Ireland, the world’s 2nd most competitive economy, is quickly becoming a prominent study abroad destination for students. The country witnessed a remarkable 20% increase in international students’ enrolment for the 2021-22 academic year, with more than 30,400 international students studying at Irish universities. Among them, ~4,000 hailed from India. So, if you are planning to pursue your higher studies in Ireland, this guide is for you.

Key Highlights

• Why should you study in Ireland?
• Education system in Ireland
• Popular Ireland universities for masters
• Popular courses to study Masters in Ireland for Indian students
• Universities in Ireland for international students: Admission requirements
• Cost to study in Ireland for Indian students

Why should you study in Ireland?

• An excellent education system, globally recognised degrees, and exceptional research opportunities make Ireland a perfect educational hub.
• All Irish universities are ranked among the top 3% of the world’s universities and offer more than 5,000 study programs.
• Ireland is the European hub for more than 1,000 multinational companies. Corporate giants like Google, LinkedIn, Johnson & Johnson, Apple, Microsoft, etc., are based in Ireland and are offering lucrative employment opportunities.
• The country allows international students to work while studying (up to 20 hours per week during the course term and up to 40 hours per week during vacations or term breaks) so that they can earn extra income to support their lifestyle and gain valuable experience.

 

The education system of Ireland is broadly divided into four categories: primary, secondary, third-level, and higher education. Higher education is offered by Universities, Institutes of Technology, and Colleges of Education. The country follows the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) system of 10 levels. Let’s take a quick glimpse at the NFQ levels of higher education:

NFQ Level	Degree Program & Duration
Level 7	Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree: 3 years
Level 8	Honours Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years Higher Diploma: 1 year
Level 9	Post-graduate Diploma: 1 year Master’s Degree: 1-2 years
Level 10	Doctoral Degree: 3-4 years

 

S.No	Name of the University	Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2023 (Ireland-specific)	Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 (Ireland-specific)
1	Trinity College Dublin	1	1
2	University College Dublin	2	3
3	University of Galway	3	4
4	University College Cork	4	5
5	Dublin City University	5	6
6	University of Limerick	6	8
7	Maynooth University	7	7
8	Technological University Dublin	8	9

 

Data Science	Investment Banking & Finance	Business Management
Cloud Computing	Digital Marketing	Social Sciences & Education
Business Analytics	Engineering	Hospitality & Tourism

 

Universities in Ireland for International students: Admission requirements

The admission requirements for international students may vary from one Irish university to another. However, some of the general requirements for master’s degree programs are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree from a reputed university and in a relevant field
• Academic transcripts (degrees and certificates)
• Appear for English language proficiency exams like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Clear entrance exams like Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• CV/Resume
• A valid passport
• Proof of funds
• Health Insurance

 

Cost to study in Ireland for Indian students

The cost to study includes tuition costs, cost of living, airfare, etc. The cost to study may vary based on the institution you choose and the type of qualification. For instance, the annual tuition fees for the master’s study program in a top-notch Irish university range from ~EUR 9,500 to ~EUR 34,500 (~INR 8,60,000 to ~INR 31,00,000).

The cost of living includes accommodation expenses, transportation costs, entertainment, living costs and other miscellaneous expenses. The monthly cost of living in Ireland ranges from ~EUR 1,100 to ~EUR 2,200 (~INR 1,00,000 to ~INR 2,00,000). This cost may vary from one city to another.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the IELTS score requirement to study master’s in Ireland?

Ans. The overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above with each individual band score above 6.0 will increase your chances of securing a spot in a master’s degree program in Ireland.

Q2. Which are student-friendly cities in Ireland?

Ans. Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, etc., are some of the most preferred cities by students in Ireland.

So, this information will help you to plan your academic journey to Ireland. If you are looking for financial assistance, you can apply for education loans for studying abroad programs. At Avanse Finance Services, we offer hyper-personalised education loans with benefits like 100% finance, quick sanctions, and flexible repayment options. So, call us to know more about loans for students!