Ireland is one of the most popular destinations for international students heading to Europe. Ireland, with its beautiful setting in the British Isles, has also earned a reputation as one of Europe's most beautiful countries. The country has a long and storied history, as well as centuries of tradition and culture. Every year, over 30,000 students fly in from all over the globe to study in Ireland, attracted due to a number of factors such as cultural diversity, scholarship availability, full-time and part-time work opportunities, and much more.
Education System in Ireland
If you’re planning to study abroad in Ireland, you will have access to multiple opportunities such as academic excellence, globally recognised qualifications, a dynamic campus culture, rich research & development, and numerous job prospects. For those of you who plan to study in Ireland, here’s a glimpse of the education system for you to gain a broader understanding of how to go about your studies.
The Irish education system is quite comparable to that of the United Kingdom, which explains the high level of education it gives to its students. Ireland's educational system is divided into four tiers: -
- Pre-Primary & Primary Education
- Post-Primary Education
- Training & Further Education
- Higher Education
Higher Education
In Ireland, higher education consists of universities, colleges, and institutes of technology, the majority of which are funded by the Irish government. Ireland has 7 universities, 7 colleges of education, 15 private higher education institutions, and 14 technological institutes (IoT). In Ireland, there are a few more private third-level institutions offering specialised education in fields such as business studies, art and design, law, medicine, and so on.
You can study in Ireland by opting for degree programmes, non-degree programmes, and/or, pathway programmes. Irish institutions have made arrangements with pathway providers to give students the additional support and guidance they require to succeed. Higher education in Ireland is divided into 2 semesters -
First Semester: September - December
Second Semester: Late January - May
Why Study in Ireland
International students are drawn to Ireland for a variety of reasons. If you've considered studying a master's in Ireland or even a bachelor's for that matter, keep reading to see why so many international students have chosen to study in Ireland.
World-Class Education: One of the key reasons that international undergraduate and graduate students choose to study in Ireland is because it is an ideal location for anybody seeking a world-class education. Specifically, world-class education in a forward-thinking, dynamic country with exciting job opportunities.
Part-time Employment Opportunities: Typically, institutions in Ireland encourage students to work part-time in order to fund their basic expenses. Courses are typically flexible and developed in such a manner that you can study and work in Ireland at the same time. You can create a part-time plan with flexible course hours. Ireland provides post-work visas to students, allowing them to work in the country for an extended period of time.
Low Cost Of Education: Because most institutions are supported by the state, the cost of life and education in Ireland is comparatively low. While tuition costs vary depending on the course and university, the fee is quite low in comparison to other places. Aside from the cheap education costs in Ireland, the normal living expenditures are also reasonable.
Safety: Ireland is a highly safe, pleasant, and welcoming place to stay. Ireland is ranked 12th in the world on the Global Peace Index and 22nd on the World Happiness Index. According to the OECD 2019 Education Study, young Irish people have the world's fourth-highest educational standard.
Top Universities And Global Ranking
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Dublin, Ireland
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 8,247
#490
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 8,247
#490
Dublin, Ireland
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 12,849
#101
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 12,849
#101
Cork, Ireland
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 10,800
#298
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 10,800
#298
Dublin, Ireland
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 10,250
#173
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 10,250
#173
Galway, Ireland
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 8,100
#258
Cost Of Living
€ 10,000
€ 8,100
#258
Available courses to study
Ireland's education system is rapidly expanding. Since 2012-13, there has been a 5% growth in the overall number of overseas students. Almost nine out of ten students engaging in research attend universities. English, History, Politics, Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Arts and Humanities, and other major courses are among those provided by Irish educational institutions. Ireland also provides English language classes as well as short courses for students who are interested.
Studying Technology in Ireland implies that you’ll be graduating from one of the most promising tech universities in the world. With an ample and diverse array of subject topics being covered, students in this discipline go on to work as technology strategists, scrum masters, information security managers, programme managers, data analysts, and other positions.
Marketing degrees in Ireland are meant to provide students with the knowledge and abilities required to succeed in their chosen marketing vocation. Students will acquire important marketing topics such as strategy and branding, as well as communication, planning and analysis, social media marketing, and data analytics.
A few of the engineering disciplines available at Ireland's technical education include electrical, mechanical, computer, and construction engineering. Students in Ireland can also select an embedded course, which is a mix of two courses. Students' creativity and problem-solving abilities are enhanced as a result of this.
Ireland has in store a range of science and technology courses including geology courses, biology courses, physics and chemistry courses, and more. The city offers part-time courses, evening courses, as well as full-time training opportunities, most of which are available in the top cities like Dublin, Galway, and more.
Finances
Cost Of Education
Ireland is one country where high-quality education is provided at a lesser cost than in other countries. This is b Because the duration of graduating courses is typically 12 months, as opposed to the 16-24 month duration of programmes in other countries. The tuition fees you pay are determined by the type of qualification and institution you choose. You will require between €10,000 and €25,000 each year to meet your tuition costs.
Courses in the humanities, education and arts are often less expensive, but areas such as medical, engineering, business, and management are more likely to be more expensive. If you want to study in Ireland at a higher level, the tuition price is usually more, and the expenses vary based on the programme.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living is primarily determined by where you reside in Ireland, as well as how often you socialise. However, an international student typically requires between €600 and €1000 per month. Prices in Ireland's main cities and smaller towns vary greatly, with Dublin being the most pricey place to live in. Some of the major elements that affect the cost of living as an international student in Ireland are as follows:
|
Expense |
Monthly Cost |
|
Accommodation |
€427 |
|
Food |
€167 |
|
Travel & Transport |
€135 |
|
Course Materials |
€70 |
|
Daily Utilities |
€28 |
|
Socialising |
€75 |
Major Cities To Study
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Dublin has outstanding educational opportunities. The city is home to four institutions, all of which are ranked by QS World University Rankings. According to the Irish Universities Association, there are now over 32,000 international students studying in Ireland. It also has a large number of globally recognised multinational corporations, notably in banking, technology, medical sciences, and business services.
Galway blends the enthusiasm of youthful and varied people with the authenticity of a historic and traditional setting. Galway, known for being a safe, vibrant, and student-friendly city, is Ireland's fastest-growing city, particularly in the high-tech sector, so you may benefit in a variety of ways as an international student.
Limerick has three main higher education institutions with a student population of around 21,000 people. The city is a bustling, pulsating city with a plethora of things to see, do, and explore, so running out of things to do in Limerick is never an option!
Cork City is regarded by locals as Ireland's true capital. Cork is a friendly and cosmopolitan city with a strong student population of roughly 36,000 people. Approximately 10% of these are overseas students from more than 100 different countries.
Maynooth is only a few minutes from Dublin City Center, and there are several transit options to get between the two cities. Maynooth's major appeal is the 'Maynooth University.' Many national and international students opt to study at the university as their first preference.
Visa Process and Requirements
If you are an international student from a country other than the EU or EEA, you must apply for an Irish student visa. You will be eligible for one of two types of visas depending on the length of your study programme:
For study programmes that last less than 3 months (90 days);
For study programmes that last longer than 3 months. To stay longer than 3 months, non-EU/EEA students also have to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which can grant permission to stay in Ireland beyond the initial 90 days.
The following supporting documents must be sent with your signed and dated summary application form, as well as the corresponding fee (if applicable):
- 2 recent passport-sized photos
- Current passport, and previous passports
- Acceptance letter from a reputable university.
- A signed letter of application, giving your complete contact information:
- stating your reasons for wanting to come to Ireland,
- details of any family members who are currently in Ireland or another EU Member State,
- promising that you will follow the terms of your visa, that you will not become a burden on the State, and that you will leave when your permission to stay expires, and
- where the course you now wish to study does not naturally follow on or relate to your educational/employment history
- Evidence of payment to the college.
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and other English proficiency tests scorecards
- Evidence of funds (€7,000) to cover your living needs during your course. This includes a bank statement for the six months before your visa application. You must also provide official proof that you are the recipient of a scholarship (If applicable).
- You must also reserve your accommodation in Ireland and give proof of the address where you will be staying once you arrive.
You can apply for an Irish student visa three months before your travel date from your home country. Following the completion and submission of the application form and supporting documents, the next step is to supply your Biometrics information. This information refers to information about your distinguishing physical characteristics. If you apply for an Irish student visa, it will be accepted within 4 to 8 weeks after the day your application is registered with the Visa Office or Embassy.
If you hail from a non-EU country, you must finish at least 15 hours of scheduled contact time each week to be eligible for a visa to study in Ireland. If you are an English language student who intends to study in Ireland for up to ninety days and combines studying with other tourist activities, you will be classified as an educational tourist and will be entitled to the visit/holiday visa requirements.
Students who are from EU member countries in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) have access to public health services in Ireland. This card is accessible from your native country's health authorities. More information on your healthcare rights while in Europe may be found on the European Health Insurance Card website. In order to be granted a visa, students from non-EU countries must have medical insurance in place.
Yes. Universities and colleges provide scholarships to international students. These are granted purely at the discretion of the individual universities, which establish their own eligibility conditions. UniScholarz provides a wide range of merit-based as well as need-based scholarships in Ireland for international students. You should check to see if you've met all the requirements as per the scholarship's eligibility criteria before applying for one.
Non-EU students who have been given the approval to study in Ireland at a higher education institution listed on the ILEP can work part-time to supplement their income while in the country. During the holidays, students are permitted to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
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