Why study in Ireland – Ireland is known as the ‘Land of Saints and Scholars’ and is renowned for its academic culture. The country has a long-standing history of excellence in literature, science and research, having provided the world with the likes of Bram Stoker, C.S. Lewis, Colm McCarthy and Robert Boyle. The high standards of education, world-class universities and a constantly evolving economy makes Ireland a great choice for students looking to pursue their higher education abroad.

Why study in Ireland – Key Facts about the Country

The Irish education system is ranked among the Top 20 in Europe by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.

The Irish economy is one of the fastest growing in the Eurozone and the 6th most competitive in the world. It is an enterprising country with global connections and abundant opportunities. Several leading global companies are located in Ireland and the best career opportunities are available in the fields of Software Development and IT, Engineering, Financial Services, Food and Agriculture, Medtech and Pharma.

Ireland has 7 public universities and one technology institute, all of which ranked within the top 700 in the QS World University Rankings for 2019.

Ireland is considered one of the safest countries for foreign students as it was ranked the 12 th most peaceful country according to Global Peace Index 2019.

Irish universities are in the top 1% of research institutions in the world. The key strategic research facilities of some of the world’s biggest companies are also located in Ireland and international students can pursue prestigious research programmes. Additionally, Ireland was ranked 12 th in the Global Innovation Index 2019.

Ireland is the 16th happiest place in the world out of 156 countries, as per the 2019 World Happiness Report, leaving behind countries like Germany, the US, France, and Spain. This shows an Ireland’s upper hand in GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy at birth, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity in the form of donations to charity and perceptions of government corruption.

Primary language spoken in the country is English which makes it significantly easier for international students to acclimatize to a foreign country. However, one has to understand and adopt the Irish accent, pronunciation and expressions. For example, when Irish people say come here, (“come’ere”) they just mean listen!

Why study in Ireland – Diversity in Education

Ireland offers 5000+ courses at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels, along with a host of UG and PG diplomas that encompass almost all academic disciplines. According to a recent US News Education report, Ireland is ranked 2nd in courses for immunology and nanotechnology and is ranked 3rd for courses in material sciences. Some of the key fields Irish universities specialise in are:

Natural Sciences

Technology

Economics

Humanities

Business Studies

Ireland has built a strong reputation globally for having high standards of education. The institutes pride themselves on their commitment to achieving excellence in all aspects of academia. Classrooms are based around a structure of lectures, seminars, simulations, coursework, group discussions, practical applications and projects. A combination of all these factors help the students to realize their maximum potential both inside and outside the classroom.

GLOBAL RANKINGS OF IRISH RESEARCH PROGRAMs, BASED ON THE SCIENCE FOUNDATION OF IRELAND’S REPORTS

Research Discipline Global Rank IMMUNOLOGY 1 st ANIMAL AND DAIRY 1 st NANOTECHNOLOGY 2 nd AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES 2 nd MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS 4 th MATERIALS SCIENCES 5 th BASIC MEDICAL RESEARCH 6 th NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOUR 6 th MATHEMATICS 7 th CHEMISTRY 8 th MICROBIOLOGY 8 th

Why study in Ireland – Top Ranked Universities

The country has 1 institute of technology and 7 universities that are ranked among the top 700 in the world according to the QS Global Rankings and Top Universities rankings from 2019. All of them are housed in state-of-the-art facilities which provide students with all forms of modern amenities. Despite the small size of the country, the colleges are considered to be some of the best options available for higher education in their respective fields. They range in size from small art colleges with 200 students to private giants like the Dublin Business School that has 9,000 students on their roster.

The following table lists all the top institutes in Ireland:

LIST OF TOP INSTITUTES TO STUDY IN IRELAND

Name of Institute QS Global Ranking Top Universities Ranking 2020 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN 227 185 TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN 240 108 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK 451 310 NUI GALWAY 557 N.A. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS 803 N.A. MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY 817 701 DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY 837 429 UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK 860 521 DUBLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY N.A. 751

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. The universities all aim to produce graduates that are highly employable and able to perform at a high level in their chosen professions.

Why study in Ireland – Tuition Fees for International Students

Tuition fees in Ireland are considered to be slightly above the European average, but vary over a wide range depending upon the choice of institution and its location within the country. Students considering between UK and Ireland will find the tuition fees in Ireland to be slightly lower than that of the UK, but not by a huge margin. The following tables break down the average tuition cost of some of the popular courses in Ireland:

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE AVERAGE FEES IN IRELAND

Course Average Fees BUSINESS EUR 9,850 – EUR 19,500 ENGINEERING EUR 9,850 – EUR 25,500 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EUR 9,850 – EUR 25,500 ARTS AND HUMANITIES EUR 9,850 – EUR 19,500 MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES EUR 39,500 – EUR 55,000

POSTGRADUATE COURSE AVERAGE FEES IN IRELAND

Course Average Fees BUSINESS EUR 9,950 – EUR 34,500 ENGINEERING EUR 9,950 – EUR 25,000 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EUR 9,950 – EUR 27,000 ARTS AND HUMANITIES EUR 9,950 – EUR 19,000 MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES EUR 18,000 – EUR 32,000

Why study in Ireland – Scholarship Options for Indian Students

Ireland offers a number of scholarship options for students who are looking for financial assistance to fund their studies in Ireland. Some of them are fully-funded while others only offer partial-funding. Also, many scholarships can only be applicable to specific institutes; so applicants should be careful in their research and make sure that they are sending their applications to the right places. The following table contains a list of the top scholarship programs available in Ireland for Indian students looking to study abroad:

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SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS IN IRELAND FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

Name Details MAX ARTHUR MCAULIFFE SPECIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP Available only for PG courses Fully-Funded SIR PETER FREYER SPECIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP Available only for PG courses Fully-Funded UCD AD ASTRA ACADEMIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM Available only for UG courses EUR 3,000 per year DIT CENTENARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Available only for PG courses Partially-Funded DCU INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS Available for UG and PG courses EUR 2,000 per year

Why study in Ireland – Cost of Living for Students

Ireland is a fairly small country and as such, the further away you get away from the city centres, the cost of living goes down as well. It’s a laid-back country which allows you to enjoy a balanced lifestyle. The cost of living is slightly above the average for Europe, but only by a small margin. Average costs of living in some prominent Irish cities including accommodation are:

Dublin – EUR 1,100 – EUR 1,800 per month

Cork – EUR 860 – EUR 1,400 per month

Galway – EUR 800 – EUR 1,100 per month

Accommodation is one of the major parts of a student’s expenses in Ireland. Institutions of higher education usually offer students a place to stay in residence halls which on average cost around EUR 200 – 300 per month. These halls are well furnished and designed to provide maximum comfort to the students living in them, they are also a good way for international students to get to know their fellow students. If you are unable to find accommodation in the residence hall of your institution, you can also rent/share an apartment or live in a homestay. The main accommodation prices for students in Ireland are:

Student living independently: EUR 427 per month Student living with partner/child: EUR 470 per month Students living on campus: EUR 300-600 per month Utilities: EUR 130 per month Internet: up to EUR 60 per month

Food costs for a month aren’t high and average out to around EUR 250 per month for groceries. If you’re a little savvier, you can hunt for discounts and lower priced products in one of the numerous supermarkets like Aldi, Tesco, Dunnes etc.

Travel around the country isn’t particularly expensive either, especially for students. Students get the benefit of discounts if they use special cards or services designed specifically for them. A monthly pass for public transport will cost you around EUR 50-55 per month, with a student discount. However, the most popular mode of transportation is the bicycle. You can rent a bike to get around the city; the prices start from EUR 20 per day.

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Why study in Ireland – Working while Studying

Ireland separates the different types of visas it offers to international students through a system of stamps, with different regulations for each of them. Students who wish to work part-time while studying need to apply for a stamp 2 visa. The stamp 2 visa comes with a set of rules and regulations that control how much you can actually work in the country. A holder of a stamp 2 visa can:

Work for 20 hours per week when the academic session is in progress. Work for 40 hours per week in May, June, July, August. Work for 40 hours per week from 15 December to 15 January, as workers are in high demand during the holiday season.

To be eligible to work part time while you are studying in Ireland, you 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 the above criteria are met, you are then required to obtain a Personal Public Service Number or PPS which will allow your employer to pay your salary for whatever work you choose to do. Remember that you will also be subject to Irish tax and employment laws. But for students who wish to ease the financial burden of living in a foreign country, Ireland offers great part-time work conditions that can help supplement your finances while not interfering with your study hours.

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Why study in Ireland – Post Study Work Permits

International students who have completed their degrees at the Master’s and PhD levels are eligible to stay back in Ireland for a period of 24 months, during which they can work for up to 40 hours per week and apply further for a work permit or a permanent residence card. Students who have done an honours undergraduate degree have a 12-month stay back option, whereas ordinary undergraduate degree holders are eligible to stay back for just 6-months. Students enrolled in language or non-degree programs are not eligible for any of the above schemes.

Why study in Ireland – FAQs

Q. Does Ireland have a long history of academic excellence?

Ireland has long been known as the ‘Land of Scholars and Saints’. Over the years, it has achieved a reputation for having a high standard of education and its institutes have produced notable literary figures like Bram Stoker and C.S. Lewis, scientists like Robert Boyle and John Tyndall and political figures like Michael Collins and Richard Martin.

Q. How many different courses does Ireland offer to students?

Ireland offers 5000+ courses in a variety of disciplines from humanities, science, business and medicine. Courses are available at the UG, PG and doctoral research levels. They also offer short term language certification courses and diploma programs.

Q. Are Irish qualifications recognised globally?

Ireland has 7 universities and 1 technical institute that rank among the top 700 institutes globally according to the QS World Rankings for 2020. Irish qualifications are held in high-regard globally due to the country’s reputation for having high-standards for education and academic excellence.

Q. Are there cheaper options for studying in Ireland?

Outside the top universities, most of the colleges in Ireland are priced at or below the average for Europe. As such, students who wish to study in Ireland can find an option that suits their financial needs easily.

Q. Are there scholarship options for Indian students looking to study in Ireland?

Yes, you can refer to the article above for more details. There are a lot of scholarships available that offer both full and partial coverage for students. Many of them are available for both PG and UG students, while some are exclusively limited certain courses.

Q. What is the cost of living in Ireland for international students?

The most expensive thing in Ireland is accommodation. However, the further away you get from city centres like Dublin, Galway etc, the cheaper you will find the cost of living to be. Food is another big expense, while public transport usually offers student discounts which makes it significantly cheaper.

Q. Can I work part-time while studying in Ireland?

Yes, but only if you have a stamp 2 student visa. This will allow you to work for 20 hours per week part time during the regular duration of your course. The hours can also increase to 40 hours per week during the holiday season when there is a higher demand for workers.