“Dream. Apply. Fly.”
About Ireland
Ireland is an island to the north-west of continental Europe. It is the third-largest
island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth. To its east is the larger
island of Great Britain, from which it is separated by the Irish Sea. Exploring Ireland’s
impressive scenery reveals endless views of rugged sea cliffs, outlaying islands, and
gentle hills. Nestled among these charming landscapes are numerous castles, fishing
villages, and national parks for great weekend adventures.
Ireland is a republic and has a parliamentary system of government. The head of
state is the elected President of Ireland who serves for a 7-year term. Ireland also
has a prime minister (called the Taoiseach) who is nominated by the House of
Representatives (called Dáil Éireann) and then appointed by the president. Besides
the lower house, the House of Representatives, there is also an upper house, the
Senate (or Seanad Éireann).
Poplulation
Approx. 5.38 million (2024)
Capital
Dublin
Area
84,421 km square
Language
English and Irish (Gaelic)
Religion
Christianity
Currency
Euro €
Life Expectancy
81 Years
GDP per Capital
$41,700
Literacy Percent
99%
HDI
7
Other Important Cities
Dublin, Cork, Derry, Limerick,
The economy of the Republic of Ireland is a modern knowledge economy, focusing on
services and high-tech industries and dependent on trade, industry and investment.
In terms of GDP per capita, Ireland is ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in the
OECD and the EU at 5th in the OECD-28 rankings as of 2008. GDP (national output)
is significantly greater than GNP (national income) due to the repatriation of profits
and royalty payments by multinational firms based in Ireland. A 2005 study by The
Economist found Ireland to have the best quality of life in the world. The 1995 to
2007 period of very high economic growth, with a record of posting the highest
growth rates in Europe, led many to call the country the Celtic Tiger.
There are over 60 credit institutions incorporated in Ireland, the banking system is
dominated by the Big Four – AIB Bank, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and National
Irish Bank. There is a large Credit Union movement within the country which offers
an alternative to the banks. Similarly, the insurance industry in Ireland is a leader in
both retail markets and corporate customers in the EU, in large part due to the
International Financial Services Centre.
Exports play an important role in Ireland’s economic growth. A series of significant
discoveries of base metal deposits have been made, including the giant ore deposit at
Tara Mine. Ireland now ranks as the seventh largest producer of zinc concentrates in
the world, and the twelfth largest producer of lead concentrates. Ireland is the
world’s most profitable country for US corporations, according to the US tax journal
Tax Notes. The country is one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals and
software-related goods and services in the world.
Economy
The Climate of Ireland can be summed up as being mild, moist and changeable with
abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. It is defined as a temperate
oceanic climate and rain is common throughout the year, helping to contribute to the
country’s 40 shades of green that line the landscapes. The country receives generally
warm summers and mild winters, and is considerably warmer than other areas on its
latitude. The climate in Ireland does not experience extreme weather, with tornadoes
and similar weather features being rare.
Climate
Technology Hub of Europe
Ireland is not only the technology hub of Europe; it has also got magnificent history
and culture as well. It has one of the highest concentrations of ICT activity and
employment in the OECD. The ICT sector attracts global investment with 9 of the top
10 US ICT companies & represents about 22% of Ireland’s total exports worldwide.
Some of the biggest multi national companies like IBM, Motorola, Dell and Google
have their European headquarters situated in Ireland.
Academic Excellence
Higher (or third-level) education awards in Ireland are conferred by more than 38
Higher Education Institutions including Trinity College Dublin, National University of
Ireland (Cork, Dublin, Galway and Maynooth), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland,
Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology, Higher Education and Training
Awards Council, Cork Institute of Technology, Waterford Institute of Technology,
National College of Ireland, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth (Pontifical University),
University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. These are the degree-
awarding authorities approved by the Government of Ireland and can grant awards at
all academic levels. Universities typically offer four-year undergraduate programs
leading to bachelor’s degrees. Advanced degrees include master’s degrees, generally
requiring two years of study after a first degree, and doctoral degrees, requiring
three to five years of postgraduate study and research as well as a dissertation.
Slowly but surely Ireland is becoming the preferred destination to study abroad.
Students from world over are choosing to pursue their higher studies in Ireland. The
reasons can be many – from the superior education system to the historical grandeur
to the rich nightlife.
High Quality of Life
Ireland performs well in overall well-being as it is ranked at number 7 by the HDI
from amongst the best countries to settle. This is due to the high earning capacity of
the individual and low unemployment rates. There is a good education system which
contributes to an excellent literacy rate as well as high life expectancy.
Multicultural Nation
This article is about the modern culture of Ireland and the Irish people. It includes
customs and traditions, language, music, art, literature, folklore, cuisine and sport
associated with Ireland and Irish people today. However, the culture of the people
living in Ireland is not homogeneous. There are notable cultural divides between
urban Irish and rural Irish, between Catholics and Protestants, between Irish-
speakers in the Gaeltacht and English-speakers, between immigrants and the native
population, and between Travellers and the settled population. Although most Irish
people are of Gaelic descent, today Ireland is an ethnically diverse country as a result
of large-scale immigration from many different countries throughout its history. Also,
due to emigration of the Irish people themselves overseas, Irish culture has a global
reach and Irish festivals such as St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween are observed and
celebrated all over the world.
Why Study in Ireland
Ireland is a country which has much more to offer than just great music, Nobel Prize
winning authors, etc. It is a country which has got a laudable tradition as far as
education is concerned. Under the Irish constitution, education is seen as a
fundamental right. Ireland’s warm, hospitable population will welcome you with its
colorful history, culture and some of the most arresting landscapes. The students are
given responsibility by the colleges and universities in Ireland. One can forget getting
weekly assignments and exams. Instead, learning is through lectures and tutorials
and labs. But a student needs to work very hard on their reading and research if they
are to complete their education in Ireland. It doesn’t really matter what your field of
specialization is, colleges and universities in Ireland have got it all covered.
How to Apply
Intakes
The main intakes offered by Universities are in September/October and January/
February. Some colleges may also have intakes in March and July.
Employment
• A full-time International student can work part-time as per the given guidelines:
• A full-time degree student can work up to 20 hours during term-time and full-time during vacations.
• A full-time student can also work on a work placement as part of the course;
• A student can earn from € 8.65 – € 10 per hour i.e. € 690 – € 800 per week.
After the successful completion of the studies a student can apply for a 2 year Work Permit.