Ireland is a beautiful island situated in the North Atlantic. This beautiful country with its unique culture is home to many top-ranked universities. Ireland is also considered to be one of the most peaceful and safe countries on the planet. So not a bad place to stay, is it?
Why study in Ireland?
Looking for a reason to make Ireland your next study destination? Well, there is more than one reason to look forward to this. Irish government spends €728 million per annum on higher education institutions. It enables Ireland to occupy one of the best higher education systems in the world.
All seven public universities of Ireland were ranked in the top 700 of the QS World University Rankings in the year 2021. One of the 14 technological institutes of Ireland also features in the top 700 World QS 2021 rankings. Several private educational institutions are also situated in Ireland offering good quality education.
Top Irish Universities
Here is a brief insight into the top 5 universities in Ireland:
Trinity College Dublin
Ranked number 1 in all the Irish universities, it is also the oldest university in the country founded in 1592. It is ranked 104th in the world and is indeed the most prestigious university in Ireland. It has a student population of over 17,000. It has 3 faculties:
- Arts
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin
Founded in 1784, it is the best medical school in the country and ranked in the top 500 medical schools across the globe. It is ranked second amongst all the universities in Ireland. It has a student population of 3980.
University College Dublin
Founded in 1854 this university is ranked 3rd in Ireland and 193rd globally. It is home to 34,000 students and has 5 colleges. Not just a gorgeous place to spend some time but also a place which gives you worthy education and learning as well.
National University of Ireland, Galway
Founded in the year 1845, the university hosts 18,000 students. It was ranked as 260th in QS World University Rankings 2021 and was also given 5 stars for its assessment system.
University College Cork
Previously named as National University of Ireland, Cork, it was officially renamed University College Cork in 1999. It hosts 21,000 students and is one of the top 5 universities in Ireland. It is ranked 260th in QS World University Rankings. It became the first university in 2010 to be awarded ‘Green Flag for Environmental Sustainability’ award.
Cost of studying in Ireland
One of the first questions that trigger a student’s mind about studying abroad is the fee structure of the universities. Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can study free of cost in Ireland. They just have to pay a registration fee of approximately €3000.
Fees for other foreign students depend on their field of study and the university they got admitted to. Fees ranges per annum for the academic year 2018/19 for some particular fields of study were:
- €45,000 – €54,000 for undergraduates in medicine and other related fields.
- €9,950 – €24,958 for undergraduates in science and technology.
- €9,750 – €22,000 for undergraduates in arts and business fields.
- €4,000 – €48,000 for postgraduates in medicine and other related fields.
- €9,250 – €45,000 for postgraduates in science and technology.
- €9,250 – €35,000 for postgraduates in arts and business fields.
Scholarship Opportunities
Government of Ireland grants scholarships to high-caliber students worth up to €10,000 per year. This scholarship is available at all public universities and 60 scholarships are awarded every academic year. However, these scholarships are only available for:
- One year of research in a 2-year master’s or Ph.D. programme.
- One year of study for a taught master’s degree.
- The final year of study in an undergraduate programme.
Living Cost
Overall, living costs are slightly higher than in Europe. The cost of living in Ireland mainly depends upon the city you are living in. In Dublin, you will need approximately €1000 per month for living. Cities like Galway and Cork offer cheaper living of about €800-€900 per month. Normally, the average living cost is about €500 – €800 per month. Accommodation of students in Ireland takes approximately 38% of their budget. Typical expense distribution of an average student studying in Ireland is:
Language Requirements
English and Irish are two official languages of Ireland. Generally, proficiency in English is sufficient for studying in Ireland. English language proficiency of applicants is assessed by universities and those who don’t meet standards are offered help with English courses. Irish universities accept both ILETS and TOFEL. However, ILETS is preferred.
Admission and Visa process
Want to study in Ireland? It’s not easy for anyone to get admission abroad without an educational consultant. It’s always better to go to an education consultant for the right guidance. If you are willing to study abroad and looking for a study abroad consultant, we have got you covered here with Edvise Hub. Edvise Hub offers you expert guidance for studying abroad. Our experts will help you in choosing the best courses suiting your skills and then the best countries with the best universities offering those courses. We will also help you with the application and visa process and will handle all things on their own.
Note that applicants from all countries except the EU, EEA, and Switzerland need a student visa to study in Ireland. Here are a few tips you need for the admission process:
- Choose the best-suited field of study for yourself.
- Identify the top universities in Ireland offering that subject.
- Don’t forget to check their eligibility criteria.
- Apply to three to four universities to have a good chance of selection.
- Keep all the required documents ready.
