How To Choose The Right Irish University
How To Choose The Right Irish University
Ireland has slowly emerged to be a popular study destination for international students. The country is home to quite a number of good universities. Naturally, you will be confused which Irish university to pick from the lot. In this article, we have jotted down a few tips on how to find the right Irish university for your master degree.
1. University Rankings
First and foremost, have a target program in mind and find all relevant universities that offer the course of your preference. Browse through the available list and filter them based on the (i) Faculty(ii) Region and
(iii) Research specialty
Universities are ranked globally for their excellence in various aspects- teaching, opportunities, research, or subject-wise ranking. You can refer to these ranking systems to make better choices. Check out the different ranking systems and come up with a final list of preferred universities in Ireland.
2. Types of Colleges and Universities in Ireland
If you are not aware of the Irish University system, here is a little overview of the different kinds of educational institutions in the Republic of Ireland. There are Universities, Institutes of Technology, colleges and a lot more. They are all slightly different from one another; you can find more details for the same here:
Universities
Universities in the Republic of Ireland are all funded by the state. There are 8 Universities in Ireland. These are autonomous institutions. Universities for MS in Ireland attract a large number of international students from all around the world every year.
Institutes of Technology
An Institute of Technology (IT) is a type of higher education school in the Republic of Ireland. They were formerly referred to as Regional Technical Colleges. There are 14 institutions under the ITs. These schools provide a wide range of courses and may also have an internship as a mandatory element of the curriculum. Interestingly, they are not confined to the domain of technology and provide programs in literature, arts, commerce and other fields as well.
National Institute for Higher Education
The National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) is an institute that is established to provide a higher level of technical education to students. The level of education imparted is higher than that offered by Regional Technical Colleges. There are 4 National institutes in Ireland.
Colleges of education
Colleges of Education are similar to universities and institutes, but slightly less famous internationally. Ireland has 4 Colleges of Education.
Constituent Colleges of Irish Universities
Constituent Colleges of Irish Universities are a part of the university and follows similar examination patterns and curriculum as set by the universities. They may or may not share the same campus as the university.
Independent education Institutions
Irish universities have two intakes in a year, unlike the single intake process of Indian Universities. These two intakes are in the Fall/Autumn semester and the Spring Semester. If you are trying to apply for the Fall semester (also called Semester 1), which usually begins in September, your deadline can be anywhere from January to March. If you are applying for admission for the Spring intake (Semester 2) which starts towards the end of January usually, your deadline is probably between July to September of the previous year. Make sure you know about the exact deadlines and strategize accordingly.
Fall intake offers you more chances than spring/summer. However, if your preferred course is offered only in spring, just go for it.
You have your choice of universities ready with you. Now proceed further by analyzing the eligibility conditions for getting an admission. If your profile does not match the prerequisites offered by the university, you can simply cross it off your list – in such cases, your application will get rejected in the initial stages of the admission process.
3. Admission Intakes and Course Requirements
Irish universities have two intakes in a year, unlike the single intake proposal of Indian Universities. These two intakes are in the Fall/Autumn semester and the Spring Semester. If you are trying to apply for the Fall semester (also called Semester 1), which usually begins in September, your deadline can be anywhere from January to March. If you are applying for admission for the Spring intake (Semester 2) which starts towards the end of January usually, your deadline is probably between July to September of the previous year. Make sure you know about the exact deadlines and strategise accordingly.
Fall intake offers you more chances than spring/summer. However, if your preferred course is offered only in spring, just go for it.
You have your choice of Universities/Colleges ready with you! Now proceed further by analysing the eligibility conditions for getting an admission. If your profile does not match the prerequisites offered by the University, you can simply cross it off your list – your application will get rejected anyway in the initial stage of the admission process.
4. Course curriculum
It is crucial to check the course curriculum before you apply to any Irish university. Go through all the details given in the program booklet. Check the distribution of credits, specializations, subjects taught, laboratory facilities, alignment with your Bachelor’s degree and other aspects like internships, work experience and the master’s thesis which needs to be submitted for your final degree. Make sure that the curriculum aligns with your choices and interests. Reject the courses that do not interest you.
5. Other Influencing Factors
Establish and maintain contact with people who are already studying in Ireland through social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn or WhatsApp groups. Lastly, consider these factors as well:
- The city in which your university is located has a noteworthy influence on your monthly expenses
- Food choices available there
- Research opportunities at the university
- Student employment options
- Local climate
- Accommodation facilities
At the end, your university will be the one choosing you. We recommend that you choose top 5-7 that best suit your profile and focus completely on the application process for these selected universities. This will definitely help you in securing admission in at least one Irish university.
