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Prepare for Arrival
We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus in September 2021. This section will give you further information about how to prepare for your arrival and the beginning of your academic studies.
When to arrive?
Students should be on campus and ready to start their academic studies when teaching begins.
Travel restrictions may require students to quarantine on arrival to Ireland. Students should arrive to Ireland with enough time to complete quarantine before teaching begins.
When will teaching begin?
20 September – Teaching begins for all students except Year 1 undergraduate students
27 September – Teaching begins for Year 1 undergraduate students
The 2021/22 Academic Calendar has further information on key dates during the academic year including holidays and examinations.
Before Travelling to Ireland
Travel Restrictions
- There are strict travel requirements for anyone travelling to Ireland.
- You must complete the online Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form before arriving in Ireland.
- You may also need to complete additional actions (including PCR tests , Self-Quarantine, Mandatory Hotel Quarantine) depending on the country you are travelling from.
- Full details are available on the Government of Ireland Travel website.
- Education in Ireland have created a helpful guide and website to help students.
- Students should read the information carefully and take appropriate action.
- Please contact the International Office if you need help understanding the requirements.
Student Arrival Form
- All students must complete the Student Arrival Form at least 7 days before travelling.
- This is required to support your arrival to IT Sligo and book your airport collection.
- After submitting the form, if your travel plans change, you must complete the Travel Data Change Form.
- There will be a national ‘Greet and Transfer’ service for all international students arriving to Dublin International Airport.
- Please see ‘Airport Transfer‘ for further information.
Accommodation
Students should have accommodation booked for when they arrive to Ireland.
Learn more about the accommodation options near IT Sligo.
Visa & Immigration
Many students from outside of the EU/EEA will require a visa to travel to Ireland. You should apply for your visa as soon as possible.
Learn more about visa, immigration and border control.
Medical Insurance
Non-EU/EEA students must have private medical insurance for their time in Ireland.
EU/EEA students should have their EHIC card before travelling to Ireland.
Learn more about Medical Insurance
At the Airport
Border Control
At border control, an immigration officer will check your passport and documents. You should pack the following documents in your hand luggage:
- Passport (with valid visa if applicable)
- IT Sligo Offer Letter (new students)
- Accommodation Details
- Proof you have completed the Government of Ireland Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form
- Private Medical Insurance (not required for EU students)
- Confirmation of tuition fee payment or sponsorship (not required for EU students)
- Evidence that you have access to at least €3,000 (not required for EU students)
- Written confirmation of PCR Covid-19 test results (if required)
- Written/digital confirmation of Covid-19 vaccination (if applicable)
Airport Transfers
Important Information
There will be national ‘Meet and Greet’ service for international students arriving to Dublin Airport.
This service will be managed by Club Travel.
This is a free service for IT Sligo students.
It will operate between 1 August and 4 October (inclusive).
How to Book
Students must complete the Student Arrival Form at least 7 days before arriving.
If your flight details change after completing the form, you must complete the Travel Data Change Form
If you do not complete the Student Arrival Form, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation.
At the Airport
There will be ‘Greet and Transfer’ desks in the arrival halls in Dublin Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
After collecting your luggage, you should follow the signs for International Higher Education Greet and Transfer Service.
Please see logo for further guidance.
The staff at the Greet and Transfer desks will check your booking and arrange your onwards transfer to Sligo (either by public or private coach).
Late Arrivals
If you arrive after 8:30pm, you will be transported to the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport where you will stay overnight.
This will be a free service.
You will need to return to the Greet and Transfer Desk the following morning for your onward transportation to Sligo.
At Sligo
You will be transported to a central drop off location in Sligo.
Additional transportation will be waiting to bring you to your accommodation.
A starter grocery/welcome pack will be provided.
After Arriving in Ireland
Travel Restrictions
All students must follow all public health guidelines and travel restrictions after you arrive in Ireland.
For some students this will include post arrival PCR tests, Self-Quarantine or Mandatory Hotel Quarantine.
Detailed information is available at the Government of Ireland website.
Please contact the International Office if you need help understanding the requirements.
Covid Tracker App
Students should download and use the HSE Covid-19 Tracker App. This is a free app to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Ireland.
All students must follow the public health guidelines in Ireland. Detailed information is available at the Government of Ireland website.
HSE Post Arrival Testing
Book your Test
Information about the HSE Post Arrival Covid-RT-PCR Test is available on the Government of Ireland website. Please read this information carefully.
You can book a free test online at the HSE Test Booking website.
Your test must be booked for a date at least 5 days after arrival.
You can book online from 2 days before you arrive and up to 4 days after you arrive.
In Sligo testing happens at HSE ATB Building COVID-19 Community Testing Centre, Finisklin, Sligo, F91 YP76
Book Your Transport to Test Centre
This is a 2 part process. You must complete both parts to book your transport.
- Complete the online form
- Contact the travel company by phone or email and provide the following details.
- Name
- Date & Time of Test Appointment
- Your Address
- Phone Number
There will be no charge for IT Sligo students.
Contact details for the travel company will be provided after you complete the online form.
Face masks must be worn in transport.
Wait for your Results
You must keep the written confirmation of your booking until you receive the results of your test.
You must continue to quarantine while you await the results of your test or for 14 days after travel.
You must retain the written confirmation of your test result for at least 14 days.
If you do not fulfil the legal requirement for mandatory quarantine, you are committing an offence.
Vaccine Access in Ireland
After arriving in Ireland, if you have a PPSN number you can register for a vaccine online.
If you do not have a PPSN you can freephone the Covid-19 Helpline.
You will need to provide the following information when registering 1) PPSN (if available), 2) Eircode (Zip Code) for your address in Ireland, 3) mobile (cell) phone number and 4) e-mail address.
Learn more about Ireland’s vaccine roll out, and how to register, on the HSE Vaccine website.
Phones/SIM Cards
You can choose to purchase a new phone when you arrive in Ireland, or you can use your existing (unlocked) phone with an Irish sim card.
There are many different mobile network providers in Ireland. They offer a range of different options and price plans. Some options include:
Induction
Induction is an opportunity to learn more about IT Sligo, complete important tasks and meet new people. Induction will be held online and on-campus. Discover more here and register for your on-campus session now!
On-Campus Induction Sessions
- 15-16 September – for students that have a teaching start date of 20 September 2021
- 22-23 September – for students that have a teaching start date of 27 September 2021
Help and Support
Pre-departure Session
The next virtual pre-departure session will occur on 17 & 18 August. Invites will be sent by email.
Useful Links
FAQ
Travel Restrictions
For the purposes of travel to Ireland, you are considered vaccinated if you have been vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency with recommended number of days after the final dose.
Further information is available on the Government of Ireland website. (Please see section ‘What fully vaccinated means’)
You can find a list of designated states on the Government of Ireland website. Please note the list of designated states can change at short notice. Students are advised to check monitor the situation carefully and check the list before travelling to Ireland.
Yes, everyone travelling to Ireland must complete a Government of Ireland Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form before travelling to Ireland. This can be completed online. Failure to complete the form is an offence.
Some students will need to complete a Covid-19 PCR test before travelling to Ireland. This will depend on the country you are travelling from and your vaccination status. Please check the Government of Ireland website for further details.
Some students will need to complete Mandatory Hotel Quarantine on arrival to Ireland. This will depend on which country you are travelling from and your vaccination status. Please check the Government of Ireland website for further details.
If you need to complete Mandatory Hotel Quarantine you will need to pre-book and pre-pay for this before arriving to Ireland. Further details are available the Government of Ireland website.
Airport Transfer Service
No. This is a free service that will operate from Dublin Airport from August 1st to October 4th (inclusive). BUT students must complete the Student Arrival Form at least 7 days before arriving to Ireland.
If you do not complete the form, you will need to arrange and pay for your own transportation.
Airport Transfers are only open to full time students/applicants of IT Sligo.
Family members cannot use the Airport Transfer unless the student is under 18 years old and the family member is their guardian.
The Airport Transfers Service is not open to pets/animals except for service/assistance animals. If you are bringing a service /assistance animal you will need to confirm this in advance with the Club Travel by emailing studenthelp@nullclubtravel.ie.
If you arrive after 8:30 pm you will be transported to the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport where you will stay overnight free of charge. You must return to the Greet & Transfer Desk at Dublin Airport the following morning for your onward transportation to Sligo.
MHQ is managed by the Government of Ireland. At the airport you will be met by officials from the Irish Defence Forces. They will safely transport you to your quarantine hotel. Further information is available here.
After you have completed MHQ, you can return to Dublin Airport to use the Airport Transfer Service to travel to Sligo. You book your transfer must complete the Travel Data Change Form with your new travel details.
You will need to arrange your own transport from your hotel to Dublin Airport. You must report to the Greet and Transfer desks on arrival. These will be in the Arrivals Halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.