DCU, as the Coordinating Institution, will perform an initial review of the applications to ensure satisfaction of the jointly agreed entry requirements and the inclusion of all required documents. The applications will then be cooperatively assessed by a Student Selection Committee composed by one academic representative per partner university.

A table will be formed listing the applicants according to a score based on the following criteria: academic merit (70%); other relevant professional experiences (20%); personal statement (10%). If there is any doubt about the suitability of an applicant, the selection committee can arrange a remote interview.

The list will then be divided by Study Stream and Study Track following the ratio and caps annually established by the Partnership Management Board. Students qualifying for a scholarship will be identified in each Study Stream and Track. The number of scholarship students in each Study Stream and Track will reflect the ratio of the number of students allocated to each Study Stream and Track.

To guarantee diversity of EMILDAI students, a nationality check will be performed to guarantee that no more than 10% of the selected students have the same nationality. Moreover, the partners are committed to actively ensuring gender balance within the study body and promoting the representation of minority groups. Where suitable candidates exist and following the list prepared by the selection committee, measures will be taken to promote a representation of the minority gender of at least 40% of the total number of students annually admitted.

Offers for students selected for scholarships will then be made, followed by offers without scholarship support. Full or partial tuition fee waivers might be offered to students without scholarship, subject to the availability of funding. DCU will communicate all decisions regarding admission and scholarship selection to the applicants on behalf of the partners.

EMILDAI prospective students may declare any support needs when they apply to the programme. On the application form, students will have the option of disclosing any circumstances for consideration by the selection committee that may affect their ability to participate in the programme. The selection committee and the relevant Disability and Learning Support staff from the partner universities will discuss these needs with the applicant by arranging a virtual call, and determining how they can be best accommodated.

Following the announcement of scholarship and non-scholarship selection results, applicants with an offer of a place on the programme but who have not secured a scholarship will be invited to pay a deposit of €500 to secure a self-funded place. This includes students who have been offered a fee waiver.

Students who meet the agreed entry requirements but have not been successful in securing a place on the programme will be placed on a waiting list for each study track.

After the initial admission and scholarship decisions are made in April, applications for self-funded students may reopen and be assessed on a rolling basis until all places on the programme are filled.

DCU is committed to fair, transparent and consistent admissions processes in line with DCU’s Admissions Principles. For more information on how an applicant can appeal an admission decision and how the University will assess the appeal, please read the DCU Admissions Appeals Policy.