US vs Ireland for International Students: Which is Better for Studying?

The United States (US) and Ireland have long been top destinations for Indian students seeking an international education. But choosing between the two can be a tough call. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key factors Indian students should consider when deciding between studying in the US or Ireland.

Studying abroad is rapidly gaining popularity among students worldwide. There are many destinations to study abroad and complete the degree in your expertise. It may be difficult to select one country to continue higher education from abroad universities. Selection becomes more difficult when you have the two most popular abroad destinations offering students better programs and career opportunities. 

USA vs Ireland: Key Highlights

Admission Requirements to Study in USA vs Ireland

Applying for admission in the USA or Ireland for a master’s or undergraduate program means you need to look at the eligibility criteria in both countries. Check it below and then apply

USA Admission Requirements

• Students must complete their 12 years of schooling for UG courses and clear either ACT or the SAT Exam.
• For postgraduate programs, completing 16 years of education is compulsory. You may have to take up an additional one-year course if you have gone through a three-year bachelor’s degree.
• If you have studied at a premier Indian institute, some US universities might also accept your three-year degree, although the cases are rare.
• To study MBA in the USA and other management programs students are required to submit their GMAT Score.
• You may ask for work experience for MBA courses.
• For science and other programs, students are required to submit GRE Scores.
• Provide your score in English Language Proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Ireland Admission Requirements

• To study UG courses in Ireland, students are required to score at least 60% or above in Class XII.
• Diploma and foundation programs are offered to those getting 50% or so.
• Students can use an online enrollment system, i.e. CAO (Central Applications Office), and apply for UG courses.
• You will have to provide your IELTS/TOEFL scores.
• The entry requirement is lower at Irish universities, but the education standard is not.
• PG courses require a bachelor’s degree in relevant subjects and your English language proficiency test scores.
• You may have to provide GRE/GMAT scores in some cases.

Cost of Studying UG Courses in the USA vs Ireland

The following table draws a cost comparison for pursuing an undergraduate course in either USA or Ireland:

Check: Cost of Studying in the US

Cost of Studying PG Courses in the USA vs Ireland

The cost of studying a postgraduate course in USA is different from the cost of pursuing a postgraduate course in Ireland for international students, check out the difference in costs based on the type of program of study:

Check: Cost of Studying in Ireland

Cost of Living in Ireland vs US

When looking at the cost of living in Ireland vs US, the cost of living in USA is higher than that of Ireland, irrespective of the level of study. The cost of living for both the countries is as follows:

• Cost of Living in USA: INR 10.5 Lakhs - INR 11 Lakhs (annually)
• Cost of Living in Ireland: INR 9.5 Lakhs annually

Thus, applicants looking at admissions and confused between US vs Ireland can consider the costs of studying and living parameters before deciding on the final location for study. 

Student Visa Requirements in USA & Ireland

There is a set of rules which are required to be fulfilled before applying for a student visa to study in the USA and Ireland after universities offer admission to international students. The following sections focus country country-based student visa-related requirements.

USA Student Visa

• A full-time US student visa is called an F1 visa. This visa has the following regulations -
• A personal interview is compulsory, and you will be required to appear for an appointment to provide Biometrics.
• You can remain in the US for up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete your academic program unless you have been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program (Optional Practical Training)
• It costs USD 185 to apply for this visa, or the MRV fee. 
• Also a SEVIS fee needs to be paid which is USD 350.
• You cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks, and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week. The student can only work on-campus for a commercial firm that provides services to the college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria. 

Ireland Student Visa

• Students are required to apply for an Ireland Study Visa if they are planning to come to Ireland for 3 months or less or longer than 3 months. 

• Students can apply for Ireland Study up to 3 months before their date to travel to Ireland.

• Ireland ‘D Study Visa’: It is for study programs that are longer than 3 months. (The Type C Visa has been discontinued and this is the only visa type applicable)
• Applicants would be required to show funds of at least €7,000 in their bank account at the time of applying for the study visa. This amount equals the cost of living in Ireland for an international student for one academic year.
• In addition, you need to be able to prove that you or your parents/sponsor will be able to provide at least €7,000 for each year of your studies, in addition to the course fee.
• Holding a valid stamp 2 means you will be permitted to work for 20 hours per week during the academic session, and 40 hours per week during the months of May, June, July, and August, and from 15th December to 15th January. These are the vacation times in Ireland so the time allowed to work increases during the vacations.

Post-Graduate Work Visa in USA & Ireland

After completing graduation, a lot of international students look forward to finding a full-time job, for which a post-graduate work visa is essential if staying back to work in either USA or Ireland. Check out the post-graduate visa-related details for both of these countries below:

USA Post-Graduate Work Visa

The USA allows students to remain after completing the course and get practical knowledge in their expertise. It is temporary employment permission allowing students to stay for 12 months. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you cannot begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document. The Student Co-Op Program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. In most cases, you will have to apply for Work Visa upon getting a full-time job of a permanent nature.

Ireland Post-Graduate Work Visa

Once you have finished your studies in Ireland, you may wish to stay back a little longer and consider taking up a job to gain invaluable work experience. If you are enrolled as a full-time student, with an Irish accredited degree, and have the Visa Stamp 2 you may qualify for the Third Level Graduate Scheme. The steps to the process are as follows:

1. Students can apply for a non-renewable extension of up to 2 years after course completion. This extension is granted for the purpose of finding suitable employment.
2. Later on, you can apply for a green card (renamed Critical Skills Employment Permit) or work permit (renamed General Employment Permit).

A new visa stamp – Stamp 1G – is now granted to foreign graduates who are authorized to work under the Third Level Graduate Scheme. So if you are granted Stamp 1G you don’t need to separately apply for a visa extension.

Popular Jobs in USA & Ireland

Finding a full-time job is a herculean task after graduating from top countries like the USA. But there are some popular sectors which usually offer job roles to fresh graduates. Following is a brief on the popular jobs for students in USA and Ireland.

Popular Jobs in the USA

The USA offers the most extensive job profiles and salaries to students. Jobs in fields like healthcare, real estate, information technology, retail, education, etc. are some of the top jobs in America. The fastest-growing occupations are projected to include personal care aides, home health aides, nursing assistants, elementary school teachers (preschool), software developers, computer systems analysts, software engineers, project managers, and web developers.

Read: Popular Job Sectors in the US

Ireland Popular Jobs

Accounting, Forestry, Engineering, Arts, Business Operations, Education, Food Service, Healthcare, Human Resources, Information technology, Media, etc. are some of the popular job sectors in Ireland. The country has a thriving tourism industry with over 2 million tourists visiting annually. Ireland’s culture and heritage are also major attractions for tourists. Ireland’s low corporate tax rate and high-quality workforce are two key factors that have attracted many multinational companies to set up operations there. In addition, Ireland is well-connected to the global economy through its membership in the European Union (EU) and its location on the Atlantic Ocean.

Read: Popular Job Sectors in Ireland

Work Permit in USA & Ireland

To stay back after graduating from US or Ireland universities, international students would require a work permit to work in a full-time job in these countries. The requirements for work permits vary, they have been elaborated on below:

USA Work Permit

During the semester, you are permitted to work 20 part-time hours, and during the vacations between semesters, you are permitted to work 40. You'll be able to make some money and improve your financial situation as a result. A permanent residency option is possible but it is a very long-drawn and slow process. It is a complicated process and requires the person applying for it to reside in the US for at least five years on the grounds of employment. After that you will be granted a “Green Card”, but the whole process might take years to complete. 

Ireland Work Permit

Ireland offers the chance to work part-time to gain experience and money. The nation permits its students to work 20 hours a week while enrolled in classes. You're allowed to put in 40 hours of labour between their breaks. If you have been living in Ireland with a work permit for five years you become eligible for the Ireland Permanent Residence Permit. Foreign applicants who receive Irish permanent residency will get a Stamp 4 on their passport, which is valid for 5 years and is renewable. Additionally, after eight years of legal residence, the foreign national can apply for a “Without Condition As To Time” endorsement, which as the name suggests, does not have a pre-specified validity.

Climate Condition in USA & Ireland

International students moving to either USA or Ireland must know about the climatic conditions so that they can prep their clothing accordingly. Here's a glimpse into the climate of the USA and Ireland:

USA Climate

The US is a massive area of land having varied temperatures and climates in different areas. East Coast has a warm climate and covers cities like St. Louis, NYC.  The Midwest and New England regions have frozen winters and cover cities like Chicago and Boston.  The Pacific Northwest has a humid oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle and Portland. The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas. The southeast has a warm to hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston and New Orleans.

Ireland Climate

Ireland's climate is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, so the warm ocean currents keep temperatures mild. In the spring and summer (May to July) the average temperature is between 64°F and 68°F (17°C and 20°C). During the autumn season (August to October), the temperature varies from 57°F and 64°F (13°C and 17°C), with September being a mild month with a sunny and warm atmosphere. In winter (November to March beginning), the temperature reaches 46°F (7.78°C) with January and February as the coldest months. Apart from a few cold weeks, snow is scarce in Ireland.

The best study-abroad destination depends on your priorities. Consider factors like your desired program, budget, career goals, and preferred lifestyle. If affordability and a focus on technology or business are your main concerns, Ireland might be a good fit. If you seek a wider program variety, access to top-ranked universities, and a diverse cultural experience, the US could be the better choice. Indian students looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for assistance on the same. Remember: Thorough research into specific universities and programs is crucial. Talk to alumni, attend virtual information sessions, and weigh the pros and cons before making your final decision. Good luck with your study abroad journey.

Thus, based on the table above, which is a summary of what the guide has discussed, applicants can choose the country that best suits them for studying abroad. Also, applicants can consider other country options against the already mentioned ones. 

Related Articles

• Country Comparison: US vs. Canada
• Country Comparison: Canada vs Ireland

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