Study in Ireland
Brief Background: Ireland has a long history of welcoming international students, going back more than a thousand years to when it was known as the Land of Saints and Scholars. In 2017-18, more than 22,000 international students from all over the world studied in Ireland’s public higher education institutions. International students globally made up around 16 percent of all higher education enrollments in Ireland. The United States, China, and France are the top places of origin among full-time international students in Ireland, according to IIE’s Project Atlas.
Recognizing the value that international students contribute to the education system, and to society in general, Ireland launched Irish Educated, Globally Connected—an international education strategy for 2016 through 2023. This strategy aims to support the development of global citizens through Ireland’s high-quality education system by attracting talent from around the world to its educational institutions, and equipping students with the skills and experience they need to compete internationally.
IRISH UNIVERSITIES
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
National University of Ireland, Galway
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Technological University Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Limerick
Ireland’s higher education offerings include nine universities, five public colleges, 11 institutes of technology, and eight private colleges. Irish qualifications are internationally recognized and the full academic range of studies is available, including the arts and humanities, social sciences, medicine, business, and engineering. In the past 30 years, successive Irish governments have put enormous resources into education and research. As a result, the reputation of its higher education system has grown considerably, and its research is now making an international impact. In the 2019 QS World University Rankings, several individual institutions rank in the global top 50 for a diverse range of key subjects including English, politics, and veterinary science; and in the top 100 for history, pharmacy, and biology.
Ireland is also where some of the world’s biggest and best companies have located key, strategic research facilities. These include nine of the world’s top 10 information and communication technology (ICT) companies; nine of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical and life science companies; and half of the world’s major financial services companies. Companies include Boston Scientific, Pfizer, Apple, Facebook, and Google. CEOs of these cutting edge global companies repeatedly point to the strengths of Irish educated graduates as crucial to their decision to establish facilities in Ireland.
Irish higher education emphasizes the experiential aspects of degree programs, allowing students to gain practical, hands-on experience throughout their academic journey. The proximity to so many innovative companies and organizations grants students unique opportunity to engage with their career fields throughout their education, ensuring that they graduate with the critical skills and experiences they will need in today’s economy.
Education in Ireland’s website addresses many questions about studying in Ireland, lists internationally recognized and approved programs, and provides links to the websites of Irish universities.
Good to Know: Most undergraduate degrees take four years to complete, though there are some programs that can be completed in three. Courses offered by the institutes of technology range in duration from two to four years. Course typically refers to an academic program of study. Undergraduates can directly enter professional programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and law.
Most Irish degree programs do not include general education requirements. However, several universities offer bachelors’ degrees in liberal arts.
When applying, students are advised to consider choosing a general area of interest and refrain from being too specific. Business students, for instance, can begin to specialize in accounting or finance once at university. Students who want to change their major will likely need to start their coursework over.
Search: Students can search by city, course, and university through the Education in Ireland website. Each institution will have information about its courses on its website along with testimonials, interviews and, in some cases, videos.
Apply: Programs and application processes vary across Irish universities, but overall the application process is straightforward. Applications are made directly to each institution, and students apply directly to their intended course of study. Students can apply to more than one course at a particular university. Special subjects such as law, medicine, dentistry and veterinary can all be done at an undergraduate level in Ireland and applicants may apply directly to the institution.
Atlantic Bridge is an application system, similar to the Common App, which allows international students to apply for medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, and pharmacy programs at six different Irish universities.
Application Fees: Application fees vary among different institutions, and average 50 euros.
Academic Calendar: Academic schedules in Ireland begin in late August or early September and end the following May. Specific dates will vary slightly, but generally universities operate on a semester schedule, with mid-term breaks in the fall and spring semesters, and winter and summer vacations.
Deadlines: The initial deadline for applications varies by course and institution. Some are as early as Feb. 1, but most deadlines are around March 31. Students are admitted on a rolling basis beginning in October, and offers will generally be honored until May 1. The late application deadline stretches until July 1. In some cases, applications may be considered beyond this date.
Admission Requirements: Requirements vary by institution, but three types of credentials are generally accepted: IB Diploma, French Baccalaureate, or a combination of high school grades and standardized test scores. Some schools require additional written materials—personal essays, writing samples, and in some cases both. Depending on the institution, students may be required to submit up to two recommendation letters for each course to which they apply.
Upon Acceptance: Students interested in scholarship opportunities should research scholarship deadlines and begin submitting applications once they have received an offer of admission. More information on scholarships can be found on the Education in Ireland website.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition for full-time undergraduate programs ranges from 10,000 to 22,000 euros per year, though tuition for medical and related fields is usually much higher.
All Irish universities are approved by the US Department of Education to accept federal financial aid loans and private student loans.
Housing: On-campus housing is provided for all first-year international students at every university; the average cost is 9,000 euros per year. Following their first year, students are responsible for securing housing. Estimated expenses beyond tuition range between 9,000 and 12,000 euros per year based on accommodations and personal lifestyle.
Visa and Other Permits: All students from outside the European Union and USA need a visa to study in Ireland and must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) within seven days of arriving in Ireland. To register, students must present a letter of acceptance from an Irish institution confirming their place in a recognized program, furnish evidence of having private health insurance, and show proof of sufficient funds (at least 3,000 euros) to cover accommodation and living expenses.
International students studying full-time in Ireland can work up to 20 hours a week or up to 40 hours during holiday breaks. International students who have graduated from an Irish institution can also work in Ireland for one year after graduation.
International students are required to have private health insurance. Students who purchase insurance from their home country must ensure that the insurance will be valid in Ireland and in any other country where the student might travel during their studies. If a student is part of a group insurance program operated by the university he or she will attend, a letter of enrollment mentioning this will be adequate proof for the GNIB authorities.
Advice from the Field: University specific inquiries can be sent to educationinireland@enterprise-ireland.com. Questions will then be directed to an international recruitment specialist at the university of interest. Each university in Ireland has its own alumni networks. These have global representatives focused on supporting and organizing events for alumni around the world.
Go to our Study Abroad University Database for more information and find the perfect university for your future!