Studying in Ireland Why it is the Best Decision in 2024

Why Studying in Ireland is a Great Idea

Studying in Ireland goes beyond textbooks and lectures it's a transformative journey that shapes both your academic and personal growth. From its welcoming community to the breathtaking landscapes, Ireland offers an experience that transcends traditional education.

Ireland has always relied on creativity and innovation to make its mark in the world. Additionally, there are a lot of pros to studying in Ireland, be it a great education, a rich culture, or the prospect of an amazing career abroad. Let’s cover these points one by one –

Culture: Studying in Ireland has a rich heritage. Its festivals are loaded with customs, traditions, and folk music (like St. Patrick’s Day). And yet, the people of Ireland are creative, pioneering, and agile. It’s why you can enjoy the countryside, visit castles, and enjoy the vibrant, urban lifestyle of Ireland.

Education System: The education institutes in Ireland offer over 5000 internationally recognized qualifications to students. So, no matter what you’re looking for, be it a regular post-graduate degree, or a specialist qualification, the universities in Ireland will always have a course for you. Citizens of Ireland, EU/EEA countries, and Switzerland can avail undergraduate education for free. Additionally, Irish universities have very cost-effective programs for international students.

Welcoming community: Voted by Lonely Planet as one of the friendliest places in the world, Ireland is a socially-progressive country. While you stay in Ireland, you’ll have similar rights as any Irish citizen and live in a society that is always ready to offer help and support.

Job opportunities: Headquarters of the world’s greatest tech and pharma companies, as a matter of fact, Ireland is a center of international banking too. The country is home to over 1000 multinational companies and has produced some of the greatest writers, independent thinkers, and inventors of the century.

What are the Top Universities in Ireland

As you would’ve guessed by now, Ireland universities specialize in courses related to natural sciences, technology, economics, and humanities. The country has seven universities, seven colleges of education, and 14 Institutes of technology for you to choose from. Out of these, five institutes rank amongst the top 500 universities in the world.

The top universities in Ireland are-

1. Trinity College Dublin
2. University College Dublin
3. National University of Ireland Galway
4. University of Cork
5. Dublin City University

If you choose to study abroad in one of these Ireland universities, you will be amongst 35,000 other international students, who come from over 160 countries. That means one out of ten students in Ireland is an international student!

What’s the Cost of Studying in Ireland

As mentioned earlier, universities in Ireland not only provide great education but also charge less for their programs. Consequently, the tuition fee in Ireland is much lower as compared to that in the US, Australia, or Switzerland.

Thanks to the Free Fees Initiative, there is no tuition charge for students from EU/EEA or Switzerland who want to do an undergraduate course in Ireland. All you have to do is pay a registration fee of about 3,000.

However, if you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland and want to pursue a graduate degree, you will have to pay the tuition fee. Students outside of EU/EEA and Switzerland who want to study in Ireland will have to pay the tuition fee, regardless of which course, they pick.

Apart from that, you will also have to pay for your accommodation, food, travel, and other living expenses. This comes down to about 800 to 1,100 per month.To cover these costs, you can get a part-time job and work for 20 hours per week while studying. What’s more, Irish institutions offer a hoard of scholarships and funding programs to incoming international students. You can find some of them here.

Are There Any Requirements to Study in Ireland

If you’re applying for an undergraduate course, you can apply through the Central Applications Office. For post-graduate courses, you would have to go to the Postgraduate Applications Center. However, not all Irish institutes participate in this centralized application system. So, once you’ve shortlisted the universities you want to apply to, you will have to go through their websites and find out the admission requirements. However, a few of these requirements are common across programs and universities.

For an undergraduate course, you will need to provide

• A high school diploma
• Proof of language proficiency in English 

For students pursuing a postgraduate degree-

• Transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• CV
• GRE or GMAT scores, depending on your course 
• Proof of language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Portfolio (for subjects like fine arts, architecture, etc.)

I suggest you start preparing these documents 6 months before you have to apply. After you submit your application, it is time to wait. If shortlisted, you will receive a letter of acceptance, which you can then use to apply for a Student Visa!

What About a Student Visa for Ireland

If you are from EU/EEA, Switzerland, or belong to one of the countries on this list, you don’t need to apply for a Student Visa. Otherwise, you will need a Student Visa. In case your course duration is less than 90 days, you’ll have to apply for a ‘C Study Visa.’ If it’s more than that, I suggest you go for the ‘D Study Visa.’Once you know which visa type you have to apply for, you can visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website and start your process.

The cost of applying for a Student Visa for Ireland is 60. Make sure you apply for it well in advance because it will take at least 8 weeks to process. Once you have your visa, you can book your flight tickets and arrange accommodation. Don’t forget to register at the Garda National Immigration Bureau once you get there.

Will I get a Job After Graduation

Studying in Ireland has so many opportunities for international graduate students. Be it engineering and technology, medicine and healthcare, or arts and humanities, Ireland’s doors are open. The country hosts more than a thousand multinational companies, which include 9 of the top 10 global ICT companies and 8 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies! It is home to companies like Google, Airbnb, Dell, and several other well-known corporations.

What’s more, if you are a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Medicine) graduate, you can apply for Permanent Residency only two years after working in Ireland.

Choosing to study in Ireland transcends conventional education. It's a holistic experience that combines academic brilliance, cultural immersion, and the promise of a bright future. Ireland's welcoming community, top-notch universities, and diverse opportunities make it unequivocally the best decision you'll ever make.