Study in Ireland for Indian Students: Top Universities, Courses, Fees & Requirements

Here’s an overview of all the factors that an international student must know about Ireland study abroad: 

The number of international students moving to Ireland for their studies has been increasing year after year. Given below are the top reasons to study in Ireland for overseas students:

• The universities in Ireland are ranked among the best in the world. They are known for their research intensive approach and global collaborations. 

• Due to lesser corporate taxes, multiple multinational companies like Google, Linkedin, etc have their European HQs in Ireland. This opens up employment opportunities for students.

• The cost of living and tuition fees are relatively less when compared to other student destinations like France, UK, etc. To make non-EU student’s lives convenient, scholarships and part-time jobs are available.

• Ireland has multiple sectors where the demand for the job is high such as ICT, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, etc. thus driving better job opportunities.
• Ireland has always been well equipped to face challenges. In times of COVID, compensation and healthcare were available for the affected working community. 

Ireland's school system consists of different stages - primary, second, third-level and further education. Third-level education or Higher studies in Ireland is provided by three types of institutions - Universities, Institutes of Technology and Colleges of Education. Other than these there are a number of independent private colleges.

Let us take a look at the most important higher education institutions in Ireland-  

Here is a quick run-through of the type of educational degree offered in Ireland:

• Bachelor  Degree: It is a full-time undergraduate degree which is referred to as a Bachelor’s degree. It can be an ordinary Bachelors degree (3 years or Honours Bachelor Degree (3-4 years).
• Masters Degree: A graduate or master’s degree mostly covers 1 to 2 academic years in the universities of Ireland.  
• Doctorate Degree: A doctorate degree takes a total of 4 to 5 years to complete.

National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)

For those interested in Ireland to study abroad, it is essential to know about NFQ. All Irish institutions provide higher education degrees on the NFQ. The system specifies the standards of Irish education qualifications. NFQ allows the measurement and comparison of  qualifications. It also enables students to transfer between institutions and study levels. 

Here is how the Irish degrees are marked as per the NFQ:

• NFQ Level 7: Ordinary Bachelor Degree 
• NFQ Level 8: Honours Bachelor Degree 
• NFQ Level 8: Higher Diploma 
• NFQ Level 9: Postgraduate Diploma 
• NFQ Level 9: Masters Degree 
• NFQ Level 10: Doctoral Degree 

Ireland has several top universities up its sleeve. Find below a list of the top universities in Ireland:

The process of admission or intakes in Ireland varies with the universities. However, each of them follow one standard process, which is listed below:

1. Determine whether you are an EU applicant or a non-EU applicant and the study level you wish to join - bachelor or masters
2. Choose the course you wish to study. 
3. Compare, contrast and shortlist the type of institutions offering your course.  
4. Apply for the desired courses at the university’s website along with all the relevant documents.
5. Be fully aware of the costs involved and scholarships available for the course. 
6. After getting accepted, apply for an appropriate student visa to match your studies.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirement for Irish universities may vary from university to university, but some requirements remain the same - 

The cost of studying in Ireland depends on your university, course, and location choice. The cost can be divided into the cost of living and tuition costs.

Tuition Fees

Ireland university fees depend upon the university you choose and the course you pursue. Here is a quick look at the tuition fees in Ireland:

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students in Ireland depends upon your lifestyle. The cost of living can go upto 12,000 EUR per year. The major cost components in Ireland are 

Ireland has multiple student-friendly study destinations. Here are your top 5 picks along with their estimated cost of living and top universities:

You require a student visa for Ireland. This student visa gives you the opportunity to pursue your education and build your career. Ensure the below listed Ireland student visa requirements are being met:

1. Apply for a student visa online on the AVATS website. 
2. Fill the application form and pay the fees (Application fees: Single - 60 EUR, Multi entry - 100 EUR, Transit - 25 EUR)
3. Submit the required documents (ensure all official documents are translated into either English or Irish):

• Birth certificate
• 2 Passport sized colour photographs
• Copy of current passport
• Copy of previous passports
• A signed application stating your reasons to come to Ireland, that you will abide by all the rules and will leave Ireland based without any hassles
• Proof of letter of acceptance in any Irish university (share medical insurance details, fee structure, fee payments)
• Proof of academics, English proficiency test exams, medical insurance

4. The student visa process starts from the date order and can take anywhere between 4-8 weeks. The timeline can be extended based on the documents submitted or any issues that need clarifications.

There are multiple scholarships in Ireland that make it easy for international students to receive funding. The top scholarships are given below:NUI Galway International Student Scholarships

• Students enrolled for undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral programs  
• Amount/ Benefit: 16,000 EUR per year

The Walsh Fellowship

• Students working on research projects (postgraduate level)  mainly in the field of food, crops, agriculture, rural development  
• Amount/ Benefit: 24,000 EUR grant per year

University College Cork Scholarship

• Students enrolled in different programs at undergraduate, graduate and PhD levels.   
• Amount/ Benefit:  Cost of living and partial fee is covered

University College Dublin International Scholarships

• International Students for Graduate programs.  
• Amount/ Benefit: Partial funding

Government of Ireland Scholarships

• International students pursuing their post graduate studies in Irish Universities
• Amount/ Benefit: Depends on the scholarship program

Education Future International Scholarships

• Students for bachelor and master programs.  
• Amount/ Benefit: Upto 11,000 EUR

Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship

• Indian Students for Masters, Ph.D., Post Doctorate programs.  
• Amount/ Benefit: Covers tuition fee, living expenses and travel expenses

International students can work part-time in Ireland. This is another source of funding available to them. 

In Ireland, non-EU students can work up to 20 hours/week during their term time and 40 hours/week during their holidays. However, for Stamp 2A visa holders, this option isn’t available. 

There are multiple part-time jobs in Ireland for International students. Here are a few to consider:

Students holding a valid student visa have the opportunity to stay back in Ireland after completing their studies provided they obtain specific permissions. 

Job Outlook for International Students after Studies

After you pursue your education, there are multiple job opportunities in Ireland for International students. The top areas students find job opportunities are:

Work Visa & PR in Ireland

You need to apply for a work permit to build your career in Ireland. There are two types of work permits:

• Irish General Work Permit
• Critical Skills Employment Permit

With the Irish General Work Permit, non-EU students are applicable to work in Ireland for two years. However, only non-EU students with valid job offers are accepted.

With a Critical Skills Employment Permit, students can work in professions that are listed in the eligibility occupations list. For those looking to settle in Ireland, having this permit speeds up your PR process. 

If you’re looking to settle in Ireland, you need to apply for permanent residency. To be applicable for PR, the below criteria must be met:

• Stayed in Ireland for up to 5 years
• If you have the Critical Skills Employment Permit, you can apply for PR after two years itself

Once you apply for PR, you can also apply for Irish citizenship to avail an Irish passport and perks the country offers. 

The decision to study in Ireland for international students has proven to be fruitful for multiple graduates who currently live or pursue their studies in the country. With a high employment rate and demand in certain job sectors, Ireland will always be a highly considered student destination. To receive more assistance on how to study in Ireland, feel free to reach out to Yocket Counsellors for further help.