Ireland

In recent years, Ireland has become an attractive destination for international graduate students. Ireland has high quality universities and colleges with established international reputations. Ireland is a friendly and easy country in which to pursue graduate studies and English speaking. Ireland has a long tradition in education from medieval times with its strong European influence, through its time at the centre of the British Empire to present day with strong North American and renewed European linkages.

Investment in Education

While Ireland had always enjoyed a high reputation as a centre and culture, over the past thirty years government has also regarded investment in higher education as key element in our national economic development. As a result of this investment, Ireland has developed a highly qualified workforce and has attracted considerable inward investment. Over the past ten years, Ireland has enjoyed phenomenal economic growth, particularly in the technological sector. Over the past few years, Ireland has been one of the leading exporters of computer software, becoming the world's leading exporter last year.

Until recently, Ireland had a very young population and, while universities and colleges always retained places for international students on programs, government policy was focussed mainly on the expansion of our education system to provide the highest level of education possible for our own young people. Nowadays over 50% of school leavers are able to enter higher education. It is predicted that over the next twelve years, because of demographic trends, the demand for places in undergraduate programs will decrease. The population drop, as well as a continued strong and attractive job market, will also result in spare capacity within graduate programs.

Industry and Business

Ireland is a very heavily trade-independent country. The majority of our trade is in the high technology area and is knowledge dependent. The government has announced major investment (about $2.25 billion) in research, technological development and innovation over the next five years. Much of this funding will go into strengthening and developing research capacity in our universities and colleges, creating world-class research centres that will fuel our ongoing economic development.

Ireland is a good location for graduate education and for initial work experience. Irish colleges have begun to promote their programs more actively internationally, and have been working closely with International Education Board Ireland and Enterprise Ireland (the Irish Trade and Technology Board) on student recruitment drives aimed both at recruiting undergraduate and graduate students, as well as graduate researchers.

Irish Universities and Colleges

There are seven universities in the Republic of Ireland. The University of Dublin, Trinity College, founded in 1592, is the oldest university in the country. The National University of Ireland (NUI) is a federal university with four constituent universities: National University of Ireland, Galway: National University of Ireland, Maynooth: University College Cork: and University College Dublin. NUI also has a number of recognised colleges, including the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Our two newest universities, founded in 1989, are the University of Limerick and Dublin City University.

There are fourteen Institutes of Technology, located throughout Ireland. These are government-funded institutions, offering courses at undergraduate certificate, diploma and degree levels. They also offer graduate programs, mainly by research. The Higher Education and Training Awards Council, under the National Qualifications Authority validate their qualifications.

In addition to the publicly funded institutions, there are a number of independent third-level colleges, several of which offer graduate programs.

Graduate Programs

Higher education in Ireland at the undergraduate level consists of a 3-4 year Bachelor's degree. This is followed by a range of graduate options, entry to most of which require a good honours Bachelors degree or equivalent. In addition, some courses will have special entry requirements, such as a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) for MBA programs. While the majority of courses require a Bachelor's degree in a related area, there are a number of conversion programs, particularly at the postgraduate certificate/diploma level.

Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas

These are usually of one and in some cases two-year's duration, and are normally taught courses.

Masters Degrees

Masters programs can normally last 1-2 years. There is a wide range of taught masters programs covering all the main disciplines. In addition, many students pursue Masters programs by research, both in the universities and in the Institutes of Technology.

Doctorates

PhDs in Ireland are by research and normally would be expected to take a minimum of three years. Students work under an academic supervisor and carry out research leading to the publication of a thesis that shows evidence of original work. Availability of places depends on the availability of an academic supervisor in the candidate's area of specialisation.

More Information

General information on postgraduate Certificate/Diplomas and taught Masters programs are found on the International Education Board Ireland website. This also gives links onto the sites of the individual universities and colleges, where further information on courses as well as research interests of academic college staff colleges can be found.

Application for graduate programs must be made directly to the individual college. Information on programs, dates for application, fees and funding opportunities can be obtained from the graduate admission office of the college.

 

With Thanks to:
The International Education Board Ireland