Ireland – A Preferred Destination for International Students
A growing economy and recognition of its world-class education make Ireland a desirable study destination for international students. Students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. degrees will get access to top-quality education and professional experience thereafter. Top multinational companies and IT companies in Ireland’s very own Silicon Valley have set up offices in Ireland, thereby providing abundant internship and work opportunities to aspiring students. This article will give you a holistic view about the education system, work environment, and stay options in Ireland.
Ireland has 12 Universities and Colleges, and 14 Institutes of Technology that offer over 5000 internationally recognized qualifications tagged with the best education system in the world. They have set their mark in research opportunities as the Irish Government invests over 782 million funds in the research programs. The research institutes rank first in class when it comes to courses like Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences which builds up the confidence in students to take up research-related programs. Ireland has an intake of over 35,000 international students each year coming from diverse 161 countries, so if you are looking for diversity, Ireland is the right place for you. It is one of the most amiable and well-equipped places to stay. Moreover, English is the spoken language, so communication would not be a challenge as opposed to other countries like Germany.
Some of Ireland’s famed universities include Trinity College-Dublin, Dublin City University, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Galway, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Limerick, The universities are considered to be the world leader in Information Technology, Mathematics, Nanotechnology, Immunology, Engineering, Psychology, Politics, English and many more. They are also recognised as top international research centres for students looking out for research-based studies. Their rigorous academic programmes are complemented with an unparalleled array of cultural, social and professional experiences. Their international student community comprises of students coming from more than 114 countries.
Along with the quality of education, Ireland also offers other benefits to international students. If you do not plan on giving your GRE exam or have secured a low score, then Ireland is the study destination for you. You only need to qualify for an English proficiency test, namely IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. The score requirement for IELTS should be more than a 6 pointer in every section and 6.5 overall. Other options are TOEFL and PTE. If you are a medical student and desire to apply for a 4-year graduate entry program, then it is required for you to give GAMSAT examination, a specific test developed by the Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) for medical schools. The tuition fees for international students vary as per the course and university. The chart below gives a comprehensive understanding of the tuition fee structure in a broad spectrum for the universities of Ireland.
| Field | Fees (Euros) | Fees (INR) |
| Medicine and related field | 9,000 to 12,000 Euros | INR 7,24,614 – INR 9,66,152 |
| Engineering | 9,000 to 17,000 Euros | INR 7,24,614 – INR 13,68,715 |
| Science and Technology | 9,000 to 17,500 Euros | INR 7,24,614 – INR 14,08,971 |
| Arts and Humanities | 5,100 to 13,500 Euros | INR 4,10,614 – INR 10,86,921 |
| Business | 5,000 to 14,100 Euros | INR 4,02,563 – INR 11,35,228 |
The above figures are indicative of the lower fee rate of Irish Universities when compared to other studies abroad destinations. Moreover, Ireland offers scholarships in abundance to international students and they all are merit-based. So you stand to benefit only if you have a good GPA.
Life in Ireland is safe and secure. The universities in Ireland have a lot of diversity so if you plan to study in one of the Irish universities; it’s likely that you will celebrate Diwali and Eid at the University campus. The Ireland visa process is a lot easier, all you need to do is to fill an application online using the AVATS on-line facility and follow the instructions mentioned in the summary sheet. The entire Visa Application process takes over 3 months so it’s advisable to plan your visa application accordingly.
For more information, consult our overseas education counselors and get a detailed overview of the study opportunities in Ireland.
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