Study in Ireland

World-class education in Europe's most entrepreneurial country

About Ireland

Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Half the size of Arkansas, it occupies the entire island except for the six counties that make up Northern Ireland.

Ireland in Brief

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the second-largest Island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.

Ireland is known for its industries like: Financial, Information Technology, Pharmacy etc. Moreover, many renowned Celebrities hail from Ireland from the field of entertainment, hospitality, literature etc.

Key Facts:

Land area: 26,598 sq. mi (68,889 sq km); total area: 27,135 sq. mi (70,280 sq. km)
Population: Approximately 5 million
Capital: Dublin (population 1.2 million)
Monetary unit: Euro
National name: Éire

Seasonal Variations & Climate

Ireland's climate is influenced most by the Atlantic Ocean. April is the driest month generally, but in many southern parts June is the driest. July is the hottest month in Dublin with an average temperature of 16°C (60°F) and the coldest is January at 5°C (41°F).

Climate Highlights

The wettest month is August with an average of 80mm of rain
In winter, Ireland rarely sees snow, as winters here are usually mild
In the mountains, snow is not uncommon
Summers in Ireland are not extreme either
It is unusual for the temperature to rise above 20 or 25 °C
June and July are the warmest and sunniest months

Airports in Ireland

Security at international airports is now very tight and there will be a number of items that you will not be permitted to carry in your hand luggage such as scissors and knives. Your airline will be able to provide a list of prohibited items.

Major Airports:

Dublin Airport
Shannon Airport
Waterford airport
Galway Airport
Cork Airport
Weston Airport

Flag & National Symbols

Irish Flag

The national flag of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange.

Flag Details:

Name: Irish Tricolour
Use: National Flag and Ensign
Proportion: 1:2
Adopted: 1922 (Constitutional status; 1937)
Design: A Vertical Tricolour of Green, White, and Orange

Banking & Currency in Ireland

Banking

Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history. At the core of the modern-day group is the old Bank of Ireland. The headquarters of the bank until the 1970s was the impressive Bank of Ireland building on College Green, Dublin.

Bank of Ireland banknotes features the Bank of Ireland logo, below which is a line of heraldic shields each representing one of the six counties of Northern Ireland.

Major Banks:

Allied Irish Banks
Bank of Ireland
Danske Bank
Permanent TSB
KBC Bank
Rabobank (Ireland)
Ulster Bank

Currency

In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro. One euro consists of 100 cent.

Notes:

€5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500

Coins:

1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2

In Northern Ireland, pound sterling is the local currency. One pound sterling consists of 100 pence.

Notes:

£5, £10, £20, £50 and £100

Coins:

1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2

Fun Culture in Ireland

Ireland is considered to be one of the best travel destinations. Some of the best places to see in Ireland are:

1. Dublin

A perfect destination for the whole family with amazing hotels, and kids can enjoy in Dublin Zoo, go around Phoenix Park etc.

2. Killarney

A walking town, and every trail is a history lesson. Journey on foot through Ireland's first national park, 26,000 acres of woodlands, Sandstone Mountains and low-lying lakes.

3. Galway

For visitors, the best thing about Galway is that you can walk everywhere. As soon as you arrive, enjoy a walk through the city streets. There, you'll find lively pubs, independent shops and winding cobblestone streets packed with students, artists, writers and craftspeople.

4. Cork

Ireland's third– largest city began life as an island and now spans both banks of the River Lee, with watery channels running beneath some of its main thoroughfares.

5. Westport

A true family destination, Westport boasts magnificent scenery, golf facilities, recreational fishing, sailing and yachting, beach swimming, hiking and cycling trails, and a placed called Pirate Adventure Park.

6. Donegal Town

A fairy-tale of a place, featuring a charming harbour, serene beaches and stoic stone remains of centuries past.

Travel in Ireland

Budgeting

Your Budget should include the cost of food, rent, clothing, travel and of course entertainment.

For an International student studying in College or University, approximately €320 should cover a week's expenses of the above including a few extras such as telephones and incidentals.

School children would require less, approx. €265 per week for the same overheads.

However, individual lifestyles and location could influence this estimate, which is only a fair indicative of an average international student's lifestyle.

Money and Banks

The only legal tender is Irish currency. One can change any international currency to the Irish currency at registered forex facilities available at the airport, banks, major hotels and even some malls.

Traveller cheques are more easily accepted if already made out in Euro. However other currency TCs may be cashed in at banks, hotels etc.

Once a student has made themselves comfortable, it is a good idea to open an account with a local bank branch.

Normal Bank Trading Hours

9:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday

9:30 am – 5:00 pm Friday

Some banks are also open Saturday morning

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted around Ireland. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bank card, Diners International, Master Card, Visa and their affiliates.

Tipping

Tipping is not the norm in Ireland. In smaller cafes etc loose change from return of the bill may be left behind by the patrons, but not expected. In larger sit-down restaurants and hotels a 5-10% tip is accepted if given but not expected by the staff.

In taxis too all change is returned to the customer unless asked to round off to the nearest euro.

Education System in Ireland

Education is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of six to sixteen or until students have completed three years of second-level education.

Application Procedure in Ireland

The basic steps for applying are:

Choosing your required programme
Identifying Universities
Health documents, if required
Taking various required tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, etc.
Arranging and preparing essays and recommendation letters
Completing and sending application forms along with required documents
Applying for VISA after obtaining unconditional offer from the universities

ICP Overseas provides complete guidance through each step of the application process to ensure your success.

Postgraduate Admissions in Ireland

The higher education system in Ireland consists of the university sector, institutes of technology and private independent colleges. The entry requirements for international students to higher education are determined individually by each institution and are generally based on national examination performance and English language aptitude.

Admission Requirement:

3 years or 4 years Bachelor Degree
IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0

Tuition Fees:

PG – €13,250 – €14,000

Stay Back:

Masters (NFQ Level 9 and NFQ Level 10) – 2 years' work permit.

Undergraduate Admissions in Ireland

The undergraduate programs namely Bachelor's degree is 3 years. Ordinary Bachelor's degree is of level NFQ 7 and Honours bachelor's degree Higher diploma is of level NFQ 8.

Admission Requirement:

12th Standard
IELTS with no band less than 5.5 and overall 6.0

Tuition Fees:

UG – €12,000 – €18,000 per annum

Stay Back:

Bachelor's degree is of level NFQ 7 and Honours bachelor's degree and Higher diploma is of level NFQ 8 – 1 year work permit

Studying in Ireland and Quality Education

Whatever level and type of course you choose, you can expect to benefit from the highest quality of teaching and research, backed up by rigorous quality assessment. Ireland leads the world in developing quality standards and performance measures.

Why Study in Ireland?

STUDY in one of the best education systems in the world for Higher Education Achievements
BENEFIT from Ireland's investment in the education system
CHOOSE from over 5000 internationally recognised qualifications
ACCESS world-class research opportunities in world-leading programmes
CONNECT with career opportunities with leading global companies located in Ireland
ACHIEVE your ambitions in Europe's most entrepreneurial country
JOIN the 35,000 international students from 161 countries enjoying Ireland's vibrant culture
LIVE in the only English speaking country in the Euro Zone
EXPERIENCE living in one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world.

Types of Courses in Ireland

The most popular undergraduate qualifications are the Bachelor's degrees (also called undergraduate or first degrees), which are now required for entry into a wide range of careers in Ireland and other countries. Degree programmes incorporate the most up-to-date subject developments, and are underpinned by world-class research and links with business and industry.

Bachelor Courses (NFQ Level 7):

Bachelor of Business in Management
Bachelor of Engineering
Bachelor of Marketing
Bachelor of Hotel Management

Master's Courses (NFQ Level 9):

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Marketing
Master of Business Administration (MBA) HRM
Masters of Science MSc in International Accounting & Finance
Masters of Science MSc in Information Systems with Computing

Irish Visa Information

Requirements and procedures for obtaining a student visa for Ireland.

Visa Process:

A SET OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS + 2 SETS OF COPIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF VISA APPLICATION.

Required Documents:

PASSPORT: Original and Copy of Passport having validity of at least six months. If available, your old passports should also be attached. Current passport should not be damaged. Copies of all pages of the passport are required.
PHOTOGRAPH: Two Photographs – not more than 6 months old printed on photographic paper with White or light grey background background and close-up of your face (80%) in sharp focus and correctly exposed. Size: 35-38 mm (width) x 45-50 mm (height). Reverse of the photograph should be white and unglazed.
VISA FEES: Current visa fee for a single entry is Rs. 10,000, to be paid in cash. Visa fees are non-refundable.
VISA APPLICATION FORM: Printed and Signed Summary of the Online form. All applicants have to fill the online form which is saved for 30 days. This form requires all personal details of the applicant, travel history, contact details in Ireland, University / course details, complete education details, employment details, sponsors details and agent details. All visa refusals for any country have to be declared, failing which the Irish visa would result in the Irish visa being refused.
PCC (Police Clearance Certificate): Original PCC, stamp on the passport and 2 copies.
ACCEPTANCE LETTER: All conditions of the University / Institute should be fulfilled.
FEE RECEIPT: If the student is accepted on a HETAC approved course (Higher Education & Training Awards Council in Ireland), can apply for visa without any fee payment. Fees need only be paid once the student receives an AIP (Approval in Principle).
SOP: Student needs to submit 3 copies of a printed Statement of Purpose outlining the reason to study in Ireland.
CV in Brief: 3 copies of same.
ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS: Educational Certificates, Degree Certificates, Diplomas & Mark sheets – Std 10th, 11th, 12th, 1st Year, 2nd Year, 3rd Year, 4th Year, Post Graduation, Other Diplomas, WORK PLACEMENT / Industrial Training Certificates, etc. student needs to submit the Originals along with 2 copies of same.
IELTS / TOEFL SCORES: Score Reports of IELTS / TOEFL with a Minimum of 5.0 band in IELTS and a TOEFL score of 173 is required.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Letter from current employer or experience letter (if applicable). Any other recommendation letter need not be submitted.
AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT: To be taken on a Rs. 100 stamp paper and should be notarized.
FUNDS: The total cost of funds should be calculated as total Tuition fees + Living cost @ Euros 7000. Original and 2 copies of IT returns of sponsors for the last year filed. A CA statement can be submitted for NSC, KVP, Mutual funds, Property incorporating the values will suffice.
BANK EDUCATION LOAN SANCTION LETTER: From a Nationalized Bank.
BANK STATEMENT: Latest Saving's a/c Bank Statements / Pass Books of the student or Sponsor for the last six months and a Bank Certificate. Recent deposits should be supported with evidence.
BANK FIXED RECEIPTS: Bank Fixed Deposit Receipts from Nationalized Bank. Only a Bank letter confirming the Fixed Deposits total value will suffice. The Original Fixed Deposit Receipts are not required to be submitted.
Medical Insurance: Evidence of Private Medical Insurance provided by the University / Institute is to be compulsorily provided. Alternatively student will have to make private arrangement for same.

Bank Loan Assistance

ICP Overseas also provides assistance with bank loan. From, Government Sector banks, loan can be availed.

Living in Ireland

This comprehensive guide covers everything from accommodation and communication to food and healthcare in Ireland.

Accommodation in Ireland

College students have a wide choice when it comes to accommodation. Some students choose to stay in on-campus accommodation, which is available in many colleges. All universities have halls of residence, generally apartments of 4 to 8 students, with a private bedroom and shared kitchen, living room and bathroom. On campus accommodation must be paid in 2 installments, in September and in February.

In most campus accommodation, it is not possible to pay your rent on a monthly basis. Students who want to be totally independent choose self-catering, rented accommodation. Students pay their rent monthly and in advance. Accommodation can also be found through the local newspapers and estate agents in the cities. Websites such as Daft.ie or MyHome.ie also contain a large portfolio of rental properties.

On an average the student living cost comes around €7,000 and €12,000 per year.

Communication in Ireland

Telecommunications in Ireland includes, radio frequency spectrum licensing and the postal sector, are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for national policy and regulation of both telecommunications and broadcasting.

Telephone system:

This is one of the easier way of communication in Ireland, which includes: Fixed telephone lines and Mobile cellular telephones. There are three mobile telecommunications providers: Three Ireland, Meteor and Vodafone Ireland.

Internet in Ireland:

In Ireland the Internet is used by 77% of the population and is an important contributor to the economy and education.

Internet Statistics:

Internet users: 3.6 million, 77% of the population
Dial-up subscriptions: 34,109 or 2.1% of total Internet subscriptions
Fixed broadband subscriptions: 1.045 million or 23% of the population
Mobile broadband subscriptions: 583,755 or 13% of the population
Internet hosts: 1.4 million

Post Office:

The Post Office has helped keep Irish people in contact with their families at home and abroad for many generations. Post Offices are usually open from 09.00 a.m. to 05.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 09.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. You can also buy stamps at newsagents, supermarkets and some other shops.

Shopping in Ireland

Supermarkets are usually open on Monday to Saturday from 08.00 or 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 or 08.00 p.m. In larger cities, supermarkets open twenty-four hours a day. Many are also open on Sundays from around 10.00 a.m. to 05.00 or 06.00 p.m. smaller food shops are often closed on Sundays and may close earlier or later on other days.

Popular Shopping Malls:

Carroll's Irish Gifts
St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre
Butlers Chocolate Café in Dublin
Galway Market
McCarthy's Jewellery Shop
Galway Crafts and Collectables
Brown Thomas department store in Limerick
Jet land Shopping Centre

Food in Ireland

Irish cuisine is the style of cooking that originated from Ireland, or was developed by the Irish people. In the 21st century, the usual modern selection of foods common to Western culture has been adopted in Ireland. Common meals include pizza, curry, Chinese food, Thai food, etc.

Well-known restaurants in Ireland:

Sligo Restaurants
Dublin Restaurants
Galway Restaurants
Cork Restaurants
Limerick Restaurants

Health Care in Ireland

Health care in Ireland is two-tier: public and private sectors. The public health care system is governed by the Health Act 2004, which established a new body to be responsible for providing health and personal social services to everyone living in Ireland – the Health Service Executive. Everyone living in the country, and visitors to Ireland who hold a European Health Insurance Card, are entitled to free maintenance and treatment in public beds in Health Service Executive and voluntary hospitals.

Health centres provide a wide range of primary care and community services in towns and villages throughout Ireland, and are run by the HSE. Services available at these clinics include GP services, public health nurses, social work and child protection services, child health services, community welfare, disability services, older people services, chiropody, ophthalmic, speech therapy, addiction counselling and treatment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychiatric services, Home Help and more.

Well-known hospitals in Ireland:

Bantry General Hospital
Beaumont Hospital
Capping National Orthopaedic Hospital
Cavan Monaghan Hospital
Connolly Hospital Blanchard town
Cork University Hospital

Universities in Ireland

Ireland has several prestigious universities that maintain high standards through the Irish Qualifications Framework. ICP Overseas has partnerships with leading Irish institutions to help you find the perfect program for your academic and career goals.

Maynooth University

The National University of Ireland, Maynooth, commonly known as Maynooth University, is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. Maynooth University is recognised as one of the leading new universities in the world, ranked #74 in the new Times Higher Education.

Courses:

Undergraduate Courses:

Business
Engineering
Science

Post Graduate Studies:

Anthropology
Biology
Business
Engineering
Computer Science
Arts and Law

Intake:

September

University of Limerick

The University of Limerick is a university in the city of Limerick, Ireland. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989 The university was the first university established since the foundation of the State in 1922, followed later the same day by the establishment of Dublin City University. UL is ranked 4th for attracting students who attain over 500 points in the Leaving Certificate. UL is ranked 471-480 worldwide in the 2015.

Courses:

Undergraduate Courses:

Business Studies
Computer Science
Engineering
Biology
Performing Arts

Post Graduate Studies:

International Business
Economics
Finance
Computer Science

Intake:

September

National University of Ireland, Galway

NUI Galway is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland. It is located in Ireland's westerly city of Galway.

The five Colleges of the University are:

College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
College of Business, Public Policy and Law
College of Engineering and Informatics
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
College of Science

Courses:

Undergraduate Courses:

Business Studies
Computer Science
Engineering
Biology
Performing Arts

Post Graduate Studies:

International Business
Economics
Finance
Computer Science

Intake:

September

Dublin Business School

Dublin Business School (DBS) incorporating Portobello College is the largest independent college in Ireland. With over 9,000 students, DBS provides a range of full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with courses in subject areas such as business, law, accounting, event management, IT, arts, media studies and psychology. The Dublin Business School has six locations around Dublin. Its main campus is located in Angier Street, and other locations include Balfe Street, Dame Street and South Great George's Street.

National College of Ireland, Dublin

National College of Ireland (NCI) in Irish is a third-level education college in Dublin. Founded in 1951, it offers full and part-time courses from certificate to degree and postgraduate level in areas related to commerce, industry, and management. The college's specialist areas include business, computing, psychology, marketing, cloud computing, human resource management, accountancy education and finance. Both full and part-time, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, psychology, marketing, digital marketing, human resource management, accountancy, finance and computing are offered through the College's Schools of Business and Computing.

Shannon College of Hotel Management

Shannon College of Hotel Management, founded in 1951, is Ireland's only dedicated hotel management college. The College offers two Level 8 degrees, preparing students for careers in business and hotel management. The qualifications awarded at Shannon College are recognised worldwide by international hotel companies, foreign governments, overseas universities and international hospitality organisations. Students earn academic credits for their work placements which are a compulsory element of the degree courses.

Intake:

September

Working in Ireland

From 1st September 2016 students holding a valid immigration stamp 2 permission will be permitted to work 40 hours per week only during the months of June, July, August and September and from 15th December to 15th January inclusive. At all other times students holding Immigration permission Stamp 2 will be limited to working 20 hours per week. The permission to work ceases on the expiry of the students Stamp 2 immigration permission.

Ireland's minimum wage is €9.15 per hour.

ICP Overseas provides guidance on:

Work rights application
Tax file number acquisition
Job search strategies
Workplace rights information

Studying Costs in Ireland

Ireland offers high-quality education at costs comparable to other European countries. ICP Overseas helps you plan your finances.

Tuition Fee Estimates

Undergraduate (Arts/Business) 12,000 - 18,000 EUR/year

Undergraduate (Science/Engineering) 14,000 - 22,000 EUR/year

Postgraduate 13,250 - 14,000 EUR/year

ICP Overseas can provide exact fee estimates based on your chosen institution and program.

Living Costs

Students typically need between €7,000 and €12,000 per year for accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses. ICP Overseas provides personalized cost estimates based on your city and lifestyle preferences.