The traditionally high level of education is a distinctive feature of Irish universities, which, unfortunately, is not always known to Russian applicants. Even in the Middle Ages, Ireland was called the "Island of Saints and Scholars." Thanks to common roots, the Irish higher education system copies the British model. However, it also has its own specifics. Colleges and universities in the educational system of Ireland do not share and believe that they all represent the so-called. "3rd level" - higher education. As a result, many undergraduate programs in Ireland are taught in colleges. To enter local universities, graduates of Russian secondary schools must either complete the Foundation program (1 year), or complete the last two years of an Irish high school and receive an Irish Leaving Certificate (Irish Matura), an IB international diploma or a British A-Levels certificate. The fulfillment of this condition opens the doors of higher educational institutions in Ireland to foreign applicants.

As an exception, there are a small number of colleges and business schools in the country that can be entered without a Foundation and without two years of study at an Irish high school. In both cases, a foreign applicant must confirm a good knowledge of the English language with the official results of the international IELTS or TOEFL tests. The minimum age for admission to an Irish college is 18.

Along with a large number of professional colleges in Ireland, there are seven universities, the most prestigious among which are Trinity College (Dublin), University College (Dublin), University of Limerick.

Note: Unlike university colleges, vocational colleges are more practical. Depending on the length of study, graduates are awarded certificates here. diplomas or academic degrees: One Year Certificate is issued after a year of full-time study, after two years a National Certificate is issued, after three - a National Diploma, and after four - a bachelor's degree, which is equated to a university.

Location: Dublin.

Description: Trinity College (Dublin), founded by Queen Elizabeth I of Great Britain, is an independent division of the University of Dublin. It is the oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education in the country. In addition, Trinity is one of the 7 oldest universities in the English-speaking world and the only one located outside the UK. As the first in Ireland, the College is traditionally ranked among the top 50 according to the London Times. At various times, Trinity's pets were writers Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde, Nobel Prize winners in literature Samuel Beckett, Nobel Prize winners in literature, physicist Ernest Thomas Walton and other famous personalities.

Faculties: humanities, philology, business, economics and social sciences, engineering and cybernetics, medicine and natural sciences.

Number of students: about 15 thousand

Russian-language (partially) bachelor's program: business-oriented disciplines and the Russian language.

Start date: August.

Accommodation:€8’500/year (single room in student residence)

Program	Requirements	Tuition fee, euro, €
Undergraduate, 4 years		16’000 - 21’000
Master, 1-2 years MBA	Profile higher education (bachelor's degree), IELTS 6.5, TOEFL (ibt): 90+	7'000 - 30'000 (MBA)

Location: Dublin.

Description: University College Dublin (UCD) is the largest university in Ireland. Its founder, Cardinal John Henry Newman, conceived it as one of the first Irish Catholic universities. To date, UCD is the second most prestigious university in Ireland after Trinity and the first in terms of the number of students. Of all its alumni, James Joyce, the outstanding writer of the 20th century, is the most famous.

Faculties: legal, economics and social sciences, philosophy and sociology, medical, engineering and architecture, natural sciences, humanities, business.

Number of students: about 22 thousand, 1’500 are foreigners.

Start date: august

Accommodation:€600/month

Program	Requirements	Tuition fee, euro, €
Undergraduate, 4 years		15’000 - 20’000
Master, 1 - 2 years	Profile higher education (bachelor's degree), IELTS 6.5	8’000 - 44’000

Location: Limerick.

Description: The city of Limerick is an attractive place for students from abroad: annually music festivals and various cultural events, various international sports competitions are held here. The local university, which received its status only at the end of the last century, is today considered the most prestigious institution of higher education in Ireland. By the number of academic degrees received within its walls, this university ranks first in the country. Among its alumni are the Irish politician and former President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, the famous Canadian engineer David Parnassus.

Ireland ranks first in the world in terms of the number of educational institutions per capita. At the same time, the cost of education in it is 20-30% lower than in other English-speaking countries.

Duration of Irish university programs

As in many other European countries, Irish universities are divided into universities and colleges of vocational education. Moreover, in some specialties (business, design), college graduates are more in demand on the market than university graduates. State universities are, first of all, scientific centers. And private, as a rule, are more focused on practice and market needs. In Irish universities, you can get a vocational education in 2 years, a bachelor's degree in 3-4 years, a master's degree in 1-2 years, a graduate student in 3 years.

Education in Ireland in English

The official language of Ireland is English, so education in all Irish universities is in English.

Admission to Irish Universities

To enter Irish universities, a Russian certificate of school education and a certificate of knowledge of the English language are sufficient. At the same time, it is desirable to have good grades in major subjects, and even better - a medal. If you are not sure that you can immediately master the first-year program in a non-native language, then the Foundation preparatory programs that exist at many universities will help you. The advantage of this one-year program is that after it you can be automatically enrolled in a university not only in Ireland, but also in the UK or the USA.

Acceptance of documents for the programs of the first higher education in all Irish universities is carried out centrally through the Central Application Office (Central Application Office) and lasts until February 1. Applications for graduate and postgraduate programs should be submitted directly to the universities within the deadlines set by them for specific programs.

Cost and Scholarships to Study in Ireland

Citizens of the European Union study for free at the bachelor's degree (provided that this is the first education) and for 4-10 thousand euros per year in the magistracy and postgraduate studies. The remaining international students of all levels pay 10-20 thousand euros per year. Engineering and medical specialties are traditionally more expensive: up to 50 thousand euros. Living expenses are 700 euros per month.

There are many ways for international students to cover their expenses with scholarships, but most of them are offered at the post-baccalaureate level. It is allowed to earn extra money up to 20 hours a week while studying and up to 40 hours during the holidays. Graduates from the CIS countries can stay in Ireland for up to 16 months without additional permits, which should be enough to find a job.

The Irish higher education system has its roots in the Middle Ages. It is no coincidence that this island country is called the “land of saints and scientists”: back in those distant times, monks were educated in monasteries, and then went to Europe to bring knowledge to the continent. Centuries have passed, and Ireland is still famous for its exceptional education. Not only have traditions been preserved here, but they always keep up with the times, constantly developing and improving the educational system.

Today, Irish higher education is based on the Bologna system and includes undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies. The first stage is a bachelor's degree, lasting 3-4 years. After three years of study, you can get an Ordinary Bachelor Degree, after 4 - a bachelor's degree with honors (Honours Bachelor Degree). As a rule, four-year studies are chosen by students aimed at high positions or continuing their studies in the magistracy.

Master's programs are 2 more years within the walls of the university. But unlike undergraduate programs, where students attend a fairly large number of lectures and seminars, master's programs involve more independent study. In addition to attending classes, students prepare scientific papers and research under the supervision of a tutor (supervisor).

Doctoral studies can take from 2 to 6 years, depending on the amount of research work.

Colleges, institutes and universities in Ireland

Higher education in Ireland is represented by universities, institutes and colleges. There are some differences between them and the choice of a higher educational institution depends on what you plan to do in the future.

There are 9 universities in Ireland. All of them focus on research and scientific work. The oldest and most prestigious is Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1591. Education at universities in Ireland, as a rule, is chosen by those students who plan to devote themselves to science.

Institutes and colleges are not so fundamentally strong, but they are focused on the practical application of knowledge and prepare their graduates for future work. It is not surprising that diplomas from such educational institutions are valued by employers from the real sector of the economy higher than those from universities.

The most prestigious specialties are economic sciences, medicine, and information technology.

The academic academic year is two to three semesters and lasts from September to June. In addition to summer holidays, students at Irish universities have a holiday at Christmas in December and at Easter in April. The educational process itself consists of lectures, seminars, practical classes and laboratory work, as well as individual lessons with a tutor. The academic load is high, there are many independent tasks. Without fail, all students go in for sports - for this, universities in Ireland have all the necessary sports facilities. Also, special attention is paid to creativity and social activity. A variety of circles, creative studios and communities of interest allow students to spend time in an exciting and useful way.

Irish university rankings

University	Position in 2016-2017	Position in 2017-20018
Trinity College Dublin	----	177
University College Dublin	201-250	201-250
National University of Ireland, Galway	201-250	201-250
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland	201-250	201-250
National University of Ireland, Maynooth	351-400	401-500
University College Cork	351-400	351-400
Dublin City University	401-500	401-500
University of Limerick	501-600	501-600
Dublin Institute of Technology	601-800	601-800

However, despite not the highest ratings, graduates of Irish universities are in great demand in the world market. Finding a job with an Irish university degree is not difficult - both on the Emerald Isle itself and in Europe and North America.

Tuition fees at universities in Ireland

The tuition fees in Irish higher education institutions are considered to be among the lowest among the English-speaking countries. A year of study at the prestigious Trinity College will cost 15,000 - 20,000 € in the humanities and technical faculties, about 30,000 € in medical specialties. In less popular universities, you can quite "keep within" the amount of 15,000 €.

Additional living expenses depend on the city in which the university is located. In the capital of the Republic - Dublin, prices are traditionally higher than in the provinces. On average, students spend about 7,000 - 10,000 € per year on hostel fees, meals and travel, which is about 30% less than in neighboring Great Britain.

According to the migration law, foreign students can work during their studies: up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during the holidays. Ireland is interested in attracting qualified specialists, so it will not be difficult for senior students to find a part-time job in their specialty. In addition to additional income, such work can be a way to stay in Ireland after graduation.

In addition to part-time jobs, students can apply for a scholarship - most universities, institutes and colleges have incentive programs for students with high academic results.

How to get into an Irish university?

Unlike other European countries, Ireland recognizes a certificate of secondary education obtained in the Russian Federation as a sufficient basis for entering a university. To do this, you must have good grades (mostly "excellent"), as well as confirm knowledge of the English language. Undergraduate programs require a TOEFL score of at least 550 or an IELTS score of 6 or higher. However, this path is considered quite risky - most likely, top educational institutions will refuse you.

The most preferred way to enter Irish universities is the Foundation course. During the year of study, students will significantly improve the level of English and academic subjects, and also adapt to living in the country. In some educational institutions, students who have passed the Foundation are automatically transferred to the first year with a “re-credit” of some of the subjects.

Documents must be submitted in advance. Thus, the Central Admissions Committee, to which all applicants applying for undergraduate programs at institutes and universities send documents, closes the acceptance of papers on December 15. Those who apply to colleges and master's / doctoral programs apply directly to the chosen educational institution. The deadlines may vary somewhat, but, as a rule, in January, all educational institutions stop accepting applications.

The Republic of Ireland is one of the safest countries in Europe with a rapidly developing economy. They are tolerant towards foreigners, especially students. Studying in Ireland is interesting, its quality is highly appreciated, and prospects in the labor market open up for graduates. Even in the early Middle Ages, this green island was called the land of "the righteous and scientists." So the education system here has ancient traditions. It is similar to the British, although it has some features. The country's government does not spare investments and financial investments in education, seeking to attract students from all over the world to Irish universities. Economics, natural sciences, computer technology and banking - this is still an incomplete list of the most popular disciplines for which Irish universities prepare students.

The education system in Ireland: national features

Like any European country, Ireland has three levels of education - primary, secondary and higher. The beginning and end of the school year also coincide with the usual dates for us. Children go to school in September and go on summer holidays in June. Universities often start the academic year in August and end in June. Since the 1960s, the education system in the country has gone through a period of major reforms. Compulsory education applies to children aged 5 (or 6) to 15 (or 16) years old. Education in Ireland is free, including at colleges and universities, but only for citizens and students from EU countries. The duration of primary and secondary education is about 13 years.

Language policy

Pupils in publicly funded schools must acquire Irish language skills. But some of them - those who are going to go abroad or have difficulties in learning - are exempted from this subject. In most regions of Ireland, teaching is conducted in English, with the exception of some types of Irish-medium schools (Gaelscoileanna).

Preschool and Primary Education in Ireland

preschool education

Pre-school education in this country is possible for toddlers from the age of three, although most children go to primary school from the age of four or five. There are two types of early childhood education in Ireland:

• Montessori School. This is a nursery with a special pedagogical approach. Here children are taken at 2.5–3 years old and prepared for elementary school. In "Montessori School" kids are taught up to 6 years;
• junior and senior groups of elementary school (Primary School, Bunscoil). This is a kind of analogue of our kindergarten. Here, too, children are prepared for study, but according to other programs. Children are accepted into elementary school groups at the age of 4-5 and are taught up to six years.

Compulsory Primary Education

Then comes the second stage - primary (school) education, which is compulsory. Education lasts from five (six) to twelve years and includes six classes of the primary school proper. There are about 3 thousand free primary schools in Ireland, but there are also paid private boarding schools that operate according to the British system.

What and how is taught in Irish elementary school?

Children study three main subjects: mathematics and two languages ​​(English and Irish). They also get acquainted with the basics of the arts and sciences, but in education at this stage, mainly game methods are used. The subject “Society and Environment” is obligatory. During such lessons, children are taught to socialize and take care of nature. Music and sports are also practiced here. After graduating from elementary school, children take a general development test.

Secondary schools in Ireland

From the age of 12, children are required to enter secondary school (Secondary School, Meánscoil). In total, there are about 800 secondary schools in Ireland and all of them have a standard program recommended by the Department of Education. Most of these schools are owned by individuals or religious communities. However, the state also provides significant subsidies to such educational institutions. Therefore, for the children of Irish citizens, education, even in private schools, is often free.

Video: studying in private schools in Ireland

Stages of secondary education

Studying in secondary school is divided into two periods:

• three-year junior cycle from 12 to 15 years (Junior Cycle, Timthriall Sóisearach),
• two-year senior cycle from 16 to 18 years old (Senior Cycle, Timthriall Sinsearach).

Many schools between the junior and senior cycle provide another transition year (Transition Year, Idirbhliain). The academic year in schools is divided into trimesters of 13 weeks each.

Junior secondary education

In addition to the compulsory subjects, additional ones are introduced into the program of the secondary school of the junior cycle, at the choice of the child. These are French, history, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, economics, business organization, and so on. The choice of items is very large. It helps students to specialize already in adolescence and navigate what they would like to study in the senior cycle. After the end of the junior cycle, students take state exams. Then they receive a certificate of completion of the junior educational cycle (Junior Certificate, Teastas Sóisearach). With such a document, you can already go to work. At this stage, compulsory education ends.

Transition Year and Senior Secondary Education

During the transition year, students prepare for the last cycle of secondary education and finally decide on their profile. In the senior cycle, students study in depth 6–8 subjects. The workload for students at this stage doubles. Young people are also being prepared for the Leaving Certificate (Ardteistiméireacht) exams. We can say that these same exams are entrance exams to universities. They are taken in June in six subjects and last for three weeks.

What are high school diplomas?

The certificate of complete secondary education obtained at the end of the senior cycle is similar to the English level A Level. But this diploma can be of several types. In order to be recognized in all European countries, as well as in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, you need to get the International Baccalaureate (international baccalaureate). For admission to an Irish university or college, a certificate of upper secondary education is required. When enrolling applicants in universities, scores obtained in at least two specialized subjects are taken into account.

My daughter studied for six years in Ireland, a year at the Primary School and five years at the Secondary School… ordinary, free schools. Last year, she quietly entered law school at Trinity College. We are extremely satisfied with our education.

Fata Morgana

Education in Irish schools for foreign children

Children of foreigners are admitted to secondary schools, but they have to pay for education. True, secondary education received in an Irish private school is cheaper than in a British one. The annual tuition fee in private schools is 8,000 pounds, but there are institutions where you need to pay 10 and even 16 thousand pounds. Most often, foreigners enter schools for the transition year or immediately for the senior cycle (that is, at 15-16 years old). Irish law requires that every foreign child under the age of 16 who is in a local school for more than three months has an Irish guardian. Therefore, parents pay extra money for guardianship. Education of a foreign child in an Irish school (including food, accommodation, guardianship fees, transport costs and textbooks) costs 13-18 thousand dollars a year.

Catholic schools and boarding houses

Many Irish private schools are called Catholic. But this does not mean that everyone who enters there must belong to this Christian denomination. It's just that in such schools there is very strict discipline and violation of the rules can lead to expulsion. There are also boarding schools in the country (about 80), where foreign students are accepted and accommodated. They live in large bedrooms for 25 people (dormitories). But as they grow older, the students are moved to rooms with one or more neighbors.

The school is Catholic. The day begins and ends with prayer, plus prayer before meals. Children regularly visit the church of St. Michael. But if you are against it, no one will be forced to. The child will simply be left at school with other such children and one of the teachers will deal with them. Our daughter just stays, says that with her there are 3-4 more children from other classes. According to last year's data, 30% of foreign children study at our school.

white cat

http://www.virtualireland.ru/showthread.php?t=33816

Higher education in Ireland

Higher education in Ireland belongs to the third stage (Third Level education). It lasts three to four years, and most graduates who graduate from the university receive a bachelor's degree. Higher and specialized education is provided by 7 state universities, 13 institutes of technology and 8 teacher training colleges. There are also private colleges and business schools. Depending on the university, the academic year for students is divided into two or three semesters. The full course of education lasts four years. The main method of teaching is the work of the student with the supervisor (tutorials).

Video: Trinity College in Ireland

The most famous Irish universities

Irish universities are reputed to be the oldest in the world. After all, the first higher schools at the monasteries appeared here at the dawn of the Middle Ages, in the sixth century. And now Irish educational institutions are no worse than advertised Oxford or Cambridge. Universities in this country position themselves as research centers. Therefore, first of all, young people who want to make a scientific career come here. There are seven public universities in Ireland. The most famous of these is Holy Trinity College Dublin (or "Trinity College"). It was founded at the end of the sixteenth century by Queen Elizabeth. This university, according to the Times, is annually included in the TOP-50 of the best educational institutions in the world. Its alumni included Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde. The National University of Ireland is no less popular. It consists of three colleges: Dublin, Cork and Galway. Each of these university colleges has full autonomy and self-government.

Photo gallery: the most famous universities and colleges in Ireland

College in Cork, like universities in Dublin and Galway, is completely self-governing Griffith College - one of the largest private universities in Ireland Dublin Institute of Technology is considered the best university providing special education The University of Galway is part of the National University of Ireland Trinity College Dublin was founded by Queen Elizabeth

Institutes and colleges

Of the universities that provide higher education, the Dublin Institute of Technology is famous, where 22,000 students study. Computer science, marketing, hotel business, and service are excellently taught here. The National College of Art and Design has an excellent reputation, as well as 11 professional colleges that are part of the system of regional technical colleges. Of the private institutions, the most famous is Griffith College (more than 20 thousand students). College programs often include internships in firms and enterprises, which allows graduates to gain practical skills for further work.

Specialization of Irish universities

Public universities provide traditional academic education. All of them have faculties of technical, natural (including biological), humanitarian, economic, social and medical sciences. Teachers' colleges are famous for their excellent English language programs, which is why they often run language schools. Private colleges are more focused on applied programs related to marketing, new IT technologies and business. Therefore, graduates of these colleges are very popular with employers. It is these private higher schools that mainly attract investment in education.

New "market" directions and student feedback

Due to high competition, state universities in Ireland have also begun to prepare students for applied "market" programs in the form of postgraduate courses, trainings for specialists, and so on. New subjects in demand on the market are being introduced into traditional university courses. In addition, many Irish universities have short-term (calculated for 1-2 years of study) training programs for specialists in the areas of hotel management, tourism, computer technology, and design.

At lectures, only the general features of the course are given, and the rest has to be studied independently from textbooks. By the way, textbooks are given in the library in very limited quantities and only for a week, so there is a constant “hunt” for them. We didn’t have any test papers, there was an attestation in the middle of the semester, and an exam at the end. Knowledge control is carried out unusually seriously: in a separate building, all at once, with the participation of a sufficient number of "supervisors" and the presence of mirrors on the walls. All the tests contained questions solely for understanding, no one required cramming. At the same time, the Irish demand that they write everything they know, which sometimes led to a stupor.

Sumbaev Igor

http://gsom.spbu.ru/international_contacts/gsom_students/exchange_program/accounts/tcd/

Irish Degrees in Higher Education

Graduates of Irish universities, colleges and high schools can obtain different degrees. It all depends on the type of university and the program of study:

Education in Ireland for Russians: what are the prospects?

In total, about 200 thousand students study in Ireland, of which 11 thousand are foreigners. Many students from other countries choose to study in Ireland, because education in this country is not inferior to English in quality, and living and studying here is not as expensive as in the UK. Non-EU students must pay tuition fees (up to £3,000 in 2015). This is a registration fee, as well as reimbursement for exams, maintenance, insurance, and so on. For Russian students, Irish universities are interesting because many of them recognize Russian diplomas and accept applicants from the Russian Federation from the age of 17.

Preparation for admission

In order to enter an Irish university, you need to start preparing at least a year in advance. First of all, you should choose which university or college you want to study at. Usually, future students proceed from the criteria of the cost of education, the prestige of the institution, the comfort of living and the demand on the labor market for the specialties offered by the university. Information about the requirements and deadlines for admission can be found on the websites of these educational institutions. There are also contacts of special departments for working with foreign applicants. These services help students from other countries with advice on admission.

English level

To meet the requirements of the country's universities, you should know the English language at the proper level, as well as have the highest scores in specialized subjects. In addition, Irish universities accept Russian applicants only from the first year. Transfer from Russian universities to Irish ones is not possible. Documents to all universities are accepted until February 1 through a special centralized institution - the Central Application Office. Those wishing to enter Irish colleges or for additional programs (for example, for a master's degree) apply directly to universities.

Training courses

The easiest way to prepare for admission is after graduating from high school to study at a special department of the Foundation program at a selected Irish university or at language schools at colleges. These courses usually last about a year. The Foundation program is also interesting because its students not only learn the language at the level necessary for learning, they also learn the basics of computer literacy and business. Graduates of this program can enter not only Irish, but English and American universities.

Language schools for Russians and not only

Among the language schools in Ireland, the most qualified and academic are those that are members of the Language Course Associations: MEI (Marketing English in Ireland) and RELSA (Recognized English Schools Assosiasion). They have a diverse methodology and an integrated approach to learning. Their goal is to teach future students to listen, write, perceive and understand English speech. A lot of time during such courses is devoted to language practice. Different schools offer many varieties of courses - from basic to examination (preparation for passing tests required for admission to a university), academic (advanced) and special (for business, management, etc.).

Russian language programs

Some Irish colleges and universities offer partially Russian-language bachelor's programs. They are usually focused on business and commerce. In particular, there are such programs at Trinity College.

Required documents

Irish universities require the following package of required documents from applicants:

• certificate of passing international language exams (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC and others). Such a document demonstrates the ability of the future student to receive education in English;
• a certificate (diploma) indicating grades and the number of hours listened to in each discipline. It must be translated into English and certified;
• letters of recommendation,
• motivation letter. This document must be well-written in order to convince the selection committee of a serious attitude towards future studies. It should contain arguments about why the applicant wants to study in Ireland, what knowledge he already has in the necessary subjects, and what he wants to learn;
• confirmation of the availability of funds to live and study in Ireland.

Often, Irish universities additionally require graduates of Russian schools to study for a year at Foundation preparatory courses or even two years at an Irish high school (in order to obtain a Leaving Certificate). Additional conditions usually vary depending on the universities, and they should be clarified with each university or college directly.

How to get a student visa

A necessary condition for the admission of a Russian applicant to any Irish university is to obtain a student visa. To do this, fill out an online questionnaire in English on the website of the embassy. After filling out the questionnaire, the application is assigned a number, and the document itself and the declaration attached to it are printed. To them is added the necessary package of documents for opening a visa. All this at the specified time is provided to the consular department of the Embassy of the Republic of Ireland in the Russian Federation. This is done at least two months before the intended departure, because some papers are sent to Ireland, and waiting for a response may delay the procedure. The package of required documents includes the following:

• passport for traveling abroad and a photocopy of all pages of the internal passport,
• 2 photographs 35x45 mm,
• bank confirmation of payment for studies,
• an extract from a bank account on the availability of funds for living (or a document on a grant, scholarship),
• documents for real estate and property in Russia,
• a copy of the insurance policy (with a coverage amount of at least 30 thousand euros).

At the interview, students also have to prove that they were really enrolled for study, they speak the language at a sufficient level, and after graduating from higher education they intend to return to Russia.

How much does it cost to study and live in Ireland

The cost of studying and living for international students in Ireland depends on which majors they have chosen. Education in humanitarian programs and business will cost 5-6 thousand pounds a year, natural sciences - 6-7 thousand. The most expensive study in medical colleges. There, a foreign student will have to pay about 13 thousand pounds a year. And on average, the cost of accommodation and meals is approximately 5 thousand pounds per year.

Student Accommodation

As a rule, foreign students live in dormitories on campuses in Irish universities. The hostels are very comfortable and well equipped, and the Irish campuses can be considered the best in Europe. Some students rent private houses and apartments. Sometimes foreign students are placed in families. Homes for living are very carefully selected. Most often, these are families of teachers who also have children. It happens that students for the first time of study (two or three months) live in families, and then they themselves choose whether to stay there further or look for housing on their own.

Information about the possibility of living in a hostel room, in a family or renting a house is obtained from the international department of a particular university. These departments also facilitate the resettlement of foreign students.

I live in a residence (student hostel), I get to the university by tram. This takes me half an hour. With me in the section (the house is divided into several sections) live 2 Americans, a Canadian, an Englishman and an Irishman. The kitchen is shared, large and equipped with appliances. I live in a separate room, I was satisfied with the room. It is small, but comfortable and cozy. The residence is really very good, it is monitored by special staff, so everything is clean and tidy everywhere. According to a five-point school, I would give the residence "four plus". I like the neighbors, everything has its time: both study and fun, but after 11 pm everything subsides.

Alexander Kuzmin

http://www.studinter.ru/text_obrazovanie_irlandia.html

Video: life of students in host families

Grants and scholarships for studying foreigners

The Irish government offers grants and scholarships to study students from other countries. Mostly such scholarships are allocated by local authorities, depending on the student's region of residence. They fully pay for the education of a foreigner, and in many cases a grant for living is also provided in parallel (from 900 to 7000 euros per year). Interestingly, local governments allocate this money not on the basis of a competition, but if a foreign student meets the following criteria:

• full-time study (master's two-year or bachelor's four-year course),
• residence in the given area (or in the EU country) from the moment no later than October 1 of the year preceding the academic year,
• citizenship of the EU countries or the presence of permission to stay in Ireland (refugee status, residence permit, status of a spouse (wife) or child of specialists officially working in the country),
• annual income is less than 39 thousand euros.

Irish universities themselves often provide scholarships to international students and postgraduates from outside the EU. Such scholarships are issued every year for certain programs during the entire period of study. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ireland provides special educational grants for students from Russia - for short-term studies (one year), summer schools and postgraduate studies. There are also government scholarships for students from all over the world to conduct research at accredited Irish universities.

Possibility of part-time work and subsequent employment

If foreign students study in Ireland for more than a year, they can earn extra money, but not more than 20 hours a week. Information about where to find a part-time job is often posted by the university itself. It is also provided by job centers. The average student earns $200–$250 per week. Graduates of Irish universities have the opportunity to find a job not only in this country, but also in the UK and the USA. The greatest prospects for specialists in the field of programming. Some universities have their own services that help students earn extra money, and graduates get jobs. For example, the University of Limerick holds job fairs where employers come from all over the world. Thanks to such events, about 2 thousand graduates of this university annually find work. The most famous institution of higher education in Ireland - Trinity College - employs its graduates with the help of student clubs and organizations.

Final table: the pros and cons of education in Ireland

Advantages of an Irish Education	Disadvantages of an Irish Education
Education in Ireland resembles English and is not inferior to it in quality	Very high requirements for incoming foreigners and high tuition costs
Specialization and preparation for a possible admission to universities begins already at school	The existence of a transitional year relaxes schoolchildren and knocks them out of the academic rut
Studying in Ireland is cheaper than in the US or UK	Education in Ireland is paid for Russian students
Education is conducted in English, there are partially Russian-language programs	To enter an Irish university, you need to have a certificate of passing international language exams
Students can live in host families where meals are included in the fee	Living and eating in Ireland is expensive for the average student
To enter an Irish university, it is enough to know English at a certain level and have good scores in specialized subjects in the Russian certificate	Students cannot transfer from a Russian university to an Irish one, studies begin from the first year
There are many scholarships and grants for studying and living in Ireland	Most scholarships and grants are for EU citizens or foreigners legally residing in Ireland
Students can work while they study, and many colleges and universities have graduate employment programs	To study in some popular specialties, you need to withstand a big competition or pay a lot of money

Every year studying in Ireland becomes more popular. Secondary and higher education in the country where the Nobel laureates studied makes it possible to obtain diplomas that are recognized in Ireland itself and in other English-speaking countries. You can get a job after an Irish university in almost any corner of the globe, but for this you need to think through everything and carefully prepare: choose a university or college, submit documents correctly, draw up a package of papers for a student visa, pass the necessary English proficiency test. If this is not possible at home, any Irish college offers language courses. Do not forget about everyday issues - finances for accommodation, food, textbooks. Ireland is a promising state for foreigners, with beautiful landscapes and an amazing history, but excursions and communication should not distract from the process of mastering knowledge. After all, it is the serious people who devote most of their time to mastering their chosen subject that become in-demand specialists and arouse the interest of Irish employers.