Education System in Ireland for Indian Students [Mini Handbook]
Get Familiar with how the Higher Education System in Ireland works
Ireland is a popular destination for international students due to its good programs, reasonable fees, rich culture, and history. Ireland has a robust Education strategy to provide a more flexible system with more options for provision and learning styles.
The education system in Ireland is a vital part of the country’s development. Here, education becomes compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16.
Primary, secondary, and higher education are the three levels of the Irish educational system. They all strongly emphasise academic achievement and personal development in every individual. If, as an Indian student, you choose Ireland as your higher study destination, you must pick the country’s third-level education system. Let’s explore this system further to understand its key features and components.
Structure of the Third-level Education System in Ireland
Ireland has a ladder-shaped third-level education system with three categories. Here is a breakdown of its structure.
- Universities: Twelve publicly-funded universities in Ireland offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees in various subjects.
- Technological Universities: There are two institutes of technology in Ireland that offer courses in engineering, science, business, and hospitality.
- Private Colleges: Quality and Qualifications of Ireland (QQI) also recognises other privately funded colleges in the country. These colleges offer courses in various fields, including business, computing, art, and more.
The below table outlines the structure of the third-level education system in Ireland:
Level | Education | Duration |
| Level 6 | Higher/Professional certificate courses | 1 or 2 years |
| Level 7 | Ordinary degrees or Diplomas | 3 years |
| Level 8 | Honours degree | 3 or 4 years |
| Level 9 | Master’s degree | Mostly 1 year |
| Level 10 | Doctoral Degree | 3 years of research + dissertation |
Quality of Education in Ireland
Quality is a key factor that drives Indian students to apply for higher education overseas. And nobody could miss mentioning NFQ and QQI when discussing the quality of Ireland’s education system.
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a 10-level system used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the awarding body for third-level educational institutions outside the university sector and is also the awarding body for further education and training.
NFQ and QQI offer several advantages for international students studying in Ireland. These include:
- Recognition of foreign qualifications
- Pathway of progression
- International recognition
- High-quality education
These bodies govern the courses designed in Irish universities and colleges, so you can go worry-free about the program’s quality. You will begin to experience a curriculum that lays a solid foundation on critical and analytical thinking over the others.
All these standards don’t stop with academics but also strongly emphasise the arts, emphasising music, drama, and other creative subjects. Lecturers here train you to grow and learn independently to make you future-ready in this ever-changing world.
Read more: 17 Benefits of studying in Ireland
Approach to Teaching Style
Universities and colleges in Ireland follow a training pattern combining lectures, discussions, and independent study.
Your lecturers address the whole classroom on topics with materials for you to understand the program’s modules. The traditional classes follow this approach, while discussions involve interactive talks among your group for a deeper understanding of the subject. This fact explains why most of the classroom size is smaller in Ireland than in India.
The Irish teaching method involves a lot of independent studies. You should actively engage yourself in assignments, projects, gathering notes, and discussions.
As an Indian student, you might take time to cope with the system. But fear not, all international students can access the Ireland education support system in case of trouble. All universities and colleges have dedicated teams for this.
Cost of Higher Education in Ireland
Here are some essential points on the cost of higher education in Ireland for international students.
Level of Study | Average Tuition Fees (Fee/year) |
| Undergraduate | 6 Lakhs to 59 Lakhs |
| Postgraduate | 9 Lakhs to 32 Lakhs |
| MBA | 18 Lakhs to 31 Lakhs |
| MBBS | 24 Lakhs to 35 Lakhs |
Apart from this breakup, it would help if you considered a few other additional expenses while considering a study in Ireland. These can be your student contribution fee, examination and functional charges, visa, insurance, and flight charges. Not least of all, you need to show funding proof of 12,000 EUROS to cover your cost of living in Ireland.
| Know how to plan for the “cost of studying in Ireland” |
Learning Outcomes
Do you want to gain international exposure with the field-specific knowledge you obtained in your Masters? Then, don’t look no further than Ireland.
A two-year post-study visa permits all international students in Ireland to stay and work for two years after graduation. As a hub of the world’s popular MNCs, Ireland gives immense opportunities to gain international exposure.
Below is a list of some of the top recruiters of abroad students in Ireland:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Apple
- Deloitte
- IBM
- Intel
- Microsoft
- Pfizer
Read more: Job opportunities for Indian students in Ireland
