Install Findmino as an app for the best experience!
(Admissions Officer, Student Admissions Officer, College Admissions Coordinator, University Admissions Officer)
Education & Training
Salary
€32,000 - €58,000/yr
Level
Professional
Outlook
Stable
Sector
Education & Training
As an Admissions Coordinator you manage the full cycle of student applications and enrolments for an Irish higher education institution, further education college, or private school. You review applicants' qualifications, assess eligibility against entry criteria set by the institution, and communicate decisions clearly to prospective students and their families. On a day-to-day basis you liaise with bodies such as the CAO (Central Applications Office), SUSI, and individual academic departments to ensure that processes run smoothly and deadlines are met. You also guide newly accepted students through enrolment, helping them select programmes and modules, arrange access requirements, or apply for financial supports. You typically work alongside academic staff, student services teams, and external stakeholders such as ETBs, Qualifications Ireland, and secondary schools.
Listen: a day as an Admissions Coordinator
You arrive at your desk in the admissions office at half eight, make a coffee, and open your email. Overnight, a batch of CAO offer acceptances has come through the system, and three prospective students have sent queries about whether their Leaving Certificate results meet the minimum entry requirements for their chosen programme. You flag these for follow-up before the morning briefing with your line manager and two colleagues. By nine o'clock you are logged into the institution's student management system, cross-checking a list of accepted students against the documents they have uploaded. Some have submitted their Leaving Certificate results but are still missing proof of English language proficiency or certified translations of transcripts from abroad. You send polite but firm reminder emails, because enrolment cannot be completed without the full file.
A Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree is the typical minimum entry point for this role, with relevant disciplines including Business Administration, Education, Arts, or a cognate field studied at an Irish university or technological university. Subjects such as English, Mathematics, Business, and a modern language at Leaving Certificate level provide a useful grounding. Some institutions accept candidates with a Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor degree combined with substantial administrative experience in an education setting. A postgraduate qualification at Level 9, such as a Postgraduate Diploma or Masters in Education Management or Higher Education Administration, can strengthen prospects for advancement. No statutory registration body currently governs admissions coordinators in Ireland, though familiarity with GDPR, NFQ frameworks, and CAO procedures is essential. Short professional development programmes offered through the Irish Universities Association (IUA) or individual institutions are also valued.
Many admissions coordinators begin their careers in administrative or student services roles within a college or university, building familiarity with enrolment systems and regulatory frameworks before moving into a dedicated admissions post. With experience, progression to Senior Admissions Officer or Admissions Manager is common, involving oversight of a team and responsibility for strategic enrolment planning. Some professionals move laterally into related areas such as international recruitment, student affairs, or quality assurance within higher education. A Level 9 qualification in education management or a related discipline can open doors to Head of Admissions or Director of Student Recruitment roles at larger institutions.
AI-powered applicant tracking systems are increasingly automating routine tasks such as initial eligibility screening, document verification, and standard query responses via chatbots, reducing administrative burden on admissions staff. This allows coordinators to focus on more complex casework, such as assessing non-standard qualifications, supporting widening participation initiatives, and managing appeals. Coordinators who develop skills in working with data analytics tools will be well placed to contribute to strategic enrolment management and forecasting. Overall, AI is likely to enhance rather than replace the role, as human judgement and empathy remain central to guiding students through a significant life decision.
→ Admissions Coordinator (Current role)
Organisations in Ireland that employ people in this occupation.
Belfield, Dublin 4
Manages undergraduate and postgraduate admissions for Ireland's largest university.
Dublin 2
Coordinates CAO and direct entry applications across all Trinity faculties.
Dublin city, Blanchardstown, Tallaght
Processes CAO, mature, and QQI applicants across multiple campuses.
Mayor Street, Dublin 1
Manages enrolments for business and computing programmes, including online learners.
South Circular Road, Dublin 8
Assesses international and domestic applicants for private higher education programmes.
Dundalk, Co. Louth
Coordinates CAO entries, supplementary rounds, and mature learner applications.
Coolock, Dublin 17
Handles PLC and QQI course admissions, linking students with SUSI supports.
Dublin 2 (largely online, nationwide reach)
Enrols postgraduate teacher education and healthcare students via online platform.
Fleet Street, Dublin 2
Processes applications for business and IT programmes from domestic and international students.
Leeson Street, Dublin 2
Coordinates enrolments for Leaving Certificate and university preparation programmes.
We don't know whether these employers currently have vacancies — always check their own website. And if there's somewhere you'd really love to work, it can be worth applying anyway, even without an open vacancy.
Our tools can help you with that:
Tip: These links take you to current vacancies for Admissions Coordinator in Ireland
Other studies, careers, ideas and blogs you might not know yet.
We use functional cookies and — with your consent — cookies for preferences, statistics and marketing.