From the Wild Atlantic Way to the Brú na Bóinne, Ireland is undoubtedly one of the most scenic countries in the world. Being part of the British Union, the country thrived in the middle to late middle ages and today presents a mix of cultural heritage and modernity. The country has professed development in the education sector. 

Ireland owns some of the best higher study institutes in the world which have steadily positioned the country as an affordable, world-class higher study destination among prospective students. Let's look at the process and requirements to study bachelor, master's, or Ph.D. in Irish higher study institutions. 

Why Study in Ireland? 

The main reason to study in Ireland has to be world-class, progressive, and innovation-led studies in almost every discipline. And it's just not in words; the OECD report of 2019 puts Ireland as the 4th best study destination in the world. In addition to that, the Bloomberg Innovation Index of 2020 puts Ireland as the 12th most innovative country in the world. 

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Beyond its academic and innovative rigor, Ireland is home to some of the most scenic places in the western hemisphere. From the castles to the ridges to the shires, the views will fill your senses, unlike anything. 

Another great thing about Ireland is the stay-back visa. Ireland welcomes its international graduates to stay back, find jobs, and contribute to the Irish economy. In that regard, the country offers up to 2 years of stay-back visa for students to find a job and settle in Ireland. 

Higher Education in Ireland 

Like most other EU countries, Ireland offers higher education through bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. There are generally two intakes per year, one in the fall and the other in the spring. The spring semester starts in early January, and the fall semester starts in early September. 

The bachelor's generally last for about three to four years, the masters for about one and a half to two years, and the Ph.D. usually lasts for about three to five years. 

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How to Apply to Ireland for Higher Studies 

There are several steps for applying to Ireland for higher studies. Here are the main ones. 

Finding the Right Course 

The first thing to do is to find the right course. If you are a student applying for bachelor's, you can choose streams based on your preference. And if you are a student applying for a master's or Ph.D., then you can choose courses based on your bachelor's stream or research interest. 

The Education in Ireland portal is the perfect place to search for streams and degrees available at each of the degree levels. It is a repository for all the existing higher education programs in Ireland. You can easily find your desired course here.

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Admission Requirements 

The admission requirements in Irish Universities are in line with most EU countries. Depending on courses and streams, the application and admission requirements may vary. But you will at least need the following in any application. 

-Official Transcripts (Last completed Degree) 
-LOR (Up to three)
-Statement of Purpose 
-Language Proficiency certification (IELTS/TOEFL iBT) 
-Bank statement 
-Proof of application fee payment 

One thing to note here is that most Irish Universities require at least 6.5 to 7.0 on the IELTS band. It's one of the stringent regulations that apply to most universities except for a few. If you cannot secure the required band score, you might have to enroll in a foundation course at your accepted university. 

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Application Process 

There are mainly two ways to apply to Irish Universities. Either through the central application or a professor. If you are applying for bachelors, then the central application is the only way. 

But if your masters are thesis-based or you’re applying for a Ph.D., then you can opt for a professor referral as well as a central application. Note that applying through a professor’s referral ensures better chances of securing funding. 

Tuition Fee and Scholarship Opportunities in Ireland 

Tuition fees in Ireland grossly differ based on whether it is a publicly funded or privately funded university. Depending on the course and the university, the undergraduate tuition fee can run anywhere between 3500 euros to 8000 euros or 377,742 BDT to 863,657 BDT per year (1 EUR = 107 BDT). 

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Tuition costs for masters are also similar at around 4000 euros to 9000 euros or 431828 BDT to 971614 BDT per year. Unfortunately, the cost of a Ph.D. is some of the highest in the world at around 9000 euros for non-EU/EEA students. But most prospective Ph.D. opts for funding first before pursuing a doctorate in Ireland.

In terms of scholarship, masters and Ph.D. students gets the most preference. Unfortunately, the number of bachelor’s scholarships is very limited in Ireland. Some of the common and prestigious scholarships in Ireland include – 

-Dublin City University Scholarship

-University of Limerick Scholarship

-Dublin Institute of Technology Scholarship

-The Walsh Fellowship

-Central Bank of Ireland Undergraduate Scholarship

-Trinity College Dublin Scholarship.

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Cost of Living and Work Opportunities in Ireland 

The cost of living in Ireland is one of the more lucrative aspects of studying in the country. Compared to other EU countries and even England, the cost of living is much lower. A student can expect to shell out anywhere between 650 euros to 1000 euros or 70172 BDT or 107957 BDT per month. Depending on location and personal spending habits, the cost can be even lower. 

A full-time student can work for 20 hours per week as per the immigration law of Ireland. The time goes up to 40 hours in summer vacation. As a student working part-time jobs, you can expect to earn around 10 to 12 euros per hour. 

Final Words 

Beyond its picturesque cities, Ireland offers some of the best education you can find anywhere in the world. Besides education, Ireland is currently one of the most immigration-friendly countries in the world, with the government actively encouraging students to stay back and build a career in Ireland.

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So far we have discussed the admission process, tuition, and living cost of international students in bachelor, master, or Ph.D. in Ireland. Students from Bangladesh can choose Ireland as a study hub to fulfill their dreams. So what are you waiting for? Apply away to experience Irish life.