Study in Ireland

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Here’s a comprehensive guide for all international students who want to study in Ireland

Consistently ranked in the world’s top 20 countries for exceptional quality of life, peace, and human development, Ireland is increasingly becoming a top choice among International students. With a vibrant culture that rewards entrepreneurial spirit and offers multiple opportunities to grow professionally, the country will teach you lessons that go beyond the class curriculum.

Student visa requirements for Ireland

Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:

S.No.	Duration of study	Visa type
1	Less than three months	C Study visa
2	More than three months	D Study visa

How much will it cost to study in the Ireland?

Most commonly, courses in humanities, education, and arts are a little cheaper, while subjects such as medicine, engineering, business, and management are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study abroad at a postgraduate level, the tuition fee is typically higher, and the costs vary depending on the program.

S.no.	Study program	Average fees (in Euros*)
1	Undergraduate program	€9,850 to €25,500 annually
2	Postgraduate masters degree	€9,500 to €34,500 annually
3	Doctoral degree	€9,500 to €34,500 annually

Calculate how much it will cost to live in Ireland using our cost-calculator tool

Education system in Ireland

Study levels in Ireland

The Irish education system is quite similar to that of the UK which in itself explains the quality it provides to its students. Education in Ireland is mainly categorised in four levels.

Primary education including pre-primary
Post primary education
Further education and training
Higher education

Know all about the intakes available in the Ireland

Here’s an overview of the intakes in Ireland available for different programs in Irish universities and colleges:

Intake	Deadline
Semester 1 (September intake)	February-July
Semester 2 (January intake)	September-October

Scholarships to study in Ireland

Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in Ireland as an International student:

S. No.	Name of the scholarship	Description
1	The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship	Under this initiative, 60 scholarships are granted for 1-year study at Bachelors, Masters or PhD levels, if you have been offered to study in Irish higher education institution. Upon securing the scholarship, you will receive: A €10,000 stipend for 1 year of study Fully funded tuition and other registration costs at the higher education institution opted for (Source: http://eurireland.ie/2020/02/10/government-of-ireland-international-education-scholarships-2020/)
2	The Walsh Fellowship	Awarded to postgraduates relevantly working on projects related to Teagasc Research and Knowledge Transfer Program, majorly in fields of food, crops, animal and grasslands, environment, economics and rural development. The fellowship commemorates late Dr. Tom Walsh contribution to agriculture and food research in Ireland. There are up to 30 new places each year with a grant of €22,000 per student. The duration is Up to two years for MSc course and four years a maximum for a PhD program and location is preferably Teagasc Research Centre. The applications for scholarships are invited in each June and deadline extends to early-September. For applications are not invited from individual PG student and it does not include taught (non-research) postgraduate programmes (Source: https://www.teagasc.ie/about/research--innovation/postgraduate-scholarships/)
3	Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship	This scholarship is funded by the Department of Education and Skills and managed by the Council. This opens up a gateway for international students to pursue their Research MS and PhD or Direct PhD (MS leading to PhD). The amount includes: - a stipend of €16,000 per annum a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum eligible direct research expenses of €2,250 per annum

Health and support services in Ireland

All international students are required to present a proof of comprehensive medical insurance when registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Remember, you’ll have to arrange for your health insurance with an Irish health insurance provider during your stay in Ireland.

Popular health insurance providers in Ireland include:

Irish Life Health
VHI Healthcare
GloHealth Insurance
Student Insure

Learn more about Irish health and support services provided to International students

Student safety guide for International students in Ireland

What to do in an emergency?

Ireland does not have local police forces. Instead, there is a nationwide force called The Guardians of the Peace (A Garda Síochána), established in 1922 that is led by a commissioner.
If you happen to face any emergency, call the “blue light" services - Garda Síochána, ambulance, fire and Irish Coast Guard on the toll free numbers - 112 or 999.
You can call 112 from anywhere in Europe.
If you need to report a crime that does not require immediate attention, visit your local Garda station.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to study in Ireland?

The cost of tuition fees varies depending on the type of qualification and institution you choose. To cover your tuition fees, you should budget approximately €10,000 to €25,000 per year. Here is an estimate of the annual tuition fees for different programs:

Undergraduate program: €9,850 to €25,500
Postgraduate master's degree: €9,500 to €34,500
Doctoral degree: €9,500 to €34,500

2. What are the best student cities in Ireland?

Here are the top student cities in Ireland:
City 1: Dublin

City 2: Cork

City 3: Limerick

City 4: Galway

City 5: Maynooth

3. Is IELTS required to work in Ireland?

Minimum IELTS Score required to study in Ireland is 6.5 overall and no individual band below 6

4. What are the requirements to study in Ireland?

Admission requirements in Ireland differ based on the university and chosen major. However, international students applying to universities in Ireland usually need to submit the following documents:

University course or degree transcripts
English language test results, such as IELTS
Work experience and samples (if required)
GMAT or GRE scores
Statement of purpose
Recommendation letter

5. What are the requirements for Ireland student visa?

Here are the requirements for a student visa:

Fill out the application form.
Provide an application letter.
Include two passport-sized photographs taken in the last 6 months.
Submit your current passport and copies of previous passports.
Present evidence of enrolment in the course.
Provide an explanation for any gaps in your educational history.

6. Can I study in Ireland backlog?

Irish institutions typically consider applications with a maximum of four to five backlogs, although some may accept a maximum of two to three backlogs.