Study in Ireland
Study in this European capital and set yourself up for career success
Education in Ireland
University College Dublin ranked 87 in the world for graduate employability
(out of more than 500 universities, QS 2022)
Quick facts
Number of international students: 35,000 (during 2022/2023, Higher Education Authority)
Work opportunities: Students can engage in part-time work during studies. Non-EU/EEA graduates able to stay for one year to seek employment, which can be extended for another year. Ireland is the only native English speaking country in the EU to offer this.
Language: English
Geography: Located on an island to the northwest of continental Europe. The Republic of Ireland occupies most of the island, with Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, covering the northeastern portion.
Length of study: Undergraduate: Typically takes three to four years to complete. Students can choose from a wide range of programmes, including the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, and more.
Postgraduate: Postgraduate courses may take one to two years, depending on whether the student is pursuing a taught master's programme or a research-based course. Doctoral programmes typically take three to four years and are focused on research.
Education structure: Divided into levels, each caters to different stages of educational development, from primary education to tertiary education.
Why is Ireland great for international students?
Discover adventure and history
Live an unmatched life in Ireland. Experience lively social events and outdoor adventures. Dublin is a welcoming city with a friendly atmosphere. Its historic charm, exciting entertainment scene and multinational culinary options make it an excellent place to live and study in Europe.
Take peaceful countryside moments and read Celtic tales to learn about old Irish legends and myths. Ireland’s literature and arts are deeply intertwined with the country’s history and traditions. Making your studies abroad in Ireland filled with unique insights and memories.
Experience a top-ranking, global education
Ireland is home to a number of high-ranking universities known for their research and teaching excellence. University College Dublin is ranked in the top 12% of institutions worldwide, placing it 171st in the world overall (QS World University Rankings 2024). The University is also home to over 38,000 students, including over 9,500 international students from 152 countries, making University College Dublin Ireland’s largest and most global university.
In 2022/2023 academic year, 88% of all students across the UK and Ireland who completed their pathway programme with us were eligible to progress to the university of their choice.
Benefit from industry connections in Europe
From cutting-edge coding programmes to groundbreaking pharma studies, if you're tech-obsessed, get ready to be absorbed in the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’. Home to 16 of the top 20 global technology companies including Apple, Meta, Google and Microsoft (IDA Ireland, 2023). Ireland's got it all. The country’s commitment to research, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), means you could be at the forefront of the next big breakthrough.
Irish universities also have strong connections with global employers. For example, University College Dublin has partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, providing pathways to employers such as Pfizer and Genzyme. The university also offers top-tier MBA programmes, helping you pave the way to business success.
“I think Ireland is a great place to study because the people here are very friendly and when it’s sunny it’s wonderful. I find living here in Dublin is so comfortable. The environment is so good, just breathing very fresh air.”
Serena from China
Studied International Foundation Year in Business, Economics and Finance.
Oscar Wilde
One of the most famous playwrights and poets in the English language, known for his wit, flamboyant style, and tragic imprisonment.
Mary Robinson
The first female President of Ireland and a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Peter Sutherland
Served as the Attorney General of Ireland, EU Commissioner, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and chairman of Goldman Sachs International.
William C. Campbell
His global impact in the field of science, specifically for his work on therapies against infections caused by roundworms, earned him a Nobel Prize in Physiology for Medicine in 2015.
“The foundation that we study at the International Study Centre is really helpful. The presentation skills we learn help to ease us into university life. If I had gone to University College Dublin directly, I don’t think I would have been eased into university life, as the ISC helped with that.”
Nikita from India
Studied International Foundation Year in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Progressed to BSc Economics
“In our International Study Centre, we really try to make it as smooth a transition as possible for them…Once students progress to University College Dublin, we make sure that they know that we are always still there for them.”
Belinda Sheehan
Administration Officer at Dublin International Study Centre