Welcome to IADT and congratulations on starting a wonderful and exciting journey.

You may be feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment with everything you need to get done which is why IADT’s First Year Focus (FYF) Team is here to support all students. The Student Union and FYF Leaders have put together a series of wonderful and informative events for incoming students, spread across the first three weeks of term starting the week of the 9^th of September. Check out the First Year Focus (FYF) schedule on IADT’s website and make a note of your programme’s induction time: First Year Induction Week 2024 – IADT.

Students that have accepted a place on an IADT course will be invited by email to register online very shortly. You will be contacted via the email address you provided as part of your application so keep an eye on your emails!

We in the International Office know that not everything is about your studies so to help you prepare for your travels and for life in Ireland we have put together a list of practical things to help make that journey smoother.

We hope this information is helpful to you and look forward to meeting you during your induction and orientation. If you need further advice or support please feel free to reach to us at any stage. Our office is on the Ground Floor of the Media Cube Building but the easiest way you can get in touch with us is always by email at International@iadt.ie.

Warm regards,
The International Team at IADT

Genevieve Doherty                                         Sonya Hogan
International Senior Lead                               International Officer

All incoming students will receive an email with instructions regarding when and how to register from IADT’s Academic + Student Affairs Team. You can also find further information about the registration process on our website: Registration Information

IADT has put together a series of wonderful and informative events for incoming students, spread across the first three weeks of term starting the week of the 9^th of September. Check out the First Year Focus (FYF) schedule on IADT’s website and make a note of your programme’s induction day/time: First Year Induction Week 2024 – IADT.

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Register here on IADT’s Official Accommodation Platform:

iadtstudentpad.ie/Accommodation

IADT Student Pad Account Set-Up Guide

Also don’t forget you may also find a roommate from our online IADT student community: Goin IADT

Important tips about finding accommodation:

• 5 day accommodation is not usually suitable for international students
• View the accommodation in person before you pay any money
• If you can’t get anywhere in the locality of IADT try to find somewhere on the DART line or on the 46A bus route (dublinbus.ie)

The following websites can also be super helpful when looking for accommodation:

• collegecribs.ie
• isaccommodation.com
• homestay.com ( living with families)
• rent.ie
• daft.ie
• Accommodation Guide | ICOS (internationalstudents.ie)

Meet your Future Classmates.
Time to start making friends with your future classmates. To make this possible, we’ve set up a special community app, Goin IADT, where you can meet students from your study program who share your interests and background. Register here to join our fun IADT student community: https://register.goinconnect.com/role-selection/94356

Passport & Visa
Make sure your passport and student visa is in order if you need one. Details on study visa requirements for non-EEA/EU citizens can be found here: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-visa-options/how-to-apply-for-long-term-study-visa/

Purchase Private Medical Insurance
It is a legal requirement for visa requiring students to have private medical insurance for accidents and medical incident including hospital stays in Ireland, valid for 12 months, or if less than 12 months for the duration of your stay. This needs to be purchased before you leave your home country. Students are responsible for purchasing and renewing their own health insurance. Some of the companies in Ireland that offer health insurance include:

• • VHI
  • Guardme
  • Laya Healthcare
  • Irish Life
  • Aviva

Students from the EU who have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can access public health services in Ireland. Please be aware that the EHIC does not provide access to private health services in Ireland. Students should apply for their EHIC card before travelling to Ireland. You can find out how to apply here: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559

Further information about using the EIHC is available here: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/unplanned-healthcare/going-to-doctor-hospital-abroad/index_en.html

Book Your Flights
Dublin has direct flights between most international major airports. In the event that you do have to make a connection through another country please check to see if you will need a transit visa for any country you will be travelling through. When booking your flights make sure that you purchase sufficient baggage allowance and do check with your airline to see if they have any additional student luggage allowances or benefits. Also make sure to check out the Important Dates section of the website if you are considering booking return flights: 2024/2025 Academic Calendar

Airport Transfers
Plan your onward travel. IADT does not offer airport transfers so depending on where you are staying you might want to book ahead or simply use one of the many public transport options available at Dublin Airport. If you are using a regular bus you may need coins so make sure you have Euro in cash and coins available

• All Transport Options: https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport
• Buses: https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport/by-bus/dublin-buses
• Taxis: https://www.dublinairport.com/to-from-the-airport/by-taxi

Accommodation
Book temporary accommodation to get you through the first week or so and register on IADT’s official accommodation platform to see what long term accommodation options are: https://www.iadtstudentpad.ie/Accommodation
Don’t pay any deposits for long term rentals without viewing the accommodation in person. There are a lot of scams relating to around at the moment.

Update IADT with your Term Address
Let IADT know your Irish accommodation as soon as you know what it is, even if it is just temporary to get you through the first few weeks. You will need to update IADT each time your accommodation changes. It’s important for IADT to be kept up-to-date so that we can issue confirmation of address letters for bank accounts and other essentials. You can email registration@iadt.ie with any updates and changes to your address.

Banking & Finance
Tell your bank you are travelling so that they know not to freeze your cards. Find out the fees your bank charges for getting euros from atms/cash machines in Ireland. Many Irish people use Revolut but it is just one of multiple options for digital banking so do your research before you decide what’s best for you. Arrange to have some Euro in cash to get you through the first few days – smaller denominations work best.

Mobile Phones
Make sure that your phone is set up for roaming in Ireland and more importantly find out how much it’s going to cost you for your calls, data and texts. Talk to your provider and try to get the best deal, consider purchasing an e-sim, getting your phone unlocked before you go so you can buy a sim on arrival. Most Irish people use WhatsApp for communication. If you don’t already have the app we recommend you get it set up on your phone before you travel. Let us know your Irish mobile number when you have it by emailing registration@iadt.ie

Get Packing!
It’s impossible to describe the weather here in Ireland. You really need to be here to understand that ‘4 Seasons in One Day’ is 100% real! With that in mind pack a good rain jacket, beany, scarf and waterproof shoes to get you covered. Bring warm clothes, particularly if you are used to warmer climates and get used to wearing loads of layers!

Hand Luggage
Pack all important documents in your hand luggage including your Passport, Visa, IADT, Offer Letter, Tuition Fee Payment Receipt, Medical Insurance and Proof of Accommodation. Have any prescription medicines that you need to take available in your hand luggage. Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have your roaming set up.  Have some cash with you for unexpected costs and make sure you have a credit card in case you need immediate access to larger amounts of money.

Visa and Immigration
On arrival to Ireland, you will pass through border control. If you are non-EU/EEA an immigration officer will check your documents and place a stamp in your passport. You should pack all important documents in your hand luggage including your Passport, Visa, IADT Offer Letter, Tuition Fee Payment Receipt, Medical Insurance and Proof of Accommodation in case they need to check any details.

Register with your local Immigration Office
All students from outside of the EU/EEA must register with immigration after arriving to Ireland. To register, you will need to make an appointment at your local registration office and the provide the required supporting documentation and fee. The fee to register is €300 and you will receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) by post within about 10 days. Click on the link below for further details and to find out where your local immigration office is:

• https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-register-your-immigration-permission-for-the-first-time/

Accommodation/Housing
By now you have registered on iadtstudentpad.ie/Accommodation so it’s time to start viewing properties. Also don’t forget you may also find a roommate from our online community: Goin IADT

Important tips about finding accommodation:

• 5 day accommodation is not usually suitable for international students
• View the accommodation before you pay any money
• If you can’t get anywhere in the locality of IADT try to find somewhere on the DART line or on the 46A bus route (dublinbus.ie)

The following websites can also be super helpful when looking for accommodation:

• collegecribs.ie
• isaccommodation.com
• homestay.com ( living with families)
• rent.ie
• daft.ie

The IADT Information Point
This is the first point of contact in the atrium building at IADT Dún Laoghaire. It is a reception point for our students, visitors and families and it’s where you can request your support letters for landlords, bank accounts, leap cards, PPS numbers etc. You can drop in or email info@iadt.ie Further information is available on our website: https://iadt.ie/services/institute-student-services/information-point/

Public Transport – Order Your Leap Card Online
You’ll need a Leap card to be able to avail of cheaper public transport while in Ireland. You can if you wish order your Student Leap Card online before you travel to Ireland and then validate it once you have got your IADT student card. Click here for full information: https://www.leapcard.ie/en/NavigationPages/CardPurchase.aspx

Open a Bank Account
In order to get paid you will need to open a bank account in Ireland. IADT will issue you a letter to help with is process. You can simply email info@iadt.ie to request this when you have fully enrolled.

Useful Articles:
https://switcher.ie/current-accounts/
https://neobanks.app/neobanks/ireland
https://www.monito.com/en/wiki/best-online-banks-ireland

The traditional banks in Ireland include:

• • Allied Irish Bank (AIB)
  • Bank of Ireland (BOI)
  • Permanent TSB

You will likely need the following documents to open a bank account:

• • Passport
  • IADT Student Card
  • IADT Bank Letter
  • Proof of permanent address in Ireland. The following are usually accepted as proof and must be dated within 6 months.
  • A utility bill e.g. a gas/electricity/mobile phone
  • A document issued by a government department that shows your address.
  • Your IADT Bank letter confirming your address will be helpful here if you have no other proof of address
  • A letter from your landlord/rental contract can also be used

Part-time Jobs
International students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during holiday periods. A PPSN (Personal Public Services Number) is required if you want to work in Ireland even on a part-time basis. You can apply for a PPSN online once you have fully registered and secured your long-term accommodation. To apply online you should follow these steps:

Set up a basic at MyGovID Account at https://www.mygovid.ie

• Go to MyWelfare.ie and apply online for a PPSN.

You will need:

• Your Passport
• IADT PPSN Letter which you can order from the Information point by emailing info@iadt.ie

Order your letters here for visa and immigration purposes, to open your bank account, to provide accommodation related letters, etc

Get your forms stamped here e.g your Student Leap Card

Get directions when you can’t find your class!

email: info@iadt.ie

Information Point

2024/2025 Academic Calendar

An International Student is permitted to take up casual employment of up to 20 hours part-time work per week in term time or up to 40 hours per week during college vacation periods, that is, from June to September inclusive and from 15 December to 15 January. Your entitlement to take up employment ceases when your permission to remain expires.

As an EU citizen you can take up employment or self-employment without needing an employment permit. This also applies to citizens of European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), and Switzerland.

UK citizens can live and work in Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area

You will need to get a Personal Public Service Number in order to get paid.

How to get a PPS Number

Preparing Your CV/Resume for the Irish Jobs Market

Full information regarding your fees for this academic year can be found here: Fees + Grants – IADT

Students have the right to a refund of their course fees if they are unsuccessful in applying for a visa to come to Ireland to study.

The ICOS website is also a super resource for information on refunds should your visa be declined.

The IADT refund policy for all students can be found in the Policy for Student Contribution, Tuition Fee and Charges Collection on the IADT website.

There are lots of things you already know that you will need to pay for; tuition fees, your accommodation, transport in Dublin, food, utility bills etc but there will be other costs that you don’t think about.

• Course related fees
• Annual visa and immigration charges
• Annual Medical Insurance Charges
• Annual Flights if you want to return home
• Accommodation and utility bills (heat, electricity, bins etc)
• Food and groceries
• Clothes
• Toiletries
• Transport/Leap Card
• Mobile phone and internet
• Socialising / entertainment / sports /hobbies
• Costs associated with your course (books, equipment, etc)

Costs associated with your course (other than fees etc) will vary. For example in the BA (Hons) Art normally not more than €300 per year will be required (years 1, 2 and 3) for materials and tools. You may have an opportunity to take part in extended field trips or international visits (not compulsory). However for the BA (Hons) Animation the cost for materials and/or field trips are estimated at €750–€1000 per year.

Also, your final year exhibition is your professional showcase, so we advise you to budget for costs associated with the Graduate Exhibition.

Check the course information pages on the IADT website for further information and if you need further clarification on this please contact the programme chair.

The biggest cost outside of your course fees will be accommodation. Accommodation can vary greatly depending on location, accommodation type etc. The following are some resources that can help you plan your budget for the year.

• ICOS: https://www.internationalstudents.ie/info-and-advice/practical-information/cost-of-living
• www.numbeo.com: a cost of living database for the world
• My Budget (mabs.ie)

It’s not all bad news! Having a student card will get you all sorts of discounts in shops, grocery stores, clothes airlines etc so do make sure you check them out. Here are just a couple that you can avail of:

• Student Vouchers – Discount Codes for Student (vouchercloud.ie)
• ISIC Ireland | Get Discounts Today

And of course there are plenty of things to do in Dublin and Dun Laoghaire without spending any money:

31 Best Free Things to do in Dublin (2024) (theirishroadtrip.com)

19 free things to do in Dublin – Lonely Planet

Postgraduate scholarship opportunities are available:

• http://eurireland.ie/programmes/related-international-co-operation/international-scholarship-opportunities/
• http://research.ie/funding-category/postgraduate/
• http://www.iua.ie/irish-marie-curie-office/introduction/
• http://eurireland.ie/programmes/related-international-co-operation/us-ireland-rd-programme/
• https://www.campusfrance.org/en
• http://heranet.info/

Sectoral Response

IADT as part of the sectoral response to Ukrainian people seeking to access third-level education is committed to welcoming, supporting and meeting the needs of students and researchers who are displaced from Ukraine. This response is being led by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).

Updated Statement Gov.ie

 13.08.2024

Ukrainian Student Fees and Financial Support Update

Financial support for further and higher education

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has confirmed that the following supports will be offered to Ukrainian students for the academic year 2024/25. This includes payment of tuition fees in respect of approved full-time higher education, a financial stipend for qualified persons undertaking a full-time course in a publicly funded higher education institution (HEI) and a bursary for eligible students pursuing an approved post-leaving certificate (PLC) course.

For students who commenced their studies in academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24, the supports in 2024/25 will be similar to previous years.

For new entrants to a course of study in academic year 2024/25, supports will be at revised rates.

Financial stipend for full-time higher education students (Erasmus National Grant)

Displaced Ukrainian students in receipt of Temporary Protection who are pursuing or progressing in a full-time approved course in a publicly funded higher education institution will be supported financially through a monthly stipend for academic year 2024/25. The stipend will be paid to the student through their higher education institution’s International Office.

The international officer at IADT is sonya.hogan@iadt.ie if you require further information.

We engage with education and industry partners globally to develop international opportunities for staff and students. We actively seek out new academic programmes through strategic international education partnerships and relationships. One such relationship is with George Brown College, Toronto (under the Ontario Agreement). IADT and George Brown College partner on the MA Design for Change and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design (pathway module).

Contact the International Office at international@iadt.ie to discuss opportunities.

We are currently working on International engagement and studyabroad.  If you are interested in spending a semester with us at IADT, please contact international@iadt.ie

Thank you very much for your interest in becoming an International Education Agent for IADT.

We are not taking on any agents at this time however this may change in the coming months.

In the meantime we are requesting that all prospective agents complete our IADT Agent Questionnaire in as much detail as possible.

Thank you.