Study In Ireland – A Comprehensive Guide

Discover why Ireland is an excellent place to study! With some of the best universities in the world and a vibrant, English-speaking culture, Ireland offers easy PR, low fees, and international classroom experiences.

Study In Ireland – A Comprehensive Guide
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Apr 26, 2023 01:40 AM
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Lying to the west of Great Britain is the Republic of Ireland, with a population of around 4.9 million. Being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it is a must-visit country for frequent travellers or globetrotters. It is blessed with a rich history and culture and is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. When it comes to hospitality, Irish people are the most welcoming and friendly people you will ever find.
Ireland is not just a tourist destination but also an excellent place to study. Being a vibrant English-speaking country, it is the home to some of the best universities in the world, such as University College Dublin, Dublin City University, Maynooth University, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and the University of Limerick.

Why Study in Ireland?

  • Easy to get a PR: Obtaining a Permanent residency & Work Permit is comparatively easy than countries like the US and UK.
  • Relatively low fees: Masters tuition fee for Non-EU students is €15000 on an average which is more on the inexpensive side compared to the education in the UK and the US.
  • Living expenses are comparatively less – Dublin, Cork, Galway have relatively less cost of Living. Living expenses in cities like London, Berlin and New York shoot through the roof.
  • Truly International Classroom experience – Universities in Ireland have a small batch size which houses students from all over the world. This would mean a diverse classroom experience unlike other countries like US and UK filled with Indians and Chinese.
  • English speaking country: Studying in Ireland saves you from learning a new language not-to-mention a ton of time and efforts.
  • MSc Computer Science- (software engineering, Data Analytics), financial services, MSc in Finance, professional masters of education (secondary)
  • Master’s in International Entrepreneurship Management, MSc in Computing
  • MSc in Human Resource Management
  • Master of Public Policy
  • MSc in Management (Business)
  • Professional Masters of Education (primary, Secondary, post-primary)
  • MSc Biotechnology, MSc Biomedical Science, Clinical Psychology (DClin Psych)
  • MSc (Information Systems for Business Performance), MSc (Management & Marketing)
  • MSc Corporate Finance, MA in Technical Communication and E-learning
  • MEng in Information and Network Security
  • Masters in Environmental Resource Management
  • ME in Electrical Energy Engineering
  • Master’s in Business Administration, MSc Data Science & Analytics, PME (Professional Master’s in Education)
  • Bio Innovate, LLM International Human Rights

Is it possible for International Students to study in Ireland for free?

International students who are planning to do their Bachelor’s and are the residents of any EU/EAA member states can acquire the benefits of the free fees initiative that the government offers if they meet the basic citizenship requirements. Although postgraduate students and non- EU are not eligible for the free fee initiative, funding support is available to support the student’s financial needs.

How much does it cost for international students to study Masters in Ireland?

The overall cost for Master’s in Ireland mainly depends on the program you choose to study. If you are an EU/EEA resident, then a full-time postgraduate course will cost you anywhere between €4000 to €30,000. However, if you are a non-EU/EAA resident, then you should have at least €7,000 in the account before you arrive in Ireland for the graduate studies. Some Irish universities do provide merit-based scholarships to non-EU students ranging from €1,000 to full-tuition fees.

What tests should an international student take, for studying in Ireland?

Since Ireland is mostly an English-speaking country; students need to have good command over English. Therefore, you need to have a minimum score in either one the following exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE academic, GCSE English Language (General Certification of Secondary Education), GCE O-Level English Language (General Certificate of Education), Cambridge Proficiency, Cambridge Advanced, ARELS (Association of English Language Schools) Oral Exam. Apart from this, you will also need to have a minimum academic grade with respect to the university you are planning to apply.

Are international students eligible for a part-time job in Ireland?

As most part-time jobs in Ireland require at least one year of work experience, finding a part-time job is usually quite challenging for most students, especially if you are a Non-EU resident. Students who have an excellent academic score do earn a few bucks from assisting in thesis reports. However, we recommend you to make arrangement for your financial expenses during your stay in Ireland.

Can we study in Ireland without a GRE score?

Majority of the universities in Ireland do not consider GRE scores as a prerequisite for their graduate program’s admission. However, having a good GRE score may increase the chances of your admission to your desired university.

What are the chances for graduate students to get a job after completing their Master's program?

Ireland is the European headquarters to many high-end IT companies, which in turn has created a pool of job opportunities for graduates specializing in computer and IT-related field. Students majoring in medical or business-related fields also have the right amount of job opportunities. However, students from other backgrounds do find it difficult to get jobs unless you are the lucky 5% who can convince them to hire you.
If you are from any of the EU countries, you have the advantage of working without restriction in Ireland. Non-EU/EAA students will have to apply for a six months’ extension of their study visa after their results are out.

How to Create an Optimized Shortlist of Courses to Increase the Chance of Admission?

  • Step 1: Decide which major you want to get a degree in.
  • Step 2: Browse through the universities starting from the top-ranked ones in Ireland and see if they offer your major and also look at what specialized tracks do they offer.
  • Step 3: Take a look at the curriculum and see if there are any undergrad credit requirements.
  • Step 4: Once you find the right course for you and you satisfy all their requirements, look at the class size, fees and location of the university.
  • Step 5: Go on LinkedIn and browse through the profiles of the graduated students, this will rid you of all the equivocating information provided in the college website pertaining to the post-masters job/research opportunities.
  • Step 6: If your course is research-based, look at the work done by the professors at the university and check if it aligns with your research interests. Drop a mail to professors if your research interests closely match. This would give you an edge over the other applicants.

What are the most common accommodation options for students during their stay in Ireland?

Students basically have two options when it comes to accommodation; on-campus and off-campus. Since not all universities provide on-campus accommodation, it is both difficult to find one as well as expensive in comparison to off-campus housing. Besides, since the rent for such accommodations is paid in two installments, most students find it burdensome to make the payment.
The most common residential option that students can opt is off-campus accommodations. Students who want to live independently usually rent places by themselves. The most popular websites for finding rental properties in Ireland are HousingAnywhere.com, Daft.ie and My Home. Another option is living as a paying guest with a host family, where you will be able to live independently while enjoying all the comforts of a home.

What are the Visa options for a student to study in Ireland?

If you are a resident of the European Union or European Economic Area member states, you can travel and study in Ireland without a visa.
On the other hand, if you are a non-EU resident, then the next step after you get an acceptance letter from the college is to apply for a visa. The type of visa you get is basically based on the duration of your study program. If your course lasts for less than three months, then you get ‘C type study visa’. If the program duration for your course is more than three months, then you get ‘D type study visa’. Since most graduate courses need more than three months to complete, students usually get a ‘D type study’.

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