Why study in Ireland?

Ireland is one of the charismatic island nations in the European Union (EU), which is famous for its lofty mountains, magnificent lighthouses, exquisite coastlines, and natural greenery. Apart from its natural beauty, Ireland is famous for its soaring economic development and top universities with an extensive range of study programs that attract students from all across the globe.

• The number of international students coming to Ireland has increased by 47% from 2013 to 2017.
• The approximate number of international students in Ireland is 170,000.
• Approximately 45,000 non-EU/EEA students are enrolled in Ireland’s post-secondary study program.
• According to Irish Higher Education Authority (HEA), most of the international students are from the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Canada.
• The provision to work in Ireland while studying and after completion of their course is one of the basic reasons for international students to get drawn towards Ireland for further studies.

Tuition costs in Ireland

Tuition fees in Ireland vary according to EU/EEA students or non-EU/EEA students. The tuition fees also vary according to different institutions, hence, it is advisable to check with your preferred institution for further detailed information.

Cost for Undergraduate degrees

• For EU/EEA students: The tuition fee starts from €3,000 and may go higher for medical and medical-related courses.
• For Non-EU/EEA (International) students: The tuition fee starts from €9,850 and can go up to €55,000 per year depending on the study program.

Cost for postgraduate degrees

• For EU/EEA students: The tuition fee for postgraduate study ranges anything between €3,800 to €30,000
• For Non-EU/EEA (International) students: Starts from €9950 and can go up to €34,500 per year depending on the study program.

Scholarships

As for Scholarships, Ireland is very generous. The conversion for Euro is not cheap for most countries - since it stands higher than most currencies of the world. Hence, a scholarship is highly recommended to all international students. A scholarship does not only help international students cut down on tuition fees, but it may also help them budget their finances better. By saving a couple of thousands of euros, students may be able to invest in another part of traveling and living abroad or may choose to save their finances for the future.

Scholarships stand as a win-win situation, making it all the more important for international students to apply for them. Below is a list of some of the most popular scholarships (government awarded and university awarded) that Ireland has to offer:

• Cenetary Scholarship Program (Government Awarded)
• Government of Ireland Scholarship (Government Awarded)
• Ontario Student Graduates (Government Awarded)
• Central Bank of Ireland Undergraduate Scholarship (Government Awarded)
• Fullbright Scholarships (Government Awarded)
• Trinity College Scholarships (University Awarded)
• University College, Dublin Scholarships (University Awarded)
• Maynooth University Scholarships (University Awarded)
• University of Limerick Scholarship (University Awarded)
• Galeway International Students Scholarships (University Awarded)

Admission Requirement for international students

To be eligible to study in Ireland, it is imperative to meet the following academic requirements.

Graduate Admission Requirement To be eligible to study graduate courses in Ireland Universities, one has to provide proof of a certificate of secondary education. Other than the certificate of the latest education, one has to provide a 500-word statement of purpose along with a recognized certificate of Proficiency in the English Language.

Post Graduate Admission Requirement To be eligible for a postgraduate program in an Ireland University, an international student has to possess and submit an undergraduate diploma from a recognized Irish University or any other university. An international student also has to submit an academic transcript certified by an issuing body, a certified copy of past degrees or certificates, recognized certificate of Proficiency in the English language.

English Language Requirements

To be able to successfully study in your desired university in Ireland, the potential international students must meet either ONE of the following English language requirements:

• An IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) score of 7 overall, with no less than 6.5 in every element. The overall score and the minimum score in every element may differ as per the university guidelines.
• A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of 88 overall for an internet-based test (iBT); a score of 570 overall for a paper-based test; and an overall score of 230 for a computer-based test. It will be preferable to have scores that exceed the average and generalized scores, as universities tend to focus on the higher scores first.

Student Accommodation in Ireland

Ireland offers their students

• On-Campus Accommodation: Most universities in Ireland provide on-campus accommodation facility to its students. On-campus accommodation includes a hall of residence, a living room, and a bathroom. The fee for on-campus accommodation has to be paid in two installments. It is also required to pay one month's rent in advance which is refundable when one leaves the accommodation facility. Most universities charge heat and electricity charges separately on basis of usage. To know more, check the accommodation section of the University website.
• Off-Campus Accommodation: Most students prefer to stay independently on self-catering and rented accommodation. In this type of accommodation, one has to sign a contract of lease of 9-12 months and pay rent on monthly basis. Some international students also choose to live with a ‘host family’. Staying with a ‘host family’ gives homely comfort and independence but at the same time has to adhere to rules set by the ‘host family’.

Working conditions while studying in Ireland

As for the working conditions in Ireland, students have plenty of options - no matter their field of study, although the rules are different for EU/EEA students and non-EU/EEA students.

For EU/EEA Students:

The students who are from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) have the opportunity to work in Ireland during their study program without any restrictions. The EU/EEA students have the freedom to work both full-time and part-time.

For non-EU/EEA Students (International Students):

On the other hand, non-EU/EEA students have a few restrictions. International students can work for 20 hours per week during semesters and 40 hours per week during holidays. However, to be eligible to work, an international student must have a Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) registration certificate which is issued by the Immigration Office of Ireland. Additionally, it is mandatory to be enrolled in a course that is included on the Ireland Government’s list of visa-eligible courses.

Health Services

Students from other EU/EEA nations are subjected to free health and medical services, provided one possesses Form E.109. To be eligible for this facility, one has to provide proof of his/her nationality to the Irish Health Authorities. However, students from Non-EU/EEA countries are required to have private health insurance. While applying for an Irish student visa, it is mandatory to provide proof of health insurance to the Irish Immigration Department.

Visa Regulation

An international student willing to pursue further studies in Ireland must undertake a course that is a minimum of 3 months. One has to apply online for their Irish Study Visa with all the required documents. Upon submission of the visa application, one must print the summary form and submit it with other supporting documents. One might also have to submit their biometric details while applying for the study visa.

Additional Information

The Government of Ireland has set up dedicated international offices that work closely with international students for any kind of administrative or academic work. With the help of these supportive offices, international students get direct access to facilities, pieces of information, services, etc. Since Ireland is an English-speaking country, an international student won’t feel alienated while living and studying here. Moreover, Ireland’s close economic and educational ties with English-speaking countries, like the UK and the US make it a more favorable destination for international students to pursue their further studies in Ireland.