Study in Ireland: Top Universities, Costs, Courses, Visa, Requirements, Scholarships, and Jobs Prosp

Over the years, the number of international students planning to study in Ireland has extensively increased. Currently, more than 35,000 international students from over 161 countries across the globe are studying in Ireland. With an enrollment rate of nearly 78%, it is a proud parent to the world's top 3% of universities in Ireland. Moreover, Ireland is the 2nd most competitive world economy which makes it one of the most preferred destinations to study abroad.

With more than 5,000 courses to choose from, international applicants from diverse corners rush to Ireland to be part of the world's 20th best education system according to US News and World Report. Ireland has deservingly made itself recognized in the list of top countries for studying abroad like Canada, UK, USA, and Germany. India was among the second-largest senders of international students in Ireland after China (3,000). The affordability of education in this European nation is what attracts students from across the world.
Explore Cost of Living in Ireland as International Students!

Renowned for its innovative research, rich culture, and friendly, Ireland is one of the fastest-growing economies with a high employment rate of over 74.10%. As per the recent employment reports, about 2.78 million people were employed in the country in the third quarter of 2023. Its gradually decreasing unemployment rate is yet another feather to its cap that ensures a great deal of promise for international aspirants seeking to study in Ireland.

Study in Ireland: Top Universities for International students

Since Ireland has some of the most prestigious institutes to its credit offering an array of programs at almost every possible level of education, it becomes highly important to ensure you find your perfect university and course match when looking to study abroad.

To help with the process, we have compiled a list of the top universities in the country along with their corresponding rankings and student population statistics.

Some of the top universities in the country along with their enrollment statistics are depicted in the graph below.

What to study in Ireland?

The country offers more than 5,000 courses for international students, ranging from the field of STEM to humanities and arts. Masters in Ireland bring huge traction from international students, as compared to bachelor’s courses at Irish Universities.

Discussed below are some of the top courses that you can look forward to study when planning to pursue higher education with Irish universities.

Top Courses to Study in Ireland

Popular master's degrees and the perfect institute for the program that is highly popular among international students are mentioned as follows:

The pictorial representation of international students across various fields of education available in the country is as below.

Other Popular Courses to Study in Ireland

Why Study in Ireland?

Honored as #16 happiest countries to live in across the globe, Ireland is a growing economy that welcomes students from over 160 countries for higher education. The reasons for such a strong fascination for the nation vary from it being a majority English-speaking European Nation with globally-acknowledged Irish institutes and curriculum, to the generally welcoming nature of Irish people that helps one feel at home instantly and whatnot.

If you are an international applicant seeking to study in the country, some essential points that you might want to take into consideration are as follows:

1. Home to top 1% of universities renowned for research globally: Ireland ranks globally for research work in the field of Nanotechnology, Chemistry, Material Sciences and Mathematics. Research funding of up to 5 million EUR is offered to researchers globally, viz. SFI Research Professorship Program.
2. Scholarships to Aid your Expenses: Although the country is quite expensive as compared to the rest of Europe, however for a good living, students can obtain a range of government and private scholarships in Ireland which are available to bright students with an evident interest in research and can study in Ireland for free.
3. 24-Month Stay Back Option: International students of postgraduate level have the option to stay back for 24 months to seek employment. This time allows the aspirants to plan their future prospects and look for their dream jobs in the meantime.
4. Home to Big international businesses: Headquarter of international businesses such as Microsoft, Google, Apple and Dell are situated in the country who are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Hence, students have plenty of placement opportunities post completion of their degrees.
5. Work and study in Ireland/Job opportunities: While student visas in many countries come with strict restrictions, visa in Ireland allow international candidates to work for 20 h/week during their course and up to 40 h/week during holidays. A high employment rate of over 90% for many institutes is a sign of high post-degree options for students.

How to Study in Ireland: Application Process

If you have decided to plan your application to enroll in an institute in Ireland, it is highly recommended to plan well and go through the process step-by-step to ensure no detail is missed out. For ease of planning, an application process for the same is as compiled below.

1. Explore your options: Since the country is home to hundreds of recognized universities offering more than 5,000 courses, it is important to choose an alternative suited best for your needs and pocket.
2. Plan your finances: Since Ireland being a European nation can be highly expensive in terms of its tuition and other expenses, the fact that deserving students can avail up to 100% of scholarships in the country makes it a worthwhile pursuit.
3. Work on your application: Since the admission requirements for various institutes and their range of courses may vary, it is essential to take close note of their application process, fees, and deadlines. Graduate aspirants are recommended to contact the professors they want to work under via email prior to submission of application.
4. Submit your application: The country has 3 admission seasons that follow their respective deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to keep a close track of these deadlines and send in their applications at least 4 to 6 months prior to them to allow sufficient time for processing and applying for a visa.
5. Apply for a study in Ireland visa: The entire process usually takes around 8 months, so candidates are recommended to apply for a student visa as soon as their admission is confirmed in an institute. The applicants can apply for the visa at their nearest Irish embassy 3 months before their arrival date.

Study in Ireland: Requirements

Basic information regarding the admission process and eligibility requirements are as tabulated below:

When to study in Ireland: Application Cycle

The University education system of Ireland is divided into 3 semesters that is usually observed by almost all the institutes in the country. The deadlines and process of the application might vary for some organizations. The common application cycle along with corresponding details are as mentioned below.

• Semester 1:
  • The deadline for Non-European students is in late July
  • While European applicants can apply until August.
  • The semester commences in September and ends in January.
• Semester 2:
  • The deadline for Non-European applicants is in December.
  • For European Students, is in January.
  • The semester commences in January and ends in May.
• Semester 3:
  • Applications from Non-European students are accepted from September, May to August.

Study in Ireland Cost

When seeking to study abroad, one of the major steps that need major planning and sorting is the expenses that must be met to survive in a foreign land. While an average amount of 11,500 to 25,000 EUR per semester is the estimated cost for living in Ireland, the exact expenses may vary depending on the choice of your program, university and city you live in.

To help aid the process of financial planning, an estimated budget and distribution of expenses are as compiled below.

How much does it cost to study abroad in Ireland?

The major distribution of the fee as per the level of program and type of institute is as follows:

Study in Ireland Universities: Tuition Fees

Ireland has a range of prestigious and affordable institutes to its credit. Some of the affordable organizations in the country include University of Limerick, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, St. Patrick’s College, among others. The basic tuition fee for the reputed institutes in the nation is tabulated below.

Some of the popular streams and their corresponding tuition fee common to most of the universities in Ireland is depicted in the graph below.

Cost of Living in Ireland

The expenses comprising this category vary tremendously depending on the student's lifestyle and the city one chooses to stay in. However, the average cost that you can expect to incur while studying in the country is as detailed below.

How to Study in Ireland with Scholarships?

Ireland offers a range of awards and scholarships for international students to help fund their education in the country. The awards are provided at all levels of education including graduation, post-graduation, masters and research programs to applicants of over 160 countries.

Some popular awards include DCU International Student Scholarships, NUI Undergraduate merit Scholarships, National College of Ireland Scholarships, among others. Candidates can also avail various university and course-specific studentships like International Scholarships at National College of Ireland and MSc merit-based Scholarships, TCD Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships, to name a few.