Why Study in Ireland?

Known for its rich heritage, scenic landscapes, and welcoming environment, Ireland is home to some of the top global universities and they offer world-class programs. In this article, we will discuss in detail about the top reasons to study in Ireland, the courses offered, ROI through top-notch placements, student safety, and more.

Often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe,’ - Ireland is home to Google, Microsoft, Facebook, PayPal, Twitter, Intel, and Apple to name a few. These US conglomerates have all set up headquarters or corporate offices operating out of Ireland. Thus creating a vibrant pool of opportunities for students graduating from the universities in Ireland. Let us look at some of the reasons that make Ireland one of the top destinations for international students wanting to study abroad.

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Things to Note Before Deciding to Study in Ireland as an International Student

There are so many reasons to consider for choosing Ireland as their higher study destination abroad among international students. However, apart from other reasons such as return on investment, good placements and low cost of studying, students must be clearly aware that Ireland is a very welcoming, friendly and safe country. The country stands at the 2nd position in the Global Peace Index 2024 list and 17th in the World Happiness Report 2024. Apart from this, the country has also ranked in higher positions in the Bloomberg Innovation Index report for many years.

International students coming to study in Ireland feel at home, especially in the cities of Cork and Dublin which ranked in #2 and #3 positions respectively in the Condé Nast list of Europe’s friendliest cities 2023. These cities are also home to the top universities in Ireland. Let us now learn the top reasons to study in Ireland. 

Top Reasons to Study in Ireland

Let us take a look at the top reasons that depict why choose Ireland as your study abroad destination. 

1. Superior Quality of Education

Ireland is home to a world-class education at affordable costs. The country enjoys a worldwide reputation for high-quality education that is built on a solid foundation of commitment to excellence in a progressive and innovative country with promising career options. Many of Ireland’s institutions of higher education are internationally recognized and offer a robust variety of courses catering to almost every student. Irish universities rank in the top 1% of research institutions in the world, with the country registering close to 18,500 non-EEA students pursuing post-secondary studies for the 2018-19 academic year.

Also Check: Fully-Funded Scholarships in Ireland

2. English is the Principal Language

A lot of times European countries and universities are inaccessible to Indians and international students because of the use of native languages over English. However, this is not so in Ireland. Popular universities and colleges across Ireland use English as their principal language of communication both in classrooms and outside thus making the country language friendly and accessible to most.

3. Student-friendly Education System

Ireland follows a very student-friendly education system that is characterized by a practical approach to learning. Ireland is a hub for technology (IT) study that is illustrated via its structured curriculum. Most Ireland universities follow a very simple admission process that does not require GRE/GMAT scores at the post-graduate level as part of the admission requirements. However, universities would require you to provide English proficiency scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE Academic. The universities are also temporarily accepting Duolingo due to the pandemic.

The country offers a one-year master’s program for most courses thus bringing down tuition and living costs significantly. Students are also introduced to paid internships as part of the study process. Students are allowed to do 20 hours of part-time during the study and 40 hours of part-time work during the holiday on their Ireland Study Visa. Read: Part-Time Work Options for International Students in Ireland

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4. High Return on Investments (RoI)

When students pay money they expect good returns. And Ireland as a country is a land that is big on providing returns on your investment. Ireland allows students who have successfully completed their studies in Ireland to look for employment in the country on a post-study work visa for 12 months for undergraduate students and 24 months for masters/graduate students. During this period, candidates can indulge in employment related to their field. The country also publishes a list of Critical Skill Employment data which implies there are abundant job opportunities in similar areas for candidates to pursue.

5. Upcoming Business Hub

With Brexit in tow, Ireland has become a haven for corporates because of its low tax policies. The country has seen major businesses setting up a base and the list is only growing stronger. Ireland is home to the top companies including Apple, Google, Alphabet, Amazon, Vodafone, Cisco, Microsoft, Intel, and Samsung to name a few thus providing graduates a chance to join research programs that are driving innovation and changing lives worldwide. The country also provides good career opportunities as it is home to more than 1,500 MNCs.

6. Friendly & Safe

Ireland is one of the friendliest countries in Europe. Irish people are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality which greatly contributes to the ease with which overseas students adapt to student life in Ireland. One of the major concerns of parents could be the safety of their children. However, Ireland is a very safe, friendly, and welcoming country. Ireland has been ranked 12th in the Global Peace Index and 22nd in the World Happiness Index for 2019.

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Popular Fields of Study in Ireland

For several reasons such as historical and cultural factors, research excellence, economic opportunities, quality of education and alignment with global trends, some fields of study are quite popular in Ireland. Check the list of popular courses in Ireland below. 

• Business and Management
• Engineering
• Computer Science 
• Life Science 
• Arts and Humanities 

Top Universities in Ireland

Check the top universities in Ireland and their World University Rankings according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE). 

University	QS World University Rankings 2025	World University Rankings 2024 - Times Higher Education (THE)
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin (TCD)	#87	#134
University College Dublin (UCD)	=126	#201 – 250
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences	-	#251-300
University College Cork (UCC)	=273	#301 – 350
University of Galway	=273	#301 – 350
Dublin City University	=421	#401 - 500
University of Limerick	=421	#401 - 500
Maynooth University	#801 - 850	#401 - 500
Tehnological University Dublin	#851 - 900	#1001 - 1200

Affordable Costs of Living and Studying

Ireland is one of the few top countries that provide quality education at an affordable price. The average monthly living expenses for Indian students in Ireland is about €1,000, covering accommodation, food, transportation, groceries, and utilities. This makes Ireland an affordable place to live for international students. On the other hand, the cost of studying in Ireland can be as low as €5,000 and can go up to €53,000, depending on your choice of college/university, course and location.  

This was all about the top reasons to choose Ireland as your study-abroad destination. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.