The admissions process for Northern Irish students wishing to study in the Republic of Ireland remains challenging, with only 213 students enrolling in 2025, compared to 190 in 2024. Many students, like Claire from St Ronan's College in Lurgan, find the application process difficult due to a lack of clear information and outdated resources. Northern Irish students use the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for applications, while their counterparts in the Republic apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO), which has different requirements. Timing issues also play a significant role; A-level results are released about two weeks before Leaving Cert results, leading to uncertainty in securing places. Additionally, high housing costs in the Republic discourage students from considering universities there. Prof Stephen Byrne from University College Cork noted that UK universities provide conditional offers earlier than those in the Republic, further complicating the decision for students. The difference in the number of subjects studied, with Northern Irish students typically taking three A-levels compared to seven subjects for the Leaving Certificate, also affects their ability to score high points for admission.