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Study in Ireland

Want to study in Ireland?

Ireland was inhabited as early as 8,000 BC. Its early Brehon Law system was highly sophisticated, and when Europe entered the Dark Ages, Ireland’s monasteries remained a beacon of culture and learning throughout the continent. However, Ireland was to face its own dark times, first with the Viking and then the Anglo-Norman invasions. Ireland’s darkest era, the Great Famine of 1845-49, saw over a million die and another million emigrate, sowing the first seeds of the Irish Diaspora.

The early 1900s saw a doomed uprising in 1916; a war of independence and the signing of the Anglo-Irish treaty. This treaty ended British rule in 26 of the 32 counties and established an Irish Free State. In 1937, a new constitution re-established the Irish Free State as Ireland, and in 1949, Ireland has declared a Republic.

In Northern Ireland, the initially peaceful civil rights marches of the 1960s were followed by several decades of violence. However, in 1998, a peace-plan was agreed by all parties; organizations on all sides lay down their arms, and Northern Ireland is now at peace. In 2013, the Global Peace Index ranked the Republic of Ireland the 12th most peaceful nation on earth.

Punching well above its weight on the international stage, Ireland’s distinctive historical circumstances combine with its unique position as a European post-colonial state, its neutrality and its trusted partner status in so many conflict zones to ensure a sustained and valuable impact. Today Ireland is recognized as a global leader (both academically and in practice) in the fields of international relations & law, peace and conflict studies, human rights and development.

The Republic of Ireland is also one of the most globalized economies in the world, according to a 2013 index produced by Ernst and Young in collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit. Since the 1970s, Ireland has evolved from a largely agrarian society to become a major player in the international software, food, pharmaceutical, and medical technology industries.

In the wake of a major financial contraction over the period of 2008-10, the Irish government has implemented a series of tough reforms. Having shaken off the excesses of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ boom-years, the economy returned to growth in 2011, and all indicators are for steady if modest, growth for the years to come.

Study in Ireland

As far back as 500 AD, Ireland, and its monks and monasteries, were at the center of learning in Europe, earning Ireland the title Land of Saints and Scholars. In 1592, Trinity College Dublin received its charter and university status. The National University of Ireland Maynooth dates back to 1795, and the universities in Galway and Cork were both founded in 1845.

Ireland’s history has engendered a deep appreciation and respect for learning, and, today, educational attainment rates are among the highest in the world. Over 85 percent of young people complete secondary level education and over two-thirds of those go on to higher-level education. Ireland is ranked first in Europe in terms of graduates per 1,000 inhabitants.

Government investment in world-class facilities builds on a lengthy tradition of academic excellence. Today, there are seven universities, 14 Institutes of Technology and many other world-leading education and research centers, housed in state-of-the-art facilities on beautiful campuses.

Irish research ranks within the top one percent globally in 18 research fields and all of the country’s universities are in the top 3 percent worldwide. Students from 160 countries study in Ireland and make up 12 percent of the student population.

WHY IRELAND

The Irish Government invests over 782 million annually in research in Ireland’s higher education institutions. The impact of this funding is that Ireland’s higher education institutions now lead the world in an increasing number of fields.

Irish universities are in the top 1% of research institutions in the world in terms of research impact in 19 fields, spanning natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. This creates a unique opportunity for you at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to join research programs that are driving innovation and changing lives worldwide.

Ireland is also where some of the world’s biggest and best companies have located key strategic research facilities. And in Ireland, you’ll find a unique ecosystem that sees academic researchers working hand-in-hand with small home-grown and start-up companies in partnership with some of the most powerful multinationals on the planet through a program for shared research projects developed by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

Living Costs

Average living costs may differ somewhat depending on if you choose to study in Northern Ireland or in the Republic as different rules and fees apply.

For study at public institutions in the Republic of Ireland, you can use the following guideline costs. These may, however, vary depending on the institution and where you live (city or outside, university, or private housing).

  • Average living costs: 7480 (Euro)
  • Home students tuition fees (this often includes EU and EEA citizens): Minimum: 0 (Euro)
  • Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 7600 (Euro)
  • Maximum: 17900 (Euro)
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