Your Guide to Erasmus+ in Ireland

Erasmus+, formerly known as just Erasmus, is the EU’s programme to support young people’s education, training and sport across Europe. With more than 5 million students participating since its founding, it’s one of the world’s most popular student exchanges! Ireland is one of the most in-demand destinations with English speaking institutions, great international student culture and great history. So what will Erasmus+ look like in 2022 in Ireland and how should you prepare?

How to Apply

Students in EU countries are eligible for all aspects of Erasmus+ but there are multiple countries in partnership, too! Non-EU Balkan Countries, some Middle Eastern and even a handful of Asian and Latin American countries can get involved. You can see the full list here.

Your college or university will typically have its own dedicated system for applying. When looking to take part by yourself, you will need to apply through an organisation, like a university. We recommend getting in touch with their International or Erasmus department and enquiring about the upcoming semester. You can also explore the Erasmus+ app for advice and inspiration.

Current Travel Rules and Restrictions

If you are travelling to Ireland from overseas you must fill out a Passenger Locator Form before departure. As with all EU member states, you need valid proof of vaccination or recovery, or to present evidence of a negative RT-PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into Ireland.

Once you touch down, you may be wondering what exactly the rules and restrictions are in Ireland. Well, the good news for students is that the hospitality, entertainment and nightlife sectors have just reopened. Pubs are also returning to their normal later trading times with late licence pubs serving until around 1:30am on weekends and nightclubs until around 2:30am.

However, some measures have remained in place, so it’s best to be aware of them before arriving:

• COVID-19 passes are required for indoor hospitality and events.
• Social distancing will be in place for indoor hospitality and events.
• Wear face masks when not seated at hospitality venues.
• Only table-service will be in operation.
• You must be fully seated at live events.

University Guides & Restrictions

Colleges and universities are opening up a bit more, too! But it’s still good to know of any specific guidelines around the college you will be attending on Erasmus. October 22nd saw many restrictions lifted in Ireland, so here’s a quick overview:

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity has stated that semester 2 of the 2021/22 academic year will see all restrictions lifted and the campus experience returning to normal, subject to health guidelines after Christmas. This means the removal of social distancing and full capacity teaching spaces.

University College Dublin

UCD did not previously have social distancing in place, this will continue for the time being. The use of masks while indoors will continue where necessary. Nearly all on-campus spots are back open but you can see a full list here.

Technological University Dublin

In line with government guidelines, wearing a face-covering is mandatory in the libraries as well as in all other indoor areas on the five respective TU Dublin campuses.

Dublin City University

After a return to on-campus learning in September, DCU will continue to open up as per the government guidance. All academic, library, student support, finance and registry services will be operating on the campuses as normal. If you’re attending DCU, all information for the 2022 academic year can be found here.

Griffith College

Griffith College also returned to on-campus learning in semester 1. Face-to-face classes will be continuing into 2022. On-site resources like the library, canteen, students’ union, learning support, counselling, will be fully available to students.

National College of Ireland

After reopening for up to 2 days on-campus per week in semester 1, NCI look set to continue to ease restrictions into 2022. For now, they are continuing to advise social distancing and face coverings when on campus. We recommend keeping an eye on their COVID-19 update page as we get closer to the beginning of next semester.

Where to Stay

If you still haven’t quite made up your mind on where to stay, Point Campus offers students peace of mind, unbeatable on-site amenities and plenty of perks that you won’t find in residence halls or private housing.

Beyond just the day-to-day comforts like gaming pods, cinema, gym, roof terraces and much more, Point Campus is home to a great culture with over 30 nationalities that can really elevate your student experience in Ireland. 

For international students especially, Point Campus has a great environment with students travelling from all over the world to attend different Dublin-based universities. So whether you’re arriving alone or with a friend, there are great opportunities to meet new people in our common areas or during our on-site events.

If you’re still not sure, check out our blog ‘Why Choose Private Student Accommodation?’ for an idea of what you can expect and be sure to take a look at our Life at Point Campus page, too.

If you have any questions about Erasmus+, staying in Ireland or booking a stay at Point Campus, you can always get in touch with our team on Facebook or Instagram and our team will try and help out however we can!

All information in this blog is correct as of 29th of October 2022. We always encourage students and Point Campus residents to verify the latest advice of the institution they’re attending and stay up to date on the latest government advice.