Table of Contents
- Top 10 Reasons To Study in Ireland
- 1. Excellent Quality Education & Globally Recognised Universities
- Top Irish Universities
- 2. Wide Selection of Programs & Courses
- 3. Academic & Research Opportunities
- 4. Internships and Job Opportunities
- Top Companies in Ireland
- 5. Scholarships for International Students to Study in Ireland
- Irish Government Scholarships
- Non-government Scholarships
- University Scholarships
- 6. Affordable Cost of Living & Education
- 7. Strong and Progressive Economy
- 8. Simple Visa Process
- 9. Student-Friendly Destination: Culture, History, Safety & Quality of Life
- 10. Travel Opportunities In & Around Ireland
- Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Ireland:
- Conclusion
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Apr 26, 2023 01:40 AM
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The Republic of Ireland, commonly known as Ireland, is situated on the westernmost edge of Europe. The country’s beauty and magnificence can be seen in its wildly magical landscapes, breathtaking coastline, rugged cliffs like the Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League that dive into the sea, serene beaches and lush green fields. Besides its natural beauty, Ireland has transformed itself into a modern technological hub with an astounding development in education, industry, innovation and technology. Ireland’s rapid economic growth has driven radical changes in its education sector. Academic institutes in Ireland now adorn top positions on the global forum, ranking among the best universities in the world. As a result, there is a substantial increase in the number of international students aspiring to study in Ireland. In this article, we will analyse why Ireland has emerged as a student-favourite destination and list out the top reasons that attract international students to study in Ireland.
Top 10 Reasons To Study in Ireland
1. Excellent Quality Education & Globally Recognised Universities
Source: Twitter
The Republic of Ireland, commonly known as Ireland, is situated on the westernmost edge of Europe. The country’s beauty and magnificence can be seen in its wildly magical landscapes, breathtaking coastline, rugged cliffs like the Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League that dive into the sea, serene beaches and lush green fields. Besides its natural beauty, Ireland has transformed itself into a modern technological hub with an astounding development in education, industry, innovation and technology. Ireland’s rapid economic growth has driven radical changes in its education sector. Academic institutes in Ireland now adorn top positions on the global forum, ranking among the best universities in the world. As a result, there is a substantial increase in the number of international students aspiring to study in Ireland. In this article, we will analyse why Ireland has emerged as a student-favourite destination and list out the top reasons that attract international students to study in Ireland.
Top Irish Universities
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- RCSI Institute of Leadership
- Dublin City University
- Maynooth University
- University of Limerick
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Technological University Dublin
- Munster Technological University
2. Wide Selection of Programs & Courses
Source: Sr Prisca Nwokorie
Irish universities and colleges provide extensive choices of degree programs and professional courses for international students. More than 5000 courses of various disciplines are distributed between Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, technical and vocational programs. Students can choose from multiple specialisations and sub-specialisations and focus on specific areas of interest. The most popular fields of study in Ireland are Information Technology, Business and Finance, Engineering, Medicine, Business Management and Consultancy, Hospitality, Pharmaceuticals and Construction.
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3. Academic & Research Opportunities
Source: Irish Research Council
Ireland has become a global hub for research and development owing to the country’s dedication to academic research and scientific discovery. Under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, the Irish Research Council was established in 2021 to support and fund educational research projects across several disciplines and levels of study. Students can receive funding from the Irish Research Council for postgraduate and postdoctoral research studies in any field.
Research universities in Ireland collaborate with industries and private enterprises that present enormous industrial research opportunities for students. The state-of-the-art laboratories and research centres in Ireland are funded and supported by the Irish government, private organisations, and universities themselves. Research students in Ireland thus receive competitive funding to pursue groundbreaking thesis work in both industry and academia.
4. Internships and Job Opportunities
Source: Unsplash
Ireland is home to numerous multinational organisations and fortune 500 companies. Global giants like Google, Accenture, Johnson Controls, CRH plc, Medtronics are headquartered in Dublin and Cork. The universities in Ireland have partnered with many corporate organisations and industrial sectors that provide internship and job opportunities for students graduating from the Irish institutes. More than 90% of the students passing out of universities find employment in popular job sectors like Engineering, Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Management, Accounting & Finance, Banking, Business, Healthcare, Construction, Hospitality, etc.
Top Companies in Ireland
- Accenture
- Hubspot
- Apple
- MangoDB
- Guidewire
- SAP
- DocuSign
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- Airbnb
- Indeed
- Meta
- Dropbox
- Mastercard
- Dell Technologies
Further Reference:
5. Scholarships for International Students to Study in Ireland
Source: Youtube
Ireland offers many scholarships options for international students, which provide either partial or complete funding for education. There are different categories of scholarships, based on the sponsorship: Government, non-government (private) and university scholarships. The scholarships cover living costs and tuition fees and can be availed by eligible international students for Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral or other vocational programs.
Irish Government Scholarships
- The Government of Ireland Scholarship Scheme
- The Walsh Fellowship
- Claddagh Scholarship Programme
- Fulbright Scholarship
- Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) scholarships
Non-government Scholarships
- Student Essays Scholarship
- British Council IELTS Award
University Scholarships
- NUI Galway International Students Scholarships
- Maynooth University Scholarships
- Trnity College of Dublin Scholarships
- University College Cork Scholarships
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6. Affordable Cost of Living & Education
Source: Unpakt
Living in Ireland is quite affordable compared to other overseas education destinations like the US or Australia. The cost of living includes your rent, food supplies, transportation, health insurance, phone/internet charges, study material, recreation and other miscellaneous expenses. On average, it costs around 7000 to 12000 euros a year to live in Ireland, based on the location. It is expensive to live in cities like Dublin, but students can find part-time jobs to support themselves.
Tuition fee ranges from 5,000 to 35,000 euros a year to pursue a postgraduate program in Ireland, depending on the choice of the program (management courses are high on tuition fee). However, Ireland offers plenty of scholarship opportunities that can take care of your education cost as well as living costs.
For more details, do read the below article.
7. Strong and Progressive Economy
Source: The World Economic Forum
Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The economy of the Republic of Ireland is an advanced knowledge economy, where knowledge is applied to generate value from services like technology, industry, finance, construction, life science, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food products, fishing, mining, chemicals, and others. The mixed economy of Ireland allows private investments in industry and commerce while the state takes care of essential services and developmental projects. Ireland’s per capita GDP is the fifth-highest among the 182 countries. It is the fastest-growing economy in Europe and worldwide. A strong economy provides a stable living and working environment for international students who wish to settle down with their families after graduation.
Reference:
8. Simple Visa Process
Source: Travel Triangle
Procuring a student visa for Ireland is relatively simple. Though the visa process is lengthy, Ireland’s student visa rejection rate is quite low, making it a favourable destination for higher studies. It takes around 4 to 8 weeks to process the student visa; hence, students should ideally apply for the permit at least three months before the commencement of the course. Students can get a Post-Study Work Permit (PSW) for a duration of two years after completing their studies or alternatively apply for a Green Card while seeking employment. Be it applying for a study or work permit or permanent residency, the visa process in Ireland is straightforward and seemingly effortless.
9. Student-Friendly Destination: Culture, History, Safety & Quality of Life
Source: Go Inspired
Ireland is a multicultural hub that welcomes people from different ethnicities with open arms. Irish people are highly hospitable and immensely proud of their strong culture and traditions. They hold events and cultural events all year round. It is fascinating to watch the Irish dance, listen to their traditional music and celebrate festivals like the Bloomsday Festival and Saint Patrick’s Day. International students get to share the enthusiasm and passion of Irish people for sports through mega sporting events like the Six Nations Rugby Tournament, FIFA World Cup or Olympic games. As it is an English speaking country, students will not face any language barrier, which is a big advantage while studying abroad. The country offers an abundance of natural beauty to immerse oneself in yet allows you to enjoy techno-savvy city life.
Ireland thus provides a congenial environment for students to pursue their education while providing them with a unique opportunity to benefit from its diverse culture, rich history, natural beauty, safe living, excellent amenities and a first-class metropolitan lifestyle.
10. Travel Opportunities In & Around Ireland
Source: Coolclogher House
Ireland is a land of astronomical beauty experienced through its breathtaking landscapes, stunning scenic spots, fairytale castles, spectacular cliffs like the Cliffs of Moher and serene coastlines. Students can visit the beautiful Irish cities of Dublin, Cork City, Lisburn, Belfast, Limerick, Sligo, Waterford, etc., during study breaks and holidays. One can also explore the country’s natural and architectural wonders, museums, cityscapes, lakes, rivers, charming castles, lush green gardens, and dwell in their history, culture and celebrations. Furthermore, Ireland is located just a few hours away from Europe and forms a perfect travel location for students who wish to travel to the UK and EU region. For wandering souls, Ireland provides immense opportunities to travel and unwind.
Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Ireland:
- The Old Library, Trinity College Library, Dublin
- Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
- Kinsale, County Cork
- Achill Island, County Mayo
- Skellig Michael, County Kerry
- Galway, County Galway
- Killarney National Park, County Kerry
- Aran Islands
- Waterford Greenway, County Waterford
- The Burren, County Clare
Conclusion
Ireland is ranked one among the top 10 international destinations for higher education. There are several reasons why Ireland has emerged as a top choice for higher studies, including standard of teaching, world-renowned universities, student-favourable environment, uplifting career opportunities, cost of living, and many more. In this article, we have discussed the top 10 reasons why international students aspire to study in Ireland. If you have shortlisted Ireland as one of your study-abroad destinations, please read this article and make an informed decision.
