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Ireland 101: Why Study in Ireland

A mixture of photos of students and Irish landscapes.

Ireland, also called the Emerald Isle, continues to grow in popularity as an outstanding study abroad destination for international students. Every year, thousands of international students pursue their educational dreams at one of Ireland鈥檚 internationally recognized academic institutions.聽

Ireland is a small island that offers enormous opportunities to its students. Continue reading to learn why !

A photo of an Irish castle by the water.

Courtesy of the U.S. Department of State.

Ireland 101

The island of Ireland is located on the westernmost edge of Europe, and is divided into two parts. One part is Northern Ireland (which belongs to the United Kingdom), and the other is the Republic of Ireland, which is a sovereign country. For simplicity and consistency, the Republic of Ireland is commonly referred to as 鈥業reland,鈥 so please note that when 星空影视refers to Ireland, we are referring to the Republic of Ireland.

The capital city of Ireland is Dublin, home to more than a quarter of the country鈥檚 total population.

The population of Ireland is over 5 million people based on . As Ireland continues to grow, many people of different cultures and different backgrounds settle in Ireland, with 鈥攁 percentage that has doubled over the first decade of the 21st century.

Experience Top-Ranked Education

Students who attend an academic institution in Ireland will benefit from studying at some of the world鈥檚 most respected and prominent universities. According to the , all Irish universities rank within the top 3% worldwide, and some Irish research fields rank within the top 1% globally. Incredibly, all nine of Ireland鈥檚 universities are included on the !听

In addition to global accolades, Ireland鈥檚 academic institutions offer state-of-the-art facilities, picturesque campuses, and libraries fit for specialized research needs.

Many institutions have International Student Offices to support students adjusting to their new homes. Those studying in Ireland can expect to build lifelong friendships in student clubs, societies, and even recreational and competitive sports!听

星空影视can help international students submit their applications to 7+ renowned Irish institutions!

A photo of the silhouettes of graduates with a sunset in the back.

Courtesy of SHRM.

High International Graduate Employment Rates

International students graduating from Irish universities have a high chance of finding employment. Ireland鈥檚 on the class of 2018 showed that 80% of Ireland鈥檚 international students were employed or about to start a job, and 66% of those students found employment in Ireland. This employment rate is on par with graduates from the , and higher than the

The that the largest numbers of graduates were employed in professional, scientific, and technical sectors (19%), or information and communication (16%), followed by financial, insurance, and real estate (14%).聽

These findings show strong demand for skilled professionals graduating from Ireland鈥檚 higher education institutions. International students will benefit from these opportunities as Ireland grows into its role as Europe鈥檚 STEM and technology hub.

鈥淭here is clearly a demand in Ireland for the high quality graduates that are coming out from our higher education institutions. It is also noteworthy that over two thirds of non-Irish graduates who go into employment choose to remain in Ireland. Skilled graduates are going to continue to be essential for our talent driven economy and to help meet societal challenges.鈥 鈥擯aul O鈥橳oole, Former Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Work While Studying

International students who study in Ireland are eligible to . In order to qualify, you must be enrolled in an educational institution full-time in a course of study at least one year in duration. International students with a valid are also allowed to work up to 40 hours per week from June through September, and over the winter break!

The allows some international students to remain in Ireland and work for up to twelve months after graduation. According to the Irish Department of Justice, a recently revised version of the program allows students to remain in Ireland for up to 24 months!听

For eligibility criteria and the latest updates, please visit the

A photo of Wicklow Mountains.

Courtesy of GetYourGuide.

Cost of Living

To calculate the cost of living, consider your individual circumstances and needs. Look at the type of housing, your lifestyle, whether you鈥檒l be working part-time, and where in Ireland you鈥檒l be studying.

Generally speaking, between 鈧7,000 to 鈧12,000 per year while studying in Ireland. Technological University Dublin has produced a 2022 and 2023 that looks specifically at studying and living in Dublin. Dublin’s cost of living is similar to other large cosmopolitan cities鈥攊n comparison, living in smaller Irish cities or towns is considerably less expensive. Do your research early to figure out what city is best suited for you!

Irish Culture and Landscape

The small island of Ireland packs a serious punch when it comes to breathtaking landscapes! Ireland is known for its charming, green hills that spread as far as the eye can see, as well as impressive cliffs and rocky formations along the ocean. The , located just outside of Dublin, offer breathtaking views along with hiking and rock climbing opportunities in the country鈥檚 longest continuous upland area.聽

The people of Ireland are known for being warm and welcoming. Irish folklore, traditional dancing, and Celtic festivals are all a part of what makes this country its own! Ireland is filled with local traditions you can learn about and enjoy, and there are countless opportunities to experience what it means to call Ireland home.聽


Any student opting to study abroad in Ireland will not only receive a world-class education, but also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What are you waiting for? We can help guide your journey to Ireland, from application to arrival.

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