Study in Ireland

The Central Applications Office (CAO) take applications from European students online. However, all non-Eu applicants apply to Irish universities, colleges and institutes directly. The standard documents requirement include a scanned copy of the passport, academic transcripts like degrees, mark sheets and leaving certificates. Students are required to fill out their choice of program and courses. Typically, there are two intakes – Autumn for Semester I and Spring for Semester II. The application deadlines are June/July and September/October respectively. However, some universities may have specific deadlines and requirements. It would be wise to enquire about the details with them directly.

The minimum mark required for students applying for UG courses in Ireland is at least 75 % in 12th, while that for PG is 60% in a registered college. One might be able to get admitted with 50% in Diploma and Foundation Courses but the choice of course will be limited. Along with the application form and payment receipts for the admission fees, the documents required to enrol in Ireland are a CV, valid passport, medical certificate and academic records like previous mark sheets, graduation/diploma certificates and proof of English proficiency. Sharing a personal and academic reference will help your chance.

The ordinary undergraduate courses in the universities of Ireland are for 3 while the honours are awarded after 4 years of learning. Students receive their degrees at different levels on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Typically, a regular bachelor’s degree is awarded at level 7 and an honours degree at level 8. Unlike most of the world, a postgraduation program in Ireland only takes 1 year of education with hands-on experience on the market and practical learning. However, master’s programs with research could take longer time up to 3 to 4 years.

There are a handful of scholarships available for international students. The universities offer full and partial scholarships for eligible students. This, of course, is provided based on permits and needs. On the other hand, there are government and non-government scholarships too. The Government of Ireland Scholarships Program helps students release their financial burden and get into colleges in Ireland. Other scholarship options are Fulbright Scholarships, NUI Galway International Students Scholarships, University College Dublin Scholarships and Masters Academic Merit Scholarships. Students in doctoral and research programs should explore the Walsh Fellowship and Irish Research Council Scholarships. Entrepreneurship Scholarship and Centenary Scholarship Program benefit MBA and business students.

Studying in Ireland is not as extensive as that in the UK or any European country. The annual tuition fees at a decent university in Ireland start at INR 8.5 Lakh. Ireland is the hub of about 28 universities and colleges available for international students. Public Universities, Private Universities, and Institutes of Technology (IOTs) in Ireland have different criteria for admission and charge fees as per the course and its level and duration. While an undergraduate program might cost students up to INR 23 Lakh per year, postgraduate tuition fees may go up to 32 Lakh. A standard English Language course with 20 lessons per week starts at INR 13,000. One-to-one tuition on the same could cost about 4000-5000 an hour.

Students enrolled in full-time courses in Ireland can work with a student visa. Be it an undergraduate or a post-graduate program, they don’t need a work visa to get into part-time jobs in Ireland. However, the regulations differ with different visas. International students can work in a typical 20-hour-a-week part-time role during their terms. Ireland has holidays from June to September and 15 December to 15 January. During this period, students can choose to stay back and work for up to 40 hours a week. The minimum wage for such a job is €10-12 per hour. Large cities like Dublin and Cork have a better pay scale and work environment than similar cities in Ireland. However, the cost of life too is lower in those regions.

Currently, Ireland has 35,000 international students from 150 countries. It is a popular destination for students because of the quality of education and job opportunities. However, it is a relatively expensive country to live in. Indian students can expect an expense of 9.6 Lacs per year on average to live in Ireland. This includes their accommodation, food, transportation and healthcare. The cost of living in Ireland can vary depending on the location and the lifestyle. Students can opt to stay in student halls at 23,000 INR instead of renting private halls and houses as they typically charge thrice as much. Utilities and transportation are 10,000 a month each.

One of the greatest perks of seeking admission to an Irish university is that they don’t need IELTS tests. Students demonstrate their English language proficiency with IELTS but they may present their education certificate to do so. However, the student must be a native citizen of an English-speaking country and should have completed his/her studies from an English-medium school. Only if these criteria are met, Irish universities consider their application with attested copies of their academic records. Alternatively, students need to present a score of 6.5 or above with 6.5 in each band category in their IELTS exxAcademic Test.

Yes, students can stay in Ireland after the completion of their course. After graduating from a university in Ireland, the Irish government allows students to gain work experience in their fields. Students have the golden chance to secure a job in one of their 1500+ MNCs and 1000 multinational companies. Graduates can stay back in the country and work for 2 to 7 years in some of the prestigious companies in Ireland. This European station of corporate giants offers jobs in diverse sectors like ICT, social media, pharmaceuticals, finance and more. Graduates with Level 9 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications have a guaranteed 2-year permission to stay. This duration is renewable if they satisfy the immigration authorities with appropriate steps.

International students are covered for the basic medical attention on campus. For several healthcare needs, students have to pay from their pockets to get the required care off campus. Without insurance, that could take a lot of money! Therefore, students must submit proof of private health insurance details during their visa process. Ranking 2nd in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, Ireland only has a generally good healthcare system. Some of the common healthcare insurance offshores are Irish Life Health, VHI Healthcare and Laya Healthcare.