Why Study in Ireland? | Top Reasons to study in Ireland

When thinking of studying in Europe, the most popular countries for international students are Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, and Ireland. Every year more than 30,000 students fly in from all over the world to study in Ireland, being encouraged and motivated by a variety of reasons such as cultural diversity, availability of scholarships, full-time and part-time job opportunities, and a lot more. 

With its unique position in the British Isles, Ireland has established a reputation as one of Europe’s most beautiful countries. The country has a rich and illustrious past, as well as centuries of tradition and culture. Even today, these rituals and traditions maintain a unique place in the hearts of the Irish people. There are several reasons why students are attracted from all over the world to study in Ireland. 

In this guide you will learn everything there is to know about pursuing your tertiary education in Ireland. Starting from part-time and full-time job opportunities, visa procedures, and scholarships for international students. By the end of reading this guide, you’ll have learned everything you need to know to make an informed decision on funding your higher education. To get you there, we’ll cover these questions: 

1. Is it easy to find work in Ireland after graduating? 
2. Can students work alongside their studies in Ireland?
3. Is Ireland affordable for international students?

Is It Easy To Find Work In Ireland After Graduating? 

Post-study visas are one of the main advantages of studying in Ireland. This facilitates students’ searches for jobs in the nation after graduating and they can then apply for a green card/work visa once they have found work. In addition, the Irish Government has decided to extend the ‘stay back option,’ for non-EU/EAS students studying at level 9 or above nationally, to two years from one year. After you finish your studies, you may be able to stay in Ireland and apply for jobs under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This initiative allows non-EU third-level graduates who are lawfully living in Ireland to seek a job or apply for a green card/work permit. Students can work full-time during their permitted stay under the programme (40 hours a week). The Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme does not allow you to renew your authorization.

Can Students Work Alongside Their Studies In Ireland?

International students enrolled in at least one year of full-time study (in a programme leading to a certification recognised by the Irish Department of Education and Skills) do not require a work visa to work in Ireland during their degree programme. Students with a valid immigration stamp 2 will be allowed to work 40 hours per week only during the months of June, July, August, and September, as well as from December 15th to January 15th inclusively. Students with Immigration authorization Stamp 2 will be limited to working 20 hours per week at all other times. When a student’s Stamp 2 immigration permit expires, their employment authorization expires as well.

Is Ireland Affordable For International Students?

Ireland’s government encourages students to pay no fees to EU citizens. There is no tuition for undergraduate programmes at public institutions for local students and EU residents. This is featured under the “Free Costs Initiative,” where students are only required to pay registration fees when they begin their degree programmes. Tuition costs at state institutions in Ireland for non-EU students range from 6,000 to 12,000 EUR per year for undergraduate degree programmes, and from 6,150 to 15,000 EUR per year for postgraduate / master’s programmes and research courses. The cost of living in Ireland is slightly higher than the European average; you can anticipate spending between 550 and 1,000 EUR each month.

What Is The Process To Obtain An Irish Student Visa? 

Decide The Type Of Irish Student Visa

If you are an international student who does not belong to the EU or EEA, you need to apply for an Irish student visa. Depending on the duration of your study programme, you will be eligible for one of the following two types of visas: 

• C-type study visa – for  study programmes that last less than 3 months (90 days);
• D-type study visa – for study programmes that last longer than 3 months. To stay longer than 3 months, non-EU/EEA students also have to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau, which can grant permission to stay in Ireland beyond the initial 90 days. 

Give Your English Proficiency Tests 

You must submit proof of competence in English to obtain your student visa for Ireland. English in Ireland is the most widely spoken, while the first official language is Irish Gaelic. It is necessary to demonstrate your skill in speaking, understanding, reading and writing English for educational and visa requirements. Depending on the university you want to study in, you may appear for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge ESOL, GCSE Grade. 

Organise The Documents Required 

Your signed and dated summary application form and the appropriate fee (where applicable) must be accompanied by the supporting documents set out below:

1. 2 passport size photographs that are not more than 6 months old.
   
2. Current (valid) passport as well as all old passports.
   
3. Letter of acceptance from a recognised university.
   
4. A signed letter of application including your full contact details:
   

• outlining your reason for wanting to come to Ireland,
• giving details of any members of your family who are currently in Ireland, or any other EU Member State,
• undertaking that you will observe the conditions of your visa, that you will not become a burden on the State, and that you will leave the State on the expiry of your permission to remain, and
• where the course you now wish to study does not naturally follow on or relate to your educational/employment history, giving valid reasons, supported by documentary evidence (where available), for this change.
  

5. Evidence of fee payment to the college.
   
6. English proficiency test scorecards – IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc.
   
7. Evidence of funds (€7,000) to provide your living expenses for the duration of your course. This includes a bank statement covering the six months immediately prior to your visa application. You must also produce official confirmation that you are in receipt of a scholarship (If applicable).
   
8. You must also book your accommodation in Ireland and provide evidence of the address you will be staying in once you arrive in the country. 

What Is The Irish Student Visa Application Fee?

Apart from the following countries that are exempt from paying the application fee for an Irish Student Visa, the application fee for obtaining an Irish student visa is – Single entry €60, Multi entry €100, Transit €25. 

List of countries exempt from paying application fee for an Irish Student Visa: 

1. Bosnia 
2. Morocco
3. Côte d’Ivoire
4. Ecuador
5. Peru
6. Indonesia 
7. Jamaica
8. Uganda
9. Zambia
10. Serbia
11. Sri Lanka
12. Kosovo
13. Tunisia
14. Kyrgyzstan
15. Montenegro

When Can I Apply For An Irish Student Visa? 

You can apply for an Irish student visa 3 months prior to the date of your departure from your home country. After you fill and submit the application form with the supporting documents, the next step is to provide your Biometrics information.

Biometric information means information about your distinctive physical characteristics including –

• measurements or other assessments of those characteristics, and
• information about those characteristics held in automated form,
• and references to the provision by a person of biometric information mean its provision in a way that enables the identification of the person to be investigated or ascertained.

Once you have applied for an Irish student visa, your visa will be approved within 4 to 8 weeks from the date on which your application has been registered with the Visa Office or Embassy. 

Despite its modest size, Ireland’s government provides 870 million euros each year for higher education research. More than 35,000 students study in Ireland each year, thanks to the country’s 9 top institutions and about 15 technical institutes. 

Ireland, a UK neighbour, is one of the wealthiest nations in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), and it has been a popular choice for international students wanting to study in Western Europe in recent years. With some of Ireland’s top institutions providing distinctive undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, the number of Indian students opting to study in Ireland is on the rise.

Also Read: Tips For International Students In Ireland 

Now, let us look at the top reasons why students prefer studying in Ireland for their tertiary studies. By the end of this, you will understand the pros of investing your time and financial resources in Ireland. 

Part-time Employment Option

Usually, Ireland universities encourage students to part-time employment to cover their basic costs. Courses are frequently flexible and designed in a way that allows you time to study and work in Ireland. Flexible course times allow you to establish a part-time schedule. Also, you might discover internships that provide merit-based scholarships. Ireland grants a post-work visa to its students, allowing them to seek work within the country for a considerable length of time. Moreover, as Ireland is an EU member, you also have the chance to work in other EU countries. As these nations lack a highly trained workforce, students from Irish colleges are in high demand. 

Low Cost Of Education 

The cost of living in Ireland and the education costs are relatively low because most institutions are funded by the State. While the tuition price varies with the subject and university in which you choose to study, the sum compared to other countries is fairly modest. For example, at Maynooth University the cost of studying is around Euros 7000. This is lower than many other European schools. Besides Ireland’s study costs, typical living costs are as low as well. The average annual rent is about EUR 4,000. 

Cultural Diversity 

A graduate or postgraduate from a country such as Ireland is very important and internationally acknowledged for its cross-cultural learning element by all major companies. Ireland’s students are also much in demand since they are ready to manufacture and able to deal with industrial challenges in real-time. Some of the most friendly people you’ll ever encounter in Ireland will greet you. You will soon learn that the Irish are proud of their nation, culture and traditions. Experience Ireland’s Saint Patron’s feast with Saint Patrick’s Day, listen to Irish culture, watch Irish dance, play Irish sports like Gaelic soccer or become immersed in the magic and legend of Irish music. 

International Students

There is magnetic energy around the Irish Universities that draws students from all over the world. There are currently over 32,000 international students studying in Ireland availing of the extensive range of courses available. All Irish universities are ranked in the top 3% of institutions worldwide with many research fields in the top 1% in the world. Nurturing international students and helping them adapt to a new culture is what the Irish Universities do best with a dedicated International office to cater for your needs and an exciting range of clubs, societies and support structures to help you settle into university life. 

Another reason why international students prefer studying in Ireland is because of the abundance of scholarships available for international students. Let us take a look at some of the awards, fellowships and scholarships provided to study abroad. 

Which Are The Top Universities In Ireland? 

Scholarships To Study In Ireland 

If you are interested in studying in Ireland but are unable to support yourself financially, you may want to consider applying for scholarships to study abroad in Ireland. The Government of Ireland has invested millions of Euros in research and training for international students that have encouraged students from all over the globe to zero in on Ireland being their ultimate study abroad destination. 

Here is a list of the top scholarships to study in Ireland that you may be interested in applying for: 

1. Government of Ireland Scholarships 
2. Inclusive Ireland Scholarships 
3. DIT Centenary Scholarship Programme 
4. Claddagh Scholarship Programme 
5. Fulbright Scholarships To Study In Ireland 
6. Irish Research Council For The Humanities & Social Sciences 
7. NUI Galway International Student Scholarships 
8. Maynooth University Scholarships 
9. Trinity College Dublin Scholarships
10. Irish Aid Funded Fellowship Training Programme 

Thank you for reading this Ultimate Guide To: Why Study In Ireland? If you are interested in reading more such guides and blogs, the following should be of interest to you: 

1. What Are The Educational Loan Options For MS In Ireland?
2. Study In Ireland For Indian Students
3. The Best MBA Universities in Ireland
4. Top Universities in Ireland for International Students