Study in Ireland
Ireland is a small, independent country located in northwestern Europe. The country's official name is the Republic of Ireland. Dublin is the capital and largest city. The country occupies about five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The remaining one-sixth of the island is occupied by Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In Gaelic, the ancient language of Ireland, the country is called Eire (pronounced AIR uh). Gaelic and English are the country's two official languages. Ireland also has long been known by the poetic name Erin. Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle. It is called this because of its beautiful green countryside. Rolling farmlands, which are mainly pasture, cover much of the central part of the country, and mountains rise near the coasts.
Ireland is divided into 26 counties, and some of the counties are known for special features. For example, County Kerry is famous for its mountains and the scenic Lakes of Killarney. County Waterford is known for its delicate cut glass, and County Donegal is famous for its tweed cloth.
Many people consider the Irish to be exceptionally warm-hearted and friendly. The Irish also have a reputation for hospitality, close family ties, and skill as writers and storytellers.
The Irish have a long history that includes many hardships and struggles. In the 1840's, a potato blight and the starvation and disease that followed caused the deaths of about a million people and at least as many people left their homeland. After this famine, a shortage of jobs and other problems caused emigration to continue. As a result, little more than half as many people live in Ireland today as lived there in 1845.
Ireland was under British rule for hundreds of years. Ireland gained its independence from Britain in 1921.
Ireland Geography
The lowlands cover most of central Ireland. They include some wooded areas but consist principally of gently rolling farmlands, which are mainly pasture. They also include peat bogs (former swamps composed of partly decayed plants). Peat bogs cover about a tenth of Ireland. Most of them are located in the central and western parts of the country.
Most of Ireland's mountains rise near the coasts and border the lowlands. The chief mountain ranges are the Donegal Mountains in the northwest, the Mountains of Mayo and the Mountains of Connemara in the west, the Mountains of Kerry in the southwest, and the Wicklow Mountains in the east. Ireland's highest peak, 1,041-meter Carrauntoohill, rises in the Mountains of Kerry.
Why Study in Ireland
The Irish Government invests over 782 million annually in research in Ireland's higher education institutions. The impact of this funding is that Ireland's higher education institutions now lead the world in an increasing number of fields.
Irish universities are in the top 1% of research institutions in the world in terms of research impact in 19 fields, spanning natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. This creates a unique opportunity for you at undergraduate and postgraduate level to join research programmes that are driving innovation and changing lives worldwide.
Ireland is also where some of the world’s biggest and best companies have located key strategic research facilities. And in Ireland, you’ll find a unique ecosystem that sees academic researchers working hand-in-hand with small home-grown and start-up companies in partnership with some of the most powerful multinationals on the planet through a programme for shared research projects developed by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
Cost of Studying in Ireland
Non EU Undergraduate Tuition Costs
Tuition costs vary considerably depending on the institution and the study programme. Tuition costs do not remain static, so it is important to double-check fees with the Institution(s) you are considering applying to.
Tuition fees for 2017/2018 for undergraduate, non-E.U. students at a higher education institution are as follows: Course average fees
Medicine and Related | €45,000 - €54,000 |
Engineering | €9,950 - €24,000 |
Science and Technology | €10,000 - €24,000 |
Arts and Humanities | €10,000 - €22,000 |
Business | €10,000 - €20,000 |
Non-EU Postgraduate Tuition Costs
Tuition costs vary considerably depending on the institution and the study programme. Tuition costs do not remain static, so it is important to double check fees with the Institution(s) you are considering applying to.
Tuition fees for 2016/2017 for Postgraduate, non-E.U. students at a higher education institution are as follows: Course average fees
Medicine and Related | €10,000 - €34,000 |
Engineering | €9,950 - €24,000 |
Science and Technology | €10,000 - €44,000 |
Arts and Humanities | €10,000 - €22,000 |
Business | €10,000 - €35,000 |
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. On-Campus accommodation is always in demand it can be quite expensive and it is difficult to find.
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. You will usually have to pay a deposit of one month’s rent in advance, refunded when you leave. Utilities such as heating are usually extra, although several halls of residence include heat and electricity in their initial charge and deduct payment for usage in excess of the average allowed for from the deposit when you leave Universities and colleges will have further details about their accommodation and how to apply.
Students who want to be totally independent choose self-catering, rented accommodation. Students pay their rent monthly and in advance. At the beginning of a letting period you pay a deposit of one month's rent, which will be refunded when you leave (provided you have not caused any damage to the premises). The normal length of a lease is 9 or 12 months. If you break a lease without notice or if you do not adhere to the terms of the lease, you will lose your deposit. Notice of one month should be given before you leave the premises.
Some students choose to live with a host family in their home. This way, you have your own independence but still have the home comforts (and some rules) as well as a family to help you settle in to a new way of life in a new country. Staying with a host family can be a great way for students to find their feet in a new country!
Most colleges have an Accommodation Office, a good first point of call for overseas students in their search for suitable accommodation. 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. It is generally not possible to reserve long term accommodation in advance, as owners of properties will not hold rooms without payment of rent.
housingAnywhere.com, the international housing platform for students, allows direct communication between room advertisers and potential tenants. It is ideal for exchange and international students as they are guaranteed their selected room in their new country prior to their arrival, made possible thanks to Housing Anywhere secure booking system.Additionally, for students going abroad, HousingAnywhere gives you the opportunity to help finance your exchange by renting out your room to another student while you are away.
Points to take into consideration when looking for accommodation:
- Start your search for accommodation early
- Do as much research as you can online, check out how close are they to the campus and how easy is it to get to the campus via public transport/walking/cycling etc
- Budget correctly, don’t over extend and live within your means
Application Requirements and Deadline
Supporting Documentation
- The documents below are important because they provide information about your personal circumstances in the country from which you are applying.
- The onus is on you to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted for the purpose sought.
- The submission of any or all of these documents does not guarantee that your application will be successful.
- Original documents must be provided.
If you submit a document that is not in English/Irish, it must be accompanied by a full translation. Each translated document must contain
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The translator's full name and signature
- The translator's contact details.
All letters submitted by a business, company or other organisation should be on official headed paper and give full contact details so that they can be verified. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in the organisation, telephone number (landline), website, and email address (email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted).
The Visa Officer considers each application on its merits and may request additional information or documentation.
GUIDE TO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Your signed and dated summary application form and the appropriate fee (where applicable) must be accompanied by the supporting documents set out below. If you do not submit the required documentation your application may be refused on the basis of insufficient documentation.
Two colour passport sized photographs not more than 6 months old
Your name and visa application reference number must be printed clearly on the back. More information on photograph requirements here.
Your current passport and a full copy of any previous passports
Your current passport must be valid for at least 12 months after your proposed date of arrival in Ireland.
A signed letter of application including your full contact details
- Outlining your reason for wanting to come to Ireland
- Giving details of any members of your family who are currently in Ireland, or any other EU Member State
- Undertaking that you will observe the conditions of your visa, that you will not become a burden on the State, and that you will leave the State on the expiry of your permission to remain
- Where the course you now wish to study does not naturally follow on or relate to your educational/employment history, giving valid reasons, supported by documentary evidence (where available), for this change.
Evidence that you are enrolled on a privately funded course
You must submit a Letter of Acceptance from the college
- Confirming that you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education, involving a minimum of 15 hours organised daytime tuition each week
- Giving details of the course that you will be studying
- Stating the amount of fees payable for your course
- Stating the amount that has been paid
- If the college has taken out medical insurance on your behalf, stating that the college has done so.
NOTE
Where the course fees are less than €6,000, fees must be paid in full to the college prior to applying for your visa. Where the course fees are in excess of €6,000, you must pay at least this amount prior to applying for your visa and evidence of this should be shown in your Letter of Acceptance. This minimum amount is an Immigration requirement. However, the college you wish to attend may require full payment of fees.
Evidence accounting for any gaps in your educational history
You must provide information to account for any gaps between your last period of full time education and your application to study in Ireland. If any such gap in education has been filled by periods of employment, you must give full details of your employment history.
Evidence fees have been paid to college
You must provide a copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds (ETF) to the Irish Bank of the college, showing details of the beneficiary's name, address, bank details and the same details for sender, (or)
a valid receipt showing that the course fees have been lodged to an approved student fees payment service e.g. the electronic fee payment service offered by Pay to Study (formerly International Student Payments Service, (ISPS))
Evidence that you have the academic ability to follow your chosen course
You must provide evidence that you have the ability to follow your chosen course e.g. exam results, qualifications.
Evidence of your level of English
Except in the case of an application which is solely for an English language course, you must show that you have the capacity to fully partake in your chosen course through the medium of English and satisfy the Visa Officer in this regard.
As an exception, if you are doing a degree taught in Irish, evidence of your level of Irish should be supplied instead. This should include a written statement from the college setting out the manner in which it has assessed your ability to speak and write in Irish.
Read more here This document is a pdf on the English language requirements and the type of evidence that you are required to submit.
Finances
You must show that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment..
Read more here on the financial requirements that you must meet and the evidence that you are required to submit with your visa application.
Private Medical Insurance
Private Medical Insurance cover is required. Your college may arrange this on your behalf. If so, details of this must be included in your Letter of Acceptance from the college. If it is not arranged by the college, you must organise this yourself and provide evidence with your application.
Previous Visa Refusals
If you have been refused a visa in the past for any country, you must provide the details. The original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country must be provided with your application. Not disclosing any previous visa refusals will result in your application being refused.
Additional documentation for unaccompanied students under 18 years Birth certificate
The child's birth certificate must be submitted with their application.
Consent of parent /legal guardian
Parental consent from both parents/legal guardians is required.
This consent must be a notarised document, providing full details of the person in whose care the minor shall be in during their stay in Ireland and confirming
The parents/legal guardians agreement to the child coming to Ireland for study purposes, and that the school/host family/education agency is the legal guardian of the unaccompanied child student during the child's stay in Ireland.
Copies of the biometric page of the parents/guardians passports or national identity cards showing the bearer's signature must also be provided. Where only one parent has total custody, a Court Order bestowing sole custody of this child must be submitted.
Accommodation and vetting certificate
The address of where the student will stay while in the State as a student must be submitted.
In the case of a boarding school student a letter from the school confirming that it will provide all necessary accommodation is also required.
In the case of a child who is to attend a school as a day pupil and live with a family, the name and address of the responsible adults with whom they will stay are also required.
Where the child is residing with a host family other than relatives, clearance from the Garda Síochána (the Irish Police) in respect of that family is required. Documentary proof of this must be submitted as part of the visa application.
No entitlement on the part of other family members to accompany or join the student in the State
The granting of a visa to a person under the age of 18 years for the purpose of study does not give any entitlement to any other family member to accompany or join the student in the State.
Return of documents
All documents accompanying your application must be originals.
You should keep copies of all the documents that you provide.
Original documents such as marriage/birth/death certificates will be returned to you. However, other documents such as bank statements or letters of invitation will not be returned.
If there are particular documents that you wish to have returned, please provide a list of these documents with the application.
Employment Opportunity in Ireland
International students engaged in full-time study of at least one year’s duration (on a course leading to a qualification which is recognised by the Irish Department of Education and Skills currently do not need a work permit to work in Ireland.
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.
Degree programme students can get casual work where they are:
- Registered with GNIB
- Enrolled on a recognised programme leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education & Skills
- Attending a full time programme of education at or above NFQ Level 7
- Undertaking a minimum of 15 hours day time study
- Getting tuition, between the hours of 8am and 6pm per week for a minimum of 25 weeks per annum
- On a programme of at least one year’s duration
International students who meet the above conditions and wish to take up work in Ireland must obtain a Personal Public Services Number (PPS Number). An employer can only pay employees with a PPS number, and funds will usually only be paid to an Irish bank account. Students will also be required to comply with the Universal Social Contribution (USC), Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI), employment laws and taxation requirements.
It is not uncommon to have a trial period before you are permanently hired. Ireland’s minimum wage is €9.15 per hour.
Internship
Students enrolled on courses on the Degree Programme are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms part of their programme. This is subject to the following rules.
- The internship or work placement part of the programme cannot exceed 50% of the duration of the programme e.g. a 4 year programme would permit 2 years of work placement. In addition, the employment cannot be in a self employed capacity.
- Work placements as part of an academic programme must form an integral part of the programme which contributes to the final award.
- Educational facilities must also ensure that the placements are suited to the programme being pursued.
Post Study Pathways for International Students
It may be possible to stay in Ireland after you complete your studies for the purpose of seeking employment under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme exists to allow legally resident non-EU third level graduates to remain in Ireland in order to look for employment or apply for a green card/work permit.
- During their approved stay under the scheme, a student can work full-time (40 hours a week).
- The permission under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme is non renewable.
- A student can only avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme in accordance with the rules below.
Revised Third Level Graduate Scheme Permission
This allows non-EU/EEA students who have graduated from Irish higher education institutions to remain in Ireland for 24 months to seek employment.
In order to qualify graduates:
- Must have been notified in writing by the relevant awarding body or institution on or after 1 January 2017 that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a student.
- Must hold a current Stamp 2 student immigration permission and an up-to-date immigration registration card, and must apply within six months of being notified by the relevant awarding body or institution that they have achieved the award for which they had enrolled as a student.
- Must not have already exceeded the seven-year limit on their permission as a non-EEA national student in the State.
- May, if having previously benefited from the Third Level Graduate Programme at a level 8 award or above, on achievement of a higher level award, e.g. level 9 or above, re-enter the Third Level Graduate Programme, subject to the overall limit of eight years.
- A graduate will not be permitted to access the Programme on more than two separate occasions, subject to 4) above.
- Must, in line with the obligation on any non-EEA national seeking to renew their permission to be in the State, comply with the laws of the State. Such persons are expected to be of good character and not to have come to the adverse attention of the authorities in any way.
- Must present evidence of the final award being attained by way of a parchment or, in circumstances where the graduation ceremony is yet to take place, an official letter for the awarding body / institution confirming that the award has been achieved. We will revert with arrangements for checking with the institutions and further information, including contact details will circulate in due course.
An award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body i.e.
- The seven Irish universities; i.e. Trinity College, UCD, DCU, Maynooth University, UCC, NUI Galway and the University of Limerick
- Dublin Institute of Technology
- Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
- Institutes of Technology
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
Persons qualifying for graduate immigration permission of up to twelve months
Graduates with an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications will be granted a twelve-month permission to a maximum of seven years' student permission overall. (i.e. time spent on Stamp 2 as a student and on Stamp 1G under this programme cannot exceed an aggregate time of seven years in total).
Please Note: Graduates with an award at Level 9 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications qualify for the Programme will be granted permission for twelve months initially. This will be renewed for a further period of twelve months (subject to the overall eight year limit) where the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that he or she has taken appropriate steps to access suitable graduate level employment (e.g. attendance at job interviews, signing up with graduate employment agencies, etc.).
Can I switch to work permit employment when I am in Ireland to study?
Permission to work is granted by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Check their website for details on how to obtain a working permit.
NOTE: Post Study Pathways are not available to Language and Non-Degree Programme Students
When should you apply for the Third Level Graduate Scheme:
You apply, after your results issue, to the GNIB office. You must:
- Provide a letter from the university or college you attended indicating you have obtained your examination results and are eligible to graduate
- Have a valid passport
- Have your GNIB Card
- Pay €300 by credit/debit card.
Immigration Arrangements for English Language Students
As set out in the Government Policy Statement in May 2015, the standard immigration permission available for the purposes of pursuing an English language programme on the ILEP will be 8 months (this is a reduction from the 12 month permissions previously issued). This change will take immediate effect (i.e. from 21 January 2016) in respect of all future English Language related immigration registrations (first time and renewals). Existing permissions will not be affected.
The operation of the work concession will not be affected by the new policy. Since 1st January 2016 students holding a valid immigration stamp 2 are permitted to work 40 hours per week during the months of May, June, July and August and from 15 December to 15 January inclusive. At all other times they will be limited to working 20 hours per week.
Visa Information
Every person around the globe is eligible for studying in Ireland. However there are some specific eligibility criteria for admissions in Ireland Universities. As Ireland is an English country where English is spoken as a basic language so the English language proof is must for getting admission in any of the university/ college in Ireland.
English is the basic mode of education in Ireland. IELTS/TOEFL is mandatory to pursue higher education in Ireland.. The students must have to submit the test report along with the application form for visa processing.
Students who are planning to get to Ireland to study should get in touch with United Educational Services counsellor for full details admission and further procedures.
For a successful visa application the following documents should be submitted. Other supporting documents may be required and you should contact local Irish Embassy or Consulate to obtain information on the full documentation required. The minimum required documents are:
- Visa application form
- Student visa declaration form
- Education documents from high school and university.
- English proficiency certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL
- Evidence of finances – showing student to have access to €7000 per year for living expenses
- Proof of Medical Insurance.
- Proof of enrolment on the stated course.
- Proof of previous immigration.(If any)
- Proof of previous work experience.(If any)
- Letter of acceptance-The letter would be acceptable only of recognized education institutes of Ireland. The letter must be for a full-time course and should be clearing mentioning that you have been accepted for the mentioned course as a full –time student.
- Proof of your academic ability.
- Proof of fees-Showing that the fee had been paid to the college as per demand.
- Proof that the applicant or the sponsor of the applicant has a minimum amount of 7000 euro for each year of study in Ireland. An explanation of any gaps in your educational history.
- Confirmation that you have a solid plan to come back to your home country after completing your education.
Applicant from some countries is not supposed to pay this fee. These charges keep on changing so before applying you must check the latest demanded fee.
The general processing time for the visa application is 4 to 8 working weeks from the day of submitting the application. The general Visa processing fee for single entry in Ireland is $36 for single entry; the fee is non-refundable and had to be submitted at the time of submitting the application.
Why Process Through UES
The Benefits of Educational Consultants:
There are innumerable ways through which the educational consultants help a student.
- UES will offer you the necessary information on the programs
- UES will help you in deciding the country, college and program
- UES will guide you about the financial requirements,
- UES will make arrangements for admission
- UES will give you information on the place and make arrangements for living
Career Counseling
Admission Guidance
Safety
Finance Estimation
Visa Assistance
Accommodation Guidance
Job Awareness In Abroad
United educational Services Offered:
At UES, our team of expert counselors offers assistance in gaining admission to top Notch College of Australia. Any information regarding courses conducted by Universities & college is provided by our expert team of counselors. Other services provided include:
- UES will help in Selection of course and college
- UES will guide for Visa counseling
- UES will assist for Application procedure
- Offer Acceptance
- UES help in Visa filing
- Orientation sessions