University of Notre Dame Pre-College Programs Study Abroad: Ireland

You need to be a high school junior now, which makes you a rising senior by the summer, and at least 16 by 1 August 2027. Notre Dame says it can't make exceptions to the age rule because of its insurance, liability and child-protection policies.

Beyond that, Notre Dame looks for strong academic standing and solid extracurriculars, and wants applicants who are self-motivated, self-disciplined and mature. It also asks you to show a sincere wish to be part of the Notre Dame community during the program. Places are limited to 18, and Notre Dame doesn't publish how many students apply.

Your passport has to be valid through 2 February 2028, so check it early. If your high school doesn't teach in English, you'll also need a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test or PTE Academic result.

You apply through Notre Dame's online application portal, and much of the work involves getting other people's documents in on time.

1. 1

   Ask a high school teacher to recommend you before you add their name, ideally one who can speak to your interest in the subject, since Notre Dame wants the letter to judge your ability with college-level material, maturity, integrity and leadership.

2. 2

   Start the online application and add your counselor's and teacher's email addresses, which sends them automatic requests for your transcript, counselor report, school profile and recommendation, then check with both that the emails arrived.

3. 3

   Write the two essays, which Notre Dame calls very important. The topics are set, but Notre Dame sees the essays as your chance to show who you are, why the program interests you and what you'd bring to it, and it suggests having a teacher, counselor or parent proofread them.

4. 4

   Submit your application and pay the $75 fee by 20 January 2027, which is also when your counselor's and teacher's documents are due. You can't swap recommenders after that date, and nothing is reviewed until every document is in.

5. 5

   Upload SAT, ACT or PSAT scores by 31 January 2027 if you're sending them, which Notre Dame strongly encourages but doesn't require.

6. 6

   If you're admitted, pay the $2,000 enrollment fee by 25 February 2027 to secure your place.

The program costs $8,750, and with the $75 application fee the total before flights comes to $8,825. The $8,750 covers tuition with the college credit, housing, all meals, travel health insurance and every activity and excursion.

You pay in two parts. The $2,000 enrollment fee is due by 25 February 2027 once you're admitted and counts toward the total, and the $6,750 balance is due by 1 April 2027. Both the application fee and the enrollment fee are non-refundable. Notre Dame doesn't say whether any of the balance comes back if you cancel, so ask before you pay it.

Airfare is extra. You need to arrive in Dublin by 17 July and leave on 1 August, and Pre-College staff will help with booking if you ask. For the 2026 program, Notre Dame told US citizens they needed a UK Electronic Travel Authorization to enter Northern Ireland, which carries a government fee you should check with the official UK source.

Notre Dame currently has no financial aid or scholarships for study abroad, and it doesn't waive the application fee. Families facing extreme hardship can email precoll@nd.edu to be considered if funds become available.

Notre Dame faculty and local scholars lead the seminars, which meet at Notre Dame Dublin and at Notre Dame Kylemore, the castle at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara.

The faculty member Notre Dame profiles for this program is Lisa M. Caulfield, who has worked for Notre Dame Global since 2004 and leads its work at Kylemore Abbey, where the university opened a center in 2016. She holds an M.A. in modern Irish literature from the National University in Maynooth and is completing a Ph.D. at University College Dublin, and her research focuses on the mythic hero in Irish literature, drama, art and poetry.

If you complete every program requirement, you get one transferable Notre Dame college credit with a Satisfactory (S) grade rather than a letter grade, and you order the transcript yourself through the University Registrar. Notre Dame doesn't say which colleges accept the credit, so check with the ones you're aiming for before you count on it.

Students stay in hotel rooms assigned to the program. Only same-gender students from the group may visit your room, and you can't go to any room or floor outside the program's. Travel health insurance is included in the fee, and before departure students attend two mandatory online orientations and register with Crisis24, the university's emergency assistance service for travel.

The rules are strict whatever your age. That means no alcohol, tobacco or vaping, no driving, no visitors without written approval, and attendance at every class, excursion, meal and check-in. Staff won't store or give out medication, so you manage your own. Parents must make arrangements for any known medical or mental health needs at least 30 days before the start, and they pay for any medical or mental health care during the program.

A student sent home for breaking the rules gets no refund, and the family pays for the journey back. Notre Dame's published standards and policies are labeled for Summer 2026, so check for the 2027 version before you go.