Study in Ireland

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A small island country at the western tip of Europe, Ireland is famed as the land of saints and scholars having nurtured some of the best poets and intellectuals for many centuries. Be it the academic excellence or the jolly and welcoming Irish people, the country earlier immersed in a golden age then became a colonised country and emerged from it as a goldmine of knowledge and learning. Fast forward to the modern age, it has largely become an entrepreneurial nation and renowned for its research excellence throughout the world. If you have planning to study abroad, choosing the land of Irish is a striking decision to accomplish your pursuit of higher education and through this blog, we aim to bring you all the essentials that you must know before applying to study in Ireland!

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Study in Ireland: Latest News

• Students wanting to study abroad are lining up for Covishield, which is on the list of vaccines approved by the majority of foreign nations. This age group of 18-44 is yearning for Covishield since they are in a rush to become immunised. Students are hurrying to be vaccinated as their academic years at institutions overseas begin in August-September, with a deadline looming over their heads.
• Ireland will open its doors to students in September. “Looking ahead to the 2021/2022 academic year, which begins this September, it is probable that university-level students will be returning on campus,” said Barry O’Driscoll, Regional Manager, India & South Asia for Education in Ireland. Ireland’s national immunisation programme should be completed by this time, putting the country in a different position in terms of COVID-19 than it is currently, in Spring 2021.
• To encourage more students to study in Ireland, the government of Ireland has established undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships of 1,500,000 Euros for Indian students. Every year, the ‘Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships 2021′ project awards 60 scholarships for a year of study at the Bachelor or Masters level to eligible international candidates who are offer holders of Irish higher educational institutions.

Quick Facts About Ireland

Why Study in Ireland?

To begin with, let’s take a look at the top reasons why you should definitely opt for Ireland as the study destination for your chosen course!

Impeccable Education System

The higher standards of Education in Ireland have their foundation laid in its commitment to excellence. The Irish government has invested immensely in accentuating the academic infrastructure of the country thus making it a preferred study destination across the globe. Further, the higher educational institutions of the country award internationally reputed and quality assured certifications and qualifications and there are more than a whopping 5000 programmes on offer for students around the world.

Earn and Learn At The Same Time

For some international students, it is necessary to earn while learning as education abroad can burn deep into their pockets. The government of Ireland offers a green card to international students which are also called a work permit. Not only this, but many universities also offer internships to international students so that they can get hands-on practical experience in their field. Along with such benefits, the Irish government also grants loans and scholarships to help international students financially. There are many ways to decrease the financial burden when you study in Ireland.

Safety

Having been ranked at 19th in the Global Peace Index 2019, Ireland is amongst the safest study destination across the globe. The most important fact you must know while deciding upon whether study in Ireland pr not, the Irish higher education institutions are fully committed to ensuring an easier settlement of foreign students in the new environment and each of them have a designated staff member to assist them in every possible manner.

No Language Barriers

Since English is a widely spoken language in the country, Ireland has also devoted a larger part of its literature in this language. So, you can be completely relieved about facing any kind of language barriers while studying in Ireland and instead you can grab the opportunity to learn Gaelic, an incredibly rich and native language of the country.

Hub of International Companies

Home to many globally known companies in Pharmaceutical, ICT and Social Media, Ireland has a thriving commercial environment with big giants such as IBM, Google, HP, Twitter, GSK, Genzyme, Facebook, LinkedIn having their branches in the country. Thus, foreign students can avail this bustling business environment to their benefit and explore a plethora of internship and training opportunities while studying in Ireland.

Nurturing Entrepreneurial Strive

Dublin has been consistently ranked amongst the Valuer’s 50 Best Startup Cities 2019. The government has introduced many special schemes to help entrepreneurs actualise their business ideas into innovative startups. Further, Ireland also introduced varied special visa programmes in recent years and Enterprise Ireland has also launched a new International Start-up Fund to provide budding entrepreneurs in the country with all the assistance. 

Scenic Landscapes

You will find plenty of things to do when you study in Ireland. This country is a rare gem where natural beauty is not yet compromised. Despite its urban makeover, Ireland has retained its scintillating landscapes. The land where William Wordsworth found the inspiration for his poetry is filled with striking panorama and countrysides that are a must to explore while pursuing your studies here.

Top Universities To Study in Ireland

Known for its academic excellence and imparting quality education, Ireland is home to many top-ranked universities around the globe. To help you explore the best ones, here is a list of prominent academic institutions to study in Ireland as well as their rankings under THE World University Rankings 2021 and QS World Rankings 2022:

University College Cork

Situated in Cork and formed in the year 1845, the University College Cork is presently home to more than 3,000 international students from around the world. The urban campus of the university was the first campus in the world to get the green flag award and has been ranked at the 2^nd place internationally in the Greenmetrics World University rankings. Out of three Queen’s colleges, it is one of them that was founded in Victoria’s reign. Currently, University College Cork hosts around 3000 international students.

Dublin Business School 

It’s one of the two largest independent colleges in the country and was established in 1975. It incorporates Portobello College. Along with 9000 students, Dublin Business School offers a variety of part-time and full-time postgraduate and undergraduate programs in subjects like event management, IT, media studies, psychology, arts, accounting, business, and law. DBS’s part-time and undergraduate degrees are accredited by QQI. 

Griffith College

It is one of the earliest private higher education colleges in the country which took birth in 1974. The campuses of the university are located in Limerick, Cork, and Dublin. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs with the help of comprehensive, professional, short term, and corporate training educational solutions. Griffith College is recognized by the educational institute of Quality & Qualifications Ireland. 

National College of Ireland

It’s a private third level education institution which was founded in 1951 as a Jesuit venture in Dublin. Today it has become an autonomous college that provides part-time and full-time course from certificate to postgraduate levels in psychology, business, and computing. Some of the special areas of NCI are Cybersecurity, Education, Finance, Psychology, Human Resource, Management, Data Analytics, Management, Fintech, Accountancy, and Cloud Computing. The faculty of the university make students understand the concepts and practical usage of the subject in real-world situations.

Maynooth University

Commonly known as MU, it was established by the Universities Act, 1997. It’s another university to consider when you plan to study in Ireland. This is Ireland’s youngest university. At present, the university has two campuses. Even though it is the smallest university in Ireland, but still, it is growing at a rapid speed. Moreover, it’s the first and only university outside of North America which was included in the Princeton Review of Best Colleges.

Limerick Institute of Technology

The university was formed in 1997 as the Limerick Institute of Technology in Limerick, Ireland. This university is one of the 14 members of the THEA (Technological Higher Education Association). LIT has campuses within the city in the region of Clonmel and Thurles. Moreover, it also has learning centers in County Clare and Ennis. However, the main campus of the LIT is in Moylish Park.

Marino Institute of Education

This university is associated with the Trinity College of Dublin. The Marion Institute of Education was formed in 1881. Currently, the institute provides a variety of courses including undergraduate, postgraduate, and masters. The institution also encourages students to learn the Irish language. When it comes to sports, the students of this institution are well versed in playing basketball, badminton, athletics, hurling, camogie, football, and Gaelic.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Originally, it was established as the Regional Technical College but now it’s known as the Letterkenny Institute of Technology or LYIT. The institute was established in 1971. LYIT provides around 130 programs that last from one to four years in veterinary, designing, science, nursing, engineering, computing, law, and business. All the courses are provided in a modularised and ‘semesterised’ method.

Also Read: Cheap Universities in Ireland for International Students

Understanding Admission Intakes in Ireland

Once you have made your mind to study in Ireland, the next thing is to explore the admissions intake for which you can apply for. In Irish universities, there are two major intakes which are elaborated in the following table:

Note: The deadline as well as intakes can differ as per course and university.

Generally, students opt for the September intake but the January admission intake is also suitable for select programs. It is advised to choose the intake keeping in mind that you fulfil all the eligibility criteria including language proficiency and other exam scores.

Know All About Fall Semester vs Spring Semester!

Top Courses to Study in Ireland

Ireland has been shown to be approaching full jobs in the near future. Due to historical patterns, demand in many industries, such as financial services, life sciences, engineering, pharmaceutical, technology, etc. have been increasing for the Irish economy. Many firms have chosen Dublin to establish their regional headquarters and software development centers because of the strength of the Irish technology industry. According to The Irish Times Top 1000 survey, there are 500 fortune-based firms, including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, with their headquarters in Ireland. Here we have listed down some of the popular and top-ranking renowned courses/programs that you can definitely pursue in Ireland. 

1. Business Analytics 
2. Big Data
3. Investment Banking and Finance 
4. Aviation/Aeronautics Management
5. Data analytics
6. Data science
7. Computer Science
8. Cyber Security
9. Cloud Computing
10. Digital Marketing
11. Software Engineering
12. Artificial Intelligence

Jobs After Studying Top Courses in Ireland

The opportunities for overseas students after studying in Ireland are huge. Some of the top jobs for overseas graduates in Ireland and the wage packages provided are described below:

Cost of Studying in Ireland

As a prominent consideration of every aspirant, while planning to study abroad, you must familiarize yourself with the cost of studying and living in any country before applying for a program there. When it comes to the overall cost of study in Ireland, the main factors you must consider include, tuition fees, accommodation, food and transportation as well as health insurance expenses. The following paragraphs aim to break down the different types of costs and expenses one can expect while studying in Ireland.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees mainly depends upon the course as well as the university you have chosen and it also varies as per EU and Non-EU students. Take a look at the following table which elucidates the average tuition fees to study in Ireland under prominent bachelor’s and master’s courses for Non-EU (Indian) students as provided by Enterprise Ireland, a portal under the authority of Minister of Education and Skills, Ireland.

Note: The above-mentioned tuition fees are just for indicative purposes.

Accommodation

While you can always opt for on-campus accommodation facilities at your university, there is also an alternative to off-campus accommodation, such as shared apartments, student hostels m etc. For this, you need to get in touch with the accommodation office of your university to help you find suitable options around the city. On average, the accommodation costs can be somewhere around 427 EUR (roughly 37,787 INR) on a monthly basis depending upon the city as well as the time of the year.

Living Expenses

Apart from tuition and accommodation costs to study in Ireland, food and transportation expenses also need to be included in your budget. For this, you must have roughly 7000-15000 EUR (6,19,468-13,27,432 INR approx.) set aside in your budget for fulfilling a different kind of expenses. Moreover, medical insurance is essential for foreign students in Ireland and it will somewhere cost around 500-800 EUR (44,247-70,796 INR approx.) annually. On the other hand, transportation costs can be roughly EUR 145 (12,831 INR approx.) monthly and to reduce travel expenses, you can get a Student Travelcard to commute around the city.

Scholarships

Understanding the heavy costs that can incur on a student coming to a foreign country, the Irish government as well as varied institutions and organisations in the country offer a plethora of scholarships and financial aid schemes. Here is a list of some prominent scholarships you must consider while apply for your chosen course to study in Ireland:

• Waterford Institute of Technology Scholarships
• ACI Foundation Richard D. Stehly Memorial Scholarships
• DCU International Student India Scholarships
• ERCIM Alain Bensoussan Fellowship In Europe
• NCAD Masters Scholarships In Fine Arts In Ireland
• GMAT MBA Scholarships
• Norman C. T. Liu Aviation Scholarship
• Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Research Studentship
• Faculty Of Arts, Humanities And Social Sciences Masters Studentship
• The Cormac Costelloe Dell Financial Services Scholarship

Admission Requirements to Study in Ireland

The admission process to study in Ireland differs as per the level of programme you have selected. For undergraduate courses, the academic requirements usually depend on the institution while the language requirements mainly specified are as follows:

Documents Required

Some of the basic admission documents you might need at the time of making an application are as follows:

• Language proficiency scores.
• Attested photocopies of the mark sheet from the previous institution.
• At least two academic reference letters from the teachers who have taught you recently.
• A Statement of Purpose (SOP) & Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• A brief up-to-date resume.
• Four extra certificates of extra-curricular activities.
• If you’re applying for any arts & design programs, you must submit your portfolio.
• Student Visa Copy

Note: English Proficiency scores and required documents might depend upon the course and institution so it is important that you go through the official website before beginning with the application.

Also Read: Ireland vs New Zealand: Better Study Destination

Getting Student Visa in Ireland

Once you have applied for a program and are successfully accepted by the university, you can begin your visa application to study in Ireland. For this, let’s first understand the two types of student visa you should know about:

C-Visas (Tourist visa): For an academic program of less than 3 months.
D-Visas (Study visa): For an academic program of more than 3 months.

You must apply for an Ireland Student visa three months before you are travelling to study in Ireland. The fee for both C-visa and D-visa is 60EUR (Roughly 5,309 INR). You can apply for your study visa at the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service’s website by clicking here. Here is a list of documents you need to submit while applying for a visa to study in Ireland.

• Two recent coloured passport-sized photographs.
• Evidence of acceptance from the institution in which you have enrolled. 
• Money receipt from the applicant to the college that sums up the tuition fees too. Make sure that the bank statement has full information about the sender and receiver.
• As mentioned, you will need an English language certificate like IELTS, Cambridge FCE, or TOEFL.
• A valid passport for 6 months. 
• Proof of financial ability which depicts that you can support yourself.
• Proof of medical insurance.

Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to provide your biometrics information at the nearest Irish embassy and afterwards your visa application will be processed and you will be then updated about the results.

Also, note that the Irish Government has agreed to expand the Third Level Graduate Scheme for non-EU/EEA students at National Framework of Qualification levels 9 and higher. The new permit would increase the stay back option’ for masters and PhD students from 12 to 24 months. This will allow eligible graduates who studied in Irish higher education institutions and whose degree is awarded by a recognised Irish awarding authority at the Masters or PhD level to stay in Ireland for two years to look for work.

Working in Ireland After Graduation

After joining the European Union three or four decades ago, Ireland quickly transformed itself from Europe’s poorhouse to Europe’s economic powerhouse. Structural reforms have provided a significant boost, attracting several international organisations, particularly technology firms, to establish European headquarters in Ireland, including Google, Airbnb, Pfizer, Dell, and others. As a result, Ireland provides a plethora of chances for graduates with an international background. If you study in Ireland, you have a decent chance of obtaining work and living in the country after graduation.

FAQs

Ireland is a country that is deeply filled with various shades of blue and green. From mother to neighbour, from priest to man sitting nearby, or the kid who has been staring at you for so long, everybody is always ready to help. If you’re profoundly associated with such joy, it will be better for you to pack bags and start your ‘Study in Ireland’ because along with fun, its education system is so appreciable. For more details, you may contact Leverage Edu and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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