The country of Ireland with a majority of English speaking population and strategic location has an extremely well-equipped multicultural education system. As a European member country, Ireland has a relatively strong economy when compared to others. It is host to thousands of international students from more than a hundred countries, the majority hailing from South East Asia and the Middle East. In this post, we will look at the best courses to study in Ireland for international students.
Why study in Ireland?
The official language being English, Ireland is a favorite among international students for higher education. Besides that factor:
- It offers cutting-edge research facilities
- The courses falling under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) network are accepted globally
- Students have the liberty to choose from a variety of degree programs across several levels of education: bachelor (with honors), bachelor diploma, postgraduate diploma, masters and doctoral
- The universities in Ireland occupy a decent ranking internationally
- It is extremely expat-friendly, more with the introduction of the Third Level Graduate Program which facilitates international students to stay back (for 24 months and look for jobs) post completion of their studies from an Irish institution.
- It is a beautiful country to live in
- Ireland has been ranked the 13th happiest country in the world according to World Happiness Report
Cost of Study in Ireland
For international students, undergraduate course fees in Ireland range from 10,000 to 20,000 EUR per annum. Fees for a postgraduate degree are between 10,000 to 35,000 EUR per annum.
Eligibility to study in Ireland
- Admission requirements are course and university specific
- For international students applying out of high school, a school-leaving certificate is required. Some medical colleges require ACT or SAT exam scores
- English Language Proficiency TOEFL/IELTS or any other exam that gives a measure of your English language skills
- Official Transcripts for postgraduate courses
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (course and university dependent)
- Most postgraduate programs require application via their university websites while (most of) the undergraduate programs should be applied to at the Central Applications Office (CAO)
- Other qualifications, for example GMAT for Business Studies
Application Deadlines
There are 2 intakes for international students:
- June/July for Autumn intake
- September/October for Spring intake
Top Courses to Study in Ireland for International Students
Data Science
Data Science is a hot subject everywhere because of its versatile application across all sectors. But the reason why Ireland is one of the top destinations for studying this stream is because of the job opportunities it beholds for international graduates. The software industry holds a strong reputation in Ireland. The different sub-specializations are:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Ethical Hacking
- Data Analysis
Medicine
Medicine is one of the most preferred courses for international students in Ireland. The duration of the medical programs in Ireland is four to six years in length, with students being able to apply to the program at all stages of their academic careers. The Irish medical degree is internationally accepted with graduates securing residencies in top-tier universities across North America.
Management
Management ranks as one of the top courses taught in Ireland. It is also a preferred discipline among international students owing to the following factors :
- Medium of education is English
- Shorter course duration (typically 1 year as compared to conventional 2 years)
- Relatively lower tuition costs
- Better career prospects as several global companies have their offices for European operations set up in Ireland
Engineering
The top engineering specializations in Ireland are:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
Journalism and Mass Communication
A Journalism degree from Ireland encompasses several courses to choose from namely: interactive and creative media, communications and media, media, and international conflict.
Law
International students can opt for Bachelor of Law at the undergraduate level or Master of Law which includes for example “International European Business Law” and the “Interrogational and Comparative Law” degrees.
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Jobs in Ireland
Ireland is home to several industries. In order to apply for a job after graduating from an Irish university, international students need to apply for a work permit. They can also apply for Stamp 1G which again falls under the Third Level Graduate Program, subject to conditions. A few of the top job roles for international graduates are:
- Software Engineer
- Operations Manager
- Software Developer
- Automation Engineer
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