If you have just finished SPM and you are looking at your options, here is one worth serious attention: do a two-year diploma at TAR UMT in Malaysia, then transfer directly into the final year of an Irish university degree. You graduate with a genuine European Honours Bachelor's Degree in three to four years total, at a fraction of the cost of studying abroad from day one.
This works because TAR UMT has formal articulation agreements with five Irish universities. Your diploma credits are recognised, so you skip the early years entirely. After graduating in Ireland, you qualify for the Stamp 1G graduate visa - one year to work full-time in Ireland without employer sponsorship, in one of Europe's strongest job markets.
Already studying at TAR UMT? This pathway is not heavily promoted on campus, so many diploma students only find out about it late or not at all. If you are currently in a TAR UMT diploma programme, check the table below - your course may already qualify for direct entry into an Irish university.
There are 19 confirmed pathways across seven faculties. This article covers every single one, plus costs, scholarships, entry requirements, and what happens after you graduate. If you are still weighing diploma against Foundation, A-Levels, or other pre-university routes, our full comparison of all post-SPM pathways covers the trade-offs side by side.
Why This Pathway Makes Sense After SPM
Most Malaysian students who want a foreign degree face a painful choice: spend four years and a large sum of money studying entirely overseas, or stay local and miss out on the international experience and career access. The TAR UMT-to-Ireland pathway sidesteps that trade-off.
- Affordable start. TAR UMT diploma fees are roughly RM 30,000-50,000 for two years. You live at home or nearby in Malaysia, so your living costs stay low during the years when you are still building your foundation.
- Short time abroad. Most pathways enter at Year 3, meaning just one year of Irish tuition and living costs instead of three or four.
- Real European degree. Your certificate is identical to that of someone who studied all three years at the same university. It does not say "transfer" or "top-up."
- Career access after graduation. Ireland's Stamp 1G visa gives you one full year to work without employer sponsorship. Ireland is home to the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Pfizer, and LinkedIn - they recruit directly from Irish universities.
- Scholarships built in. Most partner universities offer scholarships of EUR 3,000 to EUR 7,500, applied directly to your tuition.
For a broader look at how studying in Ireland compares financially to other destinations, see our full cost comparison for Ireland, France and Spain.
How the Pathway Works
Most pathways enter at Year 3, meaning just one year in Ireland to complete your degree.
19 progression pathways · 5 Irish partner universities · 7 faculties covered
Up to EUR 7,500 in scholarships · 3-4 years total from SPM to an Irish degree
What Does It Actually Cost?
This is the biggest reason SPM students should look at this route. Here is a side-by-side comparison of going to Ireland from day one versus doing the TAR UMT pathway first.
- Foundation Year: ~EUR 8,000
- 3-year degree: ~EUR 40,500
- 4 years living costs: ~EUR 48,000
- TAR UMT Diploma (2yr): ~RM 30,000-50,000
- 1-year top-up: ~EUR 12,000-13,500
- Scholarship: -EUR 3,000 to -EUR 7,500
- 1 year living costs: ~EUR 12,000
That is roughly RM 300,000+ in savings compared to studying in Ireland from the start, and you end up with the same degree from the same university.
These are illustrative figures for comparison. 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 based on your target programme.
The 5 Partner Universities
TAR UMT has articulation agreements with five Irish universities. Each offers different programmes, locations, and scholarship levels.
Campuses: Athlone & Limerick
Strengths: Sports Science, QS, Computing, Design
Scholarship: EUR 4,500 fixed
Strengths: Business, Accounting, HRM, Computer Science
Scholarship: Up to EUR 7,500
Campus: Waterford
Strengths: Marketing, Built Environment, Engineering
Scholarship: Up to EUR 5,500
Campuses: Galway & Donegal
Strengths: Accounting, Food Science, QS
Scholarship: EUR 3,000 fixed
Campus: Dublin
Strengths: Hospitality Management
Scholarship: Not currently available
All 19 Pathways
Below is every confirmed TAR UMT diploma-to-Irish-degree pathway, grouped by faculty. If you are an SPM student, use this to pick the right diploma. If you are already at TAR UMT, find your current programme and see where it leads.
Business & Finance (7 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 |
| 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 |
New pathways are added regularly. Contact Mystudy and we can check whether a programme not yet on this list matches your goals.
Take the MyMatch quiz to find out which study route and destination fits your qualifications, budget, and career goals.
Scholarships
Most partner universities offer scholarships specifically for TAR UMT progression students. These are applied directly to your tuition fee, so your actual out-of-pocket cost is lower than the listed tuition.
| 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 |
| ATU | EUR 3,000 fixed | Applies to Food Science and Quantity Surveying pathways |
| TU Dublin | - | No scholarship currently listed for Hospitality Management |
You do not need to apply for scholarships separately. Mystudy will include your scholarship application with your university application.
Entry Requirements
These are the typical requirements for the Irish universities to accept your TAR UMT diploma for progression. If you are still in SPM, you do not need to meet these yet - they apply when you finish your diploma and are ready to transfer.
| 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 |
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 Get Started
If you are an SPM student choosing your next step
- Book a free consultation with Mystudy. We help you choose the right TAR UMT diploma based on which Irish degree you want to end up with.
- Enrol in your TAR UMT diploma. Focus on doing well - your CGPA matters for the transfer.
- During your diploma, prepare your documents. Transcript, passport, English test result (if needed), and personal statement.
- In your final semester, Mystudy submits your application to the Irish university on your behalf.
- Receive your conditional offer (typically 2-4 weeks), meet any conditions, pay your deposit.
- Apply for your Irish student visa with Mystudy's guidance.
- Fly to Ireland and complete your degree.
If you are already studying at TAR UMT
- Book a free consultation with Mystudy. We review your transcript and match you to the best Irish pathway for your current diploma.
- Prepare your documents. Transcript, diploma certificate (or projected completion), passport, English test result (if needed), and personal statement.
- Mystudy submits your application to the Irish university.
- Receive your conditional offer (typically 2-4 weeks), meet any conditions, pay your deposit.
- Apply for your Irish student visa with Mystudy's guidance.
- Fly to Ireland and complete your degree.
We are paid by the universities, not by you. There is no fee for consultation, application support, or visa guidance. Read more about how to evaluate an education consultant before you commit to any agency.
What Happens After You Graduate in Ireland
This is the part that makes the whole pathway worth it. After graduating with your Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree, you are eligible for Ireland's Stamp 1G graduate visa - one full year to work in Ireland without needing employer sponsorship. For a step-by-step walkthrough of registering once you arrive, see our complete IRP guide.
Ireland is not just any job market. It is the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, LinkedIn, Apple, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. These companies and hundreds of others actively recruit from Irish universities. Your Stamp 1G year gives you direct access to this job market at a time when employers are already looking at your graduating class.
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.
For a broader comparison of career opportunities between Ireland and the UK, see our Ireland vs UK guide for Malaysian students.
Ready to plan your path to Ireland?
Whether you are choosing your post-SPM route or already at TAR UMT, we help you pick the right programme, apply to the Irish university, and handle the visa - all for free.
Questions We Actually Get Asked
Our free 54-page guide covers courses, fees, visas, scholarships, and post-study work opportunities for Malaysian students heading to Ireland.