Study in Ireland

Looking to study at a world-class university surrounded by beautiful green countryside and fascinating history? Ireland might be for you! Put yourself in the middle of a new environment in Ireland with whole world to choose from, consider studying in Ireland and get a chance to experience the distinctive culture, friendly country, famous natural beauty, world’s oldest forts and globally recognized international universities.

Why Study in UK?

There are plenty of reasons to study in the Ireland. High quality education, affordable fees structure, multi-cultural environment and amazing scholarship opportunities are just some of the few! In fact, wide range of employment opportunities in more than 1000 multi-national companies based in Ireland. There are various scholarships available for international students offered by the Irish Government, Higher Education Institution of Ireland and other organizations.

The universities of the Ireland which have significant global recognition will provide you with an excellent start for a prosperous career, offering with a wide range of courses. Irish universities are ranked in the top 1% of research institutions in the world in terms of research impact in several fields.

Academic Excellence is another important factor, the Ireland institutions have been lauded with many accreditations for their excellent quality of programs and many of its universities are highly ranked by QS World Rankings and The Times’ Higher Education Ranking.

Despite being a small country, the Republic of Ireland offers internationally renowned education. 7 Universities of Ireland have been graded in QS World University Ranking, and Irish universities specialized in natural science, technology, economics and humanities.

Education in Ireland is affordable along with the accommodation cost, International students are allowed to work part-time during the course of their education.

Let’s get you acquainted with Irish education system:

Universities and colleges in Ireland are widely known for their teaching and research and the education system is the most adaptable and versatile for international students. With the focus on technology, research, and innovation, you’ll be engaged with individuals living in a forward-thinking society while learning from some of the brightest minds in the top universities in Ireland.

Irish Education system has an internationally acclaimed, that offers a globally distinguished education system along with specializations that can make an exceptional difference to your future. Irish Universities provide courses and programs in every field possible from Humanities to Engineering.

Ireland has an advanced learning system with world-class universities for international students. Irish institutions provide quality education and modern infrastructure for international students. The quality of the programs is closely monitored by the Irish government via the National Framework of Qualification (NFQ).

Most education institutions receive government funding. This means the standard of education is very high and international students who graduate here have a competitive advantage worldwide.

Higher Education in Ireland:

Higher education is provided mainly by universities, institutes of technology and colleges of education. A number of other third level institutions provide specialist education in professions like medicine and law.

University: Undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs are offered across a broad range of study areas.

Institute of Technology: provide education and training study programmes in areas like business, science, engineering, linguistics and music. Study options are available at certificate, diploma and degree level, with different courses and entry requirements at each institution.

College of Education: provide specialised training for students who wish to become school teachers. This can be achieved via either a three-year Bachelor of Education and an 18-month postgraduate diploma.

Private College: Private colleges offer specialist education and training in areas like vocational training, medicine, law, business studies and agriculture. Students gain qualifications at vocational, certificate or degree levels.

English Foundation Programme: Irish universities offer international students places on English foundation programmes to help improve their language skills. Minimum requirements are typically equivalent to IELTS 5.0.

Pathway Programs: There are also many pathway programs to higher education for international students including foundation studies mostly in business, social sciences, engineering or pure/applied sciences. Irish universities have arranges with private pathway providers that helps students receive the extra support and assistance they need to succeed. international students aiming for masters can also apply to pre-master pathway programs if they’re unable to fulfil the requirements for direct entry.

 

Types of Courses:

The Universities in Ireland offer varies degrees such as Honours Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate (PH.D) and Undergraduate and Postgraduate in all discipline subjects.

  • → Ordinary Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level-7).
  • → Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level-8).
  • → Master’s degree (NFQ Level-9).
  • → Doctoral Degree (NFQ Level-10).

 

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

The NFQ specifies the standards of Irish education qualifications. It measure and compares the learning standards and achievements of qualifications and also facilitates the transfer between institutions i.e. it allows students to move from one study level to another as long as their student visa requirements are fulfilled. Since the qualifications under NFQ correspond with that of European Qualification Framework, your degree is recognised and accepted globally.

 

After Graduation

As per the revised Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission, the Irish Government offers the opportunity to students who have graduated from Irish institutions to stay in Ireland for up to 24 months for employment.

 

Intakes to Study in Ireland:

The standard academic year in the Ireland begins around the month of September - December.

Universities and colleges in Ireland offer two intakes:

  • → Autumn Intake: September – December.
  • → Spring Intake: January - May.

Ireland offers quick course completion at affordable tuition fee than many other countries. Since the duration of graduation courses is mostly 12 months unlike the 16-24 months’ duration of programs in other countries.

Your expenditure on tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and institution you opt for. To cover your tuition fees, you will need approximately between €10,000 and €25,000 a year.

Most commonly, courses in humanities, education, and arts are a little cheaper, while subjects such as medicine, engineering, business, and management are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at a postgraduate level, the tuition fee is typically higher, and the costs vary depending on the program.

  • → Undergraduate Program: €9,850 to €25,500 annually
  • → Postgraduate master's degree: €9,500 to €34,500 annually
  • → Doctoral degree: €9,500 to €34,500 annually

* Please note all fee figures are indicative

The cost may vary based on lifestyle one may wish to maintain. Dining out, shopping, category of accommodation and travelling may impact the expenses.

Apart from the tuition fee, a major part of your total budget may go into accommodation. Living in private accommodations can be expensive as compared to the University hostels. you may choose to stay on-campus as many Irish institutions offer hostel facilities for international students. You can also opt for off-campus residence and cut down the expense by sharing an apartment. On and average the approx. estimate of accommodation and living expense is between €7,000 to €12,000 annually.

If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various scholarships available for international students.

There are plenty of options for international students interested in applying for scholarships to study in Ireland. Irish institutions and government offer a variety of scholarships, financial aid to international students at different levels of education, ranging from graduation to post-graduation and postdoctoral.

If you plan well in advance, you can apply to a range of scholarships offered by Irish Universities and colleges. Open to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies, these can be partial or fully paid, depending on the criteria, course and the institution. Many scholarships and bursaries are also offered by the government, and various private and public establishments as well.

Since getting a scholarship is competitive, we recommend you to start with the procedure about 8-12 months before the preferred intake begins.

You can contact the respective organizations and institutions for more information.

Healthcare is a rather expensive affair in Ireland. Without insurance, unfortunately, if you fall sick, you will incur a huge cost on treatment.

It is mandatory for all students travelling to Ireland from other country to get medical insurance before the commencement of their program. The average cost for medical insurance ranges between €500 - €800 annually (indicative). Extensive health and support services are readily available for all international students in Ireland.

Working part-time while you are studying can be a great way to help with the cost of living in the Ireland and also gain work experience in your field of study. There are ample opportunities available for part-time work, internship, or placements during the summer or winter break.

Ireland currently home to 9 of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies. And recognised as an international location for high quality scientific research. So wide range of employment opportunities in more than 1000 multi-national companies based in Ireland.

Ireland is home to some the top multi-national corporations and organizations giving you an incredible opportunity to work on international projects after the completion of your studies. Many universities also provide internship opportunities to help students acquire practical experience in their field of study.

The Irish Government allows students to apply for a Green Card also known as a Work Permit so that you are able to make money while pursuing your education. There are also variety of financial aids like study abroad loans and scholarships to help international students supplement their education.

Students can work for 40 hours per week without any additional permit; all you need to do is to renew your Residence permit.

Post Study Work (PSW) Permit in Ireland

The Third Level Graduate Scheme permits international to work in Ireland for up to 24 months.

Undergraduate program is permitted with one year of PSW permit and Post Graduate program is permitted with up to 2 years of PSW permit.

Visa Requirements for Ireland

The Irish Government provides an opportunity to international students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first. However, the Irish Student visa requirements is an easy and smooth process. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, the student visa requirements are placed accordingly.

You can apply up to three months before your intended date of travel to the Ireland. Your application date is the date when your application fee is paid. The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue and so will be the documents required for your Irish student visa application.

If student is opting for the course duration of less than 3 months then he/she will require “C study visa” and for course duration more than 3 months then he/she require “D study visa”.

Student Visa Checklist for Ireland:

  • → A passport that is valid for 12 months.
  • → A recent passport-sized photo
  • → Be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
  • → A signed letter of application which explains why you require the visa.
  • → A Letter of Acceptance from the Irish university, college or school, confirming you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education.
  • → Evidence that you have paid your tuition fees in full or, if they are more than €6,000, you must pay at least this amount to satisfy visa requirements.
  • → Evidence that you have taken out private health insurance that meets the requirements of your visa.
  • → Evidence of English language proficiency. Most Irish universities and colleges require IELTS of 6.5.
  • → Evidence that you or your sponsor has sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and cost of living expenses.
  • → Evidence of your scholarship, if you have been granted one.

If any of your supporting documents are not in English, you will need to have it translated. Each translated document must be dated and include the translator's name and signature and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document.

There’s a lot involved in the visa application process. Speak with your AEES counsellor for a detailed list of documents required for visa processing.

The visa application fee is €60.

 

English language requirements:

To gain your Irish student visa, you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.

Student needs appear for English proficiency test such as IELTS or SELT to prove English excellence in reading, writing and speaking. The students must score overall above 4.0 in all skills.

You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the Irish embassy or consulate.

Popular Courses and Institutes

Irish higher education institutions are widely recognised for excellence in many disciplines. Higher education in Irish universities and institutions now lead the world in number of fields like like natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. So, get ready to take advantage of courses that excels on a global scale.

Irish universities have significant global recognition will provide you with an excellent start for a prosperous career, offering with a wide range of courses. With excellent courses and abundant work opportunities, Ireland has been attracting international students for many years now.

Irish universities and colleges form the top 1% of research institutions globally, which encourages students to apply for an innovation-oriented research program.

The list below will help you understand in brief about the top courses that are popular among international students in Ireland:

  • → Business Studies.
  • → Agriculture Sciences.
  • → Dental Studies.
  • → Architecture and Engineering.
  • → Information Technology (IT).
  • → Health Science and Medicine.
  • → Computer Science.
  • → Psychology.

We are the experts in international education, and we understand what you need to have the best possible outcomes. So give us a call or arrange an appointment so we can help you get your education in Ireland started.

 

Universities you may visit:

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How Can We Help You

Educational Counseling

We'll help you expand your horizons with a course that will set you up for an incredible career. We guide and assist you with the complete application process and help you study at your dream destination.

VISA Asistance

You like to have control of your visa application. We can guide you. Our counsellor can walk through the student visa application process and help you prepare for your visa interview.

Scholarship Asistance

There are plenty of scholarships in Ireland for International students seeking financial support to pursue their study abroad goals. We make every possible effort to help deserving students get scholarships and financial assistance.

Course Switching

If you didn't find the course the way you anticipated & are looking to change your course, we can suggest an alternative that is more suitable to your learning abilities & career aspirations.

Accomodation Support

You need to feel safe, so AEES can guide you to choose your next home through our trusted accommodation partners across Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and New Zealand.

Visa Extension

If you are on a student or holiday visa and your visa is due to expire, we can assist you with the most common options that allows you to extend your stay in Ireland.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Irish education system globally renowned?

Yes. Degrees from Irish institutions are accepted worldwide and known for their quality of education. The education system in Ireland is globally renowned. By studying here, you quickly gain global recognition upon graduation.

Moreover, Universities in Ireland rank in the top 3% world-wide and graduates from Irish universities are attractive to employers the world over.

What are the minimum qualifications to study in Ireland?

Each institution will have its own minimum English language and academic requirements. We suggest you better contact us describing the institution you're interested to study to learn more about their specific requirements.

Which English language tests are accepted by Irish institutions?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most preferred English language proficiency test accepted by almost all institutions in Ireland. However, globally, Irish institutions are open to accepting other proficiency tests as well.

Student needs appear for English proficiency test such as IELTS or SELT to prove English excellence in reading, writing and speaking. The students must score overall above 4.0 in all skills.

Can students work during studies in Ireland?

There are ample opportunities available for part-time work, internship, or placements during the summer or winter break. Students can work for 40 hours per week without any additional permit; all you need to do is to renew your Residence permit.

What are the accommodation options available in Ireland?

As an international student, you can opt for on-campus residence facility or look for an off-campus accommodation. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option, however you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.

For accommodation in Ireland, you may choose to stay on-campus as many Irish institutions offer hostel facilities for international students. You can also opt for off-campus residence and cut down the expense by sharing an apartment. On and average the approx. estimate of accommodation and living expense is between €7,000 to €12,000 annually.

Can I work when I finish my study?

Possibly. The Irish Government’s Third Level Graduate Scheme offers graduates of Irish higher education institutions a one-year stay back visa so that they can stay in Ireland and seek employment. This is extended to two years for postgraduate students.

Legally resident non-EU third level graduates can also apply for a Green Card Permit, which is a way to stay in Ireland long term. This allows you to work for a particular employer in an occupation where there is a shortage of skills.