Your TAR UMT diploma is not just a Malaysian qualification. It is a direct ticket into Year 3 of an Irish university degree.

Through articulation agreements between TAR UMT and five Irish partner universities, diploma graduates can skip the early years and complete an Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree in just one to two years. That means a genuine European qualification, a post-study graduate visa, and access to Ireland's multinational job market - without starting from scratch.

There are 19 progression pathways across seven faculties. This article breaks down every single one.

How the Pathway Works

Step 1
TAR UMT Diploma
2 years in Malaysia
→
Step 2
Irish Degree Top-Up
1-2 years in Ireland
→
Result
Irish Honours Degree
+ Stamp 1G Graduate Visa

Most pathways enter at Year 3, meaning just one year in Ireland to complete your degree.

The Numbers at a Glance

Key Facts

19 progression pathways  ·  5 Irish partner universities  ·  7 faculties covered
Up to EUR 7,500 in scholarships  ·  1-2 years to complete in Ireland

The 5 Partner Universities

TAR UMT has articulation agreements with five Irish universities. Each offers different programmes, locations, and scholarship levels.

TUS
Technological University of the Shannon
Campuses: Athlone & Limerick
Strengths: Sports Science, QS, Computing, Design
Scholarship: EUR 4,500 fixed
Griffith College
Dublin
Strengths: Business, Accounting, HRM, Computer Science
Scholarship: Up to EUR 7,500
SETU
South East Technological University
Campus: Waterford
Strengths: Marketing, Built Environment, Engineering
Scholarship: Up to EUR 5,500
ATU
Atlantic Technological University
Campuses: Galway & Donegal
Strengths: Accounting, Food Science, QS
Scholarship: EUR 3,000 fixed
TU Dublin
Technological University Dublin
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. Entry level, tuition, and scholarship amounts are listed for each.

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
Don't See Your Diploma?

New pathways are added regularly. Contact Mystudy and we can check whether your transcript matches a programme not yet on this list.

What Does It Actually Cost?

The biggest advantage of the TAR UMT pathway is cost. Here is a side-by-side comparison.

Standard Route (Start from Year 1)
Study Full Degree in Ireland
  • Foundation Year: ~EUR 8,000
  • 3-year degree: ~EUR 40,500
  • 4 years living costs: ~EUR 48,000
Total: ~EUR 96,500
TAR UMT Pathway
Diploma in Malaysia + Top-Up in Ireland
  • TAR UMT Diploma: ~RM 30,000-50,000
  • 1-year top-up (most pathways): ~EUR 12,000-13,500
  • Scholarship: -EUR 3,000 to -EUR 7,500
  • 1 year living costs: ~EUR 12,000
Total: ~EUR 17,000-23,000 + RM 50k
Important Note

These are illustrative figures for comparison purposes only. 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.

Scholarships

Most partner universities offer scholarships specifically for TAR UMT progression students. These are applied directly to your tuition fee.

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
How Scholarships Work

You do not need to apply for scholarships separately. Mystudy will include your scholarship application with your university application.

Entry Requirements

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
English Waiver

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 Apply

  1. Book a free consultation with Mystudy. We review your transcript and match you to the best pathway.
  2. Prepare your documents. Transcript, diploma certificate, passport, English test result (if needed), and personal statement.
  3. Mystudy submits your application on your behalf to the university.
  4. Receive your conditional offer. This typically takes 2-4 weeks.
  5. Meet any conditions. Final CGPA, English requirement, specific module grades.
  6. Pay your deposit and receive your acceptance letter.
  7. Apply for your Irish student visa. Mystudy guides you through the entire process.
  8. Attend Mystudy's pre-departure orientation.
  9. Fly to Ireland and start your degree.
Mystudy's Service Is Free

We are paid by the universities, not by you. There is no fee for consultation, application support, or visa guidance.

Life After Your Irish Degree

After graduation, you are eligible for Ireland's Stamp 1G Graduate Visa, which gives you one year to work full-time in Ireland without employer sponsorship. This is your window to gain professional experience and secure a longer-term position.

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.

Ireland is home to the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, LinkedIn, Apple, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. Many of these companies actively recruit from Irish universities.

FAQ
Questions We Actually Get Asked
What if my CGPA is below 2.5 - am I completely out?
Not necessarily. Some universities assess applications holistically, looking at your strongest modules and relevant work experience alongside your overall CGPA. Mystudy can review your transcript and advise whether a case can be made. In some situations, entering at Year 2 instead of Year 3 is an alternative that gives you more time to build your grades in Ireland.
Can I switch fields? For example, an accounting diploma but I want to study computing.
It depends on how much your diploma modules overlap with the target programme. Most articulation agreements require a related field because you are skipping the foundational years. A big jump like accounting to engineering is unlikely to be accepted at Year 3. However, some business-adjacent switches (e.g. marketing diploma to a general business degree) may work. Mystudy can check the module match for your specific case.
Will employers take my degree seriously if I only studied one year in Ireland?
Your degree certificate is identical to that of a student who studied all three or four years at the same university. It does not say "top-up" or "transfer." Employers see an Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree from an Irish university, nothing more, nothing less.
Is the Irish degree recognised by MQA and JPA back in Malaysia?
Irish Honours Bachelor's Degrees (NFQ Level 8) from recognised institutions are generally accepted internationally. However, MQA and JPA recognition can depend on the specific university and programme. We recommend verifying your target programme's recognition status with MQA before you commit. Mystudy can help you with that process.
Can I do a Master's straight after the top-up degree?
Yes. An Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree is an NFQ Level 8 qualification, which is the standard entry requirement for a Master's (NFQ Level 9) at any Irish or European university. Your top-up degree qualifies you the same way as any other bachelor's graduate.
How much can I realistically earn working part-time as a student?
International students on a Stamp 2 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours per week during holidays. Ireland's minimum wage is EUR 13.50 per hour (2025). At 20 hours per week, that is roughly EUR 1,080 per month before tax. It is enough to cover a portion of your living costs, though not all of them.
What if my student visa gets rejected?
Visa rejections happen, but they are not the end of the road. The most common reasons are insufficient financial proof, incomplete documents, or a weak cover letter. If rejected, you will receive a reason and you can reapply with a stronger application. Mystudy reviews every visa application before submission to minimise this risk.
Dublin is expensive. How different are the other cities?
Significantly different. Rent in Dublin averages EUR 800-1,200 per month for a shared room, while cities like Waterford, Athlone, Limerick, and Donegal can be EUR 400-600. Groceries and transport are also cheaper outside Dublin. If cost is a major factor, universities like TUS (Athlone/Limerick), SETU (Waterford), and ATU (Donegal) offer a much more affordable lifestyle without sacrificing degree quality.
What happens if I fail a module in Ireland?
Irish universities typically offer a resit period (usually in August) where you can retake the exam without repeating the full year. If you fail the resit, you may need to repeat that module the following year, which could extend your stay and add cost. The key is to flag struggles early. Most universities have academic support services and tutoring available.
After the Stamp 1G graduate visa ends, do I have to go back to Malaysia?
Not if you have secured employment. The one-year Stamp 1G visa is designed to give you time to find a job and transition to a longer-term visa. If you land a professional trainee contract with an approved firm, you can move to a Stamp 1A visa for 3.5 years. Otherwise, qualifying roles can lead to a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a General Employment Permit. After five years of legal residence, you become eligible to apply for Irish Permanent Residency. The graduate visa is a bridge, not a dead end.
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