Study at Ireland
Ireland is a dynamic, modern country with a young population. It internationally recognized for being safe and friendly. It has huge emphasis on education and has a technologically oriented economy.
Location and Geography
The Republic of Ireland includes 26 counties, and represents five-sixths of the total area (84,421 square kilometers) of Ireland (the other sixth is Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom and covered in that destination section of the IATC). The capital city is Dublin.
The Republic of Ireland consists of a mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains, with sea cliffs on the west coast. The River Shannon separates the midlands from the west. To the northeast is Northern Ireland (U.K.); otherwise the Republic of Ireland is surrounded by water.
Society and culture
The Lonely Planet travel guide named Ireland as the friendliest country in the world (2008 and 2010), and the 2009 Global Peace Index ranked it the 12th most safe and welcoming country to live in. Ireland is predominantly Christian, and mainly Roman Catholic. English and Irish (Gaelic) are the official languages, although Gaelic is a minority language.
Myths and legends are an integral part of Irish culture. Traditions such as music, Irish dancing, social outings at the Irish pub, and wearing something green on St Patrick’s Day are a very important part of the culture. The Irish are well recognised for their love of storytelling, their wit and humour, and for a distinctive musical rhythm or lilt in their voice in conversation. At the same time, they have embraced modern culture, and international students will see both traditional and modern culture side by side in Ireland.
Since joining the European Union (EU) in 1973, the Republic of Ireland has transformed itself from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technologically advanced economy which is now ranked eighth in the world in terms of purchasing parity. Notably, the Republic of Ireland is ranked fifth in the world on the Human Development Index, which basically registers the overall wellbeing and progress of a population. The economy is increasingly a “knowledge” economy with a focus on services and high-tech. The Euro is the Republic of Ireland’s currency.
The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary democracy with two houses of parliament: the upper house, Senate (Seanad) and the lower house, House of Representatives (Dail). The popularly elected president is the head of state and the prime minister is the leader of the national parliament. Local government takes place through elected county councils for each of the 26 counties.
The ICOS website provides up-to-date information on the cost of living expenses. Accommodation can range from around €90–€140 a week. On-campus student accommodation is highly sought after, and can be more expensive than sharing a house or flat. The cheapest alternative is usually staying with a family. Students should allow around €70–€100 a week for food. Entertainment budgets can vary considerably.
Tuition fees for international students vary depending on the institution, the study program, and the level of study, with the average around €12,000 per year (€9,000–€18,000 range except for medical-related courses). These average costs refer only to third-level course fees. The fee for a general standard English-language program tends to be lower, seldom reaching the 10,000-euro mark for a full-year course. Where the annual course fee is less than €6,000 pa, the full fee must be paid in advance.
It may be beneficial for students to apply for an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) as this can assist in reduced costs in several areas such as transport. Train and bus transport are generally readily available in the major towns. In major cities, there should be dedicated bike lanes for those who choose this form of local transport. While a waterproof jacket is a must (it rains twice as much in the west as in the east), a range of outdoor activities is available including hill walking, biking, pony-trekking, and even surfing.
Ireland has one of the best education systems in the world according to the independent IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2009 (Ireland ranks eighth). Many believe the education system is a major reason for the country’s rapid economic growth in the last few decades.
Responsibility for education lies within the Department of Education and Science, which administers all aspects of education policy.
There are three main sectors of formal education: primary (eight years), secondary (six years) and tertiary/higher education (universities, institutes of technology, colleges of education, NUI colleges, and independent colleges). In recent years a fourth sector, called further education, has been added to promote the concept of lifelong learning throughout a person’s career and life. Education is free at all levels, but only to those applying from EU countries.
In terms of higher education, there are seven universities in the Republic of Ireland, 14 institutes of technology, as well as many independent (privately funded) colleges. All government-approved academic awards in these institutions are internationally recognised. There is a wide range of technical and vocational training programs available in Ireland. English-language programs attract around 200,000 students a year of all ages and nationalities.
Prospective international students must contact individual institutions directly for admission information and requirements for studying in France. Most programs are taught in French, although more higher education institutions are now offering courses in English. Entry requires appropriate French-language proficiency. Some students may need to sit a French language test or undertake a French-language course. Enrolments should be made no later than September.
International Students
With a relatively young population (36% are under
the age of 40), an internationally acclaimed
emphasis on education, and a reputation for
being a safe place to live, the Republic of
Ireland can be a very exciting place to be a
student.
Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) generally do not have any special requirements to study in the Republic of Ireland. For some countries outside the EEA, a visa is not required. It is important to check country requirements via the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
If a visa is required, the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS) website provides detailed information of how to apply and the essential documents that must accompany an application. Some of these requirements include a letter of acceptance for enrolment in a recognized course, immediate access to a specific amount of funds, proof of private medical insurance, proof of English-language level sufficient to meet entry (e.g., IELTS 5) and ability to complete the course, mainly for students who intend to enroll for third-level institutions.
International students studying in a full-time recognized course of at least one year’s duration may be eligible to obtain casual employment of up to 20 hours a week.