Ireland

One of the predominantly English-speaking European countries, Ireland is the 6th most competitive world economy that is quickly becoming the go-to destination for studying abroad. Currently, more than 44,000 international students from over 160 countries across the globe form the student population at higher education levels in the country (2020). With an enrollment rate of nearly 78%, it is a proud parent to the world’s top 3% of universities in Ireland.

With more than 5,000 courses to choose from, international applicants from diverse corners rush to Ireland to be part of the world’s 20th best education system. The country has deservingly made itself recognized in the list of top countries for studying abroad like Canada, UK, USA, and Germany. India was among the second-largest senders of international students in Ireland after China (3,000). The affordability of education in this European nation is what attracts students from across the world.

Explore Cost of Living in Ireland as International Students!

Renowned for its innovative research, rich culture, and friendly, Ireland is one of the fastest-growing economies with a high employment rate of over 90%. As per the recent employment reports, about 2.3 million people were employed in the country in the last quarter of 2019. Its gradually decreasing unemployment rate is yet another feather to its cap that ensures a great deal of promise for international aspirants seeking to study in Ireland.

Study in Ireland: Top Universities for International students

Since Ireland has some of the most prestigious institutes to its credit offering an array of programs at almost every possible level of education, it becomes highly important to ensure you find your perfect university and course match when looking to study abroad.

To help with the process, we have compiled a list of the top universities in the country along with their corresponding rankings and student population statistics.

Name of the institute	THE World Rankings 2021	THE Ireland Rankings 2021	International Student Population
Trinity College Dublin	=155	1	30%
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences	201–250	2	65%
University College Dublin	251–300	3	29%
National University of Ireland, Galway	University of Canterbury	301–350	=4
University College Cork	301–350	=4	19%
Maynooth University	401–500	6	12%
Dublin City University	501–600	=7	10%
University of Limerick	Auckland University of Technology	Bachelor of arts, information technology, construction project management	Master of creative technologies, construction management, engineering

What to study in Ireland?

The country offers more than 5,000 courses for international students ranging from the field of STEM to humanities and arts. Masters in Ireland bring huge traction from international students, as compared to bachelor’s courses at Irish Universities.

Discussed below are some of the top courses that you can look forward to study when planning to pursue higher education with Irish universities.

Top Courses to Study in Ireland

Popular master’s degrees and the perfect institute for the program that is highly popular among international students are mentioned as follows:

Popular Program	Best Ireland University for the course
MS in Finance/Clinical Psychology	Trinity College Dublin
MSc in Computing	Dublin City University
Master’s of Education/Masters (MS) in Computer Science (Software Engineering)	Maynooth University
MS in Data Science & Analytics	University College Cork
MA in History/Masters in Business Administration (MBA)	University College Dublin

Other Popular Courses to Study in Ireland

Masters in AI	Masters in Digital Marketing	Masters in Civil Engineering	Masters in Mechanical Engineering
Masters in Public Health	Masters in Health Administration	Masters in Public Health	Masters in Business Analytics

Why Study in Ireland?

Honored as #16 happiest countries to live in across the globe, Ireland is a growing economy that welcomes students from over 160 countries for higher education. The reasons for such a strong fascination for the nation vary from it being a majority English-speaking European Nation with globally-acknowledged Irish institutes and curriculum to the generally welcoming nature of Irish people that helps one feel at home instantly and whatnot.

If you are an international applicant seeking to study in the country, some essential points that you might want to take into consideration are as follows:

Home to top 1% of universities renowned for research globally:

Ireland ranks globally for research work in the field of Nano-Technology, Chemistry, Material Sciences and Mathematics. Research funding of up to 5 million EUR is offered to researchers globally viz. SFI Research Professorship Program.

Scholarships to Aid your Expenses:

Although the country is quite expensive as compared to the rest of Europe, however for a good living, students can obtain a range of government and private scholarships in Ireland which are available to bright students with an evident interest in Research and can study in Ireland for free.

24-Month Stay Back Option:

International students of postgraduate level have the option to stay back for 24 months to seek employment. This time allows the aspirants to plan their future prospects and look for their dream jobs in the meantime.

Home to Big international businesses:

Headquarter of international businesses such as Microsoft, Google, Apple and Dell are situated in the country who are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Hence, students have plenty of placement opportunities post completion of their degrees.

Work and study in Ireland/Job opportunities:

While student visas in many countries come with strict restrictions, visa in Ireland allows international candidates to work for 20 h/week during their course and up to 40 h/week during holidays. A high employment rate of over 90% for many institutes is a sign of high post-degree options for students.

How to Study in Ireland: Application Process

If you have decided to plan your application to enroll in an institute in Ireland, it is highly recommended to plan well and go through the process step-by-step to ensure no detail is missed out. For ease of planning, an application process for the same is as compiled below.

Explore your options:

Since the country is home to hundreds of recognized universities offering more than 5,000 courses, it is important to choose an alternative suited best for your needs and pocket.

Plan your finances:

Since Ireland being a European nation can be highly expensive in terms of its tuition and other expenses, the fact that deserving students can avail up to 100% of scholarships in the country makes it a worthwhile pursuit.

Work on your application:

Since the admission requirements for various institutes and their range of courses may vary, it is essential to take close note of their application process, fees, and deadlines. Graduate aspirants are recommended to contact the professors they want to work under via email prior to submission of application.

Submit your application:

The country has 3 admission seasons that follow their respective deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to keep a close track of these deadlines and send in their applications at least 4 to 6 months prior to them to allow sufficient time for processing and applying for a visa.

Apply for a study in Ireland visa:

The entire process usually takes around 8 months so candidates are recommended to apply for a student visa as soon as their admission is confirmed in an institute. The applicants can apply for the visa at their nearest Irish embassy 3 months before their arrival date.

Study in Ireland: Requirements

Basic information regarding the admission process and eligibility requirements are as tabulated below.

Where to apply	At respective portals of the institute (Graduates can apply at common portal PAC for some institutes)
Application Fee	Varies (for PAC: 50 EUR)
Basic Requirements	Transcripts, Standardized Exams like GMAT/ GRE/ GAMSAT (for medical students)
Additional Requirements	Valid Visa, 2 letters of recommendation, Resume, Portfolio, Statement of Purpose
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 6.5 or above (or equivalent)

When to study in Ireland: Application Cycle

The University education system of Ireland is divided into 3 semesters that is usually observed by almost all the institutes in the country. The deadlines and process of the application might vary for some organizations. The common application cycle along with corresponding details are as mentioned below.

Offer or acceptance letter from an institution approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
A written guarantee from a person or institution that suitable accommodation is available- if you are under 18 years.
Proof of sufficient funds to sustain through your stay in New Zealand.
A return ticket to home country or proof of funds showing the capability to afford one.
Tuberculosis test
Visa application fees- 35NZD (~1725 INR)

Semester 1:

The deadline for Non-European students is in late July
While European applicants can apply until August.
The semester commences in September and ends in January.

Semester 2:

The deadline for Non-European applicants is in December.
For European Students, is in January.
The semester commences in January and ends in May.

Semester 3:

- Applications from Non-European students are accepted from September May to August.

Study in Ireland Cost

When seeking to study abroad, one of the major steps that need major planning and sorting is the expenses that must be met to survive in a foreign land. While an average amount of 11,500 to 25,000 EUR per semester is the estimated cost for living in Ireland, the exact expenses may vary depending on the choice of your program, university and city you live in.

To help aid the process of financial planning, an estimated budget and distribution of expenses are as compiled below.

How much does it cost to study abroad in Ireland?

The major distribution of the fee as per the level of program and type of institute is as follows:

Level of Education	Tuition Fee (in EUR, per year)
Undergraduate programs	Postgraduate programs
9,500 to 34,500	9,500 to 34,500
Doctoral degrees	9,500 to 34,500

Study in Ireland Universities: Tuition Fees

Ireland has a range of prestigious and affordable institutes to its credit. Some of the affordable organizations in the country include University of Limerick, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, St. Patrick’s College, among others. The basic tuition fee for the reputed institutes in the nation is tabulated below.

Name of the institute	Average Tuition Fee (in EUR, per year)
Trinity College Dublin	9,918 to 19,592
Maynooth University	7,460 to 7,789
University College Dublin	5,250 to 9,947
University College Cork	7,737
National University of Ireland, Galway	6,000 to 9,000

Cost of Living in Ireland

The expenses comprising this category vary tremendously depending on the student’s lifestyle and the city one chooses to stay in. However, the average cost that you can expect to incur while studying in the country is as detailed below.

Type of Expenses	Cost (in EUR, per month)
Accommodation	300 to 1200
Utilities (like electric/gas/refuse)	30 to 50
Meals	250 to 350
Travel expenses (monthly bus ticket expense)	65 to 85
Book & Supplies	75
Cell phone	20
Personal expenses (specifically social & sports)	200 to 300
Internet	60
Medical insurance	45

Jobs after Studying in Ireland

The prospects after studying in Ireland for international students are vast. Some of the top job roles available to an international graduate in Ireland are discussed below along with the salary packages offered:

Job Role	Salary (Euro/year)
Finance Manager	77,500
Aerospace Engineer	50,900
Architect	47,700
B.D Manager	65,900
Business Analyst	48,500
Construction Project Manager	66,400
C.E.O	88,700
HR Manager	57,200
IT Manager	64,800
Sales Manager	72,200

In the conclusion section, Ireland being a majorly English-speaking European economy is a package deal for international students to study overseas. From 22 globally reputed universities, 5,000 courses, 2-year stay back, PR in just 2 years, the hassle-free application process, scenic beauty, warm climate to embracing nature of Irish people, the country has an endless list of merits to its credit.

The increasing employment opportunities and attraction of big industries towards the country work as a cherry on the top for Ireland which is becoming a huge fascination for international students of Indian and other South Asian countries. Thus, if you are a prospective candidate looking to study abroad, we highly recommend you to add Ireland as the emerging destination for higher education overseas to your list of favorites.

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