Study In Ireland

Reasons to study in Ireland

Over the years, Ireland, a neighbouring country to the UK has emerged as a preferred destination for international students. One of the major benefits of studying in Ireland is a post-study visa. The Irish government allows students to stay for 2 years to look for job opportunities after they complete their studies. It is home to top universities in the world. Trinity College Dublin has an international reputation with a global ranking of 117 as per THE rankings. There are plenty of scholarships to avail to study in Ireland. Students can work up to 20 hours per week.

Ireland is a small island country located near the western-most tip of Europe. Students aspiring to study abroad may not have considered it as an option earlier, but in recent years it has emerged as one of the top study-abroad destinations in the European region. The country is globally well-connected and is in the process of constantly evolving economically, culturally and academically. It has a rich heritage and deep culture that will add to your academic experience by enhancing your stay in the country during the length of your course. International students also have the option of working part-time for up to 20 hours a week during their course. Additionally, the government has also launched programs that allow students who have completed their higher education from an Irish institute to stay in the country for 24 months after the completion of their course. 

Why Study in Ireland?

The following are some other reasons why you should consider Ireland as a study abroad destination: 

1. The Irish Education system is ranked among the Top 20 in Europe by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. Education has been one of the primary reasons behind Ireland becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the world over the last decade. 

2. Many Irish institutes of higher education are ranked internationally with over 5000+ programs in a range of diverse subjects. There is something for everyone! 

3. International students find it easy to move to the country as it is primarily English speaking. Since English is a fairly common language, there isn’t a communication barrier that makes things harder for students to acclimatise to their new environment. 

4. The country is the base for leading global MNCs like Google, HP, Apple, IBM, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Many of these companies have made Ireland their main hub for European operations. 

5. It is the 2nd most attractive country for Foreign Direct Investment (National Irish Bank Report, 2012). 

6. Ireland is regarded as one of the safest countries to study and live in for international students. It was ranked as the 12th most peaceful country by the Global Peace Index.  

More About Study in Ireland 

The following are a few more reasons and details on why Ireland should be paid particular attention by international students looking for study abroad destinations:

Academic Opportunities:

Ireland has built its reputation for high quality education on the back of a foundation which has a commitment to excellence in all aspects of academia. Despite its small size and location, it has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for students looking to study abroad. Ireland has 7 public universities and one technology institute, all of which are ranked within the top 700 in the QS World University Rankings for 2019. There are also private colleges that range from 200 students to the very large Dublin Business School with a student strength of around 9,000 individuals. 

List of top institutes to study in Ireland

Academic Culture in Ireland 

Ireland is ranked in the top two nations for courses in immunology and nanotechnology and is also ranked 3rd for courses in material sciences (USN Education Report). The 5000+ courses that the country has to offer are available at the Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels, along with undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas spanning the full range of disciplines. Irish research ranks within the top 1% globally in 18 different research fields (SFI Rankings). The 7 universities and 14 institutes of technology in the country are housed in state-of-the-art facilities and provide the students with all sorts of modern amenities.

Irish qualifications are recognised for excellence all over the world and students have the choice to choose from programs involving business studies, science and technology, humanities as well as technical training. Classes usually incorporate lectures, seminars, coursework, simulations, group discussions, practical applications and projects to help the student body to utilize the resources available to their fullest extent. Currently Ireland boasts of having 35,000 students from 160 countries enrolled in its various universities and programs and the number is projected to grow even more in the future. 

Tuition Fees in Ireland

The following tables break down the tuition fees for different courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate level: 

Undergraduate Tuition Fees

Postgraduate Tuition Fees

The above tables are a general estimate based on the data available. The students  from outside the EU who are aspiring to study in Ireland are required to show that they have a minimum funding of EUR 7,000 per year while applying for a student visa. The Dublin Institute of Technology released a ‘Cost of Living guide’ that estimated the total annual living expenses required for an international student at around EUR 11,829. When planning a budget, students should keep in mind that the cost of living in metro areas is significantly higher and plan their finances accordingly. 

Admission Timelines for Colleges in Ireland

Unlike Indian universities, academic institutions in Ireland offer two major intakes or semesters. The two major intake sessions available to international students are as follows: 

Students considering the different intake timings should keep in mind various other factors like the availability of their chosen programs, academic records, entrance tests, acceptance rates, job opportunities etc. The application for both undergraduate and post-graduate courses closes at least four months before the commencement of the academic year. 

College Application Process for Studying in Ireland

Entry requirements for international students in institutions vary from year to year. Some factors that affect the stipulations are the number of places available and the number of applicants. You can follow the below steps to make the process as seamless as possible for you: 

1. Make a final decision about what courses you want to study and the university you wish to apply to. Visit the Buddy4Study admission page  to get a proper breakdown by our experts to help guide you through the process. 

2. After your final decision, our team of counsellors will help you through the application and admission process. Please ensure you check all the entry requirements prior to starting the application process to avoid undue inconvenience. 

3. Once you acquire a successful admission letter, you will have to confirm the enrolment. This will allow you to move on towards the admission process and this is where the counselling team will assist you. Please keep all the required documents handy and readily available. 

4. After the student visa is approved, you can use the Buddy4Study team of counsellors to help you find scholarships and other methods of funding your education abroad.

Student Visa in Ireland 

Indian students need to apply for a visa to enter Ireland and they will be required to have an offer from a recognised program/university in Ireland. They will also need to have a receipt of the payment of enrolment fees from college prior to starting the process of visa application. There are two types of visas that Indian students are eligible for:

• Short Stay ‘C’ Study Visa – This visa is required for entry into Ireland when the duration of your stay/course is less than 90 days. 

• Long Stay ‘D’ Study Visa – This visa is required for entry into Ireland when the duration of your stay/course is more than 90 days.

The turnaround time for a student visa application is around 15-60 days. A single-entry visa requires a fee of EUR 60 and a multiple-entry visa requires a fee of EUR 100. Students can refer to Ireland government website that detailed information regarding immigration and movement of non-EU full-time students. 

Visa Application Process for Ireland 

The visa application process begins online via the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website. The process requires students to provide the following documents: 

• Letter of acceptance from a recognised University/Institution 

• English language certifications like IELTS and TOEFL

• Receipt for payment of course fee

• Bank statements as proof of funds 

• Private medical insurance

• Commitment letter to leave Ireland after the expiry of the student visa

• Certificates for all academic qualifications as required by the university

• Passport size photographs

• Current passport and copies of previous passports

• Previous visa refusals, if any

For a more detailed explanation, check out Buddy4Study guide to visa requirements here. 

Work Opportunities for International Students in Ireland 

Visas in Ireland are separated through a system of stamps which have different regulations. Students who qualify for part-time work during their courses are granted a stamp 2 visa, while students who aren’t allowed to work part-time are granted a stamp 2A visa. The stamp 2 visa also comes with its own sets of regulations that dictate when and how much can you actually work in the country. 

A holder of a valid stamp 2 visa means that he/she can work for 20 hours per week when the academic session is in progress. The hours may increase up to 40 hours per week in May, June, July, August and from the 15th of December to the 15th of January. Generally, these months correspond with the holiday seasons and coincide with a larger demand for workers in the country. To be eligible to work part time during your academic session you will need to be:

• Registered with the local police or the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau)

• Accepted into a course that is recognized by the Minister for Education and Skills 

• Enrolled in a full-time course at or above NFQ Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree as per the National Framework of Qualifications)

• Have classes starting at 8 AM and ending at 6 PM every week 

• Studying a minimum 1-year-long course

If you meet all the above requirements and the eligibility criteria for part-time student work in Ireland, you will also need to acquire a Personal Public Service Number or PPS, which will allow your employer to pay you for the services rendered. Keep in mind that you will also need to open an account in an Irish bank as the payment can only be made to an Irish bank. You will also be subject to Irish tax laws, employment laws and taxation requirements as well. 

Internships for International Students in Ireland 

Students who are admitted into degree programs are also eligible to sign up for internships where the experience will form a part of their program. The rules for internships are listed below: 

• The internship can only last for 50% of the duration of the program. This means that for a 4-year degree, you will be eligible for 2 years of internship programs. 

• The internship must be a part of the academic program and your performance should be reflected on your final evaluation. 

• The educational institution must ensure that all internships are suited to the program the student is undergoing at the time. 

Post-Study Career Options in Ireland for International Students

Students who have finished their masters courses in Ireland are eligible to stay behind after the completion of their degree to find employment. During their approved stay under this scheme a student can work full-time for a duration of 40 hours per week. This scheme is called the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. The requirements for this scheme and the rules and regulations can be found on the official government website. 

Scholarship Options in Ireland for International Students 

The following is a list of scholarships that are available for Indian students who need financial assistance to fulfil their goal of studying in Ireland. Please note that these scholarships offer different level of funding from full-coverage to partial-coverage. Another thing to remember is that there are some scholarships which are only applicable in certain institutes and you will need to reach out to the respective authorities to ensure that your applications are going to the right place:

1. Max Arthur Macauliffe Special Merit Scholarship

2. Sir Peter Freyer Special Merit Scholarship 

3. UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars Program

4. DIT Centenary Scholarship Program 

5. GMIT Scholarships

6. DCU International Student Scholarships

7. Maynooth University Scholarships 

8. UCD Scholarships

9. Smurfit Business School Scholarship

10. Trinity College Dublin Scholarships 

For detailed information and guidance by scholarship experts, visit the Buddy4Study scholarship page.