Study in Ireland

About:

Ireland is a good location for higher education and for career opportunities. Throughout the last decade, Irish colleges have been promoting their programmes more actively internationally and have been working closely with the International Education Board Ireland (IEBI) and Enterprise Ireland (the Irish Trade and Technology Board) on student recruitment drives aimed both at recruiting undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as post-graduate researchers. In line with the increasing number of international students choosing Ireland as the destination for their studies, institutions are providing more and more opportunities for international postgraduate students to benefit from their world-class expertise and education.

Universities:

Study in Ireland

FAQs:

What is the application process for Ireland?

The Application Form should be submitted along with ALL supporting documentation. Original documents are required and must be in ENGLISH or accompanied by a notarised translation of same. All documents must be clearly legible. The Visa Officer will need to easily identify what they are and to whom they refer.

  • Application form duly filled
  • For Undergraduate Programs:
    Photocopies of the Mark Sheets and Certificates
    10th (Matric) onwards (Attested by Notary)
  • For Postgraduate Programs:
    Photocopies of Degree as well as Mark sheet of the entire duration of the course.
  • Experience Certificate required
  • 4-passport size photographs.(45mm X 35mm) white background
  • TOEFL 220(computer based test) 550 (paper based test)  or IELTS Composite score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in any one component
What are the Visa application requirements?

In the application students will be asked to supply the following information:

  • Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected completion of your studies in Ireland. If you hold any previous passport, you should also submit this with your application.
  • Evidence of course admission
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Electronic Transfer of Funds
  •  A statement of purpose explaining why you wish to study in Ireland
  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae
What are the Funding Requirements?

You must show you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment.

  • If you are being sponsored by another person or persons, you must list each person and give clear details of their relationship to you. All evidence provided must be clearly identifiable as to whom it relates.
  • Their bank account must show a good credit record for a minimum of six months immediately prior to making your application.
  • As you will be required to have a minimum of €7,000 available to you during the first year of your studies, your sponsor will need to show that this amount is available to support you and that they have enough funds to maintain themselves and other family members.
  • Any deposits of money made during the immediate three months prior to your application must be fully explained, with supporting evidence.
  • You must also demonstrate that you or your sponsor will have ready access to an amount of at least €7,000 for each subsequent year of your studies, in addition to the course fees for each of those years.
  • Bank a/c statements should include – name, full address of branch where account is held, telephone number (landline, not mobile), e-mail and website addresses (where available).
  • The statement should cover a six-month period immediately prior to your application, and show all transactions that have taken place during this time.
What are the housing options available?
  • Self catering accommodation
  • On-campus accommodation
  • Family based accommodation
How much does Ireland education cost?

Tuition fees vary depending on the institution and the study program. An example of tution fees  for undergraduate & postgraduate, non-E.U. students at a third level institution are as follows:

Course Average Fees (Euro)*
Medicine and related €29,000 - €45,000
Engineering €9,100 - €20,300
Science & Technology €9,100 - €20,300
Business and related €9,100 - €16,500
Arts & Humanities €9,100 - €15,500
What are the living expenses in Ireland?

Living expenses will differ depending upon the location of the institution, the type of accommodation preferred and on the personal expenditure of the student. On an average we estimate that a student will spend between €7500 and €12,000 per year depending on location and lifestyle.

Expenses Euros
Textbooks €650
Accommodation €3000- €5150
Food and Household €2500-€3500
Other Living Expenses:
Travel, Health,Insurance, Social life, Communications Miscellaneous expenses
€1500- €2500 (depending on location and lifestyle)
What are the options for staying in Ireland after studies?

There are many opportunities for international students to work in Ireland both during and after their studies. The opportunities available include part time or holiday work.

Are Scholarships available?

A small number of scholarships for overseas students are available from the universities and colleges. These are awarded solely at the discretion of the individual institutions who set down their own criteria for eligibility. Students are advised to contact the institution of their choice directly, to obtain information.

What are the advantages of studying in Ireland?
  • Irish education is of the highest international quality.
  • The quality of the Irish education system is a major contributing factor to the rapid rate of economic growth Ireland has experienced over the last few decades.
  • Irish higher education institutions are widely recognized for excellence in many disciplines.
  • Ireland is a safe country to study in.
  • Ireland is an English speaking country. Some of the great writers in English literature have come from Ireland. These include Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett.
  • Irish people are among the most enriching reasons to study in Ireland. Irish people are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality which greatly contributes to the ease with which overseas students adapt to student life in Ireland.

Life Style & Culture:

The culture of Ireland refers to the idiosyncratic cultural norms of Ireland and the Irish people. The culture of the people living in the island of Ireland is far from monolithic, due to various plantations down through the centuries. Notable cultural divides exist between urban Irish and rural Irish, between the Catholic and Protestant people of Northern Ireland, between the Irish-speaking people inside and outside the Gaeltacht regions and the English-speaking majority population, increasingly between new immigrants and the native population, and most strikingly, the traveller population and the settled population throughout the island. Halloween is a traditional and much celebrated holiday in Ireland on the night of Oct 31. The primary religion in the Republic of Ireland is Christianity. Irish Christianity is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. Historically, prior to the arrival of Christianity, Celtic polytheism was the dominant religion of the nation. Pub culture, as it is termed, pervades Irish society, across all cultural divides. The term refers to the Irish habit of frequenting public houses (pubs) or bars.

Sport in Ireland is popular and widespread. Throughout the country, a wide variety of sports are played, the most popular being Gaelic football, hurling, rugby union, soccer and hockey. Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland in terms of match attendance and community involvement, and represents 34% of total sports attendances at events in Ireland and abroad, followed by hurling at 23%, soccer at 16% and rugby at 8% and the All-Ireland Football Final is the most watched event in Ireland's sporting calendar. Swimming, golf, aerobics, soccer, cycling, Gaelic football and billiards/snooker are the sporting activities with the highest levels of playing participation. Soccer is the most popular sport involving national teams.

Ireland Climate

Ireland enjoys a temperate maritime climate, due mainly to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of the Gulf Stream. Known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is so green because it receives a lot of precipitation. Typical winter weather in Ireland is clouds and rain with the occasional sunny spell. The mountains may have snow on them for many weeks in winter, but falls on the lower ground on only a few days a year, and is generally not a feature of the Irish climate. Overnight temperatures often drop below freezing point, and ice and frosts are common.

Typically, summers in Ireland have warm, sunny weather and a sky dotted with gentle fluffy clouds. Light rain occasionally occurs on days like these, but summer rain is usually restricted to a few wet days. In July and August, the conditions can become very humid and thunder storms can occur with lightning. Ireland, an area close to the coast rarely has a large difference between summer and winter conditions. With an average 10ºC difference between January and July the weather is much more consistent.

In terms of temperature, it is again the south that enjoys the warmest weather. While the north coast is cooler than the south, the coolest areas are the inland areas which are away from the warm waters of the ocean.