TAR UMT to Ireland: Fastest, Cheapest Path to a Degree

Your TAR UMT diploma is not just a Malaysian qualification. It is a direct ticket into Year 3 of an Irish university degree.

Through articulation agreements between TAR UMT and five Irish partner universities, diploma graduates can skip the early years and complete an Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree in just one to two years. That means a genuine European qualification, a post-study graduate visa, and access to Ireland's multinational job market - without starting from scratch.

There are 21 progression pathways across seven faculties. This article breaks down every single one.

Key Facts

21 progression pathways · 5 Irish partner universities · 7 faculties covered
Up to EUR 7,500 in scholarships · 1-2 years to complete in Ireland

How the Pathway Works

Step 1

TAR UMT Diploma

2 years in Malaysia

Step 2

Irish Degree Top-Up

1-2 years in Ireland

Result

Irish Honours Degree

+ Stamp 1G Graduate Visa

Most pathways enter at Year 3, meaning just one year in Ireland to complete your degree.

The 5 Partner Universities

TAR UMT has articulation agreements with five Irish universities. Each offers different programmes, locations, and scholarship levels.

TUS

Technological University of the Shannon · Athlone & Limerick

EUR 4,500

fixed scholarship

StrengthsSports Science, QS, Computing, Design, Accounting & Finance

Griffith College

Dublin

Up to EUR 7,500

scholarship

StrengthsBusiness, Accounting, HRM, Computer Science

SETU

South East Technological University · Waterford

Up to EUR 5,500

scholarship

StrengthsMarketing, Built Environment, Engineering

ATU

Atlantic Technological University · Galway & Donegal

EUR 3,000

fixed scholarship

StrengthsAccounting, Food Science, QS

TU Dublin

Technological University Dublin · Dublin

not currently available

StrengthsHospitality Management

All 21 Pathways

Below is every confirmed TAR UMT diploma-to-Irish-degree pathway, grouped by faculty. Entry level, tuition, and scholarship amounts are listed for each.

Business & Finance (8 pathways)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Accounting	BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance	ATU Galway	Year 3	EUR 12,000	EUR 3,000
Accounting	BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance	Griffith College	Year 3	EUR 13,500	EUR 3,000-4,500
Accounting	BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance	TUS Athlone	Year 3	EUR 14,500	EUR 4,500
Business Administration	BA (Hons) Business / Marketing / HRM	Griffith College	Year 2	EUR 13,500	EUR 3,000-4,500
E-Marketing	BA (Hons) Marketing & Digital Media	SETU Waterford	Year 3	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000
Marketing	BA (Hons) Marketing & Digital Media	SETU Waterford	Year 3	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000
HRM	BA (Hons) HRM	Griffith College	Year 2	EUR 13,500	EUR 3,000-4,500
International Business	BA (Hons) International Business	SETU Waterford	Year 4	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000

Applied Sciences (2 pathways)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Sports & Exercise Science	BSc (Hons) Sports Science & Exercise Physiology	TUS Athlone	Year 3	EUR 13,500	EUR 4,500
Food Science	BSc (Hons) Food Science & Nutrition	ATU Donegal	Year 3	EUR 12,000	EUR 3,000

Built Environment (5 pathways)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Quantity Surveying	BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying	TUS Limerick	Year 3	EUR 13,500	EUR 4,500
Quantity Surveying	BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying	SETU Waterford	Year 3	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000
Quantity Surveying	BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying	ATU Donegal	Year 3	EUR 12,000	EUR 3,000
Property Mgmt / Architecture	BSc (Hons) Building Mgmt & Engineering	SETU Waterford	Year 3	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000
Architecture	BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying	SETU Waterford	Year 3	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000

Engineering (1 pathway)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Electronics Engineering	BEng (Hons) Electronics Engineering	SETU Waterford	Year 3	EUR 13,500	EUR 5,500

Computing & IT (2 pathways)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Computer Science	BSc (Hons) Computer Science	Griffith College	Year 3	EUR 12,000	Up to EUR 7,500
Computer Science	BSc (Hons) Cloud Computing AI Software Design	TUS Athlone	Year 3	EUR 13,500	Up to EUR 4,000

Hospitality (1 pathway)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Hospitality Management	BSc (Hons) Hospitality Management	TU Dublin	Year 3	EUR 13,500	-

Creative Industries (2 pathways)

TAR UMT Diploma	Irish Degree	University	Entry	Tuition/yr	Scholarship
Graphic Design	BA (Hons) Graphic Design Communication	TUS Limerick	Year 3	EUR 13,500	EUR 4,500
Fashion Design	BA (Hons) Fashion Design	TUS Limerick	Year 3	EUR 13,500	EUR 4,500

Don't See Your Diploma?

New pathways are added regularly. Contact Mystudy and we can check whether your transcript matches a programme not yet on this list.

What Does It Actually Cost?

The biggest advantage of the TAR UMT pathway is cost. Here is a side-by-side comparison.

Standard Route (Start from Year 1)

Study Full Degree in Ireland

Foundation Year: ~EUR 8,000
3-year degree: ~EUR 40,500
4 years living costs: ~EUR 48,000

Total: ~EUR 96,500

TAR UMT Pathway

Diploma in Malaysia + Top-Up in Ireland

TAR UMT Diploma: ~RM 18,900-21,800
1-year top-up (most pathways): ~EUR 12,000-14,500
Scholarship: -EUR 3,000 to -EUR 7,500
1 year living costs: ~EUR 12,000

Total: ~EUR 16,500-23,500 + RM 22k

Important Note

These are illustrative figures for comparison purposes only. Actual costs vary by university, programme, and lifestyle. Living cost estimate is based on EUR 1,000/month outside Dublin. Contact Mystudy for a personalised cost breakdown.

Scholarships

Most partner universities offer scholarships specifically for TAR UMT progression students. These are applied directly to your tuition fee.

University	Scholarship	Notes
Griffith College	Up to EUR 7,500	Computing students up to EUR 7,500; Business/Accounting up to EUR 4,500
SETU	Up to EUR 5,500	Engineering up to EUR 5,500; Built Environment/Business up to EUR 4,000
TUS	EUR 4,500 fixed	Merit-based, applies to all TUS pathways including the Accounting & Finance route
ATU	EUR 3,000 fixed	Applies to Food Science and Quantity Surveying pathways
TU Dublin	-	No scholarship currently listed for Hospitality Management

How Scholarships Work

You do not need to apply for scholarships separately. Mystudy will include your scholarship application with your university application.

Entry Requirements

Requirement	Typical Standard	Notes
CGPA	2.5 minimum	3.0+ preferred for competitive programmes
Field Match	Related to target degree	Your diploma must align with the Irish programme
IELTS	6.0 overall (no band below 5.5)	Or equivalent English test
TOEFL	79-80 iBT	Alternative to IELTS
Passport	Valid 12+ months beyond course end
Financial Proof	EUR 7,000+ liquid savings	Required for visa application

English Waiver

If your TAR UMT programme was taught entirely in English, you may not need IELTS. Some Irish universities accept an English Medium Instruction (EMI) letter from TAR UMT instead. Ask Mystudy whether this applies to your target university.

How to Apply

Book a free consultation with Mystudy. We review your transcript and match you to the best pathway.
Prepare your documents. Transcript, diploma certificate, passport, English test result (if needed), and personal statement.
Mystudy submits your application on your behalf to the university.
Receive your conditional offer. This typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Meet any conditions. Final CGPA, English requirement, specific module grades.
Pay your deposit and receive your acceptance letter.
Apply for your Irish student visa. Mystudy guides you through the entire process.
Attend Mystudy's pre-departure orientation.
Fly to Ireland and start your degree.

Mystudy's Service Is Free

We are paid by the universities, not by you. There is no fee for consultation, application support, or visa guidance.

Life After Your Irish Degree

After graduation, you are eligible for Ireland's Stamp 1G Graduate Visa, which gives you one year to work full-time in Ireland without employer sponsorship. This is your window to gain professional experience and secure a longer-term position.

If you secure a professional trainee contract with an approved firm during your Stamp 1G year, you can transition to a Stamp 1A visa for 3.5 years. This is a common route for graduates entering accounting, engineering, and other professional fields that require structured training periods.

After five years of legal residence in Ireland, you become eligible to apply for Irish Permanent Residency.

Ireland is home to the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, LinkedIn, Apple, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. Many of these companies actively recruit from Irish universities.

Not sure which pathway is right for you?

Book a free consultation. We will review your TAR UMT transcript, confirm which Irish degree and university fit best, and map out the full cost and timeline.

Book Free Consultation View the Full TAR UMT Pathway

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my CGPA is below 2.5 - am I completely out?

Not necessarily. Some universities assess applications holistically, looking at your strongest modules and relevant work experience alongside your overall CGPA. Mystudy can review your transcript and advise whether a case can be made. In some situations, entering at Year 2 instead of Year 3 is an alternative that gives you more time to build your grades in Ireland.

Can I switch fields? For example, an accounting diploma but I want to study computing.

It depends on how much your diploma modules overlap with the target programme. Most articulation agreements require a related field because you are skipping the foundational years. A big jump like accounting to engineering is unlikely to be accepted at Year 3. However, some business-adjacent switches (e.g. marketing diploma to a general business degree) may work. Mystudy can check the module match for your specific case.

I only have a TAR UMT Foundation certificate, not the Diploma. Does this pathway still apply to me?

Not in the same way. The Year 2 and Year 3 advanced-entry agreements on this page are built around the credits earned in the full TAR UMT Diploma (typically 2 years), not the shorter 1-year Foundation programme. A Foundation certificate alone does not carry enough credit weight for advanced entry, so Foundation-only students would usually apply as standard Year 1 international entrants instead, without the time or cost savings this pathway offers. If you are currently on the Foundation and plan to continue into the Diploma, this pathway becomes available once you complete it. Talk to Mystudy about which route makes sense for where you are right now.

Do I need separate health insurance for my Irish student visa?

Yes. Private health insurance is a mandatory, separate requirement for every non-EU/EEA student visa in Ireland, regardless of which pathway or university you enter through. Your policy needs to cover you from the day you arrive until the end of your studies, with a minimum level of cover for both accidents and illness. Budget roughly EUR 150-400 per year depending on the provider and coverage level; this is in addition to your tuition and living costs. Mystudy can point you to compliant providers as part of your visa preparation.

Will employers take my degree seriously if I only studied one year in Ireland?

Your degree certificate is identical to that of a student who studied all three or four years at the same university. It does not say "top-up" or "transfer." Employers see an Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree from an Irish university, nothing more, nothing less.

Is the Irish degree recognised by MQA and JPA back in Malaysia?

Irish Honours Bachelor's Degrees (NFQ Level 8) from recognised institutions are generally accepted internationally. However, MQA and JPA recognition can depend on the specific university and programme. We recommend verifying your target programme's recognition status with MQA before you commit. Mystudy can help you with that process.

Can I do a Master's straight after the top-up degree?

Yes. An Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree is an NFQ Level 8 qualification, which is the standard entry requirement for a Master's (NFQ Level 9) at any Irish or European university. Your top-up degree qualifies you the same way as any other bachelor's graduate.

How much can I realistically earn working part-time as a student?

International students on a Stamp 2 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours per week during holidays. Ireland's minimum wage is EUR 13.50 per hour (2025). At 20 hours per week, that is roughly EUR 1,080 per month before tax. It is enough to cover a portion of your living costs, though not all of them.

What if my student visa gets rejected?

Visa rejections happen, but they are not the end of the road. The most common reasons are insufficient financial proof, incomplete documents, or a weak cover letter. If rejected, you will receive a reason and you can reapply with a stronger application. Mystudy reviews every visa application before submission to minimise this risk.

Dublin is expensive. How different are the other cities?

Significantly different. Rent in Dublin averages EUR 800-1,200 per month for a shared room, while cities like Waterford, Athlone, Limerick, and Donegal can be EUR 400-600. Groceries and transport are also cheaper outside Dublin. If cost is a major factor, universities like TUS (Athlone/Limerick), SETU (Waterford), and ATU (Donegal) offer a much more affordable lifestyle without sacrificing degree quality.

What happens if I fail a module in Ireland?

Irish universities typically offer a resit period (usually in August) where you can retake the exam without repeating the full year. If you fail the resit, you may need to repeat that module the following year, which could extend your stay and add cost. The key is to flag struggles early. Most universities have academic support services and tutoring available.

Is going through TAR UMT first actually cheaper than applying to an Irish university straight after SPM?

Usually, yes, and the saving is mostly about time, not just fees. A TAR UMT Diploma costs roughly RM 18,900-21,800 over 2 to 2.5 years at Malaysian living costs, after which most pathways need only a single top-up year in Ireland. Applying directly after SPM typically means a 1-year foundation programme plus a full 3 to 4-year Irish degree, which adds 2 to 3 extra years of Irish tuition and living costs on top. The trade-off is university choice: direct entry via A-Levels, STPM, or a foundation year opens far more universities and courses than the TAR UMT articulation list on this page. For a full breakdown of how Foundation, Diploma, and A-Levels compare on cost and flexibility, see our pathway comparison guide.