IRELAND AT A GLANCE

Capital: Dublin

National Language: English and Irish

Largest City: Cork

Currency: Euro

GDP: $399 Billion

Population: 4.9 Million

Top Universities: 21+

Students: 0.32 Million
Guide to Study In Ireland From Sri Lanka
Ireland, the “Emerald Isle” of Europe is a beautiful Island widely known for its greenish valleys, verdurous rolling hills, grassy fields, which covers most of the land. The country is best known for tourism and travel, but in recent years, it has been making headlines by emerging as a new international education destination for its impeccable commitment to quality education. This can be seen in the country’s organisation and structuring of primary (first-level) and secondary (second-level) education, where the syllabus and curriculum are student-focused, enhancing the student's skills and knowledge. The curriculum also prepares students to face their higher education in a confident manner. With so much focus and dedication to providing valuable education, the country has seamlessly reached one of the top positions of countries providing quality education to international students.
Apart from the education system, Ireland is famous for its amazing travel locations, nature and student-friendly cities. With just five cities in the country, the country has already earned a name for itself among international students. The cities are clean and vibrant with no less engagement factor for them. There are many cultural activities planned throughout the year that students can enjoy and, through it, can learn more about the country’s culture and heritage. Each city has something unique to offer in terms of cordiality, art, nature, education, etc. A day in Ireland can never be boring and plain; a student will be more than grateful for choosing the country as their higher education destination.
If you are looking for help with your application, you can contact aecc. You will find helpful information on everything you need to know about studying in New Zealand from Sri Lanka.
Why Study in Ireland from Sri Lanka?
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Phenomenal Universities - Even though Ireland is a small country with a minimal population, the country excels in possessing some of the best schools and universities. These educational establishments provide the right education to Irish citizens as well as international students helping them achieve their desired career and life goals. Some of the best universities in Ireland are Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and the National University of Ireland, Galway.
- Plenty of Scholarships - Ireland may be a small country, but the government and universities of Ireland provides numerous and generous scholarships to international students. The amount varies from college to college, but the country ensures deserving students get the best possible monetary funds. Trinity College Dublin provides bursaries worth Eur 5000, NCI Galway Eur 2000, and UCD provides 50% to 100% of fee waivers.
- Tech Hub of Europe - Ireland’s Capital, Dublin, is the Tech Hub of Europe, meaning many international organisations’ headquarters are located here. This is a great opportunity for international students wanting to do their internships in any of the greatest tech companies. To name some of the companies - Microsoft, Google, Dell, Apple, etc.
- Affordable Education and Living Costs - Compared to other nations, Ireland provides world-class education at an affordable cost. Since many universities are state-funded, the tuition fee is much lesser. Besides, living costs are also manageable in Ireland’s cities as they have a low taxation scheme.
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No Language Barrier - Though Ireland is a European country, the nation predominantly uses English for communication besides its Irish language. This is a big advantage for international students as they don’t have to learn a new language and also can give their Entrance test in English like other aspirants.
Higher Education System of Ireland
The Higher Education System of Ireland is categorised into four divisions. Let us see them one by one.
Universities
Universities are the higher educational institutions in Ireland providing degree courses for students like Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate across a wide range of study courses. Totally, there are 7 universities in Ireland which all are state-funded.
Institutes of Technology
Institutes of Technology are the training institutions for students, helping them to gain extensive practical skills and be job-ready. The study areas which are taught are Business, Science, Engineering, Linguistics and Music. The degrees offered here are Diploma, Training Certificates, Training Degrees, etc. There are fourteen technological institutes in Ireland, each having its own selection criteria and credit requirements, etc.
College of Education
Colleges of education are higher educational institutions offering specialised training programmes to aspiring teachers. Only two degrees are offered - one is a three-year Bachelor of Education, and the other is the 18 months postgraduate diploma. A candidate preferring to teach secondary students must complete a three-year bachelor's course with an 18-month postgraduate diploma.
Private Colleges
As the name indicates, private colleges are funded by private organisations or by a group of people. These colleges offer education and training in specialised areas like art and design, medicine, business studies, rural development, theology, music and law. Degrees offered here are Vocational degrees, Training Certificates and Training Degrees.
Any Questions?
Popular Courses to Study in Ireland
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Computer Science - Computer Science is the trending field in almost all developed countries. Programmer, Software Architect, Computer Architect, and Software Solution Architect are the current popular positions prevailing in the field.
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Data Science - Data Science is a newly emerging field providing data solutions for almost all businesses, from software to banking and e-commerce. Studying this course leads students to land high-profile jobs like Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Data Architect, Data Engineer, Data Architect, etc.
- Data & Business Analytics - Business Analytics is again a top-performing field for finding solutions for business problems. This is an interesting and suitable field for students who like to work on large volumes of data.
- Finance - Finance is the basic and default field for students interested in learning about money and finance management. Studying this course helps students to gain comprehensive knowledge of Money, Finance and its types.
- Investment Banking - Invest Management is the learning of Finance Management in an advanced way. Also, students will learn how to predict an economy's future financial status and help individuals or companies with their money investment and management. As this is an advanced field, the salary given is pretty high.
- Pharmaceutical Sciences - This field is the study of formulation, development and manufacturing of new drugs. If students aspire to be a Chemist, Medicine Developer/Formulator or a Pharmaceutical Scientist, they can opt this course.
- Engineering - Engineering is most related to the development of machines and systems. This is one of the lucrative fields where students can earn more than a handful of money.
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Construction - Construction and Architecture both relate to the design and construction of buildings, towers, roads, bridges, highways, etc. Architectural Technologist, Interior and Spatial Designer, Production Designer, and Structural Engineer are some of the eminent job roles that can be earned by studying this course.
Top Universities in Ireland
Find the best universities in Ireland with their global rank, the degrees offered, their IELTS requirement and tuition fees per year.
S.No |
University Name |
World Rank |
Degrees Offered |
IELTS Requirements |
Tuition Fees/Year in Euros |
1. |
Trinity College Dublin |
101 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
5.0 |
23,042 |
2. |
University College Dublin |
177 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
24,000 |
3. |
National University of Ireland, Galway |
238 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.0 |
18,000 |
4. |
University College Cork |
286 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
24,000 |
5. |
Dublin City University |
439 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 and above |
20,000 |
6. |
University of Limerick |
511 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
20,000 |
7. |
Maynooth University |
701 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.5 |
22,000 |
8. |
Technological University of Dublin |
801 |
UG, PG, PhD, MBA |
6.0 |
24,000 |
Admission Requirements to Study in Ireland from Sri Lanka
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Education documents in English.
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Valid Passport.
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Proof of funds.
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Updated CV/Resume.
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Statement of Purpose (500 words)
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Letter of Recommendation (Max 2)
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Score certificate of English Language Proficiency.
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Other Entrance Test score certificates (like GMAT or GRE for Business Administration programs).
Cost of Studying in Ireland
S.No |
Course Level |
Average Cost in Euros/Year |
Average Cost in LKR/Year |
1. |
Undergraduate Courses |
10,000 to 30,000 |
36,97,377 to 1,10,92,133 |
2. |
Postgraduate Courses |
10,000 to 34,500 |
36,97,377 to 1,27,55,953 |
3. |
Doctorate Courses |
10,000 to 34,500 |
36,97,377 to 1,27,55,953 |
4. |
MBA Courses |
14,000 to 35,000 |
51,76,328 to 1,29,40,821 |
Cost of Living in Ireland
Comparing to other European countries, studying in Ireland is less expensive. Students, if learn to live with a minimal budget, can easily surpass the studying years in Ireland with no financial burden.
S.No |
Type of Expenses |
Average Cost in Euros/Month |
Average Cost in LKR |
1. |
Accommodation |
1000 |
3,69,661 |
2. |
Travel |
90 |
33,269 |
3. |
Food |
280 |
1,03,505 |
4. |
Entertainment |
130 |
48,055 |
Educational Requirements to Study in Ireland
Each degree program demands a unique score of the English Language Proficiency exam. Students must be aware of their desired university’s preferred exam for admission. Below we have tabulated the average score of each entrance exam which is considered the eligible score for admission.
Degree Program |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
PTE |
High School % |
Bachelor’s |
6.0 |
570 (Paper-based) 90 (Internet-based) |
60 |
60% and above |
Master’s |
6.5 |
570 (Paper-based) 90 (Internet-based) |
60 |
60% and above |
Doctorate |
6.5 |
570 (Paper-based) 90 (Internet-based) |
60 |
60% and above |
MBA |
6.5 |
570 (Paper-based) 90 (Internet-based) |
60 |
60% and above |
Entrance Tests to Study in Ireland for Sri Lankan Students
Entrance Tests are mandatory and part of the admission process to prove your English fluency. There are many tests available, and students can select any one of them according to their strengths and convenience.
Test Name |
Full-Form |
Sections |
Average Score |
Time Duration |
IELTS |
International English Language Test System |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
7.0 |
2 hours 45 minutes |
TOEFL |
Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
570 (Paper-based) 100 and above (Internet-based) |
3 hours |
PTE |
Pearson Test of English Academic |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
60 |
2 hours 15 minutes |
CAE |
Certificate in Advanced English |
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing. |
180 |
3 hours 55 minutes |
GMAT |
Graduate Management Admission Test |
Analytical Writing. Integrated Reasoning. Quantitative Reasoning. Verbal Reasoning |
500 and above |
3 hours 7 minutes |
Scholarships to Study in Ireland
Find below the popular scholarships given to international students by Irish Universities.
S.No |
University Name |
Scholarship Name |
Description |
1. |
Limerick Institute of Technology |
Limerick Institute of Technology Scholarships for International Students |
The University offers scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level study programs. |
2. |
Munster Technological University |
Munster Technological University Scholarships for International Students |
The University offers scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level study programs. |
3. |
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Dundalk Institute of Technology Scholarships for International Students |
The University offers scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level study programs. |
4. |
St.Andrew’s College |
St.Andrew’s College of Scholarships for International Students |
The University offers scholarships for all the degree programs like Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD. |
5. |
Technological University Dublin |
ERCIM Alain Bensoussan Fellowship in Europe |
This scholarship can be used to pursue Postdoctoral study in Computer Science, Information Technology and Applied Mathematics. |
Student Health Cover in Ireland
It is compulsory to buy a private health insurance plan if students choose to study at Irish Universities. It is part of an immigration requirement to show proof of a health insurance plan purchased. Depending on students' convenience, the plan can be purchased in Ireland or the home country. The minimum cost of buying a health insurance plan in Ireland ranges between Euro 150 to Euro 180.
Jobs After Studying in Ireland
- Cloud Architect - €120,000-€140,000
- Supply Chain Manager - €75,000-€100,000
- Data Protection / Privacy Lawyers - €70,000– €100,000
- Financial Accountant/ Finance Analyst - €50,000-€65,000
- Quantity Surveyor - €65,000 - €90,000
- Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Specialist - €40,000-€65,000
- Recruitment Consultant/ Talent Acquisition Specialists - €40,000-€90,000
- Digital Marketing Manager - €60,000-€85,000
Ireland Student Visa
- Valid Passport
- Admission acceptance letter from the College or University you have applied for.
- Online Payment Receipt of registration and tuition fees.
- Proof of financial funds.
- Recent passport size photographs.
- Study permit and Visa.
- Explaining the gaps in your education.
- Score certificate of English proficiency test.
- Apply to a recognised college or university in Ireland.
- Receive your admission confirmation letter.
- Fill in the AVATS Online Application form.
- Fill in the Student Visa Application form.
- Pay the Application form Fee.
- If paid online, take a print of the payment receipt.
- Book the online appointment through VFS.
- Print the online appointment confirmation page.
- File all your necessary documents.
- Schedule the visa interview.
- Attend the visa interview.
Best Cities to Study in Ireland
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Galway
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Cork
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Dublin
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