Study in Ireland
Known for it’s educational excellence it’s not hard to see why thousands of students flock to Ireland each year. Find out more about Irish universities, tuition fees and visas
You’ll be able to choose from over 5,000 internationally-recognised qualifications, so you’re bound to find a course that suits you. Should you choose to stay after graduation, you’ll have plenty of opportunities as Ireland is home to an impressive number of international companies, with organisations such as Google, Dell, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, GSK and Pfizer all having headquarters in the country.
What’s more the Emerald Isle provides a safe and friendly place to study. Its traditional Gaelic culture and rich history in the arts, coupled with coastal landscapes, unspoiled countryside and metropolitan cities offer endless leisure opportunities.
Irish universities
Higher education in Ireland is provided by a range of institutions, including seven universities, seven Colleges of Education and 14 Institutes of Technology.
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth
- Trinity College, Dublin
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- University of Limerick.
Five institutions feature in the https://paydayloanadvance.net/payday-loans-ny/ world’s top 500 according to QS World University Rankings 2020. Trinity College Dublin is the highest entry, at number 108, followed by University College, Dublin (185), National University of Ireland, Galway (259), University College Cork (310) and Dublin City University (429).
Popular student cities include the country’s capital, Dublin, which houses the greatest concentration of universities and colleges. Galway on the west coast and Cork on the south coast are also popular student destinations.
The academic calendar in Ireland reflects that of the UK. You’ll usually start in September, work through to December and then break for Christmas. You’ll resume your studies in January and finish in June/July with a break in between for Easter.
Degree courses in Ireland
Irish universities offer a range of undergraduate programmes, which can be studied both full and part time. Full-time courses last three years.
You’ll usually need to have completed upper secondary education, possess a valid school leaver’s certificate and be able to prove your proficiency in English.
If you are a UK or European Union (EU) student you will apply for all undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Non-EU or international students will need to apply directly to their chosen institution, either online or by downloading an application form and sending it through the post.
Masters degrees
Irish Masters follow a similar structure to those in the UK and usually take one year to complete. Some research Masters may take two years. You’ll work through modular units of study, completing any necessary assessments, before embarking on a dissertation in your final year.
Entry requirements differ between institutions and courses; however most programmes require a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a related discipline as a minimum.
The majority of postgraduate courses in Ireland are taught in English, so if this isn’t your first language you will need to provide evidence of your proficiency.
Make sure that you understand the entry requirements for the course that interests you before applying. Contact the university to clarify if necessary.
Irish Doctoral degrees usually last three or four years full time and you can study both ‘traditional’ and ‘structured’ programmes. The structured PhD has all the same academic components of a traditional PhD but provides an additional level of support by incorporating an organised programme of training and evaluation.
Student exchanges
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the government has announced its new Turing Scheme for students looking to secure overseas placements and study abroad at an overseas university for the academic year.