Study in Ireland

Why study in Ireland?

Ireland has published a landmark International Education Strategy 2010-15. This is with a view to creating brand ambassadors for Ireland across countries. Ireland is fully aware that it makes sense to invest in international students.

  • In the next 4 years, Ireland wants to take in 25,500 international students on full-time courses.
  • A statutory Code of Practice and Quality Mark is awarded to educational institutions that meet laid down criteria.
  • This Quality mark will be used by State bodies for visas, immigration, and access to labour market and for promotions.
  • Ireland intends to fast track degree programme visas. The maximum time a student may stay in Ireland for the purpose of attending courses at degree level is limited to seven years and students are responsible for managing their studies to ensure compliance with this time limit.
  • Students at honours bachelor’s degree level and above will be allowed to remain in Ireland for upto one year for the purpose of gaining relevant work experience or developing a business idea.

With a reputation for natural beauty and friendliness, Republic of Ireland also has a long tradition of education.
The Republic of Ireland covers 26 of the 32 counties and the remaining counties from Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.

Top 10 reasons why Indian students should consider studying in Ireland

  • It is an English speaking country within the European Union.
  • It has short duration Masters degrees, usually of 1 year
  • It has a long tradition of providing quality education.
  • About 10% of the population is foreign nationals, the society is multi-cultural. Approximately 1500 Indian students currently study in Ireland.
  • It is a very friendly society.
  • It is closer to home, just nine hours away by flight and is gateway to Europe.
  • It is home to more than 1000 MNCs who run their back office operations out of Ireland.
  • It is at the cutting edge of science and technology. The National Development Plan (NDP), and the Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation (SSTI) are investing a total of ?8.2 billion in research and development during the period 2006-2013.
  • It provides clear cut road map towards securing work and eventual permanent residency.
  • It is a young country like India, 40% of the population is under 25 years of age

Education System in Ireland

The National Framework of Qualifications was launched in 2003. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is an agency of the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and was set up in February 2001.
It has responsibility for developing and maintaining the National Framework of Qualifications and has three principal objects which are set out in the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act 1999:

  • the establishment and maintenance of a framework of qualifications for the development, recognition and award of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skill or competence to be acquired by learners
  • the establishment and promotion of the maintenance and improvement of the standards of awards of the further and higher education and training sector, other than in the existing universities.
  • the promotion and facilitation of access, transfer and progression throughout the span of education and training provision

There are 6 awarding bodies in Ireland.

  • Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), it is Irish version of AICTE
  • Dublin Institute of Technology
  • Institutes of Technology (IOT)
  • State Examinations Commission
  • Universities

List of Institutes in Ireland

  • Dublin Business School
  • Dublin City University
  • Dundalk Institute of Technology
  • Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology -GMIT
  • Griffith College
  • Innopharama Labs College of Applied Sciences
  • Institute of Technology Blanchardstown -ITB
  • Limerick Institute of Technology -LIT
  • Maynooth University
  • National College of Ireland
  • National University of Ireland, Galway
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • University College Dublin
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • University College Cork
  • University College Dublin
  • University of Limerick

Application Process

Entry requirement

Undergraduate

Undergraduate courses are usually for the duration of 4 years. Universities and Institutes of Technology (IOTs) would accept the Indian 12th standard, however percentage levels required to gain admission will vary depending upon the course and institution that you wish to study at. As a general guide, universities look at a percentage of about 75% to 85% for admissions at undergraduate level, however Institutes of Technology (IOTs) are more flexible while admitting students.

Post Undergraduate:

Postgraduate courses are usually for the duration of 1 year. Universities and Institutes of Technology (IOTs) would accept the degrees from recognized Indian universities, however percentage levels required to gain admission will vary depending upon the course and institution that you wish to study at. As a general guide, universities look at a percentage of 60% and above, however for Institutes of Technology (IOTs) are more open to admitting candidates with varied backgrounds.
Not all IOTs will offer PG courses and courses across all interest areas. IOTs will also offer mostly courses that are built based on the requirements of the industry.

Rankings:

Every student would like to study at a top ranked institution. Newspapers like The Sunday Times rank all the seven universities and the 14 IOTs based on criteria like entry qualifications of students,
research work, employability, firsts awarded, student-staff ratio and drop-out rates. There are no official rankings of Irish institutions, however some figure prominently in the various rankings that cover
institutions all over the world like The Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.

Cost of Studying in Ireland

The cost of studying in the Ireland is determined by the tuition fees of your course and whether you wish to study in the capital city of Dublin or outside in another city.

• Tuition fees vary depending on the course you have applied to study.
• Undergraduate fees ranges from 9,100 to 20,300 Euro
• Average PG fees ranges from 9,150 to 20,000 Euro
• MBA fees can range upto 30,000 Euro

The cost of living (inclusive of accommodation, food, travel, books etc) varies depending on your own particular lifestyle.
Please make sure to account for the entire living costs and tuition fees and do not assume that you can earn some money doing part-time jobs. Part-time jobs can probably only fetch a part of your expenses
and when you are filing for your visas, authorities need to see your entire expenses for 1 year accounted for.