All about studying in Dublin, Ireland

There are various reasons why students pick Dublin as a top destination to study in Ireland. Here are the top factors that make Dublin a great choice for international students.

Some of the major courses such as Engineering , Management , and Life Sciences are popular in universities located in Dublin, Ireland. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022 , four universities have been ranked in the top 500 for Engineering and three are ranked in the top 500 for Life Sciences.

The city also offers popular courses across fields like Accounting and Finance , Computer science , English Language & Literature , Medicine, Business & Management , Arts & Humanities , Law , and Pharmacy . These can be pursued at the globally recognised institutions in Dublin. For instance, Ireland’s famous Royal College of Surgeons is located in Dublin and is known for its education worldwide.

Some of the universities in Ireland date back to the 18th century and Dublin houses some of the best Irish universities in the world. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, 5 of the Irish universities are ranked in the top 500 list.
Here are some of the other coveted institutions students apply to in Dublin :

• University College Dublin

• Trinity College London

• Dublin City University

• Technological University Dublin

• Griffith College

• National College of Ireland

• Dublin Business School

Dublin’s university and government boasts of offering the maximum scholarships for international students in the field of Undergraduate degrees , Masters , and Research. To help students, Irish universities and the government of Ireland have come up with a range of scholarships that you can apply to, such as:

• Law Ph.D. Scholarship opportunity at DCU

• National College of Ireland Scholarships

• Dublin City University International Student Scholarships

• University College Dublin Scholarships

• Smurfit Business School Scholarships

• UCD Sutherland School of Law

• Trinity College Dublin Scholarships

Dublin city gives you an opportunity to gain work experience with the global players in Technology, Financial Services, Global business, or Pharma.

Jamie Smith of the Financial times (2011) called Dublin’s tech cluster Silicon Docks. Silicon Docks is considered very similar to Silicon Valley in the USA and is the area around the Grand Canal Dock, stretching IFSC in the north to Grand Canal in the south.

Dublin is constantly growing and becoming the cloud-computing hub with Microsoft, Amazon, IBM , etc. Some high-performance companies based in Dublin include Microsoft, Intel, Pfizer, Citi, Huawei, Takeda, Fujitsu, and Novartis. It’s a plus point for international students that Dublin is also the European headquarters of multinationals like LinkedIn, Facebook, Airbnb, Google, PayPal, Pinterest, and Twitter .

To add, all institutions in Dublin have their own placements cells. They not only help you get a job but also guide you in choosing the right career path. What’s more, the Irish corporate tax system favours businesses and encourages new companies to enter the European Market with a base in Dublin. This is a great factor all those budding entrepreneurs out there!

As the capital of Ireland, Dublin can be a little expensive for some, so working part-time is an important aspect of your international student life. International students holding a valid immigration Stamp 2 permission can work for 20 hours per week during the academic session, and 40 hours per week during the months of May, June, July, and August, and from December 15 to January 15. They do not need any specific work permit to work part-time if they are enrolled for a course of 1 year or longer. The minimum wage in Ireland is €9.15 per hour.

Ireland also provides a post-study pathway for international students called the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme that allows the NQF Level 9 or 10 graduates to remain in Ireland to search for employment opportunities or apply for a green card/work permit.

Do you know?

The Irish Council for International Students, located in Dublin, was founded in 1970. It promotes the rights and welfare of international students who choose Ireland as a study destination and supports staff in colleges who work with them. Students can eventually apply for General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit.

Dublin is located on the east coast of Ireland, at the mouth of River Liffey. It is a popular tourist destination which displays historical wonders and artistic talents. Owing to its moderate climate, the city is the summer capital of Europe . With a total population of 1,256,000* it has a student population of approximately 120,000* .

Dublin is a youthful city famous for its lively nightlife and historic Georgian architecture. This place has a lot to offer for any international student who enjoys exploring the culture. Students swear by the nightlife experiences like the Hop-on Hop-off city tour, the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, and The Real Dublin Private Tour.

Dublin has an international airport, which is one of the busiest airports in Europe. The transport system of the city includes trains, trams, and an extensive bus network, and is well-connected to other cities in Ireland. This helps the students to explore the beautiful country during the weekends.

Students can opt for university or private residences. University residences are usually single ensuite rooms with Wi-Fi facilities. These are secure options, and the charges include the utility bills as well. The University residences have an early deadline, so if you want to apply for the same, do it before time. Private residences include a single room, twin bedroom, double room, and homestay options. You can also opt for shared apartments which will be a cheaper option.

International students are required to take private health insurance cover for their stay in Ireland. This proof of health insurance is necessary while applying for your student visa and at the time of registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. While most universities and colleges in Ireland also provide health insurance facilities to international students, you might also have to arrange for it on your own if your institution doesn’t provide one before your departure. Discuss with your IDP expert for details regarding your best health insurance options in Ireland.

Whether you choose Dublin for its rich culture or its prestigious universities or a mix of all, you will be making an excellent choice. Explore all the options Dublin has to offer and zero in on the one that works best for your career goals.