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Studying in Ireland

Sometimes referred to as the Emerald Isles, the island of Ireland is made up of two countries; Northern Ireland, a member of the United Kingdom, in the north and the Republic of Ireland, a member of the European Union in the south. These two countries are excellent options for North American students looking to study in an English-speaking, European-based university.

SI-UK works with two of Northern Ireland's three further education institutions and several from the Republic of Ireland so can assist you in finding the best university for you. Read below to learn more about studying at a Northern Irish and Republic of Ireland university.     

Why should I study in Northern Ireland? 

There are many reasons to consider Northern Ireland among, the other UK nations for places of study, whether that be its scenery, affordability, association with film production or its rich history, Northern Ireland has so many incentives for international study.

Cost of Living and Tuition Fees at Northern Irish Universities

One of the biggest draws for Canadian students to Northern Ireland is affordability, as Northern Ireland is consistently the most affordable UK nation for students to live in, with Belfast accommodation much cheaper than the majority of its mainland UK university city counterparts. 

International students are required to pay tuition fees at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Tuition fees vary depending upon your chosen institution, as course fees are not consistent at every university, the average range for undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees for international students are:

Note that these fees do not include the cost of Medical School tuition fees which are typically much greater than the above fees, speak to an SI-UK consultant to learn more about the fees you can expect at a Northern Irish Medical School. These figures may not fully represent all courses, some may be more or less expensive. Additionally, some courses may have additional costs which are not included in your tuition fee. Speak to your consultant about scholarship opportunities at universities in Northern Ireland. 

Northern Ireland's Gorgeous Landscapes and Cultural Hotspots

Northern Ireland attracts students and tourists from across the world because of its scenic landscapes and fantastic history. From cozy Irish villages and the busy, whilst unintimidating, city of Belfast to rolling fields and stunning coastlines. The Giant's Causeway is a big draw for many visiting the Emerald Isles and the Titanic museum in Belfast brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year (close to a million pre-pandemic). 

The Peacewall is a monument to Ireland's recent history and many museums around the country pay homage to both Northern Ireland's modern and ancient history. Northern Ireland's main spoken language is English but it also has two recognized regional languages in Irish (also known as Gaelic) and Ulster Scots (an Irish local variety of the Scots language), and many students return home from Ireland knowing a word or two of either tongue. 

To learn more about why you should consider studying in Northern Ireland visit our 5 Reasons to study in Ireland page.  

Where can I study in Northern Ireland? 

Queen's University Belfast

Located in Northern Ireland's capital city Belfast, Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, the UK equivalent of America's Ivy League, and has a history as a higher academic institution dating back well over 150 years.  

Popular courses for Canadians at QUB include Law, Pharmacy (MPharm), Medicine and Dentistry, as well as International Relations and Conflict Studies, Global Security and Borders. Dentistry is particularly popular for Canadian students as the School of Dentistry at Queen's University Belfast does not require students to sit the UCAT. 

To learn more about these courses at Queen's University Belfast, speak to an SI-UK consultant who can discuss entry requirements and inform you about anything you what like to know about the Northern Irish university. 

Ulster University 

Named for Northern Ireland's other title, Ulster University has four campuses located across Northern Ireland with two located in or around the capital city of Belfast. Popular courses at Ulster University for Canadians include Optometry, Pharmacy (Mpharm), Law, as well as general studies such as Art and Design, Architecture and Nursing. 

To learn more about these courses at Ulster University, speak to an SI-UK consultant who can discuss entry requirements and inform you about anything you what like to know about the Northern Irish university. 

Ulster's campuses around put a focus on sustainability and Ulster University's staff are well regarded as supportive to students, assisting them to achieve their academic goals.  

What is it like to study in the Republic of Ireland?

There are eight universities in the Republic of Ireland, all providing a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses to 35,000 international students from 160 countries.

Located on the western coast of Europe, the Republic of Ireland is a member of the European Union and the only native English-speaking country in the European Union. Universities in the Republic of Ireland offer a fantastic higher education experience in a uniquely beautiful setting.

Qualifications from Republic of Ireland universities are not the same as those in the UK but are equivalent and transferable, so your undergraduate or postgraduate degree carries just as much value when you begin your career. 

Course names and degree classifications do often have different names in the Republic of Ireland than their equivalents in the UK and programs such as Law, Dentistry and Medicine will vary in their entry requirements from those in the UK.

Speak to an SI-UK consultant to learn more about entry requirements to programs in the Republic of Ireland and visit our 5 Reasons to Study in Ireland page to hear more about why you should consider studying in the Republic of Ireland. 

Republic of Ireland Student Visa Requirements

Canadian and American International students do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland before they travel but Americans will need to apply for a study permit upon entry into the Republic of Ireland. If a student is not a Canadian or American citizen they may be required to apply for a study visa prior to arriving. These students will be required to have accepted an offer of a recognized program of study in the Republic of Ireland (with a receipt of payment letter from their institution) before they can begin the process of applying for their overseas visa to study in Ireland.

Why should I consider studying in the Republic of Ireland?

The Republic of Ireland is a welcoming, diverse country that boasts gorgeous landscapes, towns and cities, as well as a rich cultural and academic heritage. 

Several of the universities in the Republic of Ireland are in the top 250 world university rankings with many Canadians choosing to go to the University of Galway (formerly NUI Galway) or University College Dublin.      

Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, has been voted by Lonely Planet as the world’s friendliest city on multiple occasions and is at the cutting edge of European entrepreneurship. Many top tech businesses such as Microsoft, Dell, Intel, PayPal, IBM, SAP, HubSpot, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter all have European offices in Dublin and other cities across the Republic of Ireland.  

Tourist hotspots like the Cliffs of Moher and film locations such as those in the Harry Potter and Star Wars are a big draw for students in Ireland and the ease of transport to the UK and continental Europe, as well as cheaper and shorter flights back to North America than the UK are a big bonus for international students in the Republic of Ireland. 

For more reasons why you should consider studying in the Republic of Ireland, visit our 5 Reasons to Study in Ireland page.

Tuition Fees in the Republic of Ireland

A big difference between the Republic of Ireland and the UK is that the currency for the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, so all tuition fees are listed in Euros. You will need to look up the current exchange rate to understand how much Republic of Ireland tuition fees are in Canadian or US dollars.  

Note that these fees do not include the cost of Medical School tuition fees which are typically much greater than the above fees, speak to an SI-UK consultant to learn more about the fees you can expect at an Irish Medical School. These figures may not fully represent all courses, some may be more or less expensive.  

Study at a Republic of Ireland University

If you are interested in studying at a Republic of Ireland university, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK North America today.

Republic of Ireland's Universities: