Top 5 Reasons to Study Masters in Ireland

by Ragini Sharma Study Abroad Consultant

Ireland, a small island country located on the western-most tip of Europe, is one of the emerging study abroad destinations presently. With its world-class education and globally connected universities, more and more graduates are preferring to study master's in Ireland. Having a relatively smaller population and exceptional history in education, the island nation is known as ‘The Land of Saints and Scholars’.

According to recent research, Irish universities are ranked in the top 5% education system globally and that could be one of the major reasons for study abroad aspirants to opt for Ireland over other countries like the UK and the USA.

In this article, we are going to give you 5 reasons that make Ireland the top study abroad destination for pursuing a master's program.

5 highlights to study masters in Ireland

Internationally reputed institutions:

Ireland has a combination of ancient and modern universities that are as old as 100 years and as young as 15 years. Irish curriculum is majorly practical based on interactive teaching styles. Students can choose from a wide range of masters programs right from MBA, engineering, architecture to neurosciences and mathematics at an affordable price. The top universities in Ireland are spread across the cities like Dublin, Limerick and Cork. Some of those are:

Trinity College Dublin
University College Dublin
National university of Ireland Galway
University College Cork
Dublin City University

Eligibility criteria for masters program:

The minimum percentile required to be eligible for a master's program in Ireland universities is between 55% to 75% in graduation with an IELTS band of 6.5 with no less than 6.0. In some cases, if students do not meet direct entry requirements, they can opt for the pathway programs. Students are required to study additional for a time period of 8-12 months depending on the chosen university.

Flexible length of the academic year in Ireland:

The duration of a master's program at Irish Universities is normally of one-year however the duration of some courses gets extended to two-years. Countries like the USA and Australia offer two years of master's program, therefore, students who have already done 4 years of bachelor's or hold work experience, choose to pursue one-year master's program. This is one of the key reasons for Ireland being an international masters hub.

Affordable cost of education:

Since the duration of a masters program is of one-year naturally the cost of education is relatively less as compared to other studies abroad destinations. The average cost of a one-year master's program is around INR 15-25 lakhs that is quite budget-friendly. There are various scholarships for international students in Ireland, students can also apply for those. Getting a scholarship will also help in cutting down the cost of a master's degree in Ireland. The application fee for some at some of the universities for masters program is a follows:

Name of the University	Application fee
Trinity College Dublin	€40
National University of Ireland Galway	€35
Dublin City University	€50
University College Cork	€50
University of Limerick	€35
Maynooth University	€50

Ample of part-time work opportunities:

In Ireland, a majority of international students work part-time in a café, restaurant, gym, library, etc. International students are allowed to work for 20 hours per week while pursuing their masters. The working hours get doubled in summer break or during the vacations allowing the students to work for 40 hours per week. Working part-time helps in paying off the living expenses and other miscellaneous charges.

Post-Study Work Permit:

International students pursuing a full-time master's program from Irish universities get 2 years of post-study work permit after the successful completion of their master's program. Students have the option of staying back in Ireland to take up a job that helps them gain international work experience. Working abroad will not only strengthen their CV but it will also help them establish their career.

Now that you already know why Ireland is the best study abroad destination for pursuing a master's program. Let us begin with your application process. Get in touch with us today and we will be more than happy to assist you. KC is one of the best study abroad consultants and we will help you in your overall application process, right from choosing the right institution according to your interests to applying for the chosen program and getting the visa approved from the Embassy of Ireland. We will take care of everything.