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Study in Ireland Guides & Resources

ireland Guide

Study in Ireland: Find Universities, Costs, Courses, Visa, Requirements, Scholarships

One of the predominantly English-speaking European countries, Ireland is the 6th most competitive world economy that is quickly becoming the go-to destination for studying abroad. Currently, more than 44,000 international students from over 160 countries across the globe form the student population at higher education levels in the country (2020). With an enrollment rate of nearly 78%, it is a proud parent to the world's top 3% of universities in Ireland.

With more than 5,000 courses to choose from, international applicants from diverse corners rush to Ireland to be part of the world's 20th best education system. The country has deservingly made itself recognized in the list of top countries for studying abroad like Canada, UK, USA, and Germany. India was among the second-largest senders of international students in Ireland after China (3,000). The affordability of education in this European nation is what attracts students from across the world. 

Explore Cost of Living in Ireland as International Students!

Renowned for its innovative research, rich culture, and friendly, Ireland is one of the fastest-growing economies with a high employment rate of over 90%. As per the recent employment reports, about 2.3 million people were employed in the country in the last quarter of 2019. Its gradually decreasing unemployment rate is yet another feather to its cap that ensures a great deal of promise for international aspirants seeking to study in Ireland.

Unemployment Rate Trends in Ireland from 2001 to 2019

Study in Ireland: Top Universities for International students

Since Ireland has some of the most prestigious institutes to its credit offering an array of programs at almost every possible level of education, it becomes highly important to ensure you find your perfect university and course match when looking to study abroad.

To help with the process, we have compiled a list of the top universities in the country along with their corresponding rankings and student population statistics.

Name of the institute THE World Rankings 2021 THE Ireland Rankings 2021 International Student Population
Trinity College Dublin =155 1 30%
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences 201–250 2 65%
University College Dublin 251–300 3 29%
National University of Ireland, Galway 301–350 =4 17%
University College Cork 301–350 =4 19%
Maynooth University 401–500 6 12%
Dublin City University 501–600 =7 10%
University of Limerick 501–600 =7 19%
Technological University Dublin 801–1000 9 18%

Some of the top universities in the country along with their enrollment statistics are depicted in the graph below.

Student Population across Major Universities in Ireland

What to study in Ireland?

The country offers more than 5,000 courses for international students ranging from the field of STEM to humanities and arts. Masters in Ireland bring huge traction from international students, as compared to bachelor’s courses at Irish Universities.

Discussed below are some of the top courses that you can look forward to study when planning to pursue higher education with Irish universities. 

Top Courses to Study in Ireland

Popular master's degrees and the perfect institute for the program that is highly popular among international students are mentioned as follows:

Popular Program Best Ireland University for the course
MS in Finance/Clinical Psychology Trinity College Dublin
MSc in Computing Dublin City University
Master’s of Education/Masters (MS) in Computer Science (Software Engineering) Maynooth University
MS in Data Science & Analytics University College Cork
MA in History/Masters in Business Administration (MBA) University College Dublin

The pictorial representation of international students across various fields of education available in the country is as below.

International Student Population across Different streams in Ireland

Other Popular Courses to Study in Ireland

Why Study in Ireland?

Honored as #16 happiest countries to live in across the globe, Ireland is a growing economy that welcomes students from over 160 countries for higher education. The reasons for such a strong fascination for the nation vary from it being a majority English-speaking European Nation with globally-acknowledged Irish institutes and curriculum to the generally welcoming nature of Irish people that helps one feel at home instantly and whatnot.

If you are an international applicant seeking to study in the country, some essential points that you might want to take into consideration are as follows:

  1. Home to top 1% of universities renowned for research globally: Ireland ranks globally for research work in the field of Nano-Technology, Chemistry, Material Sciences and Mathematics. Research funding of up to 5 million EUR is offered to researchers globally viz. SFI Research Professorship Program.
  2. Scholarships to Aid your Expenses: Although the country is quite expensive as compared to the rest of Europe, however for a good living, students can obtain a range of government and private scholarships in Ireland which are available to bright students with an evident interest in Research and can study in Ireland for free.
  3. 24-Month Stay Back Option: International students of postgraduate level have the option to stay back for 24 months to seek employment. This time allows the aspirants to plan their future prospects and look for their dream jobs in the meantime.
  4. Home to Big international businesses: Headquarter of international businesses such as Microsoft, Google, Apple and Dell are situated in the country who are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Hence, students have plenty of placement opportunities post completion of their degrees.
  5. Work and study in Ireland/Job opportunities: While student visas in many countries come with strict restrictions, visa in Ireland allows international candidates to work for 20 h/week during their course and up to 40 h/week during holidays. A high employment rate of over 90% for many institutes is a sign of high post-degree options for students.

How to Study in Ireland: Application Process

If you have decided to plan your application to enroll in an institute in Ireland, it is highly recommended to plan well and go through the process step-by-step to ensure no detail is missed out. For ease of planning, an application process for the same is as compiled below.

  1. Explore your options: Since the country is home to hundreds of recognized universities offering more than 5,000 courses, it is important to choose an alternative suited best for your needs and pocket.
  2. Plan your finances: Since Ireland being a European nation can be highly expensive in terms of its tuition and other expenses, the fact that deserving students can avail up to 100% of scholarships in the country makes it a worthwhile pursuit.
  3. Work on your application: Since the admission requirements for various institutes and their range of courses may vary, it is essential to take close note of their application process, fees, and deadlines. Graduate aspirants are recommended to contact the professors they want to work under via email prior to submission of application.
  4. Submit your application: The country has 3 admission seasons that follow their respective deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to keep a close track of these deadlines and send in their applications at least 4 to 6 months prior to them to allow sufficient time for processing and applying for a visa.
  5. Apply for a study in Ireland visa: The entire process usually takes around 8 months so candidates are recommended to apply for a student visa as soon as their admission is confirmed in an institute. The applicants can apply for the visa at their nearest Irish embassy 3 months before their arrival date.

Study in Ireland: Requirements

Basic information regarding the admission process and eligibility requirements are as tabulated below.

Where to apply At respective portals of the institute (Graduates can apply at common portal PAC for some institutes)
Application Fee Varies (for PAC: 50 EUR)
Basic Requirements Transcripts, Standardized Exams like GMAT/ GRE/ GAMSAT (for medical students)
Additional Requirements Valid Visa, 2 letters of recommendation, Resume, Portfolio, Statement of Purpose
English Language Requirements IELTS: 6.5 or above (or equivalent)

When to study in Ireland: Application Cycle

The University education system of Ireland is divided into 3 semesters that is usually observed by almost all the institutes in the country. The deadlines and process of the application might vary for some organizations. The common application cycle along with corresponding details are as mentioned below.

  • Semester 1:
    • The deadline for Non-European students is in late July
    • While European applicants can apply until August.
    • The semester commences in September and ends in January.
  • Semester 2:
    • The deadline for Non-European applicants is in December.
    • For European Students, is in January.
    • The semester commences in January and ends in May.
  • Semester 3:
    • Applications from Non-European students are accepted from September May to August.

Study in Ireland Cost

When seeking to study abroad, one of the major steps that need major planning and sorting is the expenses that must be met to survive in a foreign land. While an average amount of 11,500 to 25,000 EUR per semester is the estimated cost for living in Ireland, the exact expenses may vary depending on the choice of your program, university and city you live in.

To help aid the process of financial planning, an estimated budget and distribution of expenses are as compiled below.

How much does it cost to study abroad in Ireland?

The major distribution of the fee as per the level of program and type of institute is as follows:

Level of Education Tuition Fee (in EUR, per year)
Undergraduate programs 9,850 to 25,500
Postgraduate programs 9,500 to 34,500
Doctoral degrees 9,500 to 34,500

Study in Ireland Universities: Tuition Fees

Ireland has a range of prestigious and affordable institutes to its credit. Some of the affordable organizations in the country include University of Limerick, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, St. Patrick’s College, among others. The basic tuition fee for the reputed institutes in the nation is tabulated below.

Name of the institute Average Tuition Fee (in EUR, per year)
Trinity College Dublin 9,918 to 19,592
Maynooth University 7,460 to 7,789
University College Dublin 5,250 to 9,947
University College Cork 7,737
National University of Ireland, Galway 6,000 to 9,000

Some of the popular streams and their corresponding tuition fee common to most of the universities in Ireland is depicted in the graph below.

Tuition Fees for Various Streams in Ireland

Cost of Living in Ireland

The expenses comprising this category vary tremendously depending on the student's lifestyle and the city one chooses to stay in. However, the average cost that you can expect to incur while studying in the country is as detailed below.

Type of Expenses Cost (in EUR, per month)
Accommodation 300 to 1200
Utilities (like electric/gas/refuse) 30 to 50
Meals 250 to 350
Travel expenses (monthly bus ticket expense) 65 to 85
Book & Supplies 75
Cell phone 20
Personal expenses (specifically social & sports) 200 to 300
Internet 60
Medical insurance 45

How to Study in Ireland with Scholarships?

Ireland offers a range of awards and scholarships for international students to help fund their education in the country. The awards are provided at all levels of education including graduation, post-graduation, masters and research programs to applicants of over 160 countries.

Some popular awards include DCU International Student Scholarships, NUI Undergraduate merit Scholarships, National College of Ireland Scholarships, among others. Candidates can also avail various university and course-specific studentships like International Scholarships at National College of Ireland and MSc merit-based Scholarships, TCD Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships, to name a few.

Study Abroad in Ireland Scholarships

To fund your education in the country, we have compiled a list of few common scholarships to study in Ireland for international students along with their corresponding details.

Name of the Scholarship Eligibility Benefits Application Form
Centenary Scholarship Program Students from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, USA, among others One-year tuition fee is free Form to be mailed at centenary.scholarship@dit.ie
Opportunities in Ireland for Ontario College Graduates Students from Ontario Reduced tuition fee by more than 15% www.thea.ie
Irish Aid Fellowship Training Program Students from Tanzania enrolled in full-time program at University in Ireland - www.irishaidfellowships.ie
Postgraduate Fellowships: The Walsh Fellowships For international students in Ireland pursuing research work 28,760 EUR Made by academic staff in a third-level institution

Jobs after Studying in Ireland

Ireland as a country offers endless job opportunities for its graduates which is evident in its low unemployment rate as discussed above. While COVID-19 has greatly impacted the Irish economy and has increased its unemployment rate to nearly 26%, the fact that the nation has been taking the right measures to sort the issue at hand promises hope for the students across all streams.

With over 33% of the population under the age of 25 years, Ireland has the youngest population in Europe which reflects great growth rates for the industries in the country in the near future. The population is also expected to increase by almost 1 million people to 5.75 million by the end of 2040.

Some of the statistics for the last 2 years related to employment opportunities in the country are as mentioned below.

Irish Labour 2020 (January-July) 2019 (July to December)
Employment Rate 75.80% 77%
Unemployment Rate 5.20% 5.10%
Employed Persons 2,223 2,372
Full-time Employment 1,818.30 1,880.10
Minimum Wages 10.10 (EUR/hour) 9.80 (EUR/hour)
Wage Growth 6.20% 3.70%
Productivity 120.60 114.40

If segregated broadly, the majority of the population in Ireland is engaged under 3 sectors of Agriculture (4.62%), Industries (18.7%) and Services (76.68%). Under the services sector, the streams and graduates ending up with the highest salaries included Law, Finance, Management, IT and Engineering. An estimated expected salary of graduates of different streams is picturized as follows:

Average Salaries for Ranging streams PG from Ireland

Jobs after Studying Top Courses in Ireland

The prospects after studying in Ireland for international students are vast. Some of the top job roles available to an international graduate in Ireland are discussed below along with the salary packages offered:

Job Role Salary (Euro/year)
Finance Manager 77,500
Aerospace Engineer 50,900
Architect 47,700
B.D Manager 65,900
Business Analyst 48,500
Construction Project Manager 66,400
C.E.O 88,700
HR Manager 57,200
IT Manager 64,800
Sales Manager 72,200

In the conclusion section, Ireland being a majorly English-speaking European economy is a package deal for international students to study overseas. From 22 globally reputed universities, 5,000 courses, 2-year stay back, PR in just 2 years, the hassle-free application process, scenic beauty, warm climate to embracing nature of Irish people, the country has an endless list of merits to its credit.

The increasing employment opportunities and attraction of big industries towards the country work as a cherry on the top for Ireland which is becoming a huge fascination for international students of Indian and other South Asian countries. Thus, if you are a prospective candidate looking to study abroad, we highly recommend you to add Ireland as the emerging destination for higher education overseas to your list of favorites.

Top College Collections For Ireland

Explore Ireland Colleges Ranking

UniversityThe 2024QS 2024US World 2024

University College Dublin - UCD

201-250181236

University College Cork - UCC

301-350303397

Maynooth University - MU

401-500801-10001254

Dublin City University - DCU

401-500471917
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Study in Ireland FAQs

Ques. Is Ireland good for studying abroad?

There are various reasons which make Ireland an ideal study abroad destination, thanks to the country's education standard, high-quality living, favourable job market for international students and happening lifestyle.

Ques. Is it worth it to study in Ireland?

Irish universities are listed among the world's top 3% which itself makes it worthwhile for international students. Many graduates from top universities in Ireland are working in well-renowned global companies. Also, Ireland's universities are ranked in the world's top 1% research institutes.

Ques. How much it will cost to study in Ireland?

Ireland is one of the most affordable European countries in terms of educational costs. Below is the average tuition cost for top universities in Ireland:

Programs Tuition Fees for Master's (EUR) Tuition Fee for Bachelor's (INR)
Trinity College Dublin 18,375 13,758 - 29,548
University College Dublin 19,200 16,000 - 25,600
University College Cork 16,000 14,750 - 22,000
Dublin City University 14,000 10,800 - 16,600
Maynooth University 14,00 12,000 - 13,500

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