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Study in Ireland; Understanding the Cities, Colleges, Courses, and Costs

Ireland is an island located in northwestern Europe. It’s the second-largest island of the British Isles, separated from Great Britain to the east by the Irish Sea, the North Channel, and St. George’s Channel. Ireland is among the top ten wealthiest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita and the third most developed country by the United Nations Human Development Index.

It is one of the most educated countries in the world. The efficiency of the education system in Ireland is evident from the fact that 37 per cent of Ireland’s population has a university or college degree, among the highest percentages in the world. Education in Ireland is affordable and provides top-quality services. A total of 6 Universities in Ireland rank in the top 500 Universities across the globe as per the rankings of January 2024

Many Indian students prefer Ireland as their study-abroad location for various reasons. First, Ireland focuses on practical skills and provides miscellaneous job opportunities. Another significant advantage for Indian students is the availability of high-quality Master’s programs that can be completed in just one year. This saves time and money compared to traditional two-year programs. Also, since English is the primary language of instruction in Ireland, Indian students face less of a language barrier when studying there.

To sum it all up, the top reasons for Indian students to study in Ireland are:

The efficiency of the Education system.
Rapid development.
Affordable education system.
One-year Masters with Job opportunities.
English as the language of instruction.

Now that we know the unique selling point of studying in Ireland, let us take a look at the most suitable cities to pursue your studies, followed by the best universities in Ireland, and the courses provided, and finish off the blog with a cost estimate of studying in Ireland.

Cities

The first is the Capital City of Ireland, Dublin. Known for its literary heritage, museums, galleries, Georgian architecture and a house to diverse MNCs and tech companies, a business hub, Dublin is also home to the famous Trinity College of Dublin. Other prominent institutes are University College Dublin, Dublin City University and Technological Institute of Dublin.

Second is the city of Cork, which is the second largest city following Dublin. Entrepreneurship, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Engineering and Technology, and Arts are prominent fields of Education in Cork. University College Cork is a recognized University apart from the Cork Institute of Technology.

Third, is the city of Limerick. Known for its mediaeval landmarks and history, this city is known as the Rugby capital of Ireland. A notable University in the city is the University of Limerick, renowned for its strong focus on Engineering and Science-related streams.

Fourth, is the city of Galway which lives to tell the story of Ireland’s rich heritage through its culture, tradition, and language. The most renowned National University of Ireland, Galway is also situated here.

Comes Fifth, the city of Waterford. It is equidistant to Dublin, Cork, and Limerick. Gaining fame for being one of the oldest cities established by the Vikings, and being home to the magnificent Waterford crystals, in this relatively small city, the Waterford Institute of Technology is well known for its Research advancements.

Colleges and Courses

Before we learn about the top courses one can study in Ireland, let us take a look at the top colleges or rather Universities in Ireland. To compile the following list, Data was taken from the Ranking Web of Universities

Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin:

With a 21,000 student intake, and courses spread across 24 schools, this University standing from the 16th century provides some interesting courses.

Some of them are an Undergrad degree in Ancient and Medieval History and Culture, Civil Structural and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science Linguistics and Language, Molecular Medicine, and Nanoscience apart from the regular courses in Computer programming, History, Arts, Biology Chemistry, Business making a total of 121 courses. Postgraduate courses like Advanced Ageing and Frailty, Children’s Literature, Climate Entrepreneurship, and Divinity are some of the fascinating courses of the 184 PG programs.

University College Dublin:

With a 38,000 plus intake, this is Ireland’s largest University, prestigiously known for being a Public research University. Purses span from Agriculture, Architecture, and Arts, to Physiotherapy, Radiography, Sports, Law, and Engineering. They also provide a great scope in Research and Innovation by helping startups, businesses, consultancies, researchers, and students step into the world of shaping the future.

University College Cork:

Established in 1845, this is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland. The Undergraduate courses include Applied Plant Biology, Applied Psychology, Arts, Astrophysics, Food Marketing, Folklore, Finance, and multiple others. Postgraduate Degrees are available in programs suh as Actuarial Science, Irish Christianity, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Audiology, Criminology, Computer Sciences and a ton others.

University of Limerick:

This public research university located in the city of Limerick has its programs classified under 6 schools. They include the Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, Engineering, and Health Sciences.

University of Galway:

Founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway, this University similar to the University of Cork, is a public research constituent university of the University of Ireland. Bachelor of Arts in Global Media, Music, Human Rights, Geosystems, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, and Occupational Therapy are some of the undergraduate courses.

Other prominent universities are:

Dublin City University
Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
Maynooth University
Technological University Dublin
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies

Now that we have gleaned over the popular cities, colleges, and courses, let us understand the cost of study in Ireland.

Cost

The cost of study in Ireland for Indian students ranges from €9,850 to €25,500 annually for an undergraduate program, €9,500 to €34,500 annually for a postgraduate master’s degree and €9,500 to €34,500 annually for a doctoral degree. The cost can largely be classified into tuition fees and living expenses.

Type of Expense	In Euros	In INR
Tuition fees	9,850 – 55,000 EUR/year	8,79,802 – 49,13,218.74 Rs./year
Living costs	550 – 1,000 EUR/month	26,802 – 89,349 Rs./month
Food cost	250-350 EUR/month	22,300 – 31,267 Rs./month
Transport cost	50-55 EUR/month	4500 – 5000 Rs./month
Extra/emergency cost	200 EUR/month	17,861 Rs./month

For students who are looking for scholarships, there are three types:

Government of Ireland Scholarship: The prestigious Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship offers full tuition waivers and a €10,000 stipend for postgraduate programs.
University Scholarships: Many Irish universities offer their scholarships specifically for international students, including merit-based awards and need-based assistance.
Sector-Specific Scholarships: Some scholarships are offered for specific fields of study, such as the Teagasc Walsh Scholarship for postgraduate research in agriculture and food science.

Now, if everything is set and you have decided to study in Ireland, the next step is to book your flight tickets! Here’s a step-by-step process to do the same-

Choose your travel dates and destinations
Select a booking platform: You can use online travel agencies. (eg: MakeMyTrip) or book directly on airline websites (eg: Etihad Airways)
Search for flights
Compare prices and options
Book your flight

Points to Remember:

The costs will vary based on the University, the City, the Accommodation, and personal decisions. Thus it’s important to perform in-depth research and create a cost-estimate plan beforehand.
Reach out to specific universities with the help of official websites.
Ask your seniors/networks already studying abroad for guidance on the same

Last but not least, make sure you make the most of the time you spend abroad. This experience will shape your personality and equip you to achieve your career goals.

Happy Learning!

The last couple of decades have witnessed the emergence of Ireland as a major global education hub that has attracted student crowd from all over the globe. The diverse range and relevance of the academic programs offered by Irish universities have increased student footfall in the country exponentially. From the long list of academic programs, an MBA in particular has proved to be the most popular one among Indian students, reasons of which are both personal and professional.

This article explores the numerous reasons why studying MBA in Ireland makes perfect sense for Indian students as the program offers an excellent educational experience, opens new gateways of professional growth for students, and much more!

Why Ireland?

World-Class Education System

Ireland is reputed to have an exceptional education system that transcends international standards. Irish universities are globally recognized as they provide quality education that is on par with other institutions across the globe.

For a higher education program like an MBA, students are bound to explore the program schedule, exposure to opportunities during and post the program, job and business landscape and so on. These requirements are well-met in Ireland as the program ensures that students are offered top-notch education that makes them competent in terms of skill and knowledge necessary for future prospects.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment

With the student crowd studying in Ireland from all parts of the world, diversity and inclusivity comes naturally to the Irish universities. The universities are conscious of ensuring that international students feel welcome in the country which makes the settling-in process fairly easier for students. The multi-cultural environment fosters a global perspective, opens up fresh doors of opportunities and prepares the student to thrive in an inter-connected world with ease.

The diverse and inclusive environment is an essential aspect for any international student and the Irish universities make prompt attempts to ensure the same for all students. Their unwavering commitment to this aspect of education justifies the ever-increasing student induction in Irish universities.

English as the Medium of Instruction

English has long established its position as the link language between India and other Western countries. For Indian students who are proficient in English, opting for and pursuing any academic course is a smooth transition. The universities have employed English as their primary language of instruction, thus eliminating all language barriers and/or obstructions.

This way Indian students can focus entirely on the academic degree without any hassle of language confusion.

Opportunities for Research and Innovation

With the inflow of advanced technology and the long-established research aptitude, Irish universities offer numerous opportunities for MBA students to invest their skills in research and innovation. They inspire students to work on groundbreaking research projects that prove to be beneficial for the students in their future prospects.

The academic structure of the universities is student-centered and learning-oriented which encourages entrepreneurial thinking and offers prospective global business leaders an appropriate platform.

Internationally Recognized Qualifications

In today’s competitive world, the academic and global value of any degree holds the utmost importance. An MBA degree from Irish universities is highly respected all across the globe. MBA graduates from Irish universities are reliable in terms of their skill, expertise and business aptitude. Their degree also compliments their credibility in the job market and makes the students well-suited for employers all across the globe.

Post-Study Work Opportunities

With the global economic trends shifting at a much faster pace, it’s imperative to look for post-study work opportunities attached to any degree. Keeping up with this, Ireland offers attractive and reliable post-MBA work opportunities to students. Upon the completion of their MBA program, Indian and other international students become eligible for the Third Level Graduate Scheme that allows them to extend their stay in Ireland and work for up to two years.

This kind of valuable and credible work experience counts as an addition to the skill and employability of the students and opens new doors to bigger professional opportunities for them.

Gateway to Europe

The strategic location of Ireland is such that it serves as a gateway to Europe. Relying on the strong as ever business relationships and easy accessibility to other European countries, Indian students pursuing MBA program in Ireland can certainly benefit from this. They can avail the golden opportunity of networking and working with international professionals, exploring diverse professional prospects, and adding value to their resumes for future opportunities.

Thriving Job Market

With a robust economy and a thriving job market as the backbone of the country, Ireland seems like a great opportunity to explore. The country has favorable business environment that enables it to attract multinational companies, thus creating ample opportunities for MBA graduates.

Upon the completion of their MBA program, Indian students can avail of the access to the wide range of job openings in sectors of their preference. This gives them the platform to enhance their skills, work resumes and chances of securing fulfilling careers.

Quality of Life

The warm and absolutely hospitable environment with safety checks, assured excellent healthcare and a rich cultural heritage adds up to the quality of life in Ireland. Indian students can make their stay comfortable and enjoyable while exploring the country and making the most out of the valuable resources available to them.

Strong Indian Community

Moving to a foreign country can be overwhelming but Ireland being home to a vibrant Indian community for decades makes the transition smooth. The sense of familiarity and sincere support for the Indian students makes the country and universities a viable and preferred option for many students.

The cultural events, orientation sessions and community gatherings are a few among the many events organized in Ireland to make the Indian students feel welcomed and enhance their academic performance.

Conclusion

In all, it’s safe to conclude that studying MBA in Ireland is an investment worth all risks and promises a bright future for Indian students. Students can embark on their transformative journeys as far as their academic degree and professional opportunities are concerned. An MBA degree from Ireland empowers them with an unparalleled educational experience, relevant skills and the necessary exposure that gives them an edge to excel in their respective careers. If you’re someone wanting to pursue MBA from Ireland, this is your sign. Enroll for the course and never look back!