Guide to Study in Ireland

Keywords: Study in Ireland, Cost to study in Ireland, Reasons to Study in Ireland, Scholarships in Ireland, Universities in Ireland, Student Cities in Ireland, Admissions process in Ireland, IELTS requirements for Ireland, Ireland Study Visa

Why Study in Ireland?

Let’s take a look at the top reasons to choose Ireland as a destination for studying abroad.

Excellent Education System
Qualifications awarded by the higher educational institutions of Ireland are of international repute. And, the Irish government invests large chunks of money in upgrading and building the academic infrastructure.

Earn and Learn At The Same Time
The government of Ireland offers a green card or work permit to international students. Many universities offer internships to international students to give them practical experience in their field. Moreover, the Irish government also offers loans and scholarships to help financially international students.

Safety
Ireland has been ranked 19th in the Global Peace Index 2019, making Ireland one of the safest study destination across the globe.

No Language Barriers
Since English is a widely spoken language in the country, you can be completely relieved about facing any kind of language problem during your stay in Ireland.

Hub of International Companies
Ireland is home to many globally acclaimed companies such as IBM, Google, HP, Twitter, GSK, Genzyme, Facebook, LinkedIn. Therefore, there are plenty 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 has also introduced different visa programmes in recent years to support budding entrepreneurs in their country.

Scenic Landscapes
You will find plenty of things to do when you study in Ireland. The land where William Wordsworth found the inspiration for his poetry is filled with striking panorama and countryside that are a must to explore while pursuing your studies here.

Also Read: Top Universities in Ireland

Admission Intakes in Ireland

In Ireland, there are two major intakes:

1 Autumn (Semester 1)
Early September to December – Application deadlines are between February and July

2 Spring (Semester 2)
Late January to May – Application deadlines are between September and October.

Note: The deadline as well as intakes can differ as per course and university. Most students choose to go in September intake but January intake is also suitable for selected 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.

Also Read: Engineering Colleges in Ireland

Admission Requirements to Study in Ireland

The admission process to study in Ireland differs according to the level of programme you want to pursue. For undergraduate and postgraduate courses, academic requirements vary from university to university but the language requirements are similar with little variation. 

In most cases, documents required at the time of submitting your 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 (LOR).
• A Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Up-to-date resume.
• Certificates of extra-curricular activities.
• For arts & design programs, portfolio may also be required.

Also Read: How to Choose a University for Studying Abroad

Getting Student Visa in Ireland

Once you are accepted at the university, you can file your visa application to study in Ireland. There are two types of student visa in Ireland: 

1 C-Visas (Tourist visa): For an academic program of less than 3 months. This is applicable for short courses of 3 months duration or less.
2 D-Visas (Study visa): For an academic program of more than 3 months. If you are going to study postgraduate or undergraduate course, then, you must apply for D-Visa to study in Ireland. 

Ideal time to apply for Irish Study Visa is three months before the course start date. The fee for both C-visa and D-visa is 60EUR (Roughly 4,900 INR). You can submit the visa application 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. 
• Payment receipt from the applicant to the college that sums up the tuition fees. 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.

After submitting the application online, you have to submit your biometrics at the nearest Irish embassy. Then, your visa application will be processed and you will be updated about the results.

Also Read: Study MBA without Work Experience

Cost of Studying in Ireland

The overall costs to study in Ireland comprises of tuition fees, accommodation, food and transportation, and health insurance.

Tuition Fees
Tuition fees depends on the course and the university you have chosen. Following table elucidates the average tuition fees to study in Ireland for bachelor’s and master’s courses for Non-EU (Indian) students [Source: Enterprise Ireland, a portal under the authority of Minister of Education and Skills, Ireland] 

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

Also Read: Scholarships to Study in UK 

Accommodation
You can choose between on-campus accommodation facilities at your university, or off-campus accommodation options such as shared apartments, student hostels, etc. On an average, the accommodation costs around 427 EUR (roughly 35,000 INR) for 1 month.

Living Expenses
Living expenses refers to daily expenditure on food, transport, and other necessities. You should allocate roughly 7000-15,000 EUR (5,71,500-12,25,000 INR approx.) towards the living cost. It really depends on your lifestyle and the spending habits. Further, you will need a medical insurance as it is essential for foreign students in Ireland. Medical Insurance will cost around 500-800 EUR (41,000-65,000 INR approx.) annually.

Scholarships

To ease the load of financial burden for students coming to Ireland to gain higher education, the Irish government as well as different organisations in the country offer a numerous 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:

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

Also Read: 10 UK universities with cheapest tuition fees 

Top Universities To Study in Ireland 

Student Cities in Ireland

Dublin
Dublin has the highest number of Irish universities and colleges. There’s no shortage of things to see and do in Dublin, from admiring beautiful medieval architecture and retracing the steps of famous novelists, to visiting the Guinness Brewery and discovering the meaning of craic in one of the city’s lively pubs. The city is known for being expensive, and living costs are higher here than elsewhere in Ireland, but Dublin is certainly not the world’s priciest student destination – and it gives a lot back.

Universities in Dublin include University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and Dublin Institute of Technology, all of which feature in the QS World University Rankings 2019. The city is also home to the specialized Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, which ranks among the world’s leading medical schools.

Also Read: New Rules for Working in Germany

Galway
Combining beautiful beaches with a buzzing city center, Galway offers all the traditional and modern-day Irish experiences you could want: cobbled streets, brightly painted buildings and heaving pubs hosting throbbing live music. The city is known as a hub for arts and culture, and hosts popular annual events such as the Galway Arts Festival and Cúirt International Festival of Literature. 

Universities in Galway include the National University of Ireland, Galway and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. 

Cork
Cork is located on the south coast of Ireland. Its combination of historic architecture and vibrant cultural life makes it a popular stop for tourists. There’s a good selection of nightlife, from traditional pubs to trendy bars, and, as usual in Ireland, stunning countryside is never far away. Universities in Cork include University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology.

We hope that this blog gave you detailed information on how to pursue higher education in Ireland. If you have any doubt or questions, please feel free to arrange a FREE Counselling session with one of our experts over phone or in office at Road to Abroad.

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