The beautiful island nation of Ireland has much more to offer than serene beauty and alluring landscapes. Ireland is now also emerging as a sought after study abroad destination. International students from India and elsewhere now see great returns on studying in Ireland to pursue their higher education.
What makes Ireland a study abroad destination becoming increasingly popular? What are the best universities in Ireland to build a strong foundation for a successful career? Which courses are the most popular in Ireland among international students?
This blog aims to find all the answers to these questions and even more. This is your complete study in Ireland guide that will answer most of your concerns. The key is choosing the right course to study abroad and this blog will definitely help. So, without further ado, let us get started.
Let’s Know Ireland A Little Better
Did you know that Ireland is popularly referred to as the Emerald Isle for its gorgeous landscapes and breathtaking views? In fact, Ireland is the third largest Island in Europe which is further divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
I am sure many people are unaware of the fact that Ireland and Northern Ireland are different countries. Northern Ireland happens to be a part of the United Kingdom and its capital is Belfast.
On the other hand, the Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state in the European Union and its capital is Dublin. So, here when we refer to Ireland, the context will be of the Republic of Ireland. In this blog, Ireland will be synonymous with the Republic of Ireland more often than not.
Furthermore, Ireland is highly popular among tourists as a hot favorite tourist destination. Besides, the country has an affluent cultural heritage and traditional marvels to flaunt. Ireland also boasts a considerable presence of international students coming from distinguished backgrounds. Major cities in Ireland include Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
Last but not least, the very famous Irish Coffee is Ireland’s gift to the world. I am sure you’d feel like having one as we speak about Irish Coffee!
Going forward let’s shed light on what Ireland has to offer in terms of education.
Delving into Ireland’s Education System
Culture and heritage aren’t only the rich possessions of Ireland. It’s academic heritage and institutions of global reckoning are equally gravitating. Academic institutions across the Republic of Ireland are broadly categorized into universities, institutions of technology and privately owned colleges.
There are seven public universities in the Republic of Ireland. Most importantly, all of the seven universities are among the world’s top 700 universities as per QS Rankings. Besides, there are 14 Institutes of Technology and 7 private colleges. Not only do these institutions focus on job ready hard skills but also lay an equal emphasis on soft skills.
Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and Dublin City University are among the best institutions in Ireland. Further, there is a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered across institutions in Ireland.
Speaking of bachelor’s degrees, most bachelor’s programs are for three years. However, some specialized bachelor’s degrees may be for four or five years, for instance, dentistry. On the other hand, a master’s degree’s duration in Ireland can vary between one year and two years.
Top Ranked Universities in Ireland
As mentioned above, there are 7 public universities in Ireland. Let me list them out for you in a descending order of rankings.
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin (QS Ranking 87)
Popular courses at Trinity College Dublin include business studies, computer science, dental science, computer engineering, law and so on. Speaking of postgraduate courses, they include applied psychology, nursing, data science, economics, finance et cetera.
University College Dublin (QS Ranking 126)
Undergraduate courses for international students here include engineering, law, business & management and computer science among others. Programs in social sciences, veterinary sciences, medicine and engineering as also on offer.
Graduate courses at the institute include programs in business, science, humanities, law, engineering, architecture and so on.
University College Cork (QS Ranking 273)
The University College Cork offers a wide range of academic disciplines for international students to choose from. Some of the popular programs include accounting, actuarial science, psychology, biotechnology, chemistry, computer science and others.
You can explore the courses at University College Cork by visiting the official website.
The University of Galway (QS Ranking 273)
The university offers more than 50 undergraduate courses and more than 200 graduate courses across academic disciplines. The most popular schools and colleges at the university include the following
School of Medicine
School of Law
College of Business, Public Policy and Law
College of Science and Engineering
School of Computer Science
Dublin City University (QS Ranking 421)
Dublin City University has been into existence since 1985. The university offers a wide range of programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some of the popular courses include data science, computer science, journalism, nursing, psychology, economics and so on.
The courses at Dublin City University offer great scope for practical learning and employability. The university has also been able to make a considerable contribution to the field of research.
University of Limerick (QS Ranking 421)
The University of Limerick is a research university in Limerick, Ireland. Academic disciplines you can pursue here include psychology, computer science, law, nursing, education among others. There is a wide range of bachelor of science degrees to choose from.
Maynooth University (QS Ranking 800-850)
Maynooth University is among the best research universities in Europe. The university offers a dynamic, innovative and conducive environment to facilitate works of research. Moreover, the university has a broad bandwidth of programs and courses to offer.
Subject areas available to pursue at the university include accounting, business, finance, computer science, robotics, media studies and so on. You can check out the full catalogue of courses offered by Maynooth University here.
How Much Does It Cost to Study and Live in Ireland?
The average tuition fee for an undergraduate course can vary between 9000 to 50000 Euros per year. Needless to say, the exact tuition fee will be subject to the choice of course and institution.
As far as the living costs go, it can range between 1000 Euros to 2000 Euros per month. The cost of living too is subject to multiplicity of factors including the choice of city and accommodation type.
Conclusion
So, now you know almost all of what you need to know when it comes to studying in Ireland. More than 30000 international students get enrolled in academic institutions across Ireland each year. Ireland welcomes international students and global citizens in a cordial manner and its universities offer education of very high stature. Hence, you should certainly back your plan of studying in Ireland.
Speak to our expert Ireland counselor now!
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