Ireland

IRELAND

Ireland is one of the most popular study abroad destinations in Europe. Its universities offer best education in a traditional, yet modern setting. Thousands of study programmes at over two dozen schools attract international students from around the world.

Why Study in Ireland?

In 2010, Lonely Planet named Ireland the most friendly country in the world. The Global Peace Index rates 158 nations worldwide on measures such as conflict, safety and security in society and militarisation. In 2014, it ranked Ireland the 13th most peaceful place on Earth. The Irish have a huge maternal side and love to welcome or ‘mother’ new guests. If staying with a host family, you’re sure to be treated as one of the family. If not, there’s always a greeting or a helping hand just around the corner.
While Ireland has its own language and distinct cultural identity, English is the universal spoken language and is one of the reasons why so many multinational businesses locate their European base here.
34 higher education institutions in Ireland offer an extensive range of over 5000 programmes leading to internationally recognised, quality assured qualifications.

International research rankings!

  1. Ireland is ranked 11th in the 2018 Global Innovation Index
  2. 1st Immunology
  3. 1st Animal and Dairy
  4. 2nd Nanotechnology
  5. 2nd Agricultural Sciences
  6. 4th Molecular Biology and Genetics
  7. 5th Materials Sciences
  8. 6th Basic Medical Research
  9. 6th Neuroscience & Behaviour
  10. 7th Mathematics
  11. 8th Chemistry

 

Leading Global Companies in Ireland: Over 1,000 FDI giants in ICT, Social Media, Pharmaceuticals and Finance have made Ireland the hub of their European operations, with names such as Google, HP, Apple, IBM, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Pfizer, GSK and Genzyme.

  1. Business Analytics In Ireland
  2. Data Science in Ireland
  3. Data Analytics in Ireland
  4. Big Data in Ireland
  5. Computer Science in Ireland
  6. Cyber Security in Ireland
  7. Cloud Computing in Ireland
  8. Pharmaceutical in Ireland
  9. Management Information System in Ireland
  10. Accounting in Ireland

Precisely how much you will need will vary depending on where you are studying in Ireland, on the type of accommodation you choose and, of course, on your own personal lifestyle.  But, on average, we estimate that a student will spend between €7,000 and €12,000 per year. 

Students are strongly advised to arrange insurance for private medical care as this ensures choice of hospital, doctor and hospital accommodation in the event of illness. 

Details of Health Insurance Providers are below:

  • Irish Life Health
  • VHI Healthcare
  • GloHealth Insurance
  • https://student.insure  
  1. Airport Transfer
  2. Register with GNIB
  3. Banking
  4. Induction & Orientation

Higher education in Ireland is provided by 7 Universities, 14 Institutes of Technology and 7 Colleges of Education. Also known as the third level education, the higher education system in Ireland includes the university sector, colleges of education and private, independent colleges.

Ireland has 7 universities which has affiliated colleges and offers a wide range of courses over various disciplines including computer science, data science, data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, engineering, arts, humanities, drama and many more.

  1. Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
  2. University College Dublin (UCD)
  3. National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
  4. National University of Ireland, Maynooth
  5. Dublin City University (DCU)
  6. University College Cork (UCC)
  7. University of Limerick (UL)
  1. Athlone institute of technology (AIT)
  2. Cork institute of technology (CIT)
  3. Dublin institute of technology (DIT)
  4. Dundalk institute of technology (DKIT)
  5. Galway Mayo Institute of technology (GMIT)
  6. Institute of Art Design and technology (IADT)
  7. Institute of technology  Blanchardstown (ITB)
  8. Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow)
  9. Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo)
  10. Institute of technology Tallaght (ITT Dublin)
  11. Institute of Technology Tralee (IT Tralee)
  12. Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)
  13. Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)
  14. Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)

In addition to State-funded colleges, various fee-paying third-level educational institutions offer courses, mainly in professional vocational training and business. Some of these colleges are linked to universities or professional associations and their qualifications may be accredited accordingly.

  1. Shannon College of Hotel Management
  2. National College of Ireland
  3. Griffith College Dublin
  4. Griffith College Cork
  5. Griffith College Limerick
  6. Dublin Business School
  7. IBAT College Dublin

and many more.

Higher Education Qualifications

The qualifications you can attain at a university or higher education institution are shown below.

  1. Duration – Two years
  2. Completed following – Year 12 or equivalent, Certificate III or Certificate IV
  3. Details – The Associate Degree is a short-cycle Degree program that can help with career development if you’re already working and don’t have time to complete a full Bachelor Degree. It can be a pathway to a Bachelor Degree or prepare you for an Advanced Diploma in specialist industry training. An Associate Degree will be about the basics or foundations of your field. It will cover the broad theory and enable you to develop the basic employment-related skills.
  1. Duration – Three to five years (depending on program)
  2. Completed following – Year 12 or equivalent, Certificate III or Certificate IV
  3. Details – A Bachelor Degree is the basic qualification for entry to a field. It will give you a systematic body of knowledge, the underlying principles and the problem-solving techniques you’ll need to work in the discipline. With deeper content than an Associate Degree, your Bachelor Degree will develop your skills and knowledge to the point where you can pursue postgraduate studies if you want to.
  1. Duration – Four years
  2. Completed following – Bachelor Degree
  3. Details – If you do particularly well in your Bachelor Degree, your institution might grant entry to an additional year of study to enable you to graduate with honours.
  1. Duration – 6 months
  2. Completed following – Bachelor Degree
  3. Details – Your Graduate Certificate will broaden individual skills you already have from an undergraduate program, or develop your knowledge in a new area.
  1. Duration – One year
  2. Completed following – Bachelor Degree
  3. Details – A Graduate Diploma will apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts for you to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.
  1. Duration – Typically 2 years
  2. Completed following – Bachelor Degree (Honours) or Bachelor Degree
  3. Details – A Masters Degree is a course of independent research that will further your position as an expert in your chosen field of study.
  1. Duration – Typically 3 to 4 years
  2. Completed following – Masters Degree
  3. Details – The highest award offered by Australian universities, the Doctoral Degree is a research program, although it can have some coursework. The three components of your Doctoral Degree are:
    • A review of literature, experimentation or other methodical approach to a body of knowledge.
    • An original research project that makes a contribution to understanding and knowledge in your field.
    • A substantial, well-ordered thesis that shows a relationship between the research and the field of study.

Employment rights for international students

While you are at college in Ireland you are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week in term time, and 40 hours per week in holiday times. If you are at a UK university (this includes Northern Ireland) you can work up to ten hours per week in term time or full time during holidays.

You may be able to stay and work in Ireland after you graduate, but there are some restrictions. If you are a non EU graduate, you can apply for an extension to your study visa for up to two years* after you get your exam results, so you can get work experience. In the Republic of Ireland you must apply to the Garda National Immigration Bureau for this.

COST OF STUDYING IN IRELAND

The tuition fees vary between chosen field of study, university and programme. Furthermore, there is a big difference in the tuition fees for European and non-European students. Students from outside the EU and EEA can expect to pay around €9,000 per year as a minimum, with some courses costing up to €30,000 per year.

Study Program

Average fees(in EUR)

Undergraduate Program

€ 9,000 – € 45,000 per year

Postgraduate master’s Program

€ 9,500 – € 37,000 per year

Doctoral Degree

€ 9,000 – € 30,000 per year

UPCOMING INTAKES IN THE IRELAND

Irish universities and colleges offer two major intakes. Intakes may also be referred to as a semester in some universities.

Intake 1: Fall Semester – A popular intake starts in the month of September

Intake 2: Spring Semester – Starts in the month of January

Student Visa:

You can apply for a study visa if you are planning to come to Ireland to undertake a course of study for more than 3 months. You can apply for a study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland.

Processing TimeFrames:

Applications are processed in date order.

Generally a decision is expected within 8 weeks from the date on which your application is lodged at the Visa Office/Embassy/Consulate.

Your application may take longer if e.g. you have not submitted all necessary supporting documentation, your supporting documentation needs to be verified. You are advised not to purchase travel tickets before you know the outcome of your visa application.

Ireland student visa requirements

Below is the Ireland student visa checklist which can help you list all the documents required for Ireland Student Visa. Make sure you have all the required documents for visa application before you submit them. Follow the Ireland student visa checklist to ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork for student visa application to Ireland.

  1. Cover letter stating purpose of travel – you will have to write a brief note about yourself and the reason for you to go to Ireland. This will be an introductory document that holds the key for your visa approval.
  2. Passport – Current and all previous passports (cancelled) are required to be submitted
  3. Complete the AVATS Online Application, ensure you complete the online application form in full and generate the summary sheet.
  4. Appointment confirmation booked through VFS.
  5. Online fee payment receipt for VFS appointment.
  6. Completed Student Visa Application form.
  7. Completed Supplementary Student Application form (Student Questionnaire).
  8. Letter of acceptance from a recognized school/college/university in Ireland confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study. This course of study must be full-time (lasting an academic year) and have a minimum of 15 hours per week study time.
  9. Evidence of your academic ability to pursue the chosen course through the English language test score IELTS or TOEFL or PTE.
  10. Statement of Purpose – Kindly ensure you answer the following question as part of your SOP – why the program, why this institution, why Ireland, how would this program help to build your career in Ireland or when you return to India, what is the employability and ROI in India, justifications for field change (if any).
  11. Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
  12. Academic Credentials (10th standard mark sheet, 12th standard mark sheet)
  13. Diploma/bachelor’s/master’s degree documents 
    1. Individual semester mark sheets
    2. Consolidated mark sheet
    3. Provisional certificate
    4. Degree Certificate
  14. (Note: if last semester mark sheet, provisional certificate, consolidated mark sheet, degree certificate is not issued, then write a letter addressing the visa officer on the same)
  15. An explanation of any gaps in your educational history.
  16. Provide evidence of work experiences.
  17. Evidence that the fees for the course has been paid in full or the minimum required fee is paid.
  18. Evidence that you have enough funds (€10,000) to maintain yourself for the initial part of your stay.
  19. Evidence that you have private medical insurance.
  20. Confirmation that you intend to return to your country of permanent residence when you leave Ireland.
  21. Student Health Insurance – All Indian students are required to have private medical insurance when coming to and residing in Ireland for the purpose of study. The private medical insurance should provide cover for accident and/or disease and should cover the student for any period of hospitalization.
  22. Police Clearance Certificate – A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) must be submitted with all visa applications for student visa. The PCC must be dated no older than 6 months from the date of the submission of your visa application.
  23. Passport Size Photo not more than 6 months old – A visa application must include 2 passport sized photos of the applicant. Name & IRL Number on the backside. You can choose to take the photos inside the embassy/VFS for a charge of Rs.154/- (6-8 Copies).
  24. Evidence of sufficient finances to support your tuition and living cost while studying in Ireland
    1. Education loan sanction letter – full sanctions are required; principal sanctions are not accepted.
    2. Education loan disbursement letter.
    3. Latest bank account statement for all accounts from 1st November (previous year) to till date.
    4. For all the bank account statement submitted, get balance confirmation certificate in euro.
    5. For all other type of savings with bank like fixed deposits and recurring deposits get balance confirmation certificate in euro with date of original deposit and maturity mentioned. Fixed deposit original receipt is not mandatory but good to submit.
    6. Life insurance surrender value for all insurances held by sponsor & student – premium receipt, surrender value certificate & policy document to be submitted.
    7. Latest statement of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF) or Central Provident Fund (CPF)
    8. Income tax returns (ITR) or Form 16 from all sponsors for last 3 years
    9. If sponsor is employed, then last 3 months’ salary slip
    10. Affidavit of Support from all sponsor along with government issued identity card
    11. Financial cover letter
    12. Chartered Accountant certificate