Higher education in Ireland has been, albeit unfairly, overlooked for many years by prospective international students. This is especially true when we compare it to the UK, Ireland’s neighbor that has earned fame for its lauded universities.
The Republic of Ireland has a lot to offer in the field of higher education. It is home to many prestigious universities. Education in Ireland is on a par with the UK, USA, and Canada when it comes to future prospects. As the next big international student hub, Ireland poses a great opportunity for those who want to obtain high-quality training, experience, and knowledge at a reasonable price.
Going against the grain is always a smart idea. By avoiding the most common schooling paths, you’ll be able to obtain a unique viewpoint and experience. Students who’d like to study in Ireland can continue reading to find out what the Emerald Isle has to offer.
Higher Education in Ireland: Emerging From The Shadows
Geographically, the island of Ireland is divided between two countries. The first is Northern Ireland, a part of the UK. Then, there’s the Republic of Ireland that bears the official name Ireland, and that’s the focus of this guide.
Firstly, as a completely separate geographical entity from the UK, Ireland is a part of the European Union. So, you don’t have to worry about Brexit or difficulties that may arise with your student visa.
Secondly, by being a part of the European Union, Ireland’s currency is Euro. Despite the fact that Ireland is largely disregarded by international students who choose “more well-known” study options, it is still one of the greatest places to begin your academic career.
There’s a lot to discuss on Ireland’s profound academic esteem. Next, there are the inexpensive tuition costs that their renowned universities offer. Lastly, studying in Ireland can bring other numerous benefits to its potential international students!
What to Expect If You Choose to Study in Ireland?
Higher Education in Ireland Is World-Class
Ireland’s world-renowned programs offer a variety of educational advantages. Education in Ireland is a tightly interwoven system. It leaves its graduates with qualifications that are recognized worldwide.
As an international student, you have a selection of institutions of higher education in Ireland to choose from. Each of them is exceptional in its own way. It’s good to know that Irish universities have a place among the world’s top 1% of research institutions in terms of impact.
Top Universities in Ireland
As a potential international student that wants to study in Ireland, you can choose from seven universities, seven colleges of education, and fourteen institutes of technology in the country.
Ranked among the best institutions are:
The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway)
As the third-largest city in the country, Galway is nested on Ireland’s west coast. Besides being famous for its quaint, medieval charm, Galway is proud to have the National University of Ireland situated there.
This educational institution earned five full QS stars for excellence. With moderately competitive admissions, NUI Galway is the ideal choice for those that want to experience the authentic beauty of Irish culture away from the metropolitan area.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
As a top international institution for research, Trinity College is a world-leading educational establishment in many different areas. They include Nanotechnology, Immunology, Mathematics, Politics, and English.
With tremendous historical significance, TCD ranks first in Ireland according to QS World University Rankings. The university is highly competitive but makes an extremely good academic investment for a dedicated student. They select students solely based on their academic merit, so if you have great grades, turn towards TCD.
University College Cork (UCC)
With a large international student and professor corpus, international students that come to study at Cork will have an extra helping hand. UCC is a university with a long-standing tradition, and Cork is an ideal place for aspiring international students.
Providing the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, Cork is filled with quaint places, historic cathedrals, and innumerable exciting opportunities to explore.
Dublin City University (DCU)
DCU is located in Dublin and it offers its prospective students an opportunity to gain internationally recognized qualifications. As one of the newer institutions in Ireland, DCU is charged with ambition and promises a dynamic, vibrant environment to its future students.
Living in Dublin will leave less space for international students to experience a culture shock, as everyone speaks English and there’s a lot of foreign students.
University College Dublin (UCD)
Teaching paved the way for this institution to become one of the leading educational institutions in the world. Higher education in Ireland is on a high standard, and UCD is no exception.
It has opened its doors to international students wholeheartedly as it welcomes around 8,000 international students per year. This comes as no surprise since Dublin is a great study abroad destination choice.
Living Expenses
Compared to the US and the UK, living expenses and tuition fees in Ireland are considerably low and affordable.
Naturally, tuition fees largely depend upon the university, and they vary from course to course. Still, tuition fees are more affordable than in other study abroad hotspots, but the educational standard is, debatably, even higher in Ireland.
As the city capital, the cost of living in Dublin is steeper than in other Irish cities. Although there are plenty of ways to save money. Great ways to save include shopping at local grocery stores and taking advantage of student discounts for transportation.
Bear in mind that universities encourage their international students to take up part-time jobs. This can be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with the locals, practice your Irish accent and earn some extra money!
Weather & Landscape
If you choose Ireland as your study abroad destination, you’ll be delighted to know that the entire country is absolutely swarmed with scenic routes, idyllic places, and breathtaking landscapes.
You can expect a lot of sun, fog, frost, and rain. You’ll often experience all of the four seasons in one day! The best piece of advice any international student can get before coming to Ireland is to pack a waterproof jacket. Aside from the unpredictability of the weather (which is a great conversation starter, as you’ll always hear locals commenting on it), Ireland truly has beautiful travel spots.
Ireland has everything, from mountains, rivers, lakes, to islands and coasts. Some of the most popular destinations to visit are Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Killarney National Park.
People, Lifestyle & Culture
Ireland’s céad míle fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes) philosophy reflects the spirit of the place so well. Irish people are warm, welcoming, and always ready to strike up a conversation with a stranger!
Known for their hospitality, the Irish have a lot more to offer, including a rich and long tradition that they are proud of. The Irish have many cultural festivals that will allow you to partake and share in their culture.
One thing is for sure: As an international student, you’ll be able to enjoy a dynamic lifestyle while in Ireland. Partying, going on adventures, drinking at local pubs and bars while always being welcomed by the locals is only one of the advantages of pursuing higher education in Ireland.
Post-Studying Opportunities
Once you graduate, you’ll be happy to know that Ireland is there to provide its students with a post-work visa. This visa allows you a considerable amount of time to search for employment in the country.
Since Ireland is part of the EU, you can also search for employment elsewhere in the EU if you wish to do so. Irish universities shape many professionals and experts, so there is always a demand for graduates everywhere.
Ireland is also a hotspot for tech giants like Google, Twitter, and Facebook, among many other companies. This means that there are ample opportunities for employment. There is a chance for everyone to climb the corporate ladder, should they choose to study in Ireland.
Choosing Higher Education in Ireland?
Although overlooked for many years, Ireland’s bustling potential as the next hotspot for international students can no longer be ignored.
With world-renowned universities that command respect and produce academic excellence, international students have multiple options when it comes to their journey towards education in Ireland.
Choosing to study in Ireland and to pursue higher education in Ireland as your study abroad choice is no small feat. However, rest assured that it will meet your expectations and ambitions.
With affordable tuition fees, a great living standard, and welcoming locals, Ireland is there to steal you for good. The awe-inspiring landscapes and quaint, historic towns will make you fall in love with the Emerald Isle even more.