Study in Ireland

As far back as 500 AD, Ireland, and its monks and monasteries, were at the centre of learning in Europe, earning Ireland the title Land of Saints and Scholars. In 1592, Trinity College Dublin received its charter and university status. National University of Ireland Maynooth dates back to 1795, and the universities in Galway and Cork were both founded in 1845.

Ireland‘s history has engendered a deep appreciation and respect for learning, and, today, educational attainment rates are among the highest in the world. Over 85 per cent of young people complete secondary level education, and over two-thirds of those go on to higher level education. Ireland is ranked first in Europe in terms of graduates per 1,000 inhabitants.

Government investment in world class facilities build on a lengthy tradition of academic excellence. Today, there are seven universities, 14 Institutes of Technology and many other world-leading education and research centres, housed in state-of-the-art facilities on beautiful campuses

Irish research ranks within the top one per cent globally in 18 research fields, and all of the country’s universities are in the top 3 per cent worldwide. Students from 160 countries study in Ireland and make up 12 per cent of the student population.

Why Study in Ireland?

• A friendly, safe countryAnd it is not just us saying it! Ireland was voted by Lonely Planet as the world’s friendliest country in 2008 and 2010 and was ranked 12th in the 2013 Global Peace Index. Our hospitable nature coupled with an unrivalled sense of fun ensures living in Ireland is an unforgettable experience.
• English-speaking countryIreland, an English-speaking country, has close cultural, economic and educational links with the English-speaking world, especially with the UK – our next door neighbour – and with the USA.
• Internationally recognised qualifications and extensive choiceIrish qualifications are recognised for excellence worldwide. Students can choose from an extensive range of programmes to meet their needs in highly respected business schools, centres of scientific and technology excellence as well as renowned language, humanities and arts faculties.
• Supportive learning environmentsDedicated international offices work closely with academic, administrative and specialist staff to fully support students throughout their time in Ireland. Through these support structures, students receive direct access to information, facilities, services and staff.
• Innovative and creative cultureIreland is a land rich in cultural heritage with a history of world-leading innovation. From the flamboyance of Oscar Wilde to mould-breaking James Joyce, from the pioneering quantum physics of John Bell to Nobel Laureate Ernest Walton, Ireland’s unique innovative and creative culture is an integral part of the Irish experience. Europe’s most enterpreneurial country is Ireland!
• Distinguished graduatesIreland’s graduates are innovators in their fields, leaders in their communities and ambassadors for excellence all around the world. Qualifications earned and connections made in Ireland deliver a passport to success.
• Leading global companies in IrelandCompanies who require a skilled, educated and highly capable workforce to drive their success choose to locate in Ireland. Ireland has welcomed Google, Facebook, Pfizer, Apple, Intel to name just a few – all of whom chose Ireland as their European base.

Climate

Our climate can be summed up as being mild, moist and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. You can experience all four seasons in the one day, if you’re lucky!

Because the island is hugged all year round by the warm influence of the Gulf Stream, Ireland is much warmer than other countries that share its latitude. The Gulf Stream also ensures that the Irish coastline remains ice-free throughout winter.

Extreme winters are rare, and you’re more likely to encounter a warm glow than a frosty reception, with average winter temperatures of between 40°F/5°C and 46°F/8°C.

Summer temperatures are generally between 60°F/15°C to 70°F/20°C. One thing that is more than probable is rain – so don?t forget to pack your rain gear!

Health Insurance

Under EU/EEA regulations, students from other member states who are attending a course of study are entitled to free hospital services provided they have Form E.109 with them. In order to be eligible you will be required to provide the Irish health authorities with documentation from your home country that validates your entitlement. You should therefore contact the Health Authority in your home country, well in advance of travelling to Ireland, to fulfil any registration requirements and to obtain the necessary forms that you will need. From 1st June 2004, the E111 and a number of other ‘E’ forms (i.e. E128) have been replaced by a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).Students from non-EU countries are not covered for any free medical attention off-campus and must therefore have their own private insurance. Please note that heavy levies are charged for all hospitalisation and it is advised to make provision for adequate medical insurance. Non-EU students are required to show proof of comprehensive medical insurance when registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Proof of health insurance is also required when applying for a student visa. Students are strongly advised to arrange insurance for private medical care as this ensures choice of hospital, doctor and hospital accommodation in the event of illness.

Working in Ireland

International students engaged in full-time study of at least one year?s duration (on a course leading to a qualification which is recognised by the Irish Department of Education and Skills currently do not need a work permit to work in Ireland.

English language courses in Ireland

Meet language requirements for university admission in Ireland by choosing an English language preparation course offered by English language schools worldwide, including Ireland. By taking the right English exam training course you will advance your language skills in order to get the needed scores for IELTS, TOEFL, C1 Advanced or other English exams.

Preparation courses in Ireland

Some international students may not be able to attend a degree in Ireland because their previous studies do not match the academic system of the country. To be allowed to take an undergraduate or graduate degree in Ireland, they will need to enrol in a one-year pre-Bachelor or pre-Master offered by a local university.

Popular foundation degree studies in Ireland include pre-law degrees, pre-MBA courses, pre-medicine, pre-nursing studies, or other types of international foundation programmes in engineering, economics, finance, social science, science and other types of university pathway programmes. Preparation courses in Ireland include academic English language training to help international students meet university language requirements for future undergraduate or graduate studies.

Foundation degrees in early years in Ireland are perfect for increasing your chances of getting accepted to an Irish university. Pre-university business schools, law schools or med schools make sure international students develop the skills they need to succeed in the Irish academic system. Pre-university education also includes cultural integration classes that help students feel more at home. Some pre-university programmes guarantee enrolment to the institution if students complete the preparation with high grades.

How to apply

It’s important to remember that the method of applying to an Irish higher education institution depends on whether you are an EU student or a non-EU student. Your status is determined by your application and cannot be changed after first year registration. If you are applying to study in Ireland as an EU citizen, you apply for all undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO), unless otherwise stated. All non-EU citizens must apply directly to the higher education institutions in Ireland.

Student Visa Requirements

Ireland requires candidates from many non-EU countries to have a visa to come and study in Ireland. The student immigration process is divided into two categories, based on whether you are applying for a degree programme offered by a higher education institution or you intend to pursue an English-language or non-degree course.

Ireland PHD Programs

Ireland was inhabited as early as 8,000 BC. Its early Brehon Law system was highly sophisticated, and when Europe entered the Dark Ages, Ireland’s monasteries remained a beacon of culture and learning throughout the continent. However, Ireland was to face its own dark times, first with the Viking and then the Anglo-Norman invasions. Ireland’s darkest era, the Great Famine of 1845-49, saw over a million die and another million emigrate, sowing the first seeds of the Irish Diaspora.

The early 1900s saw a doomed uprising in 1916; a war of independence and the signing of the Anglo-Irish treaty. This treaty ended British rule in 26 of the 32 counties and established an Irish Free State. In 1937, a new constitution re-established the Irish Free State as Ireland, and in 1949, Ireland was declared a Republic.

In Northern Ireland, the initially peaceful civil rights marches of the 1960s were followed by several decades of violence. However, in 1998, a peace-plan was agreed by all parties; organisations on all sides lay down their arms, and Northern Ireland is now at peace. In 2013, the Global Peace Index ranked the Republic of Ireland the 12th most peaceful nation on earth.

Punching well above its weight on the international stage, Ireland’s distinctive historical circumstances combine with its unique position as a European post-colonial state, its neutrality and its trusted partner status in so many conflict zones to ensure a sustained and valuable impact. Today Ireland is recognised as a global leader (both academically and in practice) in the fields of international relations & law, peace and conflict studies, human rights and development.

The Republic of Ireland is also one of the most globalised economies in the world, according to a 2013 index produced by Ernst and Young in collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit. Since the 1970s, Ireland has evolved from a largely agrarian society to become a major player in the international software, food, pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.

In the wake of a major financial contraction over the period of 2008-10, the Irish government has implemented a series of tough reforms. Having shaken off the excesses of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ boom-years, the economy returned to growth in 2011, and all indicators are for steady, if modest, growth for the years to come.

Studying Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. (also PhD, Doctor of Philosophy) is the highest postgraduate degree that can be achieved at universities. People awarded with a PhD are normally allowed to have a teaching position at a university.

The Ph.D. is a scientific research doctorate or doctorate studies with a duration of typically three to five years. Despite its name, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is not limited to philosophy related studies but is awarded in most disciplines. The discipline name is usually attached with an “in” to the title (e.g. Ph.D. in Economics).

Typically, a Ph.D. degree is pursued after completion of a Master’s programme. However, in some cases it is already possible to pursue a PhD after achieving a Bachelor’s degree. In the UK, Ph.D. candiates usually enrol for a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) course first.

After a short period of typically one year, the supervisor decides upon an acceptance to the Ph.D. programme.

PhD in Ireland

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or Doctorate is the highest postgraduate degree that can be attained at universities. PhD holders usually take up a teaching profession or venture into their respective fields as scientists. Recently, Ireland has established one of the most advanced doctoral training systems in Europe, with a core focus on research expertise and academic excellence. Also, you will be given additional training in key transferable skills and supported by enterprise partnerships. Most higher education in Ireland is organized into two broad pathways, with the majority of its institutions being defined as either Universities or Institutes of Technology. You can study at either type of institution, as both are able to offer doctoral programmes. Majority of doctoral training takes place at Universities, but Ireland’s Institutes of Technology can also offer high-quality programmes – particularly in more directly vocational subject-areas. With a variety of providers to choose from, you’ll be able to choose which type of institution and PhD in Ireland programme suits your academic interests and career goals.

Application process for Ph.D in Ireland

Admission for a PhD programme in Ireland is entirely different and involves various steps. Make sure you prepare the required documents including the research proposal, transcript, To start with, you must research your target programme and contact a potential supervisor before you begin the application process.

• Find a Supervisor: the programme involves a one-on-one interaction with the supervisor and the college or university may not assign a faculty for your guidance. You should make sure that you find a guide in your area of study from the college/ university that you have applied for the programme
  
  After you have identified one or two potential supervisors, you should contact them by email. All supervisors receive many potential applications by email but make sure that you customize the email to the specific member of staff.
  
  The below list may give you an outline of the aspects to include in your initial contact email.
  
  • Your name
  • Academic background
  • Academic awards or highlights
  • Previous research experience
  • Reason to enter doctoral studies
  • Why the academic member of staff’s area of research will match with your research goals
  • Mention their work and how their research interests mesh with your own
  • A research proposal, if appropriate
  • Ask them specifically if they are accepting new graduate students for the coming academic year
• Once the supervisor agrees to work as your guide, to support your application to take place on the School’s PhD programme, there will be a paper-based application process
• You will be asked to provide your contact details, curriculum vitae and support documents including research proposal, personal statement, transcript and references.
• Prepare a Research Proposal: This holds the key in the application process for PhD programme. Normally a proposal should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words. The proposal should explain your area of study, the aim of your research and hypothesis.
• Personal statement: The most important challenge is to put down in words the reason for pursuing the particular programme, what attracts you to the subject area and how your studies or work experience has influenced.
• Transcript: A transcript is a document that states the results of all the subjects of all years that you did in your degree. Please note that the transcript is not the parchment that you would have received in your graduation. If you do not have a transcript, you can request this from your University.
• References: Certain programmes will look for references that are able to provide details about your academic abilities and motivation. In some cases, there will be specific referee forms available on the School site, however, in cases where references are required, the more normal request is for the referee to provide a letter of reference in his/her own words.

English Language Requirements for PhD in Ireland

Assessment of candidate’s application: The Supervisor, School graduate committee and the college graduate school board will review the application and determine your suitability for the chosen PhD programme. Based on the academic qualification, the proposed research topic, personal statement and the English language proficiency, your application will be assessed. After the College graduate school board approves your application, you can register to the PhD programme. Therefore, the english requirements for Doctorate in Ireland should be kept in mind and you can contact the university or our admission team to know the necessary details.

The below table gives the English requirement for PhD in Ireland

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT	SCORE
IELTS	6.5
TOEFL	90 (Internet-based)
Pearson English language test	Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item of both skills profile

IELTS Requirement for PhD in Ireland

IELTS – International English Language Testing System is accepted by universities in Ireland. The IELTS scores for PhD in universities vary depending on the course and programme.

The minimum IELTS score for PhD in Ireland is given below.

TEST	SCORE
IELTS	6.5

TOEFL Requirement for PhD in Ireland

TOEFL grades your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. You need to attain the minimum TOEFL score for PhD in Ireland in the concerned university to get an admit and pursue your research

Below is the minimum TOEFL score for PhD in Ireland.

TEST	SCORE
TOEFL	90 (Internet-based)

PTE Requirement for PhD in Ireland

Pearson’s test in English or PTE is another english language test taken by universities to do their doctorate in Ireland. You are graded on your skills in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The minimum PTE scores for PhD in Ireland is:

TEST	SCORE
Pearson English Language Test (PTE)	Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item of both skills profile

Tuition Fees for Ph.D. in Ireland

Universities in the Republic of Ireland charge no additional fees to students from within the EU. Rates will vary between individual Ph.D. programmes, but will usually be between €4000-6,000 per year as a minimum. Costs in fields such as business or medicine can be substantially higher with some programmes costing between €20,000 and €30,000 per year. Non-EU students will usually pay fees at a higher international rate. Again, the exact costs vary between programmes and institutions, but you can expect to be charged at least €9,000 with some courses at over €30,000 per year as the cost of PhD in Ireland. To know the tuition fee for Doctorate in Ireland, you can visit institutional websites that you wish to apply or talk to our admissions team.

Funding for PhD in Ireland

The Irish Research Council provides three main funding schemes for students seeking to study for a Ph.D. in Ireland

• The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship supports academic research in all subject areas and is available to international students seeking to study in Ireland.
• The Employment-Based Postgraduate Programme is also multi-disciplinary but operates through employer partnerships at specific institutions.
• The Enterprise Partnership Programme is designed for high-quality researchers seeking to develop key transferable skills.

You can find out more about these and other programmes at the website of the Irish Research Council. Other funding packages and scholarship schemes are available from individual universities and information about these can usually be found on institutional websites

Career opportunities for PHD In Ireland

A key trait in Ireland’s strategy for higher education is that it engages both academic research and commercial enterprise. This is reflected in its approach to doctoral training, particularly in the development of Structured PhD programmes. Several postgraduate courses in Ireland are also operated in partnership with non-academic bodies and enterprise stakeholders whose input helps design courses that will produce desirable graduates. As such a doctorate from an Irish university will not only demonstrate that you possess advanced academic subject knowledge: it will also allow you to develop a range of skills and experiences specifically designed to help you stand out as a high-quality candidate for prospective employers.