Apply' page under the 'applying for an internal transfer within Trinity College Dublin' tab.

CAO Deadlines

It is very important to be aware that CAO deadlines are absolute. If an applicant misses a deadline for accepting a place then they will have to write to the Admissions Officer outlining the reasons for not accepting on time. It may not be possible to automatically re-instate the place – it will depend on whether or not a course is full. Where it is possible to re-instate the place the student will not receive another offer. TCD will request CAO to record a late acceptance for the student.

General Undergraduate Admissions

How do I apply?

Information on how to apply can be found on the Study at Trinity webpage. Students should find out whether they are EU or non-EU applicants, and should follow the application procedure based on their status. EU or non-EU status does not refer to your citizenship, but refers to your residency. Application routes differ depending on your status.

Am I an EU or non-EU applicant? How is this determined?

Guidelines for determining EU/non-EU status can be found under the 'Undergraduate Fee Status' tab on our website.

HEA Free Fees Scheme - do I qualify and what documentation do I need?

In order to qualify for the Irish Free Fees Initiative, you must have been living in the EU for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course.

More information about documentation and student eligibility can be found on our What Are My Fees? page.

What are the course fees and am I eligible for any assistance?

Information on course fees and college funding for both EU and non-EU students can be found on the Student Finance page.

Applicants can find information on the HEA website.

How do I apply as an EU Visiting Student?

Information on eligibility as well as application forms for EU Visiting Students can be downloaded from our Erasmus and EU Exchange.

When is the deadline for receipt of applications?

The closing date is 1 March for entry the following September.

The applications for the spring term (Hilary Term) entry is 30th September.

How much will it cost to study at Trinity as an EU Visiting student?

EU Students who are spending a year at Trinity as an integral part of their degree abroad are eligible for a fee remission and will only be required to pay the Student Contribution. In addition students are required to pay the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) membership levy and the Student Sports Centre charge, but will not be liable for tuition fees if approved for the Free Fees scheme.

In order to be eligible for this tuition fee remission, EU students must be attending Trinity College Dublin for their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of university study and must provide evidence that their Module of study at Trinity College would be fully recognised by their home universities as part of their degree. (This applies to full-time undergraduate students only).The Academic Registry will provide a form for this purpose once a place has been offered.

Are there English Language proficiency entry requirements?

A high level of competence in the English language is required to study at Trinity College Dublin. A list of our English language requirements can be found at our Entry Requirements for International Students page.

I will not have the opportunity to take an English Language Proficiency test before the 1st of March. Is it possible for me to send the results after the closing date?

Yes. Results can be sent after the application, and provisional offers can be made without them.

Can I take modules in more than one department while at Trinity?

Yes. It is usual for Visiting Students to take modules in two or three departments and sometimes four.

How do I enroll for modules at Trinity?

You can discuss module choices with your department upon arrival at Trinity College Dublin. Students will not be accepted into specific modules prior to arrival unless they have listed as "required" on their application form, and have been accepted into that department.

Visit our online module enrolment page for more information.

Does acceptance into a particular department mean I can take whatever modules I wish?

If you have been accepted into a particular department, for which you have listed modules as “required”, then yes, you will be guaranteed a place in these modules. However, acceptance into various departments means you will be offered modules on arrival following discussion with the appropriate lecturers. You may not be offered all of the modules you wish to take.

Visit our online module enrolment page for more information.

Where can I get information on modules available to me?

For visiting students, you can find more information on our visiting student module enrolment page.

Can I apply to the Semester Start-Up Programme (SSP)?

At present the Semester Start-Up Programme is only available to non-EU Visiting Students.

Find out more.

General Postgraduate Admissions

The Academic Registry can provide information on overall aspects of the application process, for information specific course content, deadlines and similar, applicants should contact the relevant course office directly using the contact information listed on each course’s webpage.

How do I apply for a Postgraduate Course?

Details and application instructions on all of our postgraduate programmes can be found here.

What is the closing date for programmes?

Closing dates vary for taught programmes, for more information please see our online prospectus and consult the individual course entry or contact the relevant department. Applications for research programmes can be made at any time. However, there are only two registration periods (September and March). Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible prior to their chosen registration period as supervisory capacity may be limited.

I don’t have the results of my final exams, can I still make an application?

Yes. Please complete the application form and upload your earlier years transcripts as part of the process. Then, when you receive your final year transcripts, you can upload them to complete your file. You may be made a conditional offer pending your final year results so apply early and make sure to include as many of your available transcripts as possible.

Will there be a deicison made on my application during the Christmas break?

No decisions will be made on any postgraduate applications between 22nd December - 2nd January.

Is there an English language requirement for entry into Postgraduate Courses?

All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must present one of the following qualifications in the English language:

  • IELTS: Grade 6.5 overall
  • TOEFL: 88 internet-based, 570 paper-based, 230 computer-based. The test taken here should be TOEFL IBT
  • University of Cambridge:
    Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)
    Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE Academic: a minimum score of 63 to be eligible (with no section score below 59)
  • An award certificate with a minimum II.1 overall score from Trinity's Centre for English Language Learning and Teaching's Pre-sessional Pathway Programme

Please note that test scores are only valid for two years. For further details on these English Language Proficiency Tests, please contact the appropriate organisation directly:

An applicant whose first language is not English but who has taken a degree through the medium of English may be eligible provided they did not complete their studies more than two years prior to admission. However some courses may request applicants to present an English Language qualification under certain circumstances.

How do I apply for a PhD or Masters by research?

To apply for a research position you must first contact whichever School or Department is suitable for your research from the list of Schools on the TCD website. Each School and Department has a list of Academic staff members and a brief synopsis of their research area. If you find an appropriate supervisor online please email them directly. The email should outline what research you are looking to undertake, a rough research proposal and a brief outline of your academic or relevant employment history. If you cannot find an appropriate supervisor via this method, please email the Director of Teaching and Learning: Postgraduate (DTLPG) of whichever School your research falls under with a similar email and they will hopefully be able to help you find a supervisor. Once you have a supervisor who is willing to supervise you then as per new regulations ALL applications to the Research register must be made online via tcd.ie/courses. The online application fee is €50. This payment should be made online following the instructions on the website.

How do I apply for the Postgraduate Studentship Award / Ussher Award? Can you tell me about other postgraduate awards/funding?

If you are just about to make an application for full-time PhD research here at TCD then you can apply for either of these awards by selecting them from the drop down menu in the Section of the Application Form marked "Financials/Funding". Please note the closing date for these awards is the 1st of May annually. This closing date covers entrants for the following September and March start dates. The Postgraduate Studentship Awards are decided at a School level by a committee chaired by the DTLPG and results are announced at the end of July/start of August annually. The awards are generally for 3 academic years only, cover the recipients annual tuition fees (both EU / Non-EU) and provide a stipend of €6,500. This amount may be subject to change.

The Ussher Awards are also for 3 academic years, cover the recipients annual tuition fees (both EU / Non-EU) and provide a stipend of €13,000.This amount may be subject to change. The Ussher Awards are decided at a Faculty level by a committee chaired by the Faculty Dean from nominations provided by the DTLPG from the Schools within that Faculty. If the applicant has already made an application online then there is no method on the system to allow them to retrospectively apply for the awards. The applicant will need to contact their supervisor to request that their application is passed onto the DTLPG for consideration for the awards.

Further information for funding available for postgraduate students on the research register within TCD can be found on our Graduate website.

Unfortunately, there is no funding for postgraduate students on taught courses within Trinity College Dublin, but please see our External Funding section for information regarding funding available from other sources here.

Fees & Payments

For in depth information and frequently asked queries on student finance please visit our webpage here.

Examinations & Assessment

For in depth information and frequently asked queries on examinations and assessment please visit our webpage here.

Graduation

For in depth information and frequently asked queries on graduation please visit our webpage here.

Miscellaneous

Where can I get a Graduate Reader’s pass to the Trinity College Dublin Library?

Graduates can apply online for a Graduate Reader’s pass here: www.tcd.ie/library/selfreg/sr1atcdg1.php

Where can I get a staff card?

Staff cards are available from Human Resources.

Where can I apply for a Student travel card/leap card?

Travel cards are available from the Students’ Union Office located in House 6 opposite the Students’ Union shop on left hand side after the main archway on to campus.

Postgraduate students should contact the Graduate Students’ Union in the first instance.

Where can I request a letter showing I am registered student of the college/confirming my address?

Letters confirming a student’s address or registration status can be generated by the student though their my.tcd.ie portal through the "Register" tab. These documents can also be directly requested from the Academic Registry and take approximately one working day to issue. Please note during registration and other busy periods there may be short delays in the issuing of letters.

Where can I request a transcript?

The Academic Registry issues transcripts for specific courses. A list of these courses can be found at https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/service-desk/transcripts/.

Student can request a transcript by completing this online request form. Transcripts take approximately 10 working days to issue.

Please note the transcripts issued by the Academic Registry will only show an overall result for each year of a student’s programme. For results by module students should contact their school or course office.

Requests for postgraduate research programmes, including the Ph.D., can be made by completing this online request form. Transcripts for all taught postgraduate courses are issued directly by the School or Course Office. Contact information for all offices can be found in the A-Z section of the Trinity website at https://www.tcd.ie/az/