Why Ireland?

Why is Ireland an excellent study abroad destination? Also known as the Silicon Valley of Europe and consistently being ranked in top 20 countries for exceptional quality of life, Ireland is fast becoming the top study abroad destination of the world. Rated as the world's friendliest community, Ireland has the world-class education system and offers limitless opportunity to international students. No wonder, thousands of students from across the globe fly to Ireland every year. A small Island in Europe, Ireland is known for its pristine beauty and rich cultural heritage. But, that’s not all; Ireland is also fast making its mark in the world for innovation, cutting-edge research and greatest financial institutions. What’s more, Ireland is a technology & Pharma hub with home to companies such as Google, Twitter, GSK and Pfizer. Let’s explore more about studying in Ireland. Why study in Ireland? Voted by Lonely Planet as one of the friendliest places in the world, Ireland offers the most welcoming environment to international students. A superbly progressive country, Irish people are always ready to offer help and support. Moreover, while you stay in Ireland, you get similar rights as any Irish citizen. While Ireland always laid great emphasis on creativity and innovation, as an international student, you not only get a great education system but also amazing prospects of a career abroad. Education System As an international student, you join a huge 35,000 culturally vibrant community from across the globe. More than 10% of full-time students in Ireland are from abroad, which speaks volume about the excellence and welcoming environment the country offers to the international student community. Academic excellence, internationally-recognised qualifications, vibrant campus life, abundant opportunities in research are some of the pros education in Ireland has to offer. Top Universities in Ireland You get the option to choose between seven universities, seven colleges and 14 institutes of technology. Universities in Ireland mainly specialize in courses related to natural sciences, technology, economics, and humanities. The top universities in Ireland are:

1. Trinity College Dublin

2. University College Dublin

3. National University of Ireland Galway

4. University of Cork

5. Dublin City University

6. University of Limerick

7. Maynooth University

Tuition Fees Education in Ireland is not only world-class but also much lower than in the US, UK or Switzerland. While there is no tuition fees for students from EU/EEA or Switzerland, students outside of EU/EEA have to pay tuition fees. You have to pay between €10,000 to €25,000 for usual courses and €50,000 for Medicine. Whereas, the average cost of living is between €800 to €1,100 per month. Work While Studying Ireland permits work while studying, however, students hailing from outside the EEA are required to get Stamp 2 permission. With stamp 2 permission, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours during holidays. Post-study opportunities Ireland permits International students to stay in the country after completing their studies. Non-EEA students can submit an application for the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme within six months of graduation, allowing them to stay in the country for two years. They can also seek a work permit after the expiry of the scheme. While choosing the study abroad destination, you contemplate on factors such as the education system, tuition fees, employment opportunities etc. Ireland is considered an excellent study abroad destination, but a lot depends on personal preferences. Therefore, it is always advisable to delve deeply into all aspects to choose wisely.