IRELAND

Benefits of Studying in Ireland:

 Ireland is a country with a reputation for academic excellence, a green landscape, friendly people and a rich heritage. There are many benefits of studying in Ireland. The enormous opportunities available to international students make it a popular destination for many students.

One of the key benefits of studying in Ireland for international students is it has a highly-rated education system that emphasizes skill development and entrepreneurial skills. However the question of “why study in Ireland” requires much more consideration. The country has top universities that offer courses from science, technology, and humanities to economics to study in Ireland. The universities promote innovation and creativity from students.

Benefits of Studying in Ireland – Education, Work Oppurtunities, Safe, Cost, Post study visa options

The comparatively low tuition fee, living costs and post-study visa are some other benefits of studying in Ireland. According to the Higher Education Authority (HEA), 11% of students in Irish Universities are from different countries, with 4.39% from India.

Benefits of studying in Ireland for Indian Students

1. Use of English language

The medium of instruction in Irish universities is English. So Ireland is good for Indian students. The language is spoken by most international students and the fact that the majority of the population in Ireland speak English makes it a favoured destination for international students and is considered as one of the main benefits of studying in Ireland for international students. There are no language barriers to overcome in order to study here. For admission in Irish institutes, international students need to submit an English proficiency certificate from an authorized test provider like IELTS or TOEFL.

2. Post-Study Visa

Among all the EEA member countries, Ireland’s post-study visa facilities are the most favourable for international students. One of the benefits of studying in Ireland is that the country offers a post-study work visa. To get a post-study visa, students can apply under the Irish Third-level Graduate Scheme. Under this scheme students from non-EU countries can stay back in Ireland after their studies in order to look for employment or apply for a green card/work permit. During this period they can work full-time for up to 40 hours per week.

For a bachelor’s degree, stay back is allowed for one year and after the master’s a 2-year stay back is allowed. Once they find a job, they can apply for a Green Card also known as the Critical Skills Employment Permit.

3. High-Quality Education

Ireland’s universities rank among the top 5 % in the world rankings. Irish education is respected for its contribution to research, innovation and skill development. There are nine universities, 14 institutes of technology, five colleges of education and numerous private colleges offering certificates, diploma and degree programs. The educational institutes are monitored by the Irish government through the National Framework of Qualification to maintain uniformity in the quality of education. The courses in the universities of Ireland are tailored in such a way to suit the careers that students want to pursue.

According to the QS world university rankings for 2023, here are the top eight universities of Ireland.

4. Lower Cost of Education

One of the major benefits of studying in Ireland is the cost of education in Ireland is much lower compared to other countries. This is because the government provides financial support to most universities. For instance, the cost of studying at Maynooth University is around 7,000 Euros, which is cheaper than many other institutions in Europe. The tuition fee may vary based on the course and the university where you plan to study.

The average undergraduate course fees can range between 9,000 to 21,000 and the postgraduate fees can range from 9,000 to 20,000 Euros.

Apart from the cost of studying in Ireland, the average cost of living is also quite affordable. If personal expenses are included, the average living cost for an international student comes up to 5000 to 9000 Euros per month.

5. Work Opportunities

Ireland is home to top companies in the pharmaceutical, agriculture and technology sectors, which provide multiple job opportunities to students. Job opportunities after study is among the major benefits of studying in Ireland. Famous tech giants like Google, IBM, LinkedIn, Pfizer, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple have their head offices located in the country for European Operations. There is high demand in sectors like life sciences, IT, pharma, data engineering, data analytics, med-tech analytics and health care. The employability rate of the majority of Irish institutes is at 80-96% which answers the popular doubt “why ireland for masters”.

Students can easily find work and develop relevant job skills post-completion of studies under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. In addition, the country also allows part-time work options to students – 20 hours (during classes) and full time-40 hours (during holidays) to support their living costs in Ireland.

6. Safe and Friendly

Most parents tend to ask “Is ireland a good place to study?” in favor of other countries like USA or UK. However, Irland is one of the safest countries to send students for higher education. Irish people are known for their warm and friendly nature. The country ranked 8th in Global Peace Index and 7th in the happiness index in the 2021 rankings. Ireland is a safe and friendly place for students, adding to another benefit of studying in Ireland.

7. Culture and Travel

Ireland is full of scenic landscapes and rugged mountain ranges. The Irish people are close to their culture and traditions. They enjoy sports, music, dance, food and drinks in their free time. Pub culture is an important part of Ireland, and one can find lively bars and pubs at every corner of town or city. The fact that the country has produced great geniuses in the field of literature, arts, and science reflects the creative bent of its people. So, it remains among the benefits of studying in Ireland that after study and work the country offers a great place to explore different traditions, cultures and ways of living. Being in close proximity to other EU nations, one can explore other countries in Europe while studying in Ireland.