Ireland is home to many well-ranked universities and is a popular choice for international students. Its history, picturesque countryside and unique culture make it an appealing choice for students around the globe.

Why Study in Ireland

Ireland has seven public universities which are all featured in the top 700 of the QS World University Rankings 2019. It also hosts 14 technology institutes, of which one also features in the top 700 rankings. In addition to the public universities, Ireland also has a number of private institutions, which vary in size from 200 to 9000 students.

Dublin hosts the most higher education institutions in the country and has been ranked as the 34th best student city in the QS Best Student Cities 2018. Dublin boasts a vast wealth of culture and activities to keep students entertained outside of their studies; from its world-renowned pubs to its stunning architecture.

Galway offers an alternative experience to the craziness of Dublin, although it is by no means a quiet place. As an artsy city known for being a cultural hub, it also offers scenic beaches, a bustling city center and nightlife.

Cork is located in the south and offers an easy gateway to exploring the Irish countryside. A popular tourist destination, Cork provides a mix of history, culture and nightlife.

Ireland Education Vs UK/ US

Ireland offers degree programs in universities, specialist colleges and technology institutes, at which students can embark on a vocational study in a range of subjects including; marketing, textiles, healthcare and media, amongst others.

One big difference between study in the US and Ireland is that in the states, students study a broad range of subjects to begin with and decide on the subject in which they wish to major later on in their degree. However, in Ireland, students must decide on their major area of study when initially applying to the university.

Ireland also offers diplomas which are the equivalent to associate’s degrees in the US. These programmes of study are generally shorter in length and provide a more vocational form of study.

Students should also note that, whilst in the US medicine, dentistry and law cannot be studied at undergraduate level, they can be studied at this level in Ireland.

Top Irish Universities

  1. Trinity College Dublin: Founded in 1592, this is the oldest university in the country. Now Ireland’s most prestigious university, it has been ranked as joint 104th in the world. The university has three faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and hosts over 17,000 students.
  2. University College Dublin: Home to 34,000 students, University College Dublin has been ranked joint 193rd globally. It was founded in 1854 and it consists of five colleges.
  3. National University of Ireland, Galway: Located outside of the capital city, the university hosts more than 18,000 students. It has been ranked as joint 260th in the QS World University Rankings 2019 and it has also been assigned five stars for its assessment system. Now undergoing a €400 million redevelopment, this is an institution that is moving from strength to strength.
  4. University College Cork: Officially renamed in 1999 as the University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork, this university is located in the south of Ireland. It achieved a ranking of joint 338th in the QS World Rankings and, in 2010, was the first university to be awarded the ‘Green Flag for Environmental Sustainability’ award.
  5. Dublin City University: This university, a relatively new institution founded in 1975, only gained status as a university in 1989. Located in the capital city, Dublin, it has quickly gained global recognition and was recently ranked at 422nd in the world. Offering distance courses as well as on-campus learning options, there are approximately 17,000 students, 1,000 of which are on distance learning programs.

Other Irish universities of note

  • The University of Limerick
  • Dublin Institute of Technology
  • National University of Ireland, Maynooth
  • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Ireland’s most prominent medical school, ranked in the top 500 medical schools in the world

International Students

The application process in Ireland differs, depending on whether you are an EU or non-EU applicant, so be careful to follow the right steps when applying.

EU students

Application for all undergraduate courses will be through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and can be completed online. The normal price for applications is €40 but applying online offers a discounted price of €30.

Non-EU students

Non-EU students will need to contact the International Office of the university or institution at which they wish to study directly, in order to apply.

Language Requirements

For international students, proficiency in English will be an entry requirement. If your English is not up to scratch, look out for prep courses in English offered by a number of universities. There are also opportunities to study English at tuition schools.

Fees for International Students

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative. This means that no tuition fees will need to be paid, only a registration fee, costing approximately €3,000 to cover examination entries, clubs and societies.

For other foreign students, tuition fees in Ireland are dependent on the course, place of study and nationality of the student. Fees in Ireland are also known to fluctuate year on year, so it is worth checking carefully when applying for the published fees for the academic year in which you will start your studies.

For the academic year 2018/19, undergraduate fees ranged from €45,000-€54,000 for medicine (and related disciplines), €9,950-€24,958 or courses in science, technology and engineering fields and €9,750-€22,000 for other programs (in the arts, humanities and business fields).

For non-EU students wishing to study postgraduate programmes, fees for 2018/19 were €4,000 – €48,000 for medicine (and related disciplines), €9,250-€24,000 for engineering, €9,250 – €45,000 for Science and Technology, €9,250 – €22,00 for arts and humanities and €9,250 – €35,000 for business related studies.

Some institutions in Ireland are more affordable than others; the National University of Ireland, Galway charges approximately €6,000 per year in comparison to €7,500 at Trinity College Dublin. Even more impressive is the Cork Institute of Technology which charges as little as €3,500 per academic year. It should be noted, however, that non-EU/EEA students will generally be charged double this for tuition fee costs.

Scholarships

The Government of Ireland International The studentships are open to high-calibre students from non-EU/EEA countries. The grants last for one year and students can be awarded up to €10,000 to support with costs and living expenses. This scholarship is awarded for:

  • The final year of study in an undergraduate degree
  • One year of study for a taught master’s programme
  • One year of research in a 2-year master’s degree or PhD programme

This scholarship is available at all participating universities and 60 opportunities are awarded per academic year. Universities will also remove tuition and registration fees for the year of scholarship study for successful students.

Part-time Work and Making Money in Ireland

Part-time work is not necessarily easy to find in Ireland. Most jobs – such as bartending or waitressing – require that the applicants have a minimum of one year experience. However, if you are successful in finding a job, the minimum wage in Ireland is €9.55 per hour and students are legally permitted to work no more than 20 hours per week during term time (and the government states no more than 40 hours per week during holidays).

Living Costs in Ireland

As described in the Student Visa section, international students applying to study in Ireland will need to show evidence of funds for living costs and tuition fees in order to be granted permission to study in Ireland. However, the cost of living in Ireland is slightly over the average for Europe and students should, therefore, expect higher living expenses.

The government expects students to have an annual sum of €7,000 for living expenses available, although a survey by the Dublin Institute of Technology suggested that students needed closer to €12,000 annually for living expenses.

Living costs in Dublin will be higher than other locations in Ireland; it is well-known for its high cost of living and rent is higher than other locations around the country. Galway and Cork offer cheaper living, with students needing only around €800-€900 for living per month.

Student accommodation will take up most of a student in Ireland’s monthly budget – approximately 38% in fact. Halls of residence are available, costing €200-300 per month, which is higher than the cost of accommodation on average for most European locations. Studies have shown only about 12% of international students use university accommodation.

Private rentals, flat sharing and homestays are other options available to foreign students. If you choose to live alone, you should be expecting to pay approximately €430 per month for rent. Other costs, such as utilities and internet costs, should not exceed €200/month.

Students in Ireland are eligible for cheaper transportation through the Student Leap Card. A monthly pass for students costs around €50-55 and public transport is, therefore, a popular options for students to get around. Many students also choose to ride bicycles which is a good option for saving money and keeping fit!

Student Visa

Students exempt from needing a visa to study in Ireland:

  • Students from the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not require a student visa
  • There are other countries, such as Australia, Japan and Canada, who are also exempt from needing a visa. Full details can be found on the citizens information.ie website.

The cost of a student visa is dependent on the country from which you are applying. However, general pricing is €60 for a single entry student visa and €100 for multiple entry.

For those students requiring a visa to study in Ireland:

  • You must apply for the visa before arriving in Ireland
  • You must enrol on a full-time course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
  • Apply online for your visa using the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration service.
  • If your programme of study will be less than 3 months, apply for the ‘C study visa’.
  • If your programme of study will be more than 3 months, apply for the ‘D study visa’.
  • Provide the following information with your application for a student visa:
    1. Letter of acceptance from the higher education institute at which you will study (full time course, minimum of 15 hours study time / week)
    2. Evidence of English language ability
    3. Proof of fee payment in full
    4. Evidence of funds (approximately €7,000) available for costs during first year of study
    5. Evidence of access to a minimum of €7,000 living costs as well as cost of course fees for other years of degree programme
    6. Proof of medical insurance
    7. Explanation of any gaps in educational history
    8. A confirmation of intent to return to home country on completion of degree. This can be through submission of a passport with a minimum of 6 months validity after the end of the course date.

Germany, the most popular destination for non-English speaking international students, hosts more than 380 universities, offering over 17,000 programmes of study. Clearly a popular choice for international students, it is ranked as the 3rd most popular university destination globally, behind only the UK and the US. It is no wonder that, at present, 357,000 foreign students are currently studying there.

Why Study in Germany

Germany offers a wide range of experiences to the international student community, depending on the choice of location for study. From oh-so-cool Berlin to the metropolis of Frankfurt to the towering mountains of Bavaria, Germany has something to offer everybody. And if the bustling cities get to much for you during term time, you won’t have far to go to find a peaceful countryside retreat.

However, the main reason to study in Germany is for the free tuition! German government policy means free university tuition for both domestic and international students. Most, but not all, German universities are free of tuition fees.

There are a small number of private universities that do charge. In 2017/18, there were just 19 private universities and 93 private Universities of Applied Sciences charging these fees, making up less than 10% of universities in Germany overall.

Whilst some international students do choose to attend the private universities, tuition-free public universities are still the top choice.

Germany is also highly regarded for its teaching and learning. Known as the ‘land of poets and thinkers’, many great scientists, such as Einstein, Planck and Born, came through the German higher education system.

It is known for its ongoing modernization of learning, with the most up-to-date and effective approaches to teaching and research being continually implemented. With its excellent reputation, employers recognize the high quality approach to teaching and research that students at German institutions will have experienced, making them an attractive choice for employment.

German Education In Comparison With The USA

The biggest difference, as mentioned above, is the non-existent tuition fees for international students in Germany. In the USA, Canada, and Australia, international students would expect to pay anywhere between $10,000 to $50,000 per year in tuition. Studying in Germany offers a low cost experience, lowering the amount of debt students will graduate with at the end of their studies.

Top German Universities

German institutions are regarded amongst the higher education elite. Major German cities, such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne, host multiple institutions of which at least a minimum of one is ranked as one of the world’s best.

Germany is home to some of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the whole of Western Europe, which includes both older traditional institutions as well as more newly founded technical institutions.

A total of 30 German higher education institutions are counted among the very best in the world and came within the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2019.

Top 5 universities in Germany

Although there are many highly reputable universities throughout the country, here is a quick round-up of the five highest rated German institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2019.

  • LMU Munich: Public university. Founded in 1472, it is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It boasts 42 Nobel Prize winners and is widely regarded as a premier academic and research institution. International students make up 13% of the student body and it has the second largest student population in Germany.
  • Technical University of Munich: The second public university in Munich, dedicated to science and technology. Three departments within the university offer over 170 degree courses focused on engineering, sciences and technology. 13 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to affiliates of the university since 1927. Over 39,000 students attend the university, of which almost 9,000 are foreign.
  • Heidelberg University: The oldest university in Germany, hosting over 30,000 students. This public research university is found in the town of Heidelberg, considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and a popular tourist destination. International students, representing 130 countries, make up 20% of the student body.
  • Humboldt University of Berlin: A public university located in Germany’s capital city. The institute is well-known and highly regarded, particularly excelling in studies of the arts and humanities and boasts a library containing around 6.5 million books. Around 33,000 students attend the university, 16% of whom are international.
  • University of Freiburg: The fifth oldest university in Germany, it is also a public research university. There are approximately 25,000 students, 16% of whom are foreign students representing 120 different countries. The university is known for its long tradition of teaching humanities and natural sciences and, as well as 19 Nobel Laureates being affiliated to the university, 15 members of staff have won the highest German prize for research. The university is also known for its mountain retreat, which is available to students for outdoor and leisure activities.

Related:
List of University in Germany

Public Institutions

It is important to note that most courses taught in universities in Germany will be taught in German. However, with a goal to host 350,000 international students by 2020, degree programs taught in English are becoming increasingly common.

If you are looking to study for a Master’s degree, you will find many English medium courses, particularly in business and the social sciences, available to you.

If you are looking to study at undergraduate level, you would benefit from using the International Program search tool (from the DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service) to help you.

Currently, the tool shows 121 results for bachelor’s degrees taught in English only. However, only 60 of these are at no-fee institutions. So if you want to study in English in Germany, you may need to also consider private institutions.

Although this will mean paying tuition fees, these private universities are able to set their own fees and many charge less than €10,000 per semester, which is still cheaper than international study in other locations around the world.

Another consideration, if you are looking for a business degree, is to study at ESCP Europe. This course allows you to study in three capital cities, including Berlin and London, on its Bachelor of Management program. Whilst this offers a degree program taught completely in English, it will set you back €18,000 per year as a non-EU student (€13,600 for EU students).

Fees for International Students

As mentioned earlier in the article, tuition is free at public universities in Germany for domestic and international undergraduate students. The only exception to this is at universities in the Baden-Württemberg area, where students pay €3,000 per year for tuition fees (excluding refugees and PhD students). This includes universities in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Hohenheim, Stuttgart and Ulm among others. Some exemptions from this fee are made, for students from Erasmus member states, those with EU permanent residency and students who have a HE entrance qualification from Germany.

Despite universities being tuition-free, all students are required to pay a fee to cover costs, such as enrollment, administration and student support. This fee will differ across institutions but is normally around €350.

Master’s level students sometimes need to pay tuition fees. Fees are charged to those deemed “non-consecutive” students, meaning that the student has not completed a bachelor’s degree in a German university in recent years. If tuition fees need to be paid for a master’s degree, this can cost up to €20,000 per academic year. Those students entering master’s programs straight from an undergraduate degree that was completed in Germany will normally pay little or no tuition fees.

Top Scholarships to Apply for in Germany

There are some government-funded scholarships for study in Germany. These are:

  • DAAD Scholarship: Scholarships to study at undergraduate and postgraduate level offered by The German Academic Exchange Service.
  • Erasmus+: Available for international students who are participating in a study exchange program in Europe. Grants to support with living costs are available.

Non-government awards also exist for study in Germany. These include:

  • Heinrich Böll Scholarships for International Students: Available for undergraduate and postgraduate study at an accredited institution.
  • Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships: Available for international students who are looking to become educators in science.
  • Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries: Available for postdoctoral research. Many scholarships available for students from developing countries.
  • Deutschland Stipendium: A scholarship of €300/month for highly talented students of any nationality who are studying at German universities.

Many institutions will offer university-specific opportunities to study in Germany. These include:

  • Heidelberg University: Many opportunities are available to students. One of these, The Amirana Scholarship, supports students from developing countries who wish to study medicine or dentistry.
  • Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Doctoral Tuition Waivers: Doctoral students on English medium courses in finance, accounting, mathematics and business administration will have tuition fees waived with this application .
  • Universität Hamburg merit awards: For those students enrolled for a minimum of two semesters, who have demonstrated outstanding ability (any degree level, any subject).
  • RWTH Aachen programs: Funding available for international and domestic students.

Living Costs in Germany

Student residences in Germany are an affordable housing option, but these are in high demand and short supply. Shared flats, often with communal areas, coffee shops, laundry areas and bicycle storage, are another good option for students. Rent can cost anywhere between €210 and €360 per month, depending on whether you choose to live alone, with a partner or on campus.

Larger cities will also offer larger rental prices. A student flat in Berlin is likely to cost €430, whilst in Munich, a more expensive German city, rent is likely to be closer to €665 per month.

In addition to rent, students will also need to budget for food, utility bills and social activities. It is recommended to budget €850 per month when studying in Germany, although this should be increased if you will be living in one of the larger cities, such as Munich.

Students in Germany are eligible for a “Semesterticket”, which will help with the cost of travel on buses, trams, subways and trains. The cost of this is normally covered in the administration costs paid to the university at the start of study.

Student Visa

Students from the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland:

  • Do not require a visa to study in Germany.
  • Must register with the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt within a week of arriving in Germany.
  • Must show proof that you have access to approximately €8700 per year (for living costs).
  • Must have purchased health insurance (unless policy from your home country is valid in Germany).
  • Must prove proficiency in the language of instruction for your degree course.

Students from outside the EU

  • Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland or the US: Do not require a visa but must obtain a residence permit.
  • Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino or Taiwan: Only require a visa if you will work before or after your degree. Must obtain a residence permit.
  • Other countries: Apply for visa (Schengen Visa – for 3 months of study, National Visa – for over 3 months of study). Visa and residence permit can be obtained from your local German embassy.
  • For Residence Permit: Register with the Residents’ Registration Office, prove that you have health insurance policy, prove that you have access to approximately €8700 per year (for living costs), show your passport with visa (if needed) and tenancy agreement.
  • For Visa: Same documents as Residence Permit. May also be asked for proof of clean criminal record and medical check.
  • All students must prove proficiency in the language of instruction for your degree course.

Related:
Cost of Living in Germany