• The Republic of Ireland is the second-largest island in the British Isles located in Northwest Europe and third largest in Europe. It is separated from the United Kingdom by the North Channel to the east.
• Ireland is often referred to as the “32 countries” comprising two states ‘Northern Ireland’, and ‘The Republic of Ireland’.
• Irish culture has had strong influence over other cultures, particularly in literature, music, the language, and Gaelic games. Irish culture shares close similarities with the UK in terms of the English language and sports like football, rugby, golf, and horse racing.
• Ireland does not have any official religion but Christianity is the most widely followed religion, with over 80% of the population being Roman Catholic.
• Ireland is a snake-free island and due to its separation from mainland Europe, the island is missing several common animal species like moles, whales, deer, and polecats.
• Some of the most famous symbols of Ireland are the Harp, The Green Shamrock, and the Celtic cross.

Geography

• Ireland is situated in the Northwest of Europe and separated from the United Kingdom by the Irish Sea and the North Channel. To the west of the island is the Northern Atlantic Ocean, and to the South is the Celtic Sea.
• Ireland has a total land area of 84,421 square kilometers of which the Republic of Ireland is 83%, and the rest in Northern Ireland.
• It is also known as the Emerald Isle, for its rolling hills, lush greenery, plains, rivers, woodland, and rich vegetation, encompassing a total land area of 84,421 square kilometers, it is the 20th biggest island in the world.

Climate

• Ireland experiences an oceanic climate which is mild with a few extremities. Due to frequent rainfall and mild climate on the island, Ireland has extremely lush vegetation.
• Winters are from December to February, winters are cold but not freezing, with frequent rain and cloudy skies. The minimum temperature in inland areas averages between 7-8 ºC.
• Spring from March to May is cold but becomes milder once it reaches May. It is the sunniest time of the year and the least rainy period.
• Summers from June to August, the temperatures are cool, with daily averages around 17-20 º C.
• Autumn from September to November is cloudy, rainy, and windy, with very little sunshine.
• Precipitation occurs throughout the year; however, it is mostly light.

Economy

• The per capita GDP of Ireland is $47,478 while the nominal GDP is $217.3 billion.
• Ireland’s economy is based mainly around Life Sciences, high tech services, financial services, and agribusiness.
• Ireland follows an open plan economy and ranks first in high-value foreign direct investment (FDI). The Economic Freedom Index ranks Ireland 6th, 5th in the IMF table, and 6th in the World Bank ranking.
• It is the foreign-owned multinationals that contribute in the most significant way to the Irish Economy, employing 23% of the private-sector labour force, and making up 14 of the top 20 Irish firms; in terms of turnover, as well as paying 80% of the corporation tax.

Demography

• Ireland is home to 6.4 million people which includes the population of Northern Ireland as well. Dublin is the largest city and also the capital of Ireland and comprises 1.27 million of the total Irish population, making Ireland the 124th most populated country in the world.
• Almost two-thirds of the population of Ireland lives in urban areas. The 2nd biggest city is Cork with a population of 399,216 people. Other large cities with over 100,000 people include Galway, Limerick, and Swords.
• The biggest religious following in Ireland is Christianity; Roman Catholics in particular, which account for 84% of the population of Ireland.

TOP 8 REASONS TO STUDY ABROAD IN IRELAND

Benefit from education in world-class universities: The Irish education system is considered to be one of the best in the world. The academic quality assurance systems of Ireland are highly regarded and sophisticated, which has helped it to consistently secure a position in the top 20 of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. The Irish system focuses hugely on the heuristic methodology rather than the pedagogy intensive method of education.

High-quality research:Ireland invests 782 million annually in research in their higher education institutions. As a result, Irish higher-education institutions now conduct leading research in at least 19 fields, spanning natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Close educational links with both the UK and the US: Ireland has strong links with both the UK and the US. Higher educational institutions in Ireland permit credit transfer provision to many universities and colleges in the UK and the US. It increases the opportunities for students to continue their education in these countries.

Home to many of the world’s leading companies: Globally, Ireland is the second most attractive country for FDI after Singapore. Apart from tech giants like Google, Facebook, IBM, Apple, and Twitter, 9 of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies have their main office for European operations in Ireland. This means there is no shortage of jobs for students who are studying in Ireland.

Education and stay is affordable: Ireland is one of those study destinations which provide high-quality education with an affordable fee structure inclusive of tuition, housing, insurance, and various cultural activities and educational tours. Tuition rates, living costs, and other recurring costs are largely lesser than those in the US and the UK.

Plenty of scholarships:The Irish government along with several institutions and international organizations offer many scholarships and fellowships to international students, depending on their field of study and the program they plan to pursue.

Safe country with friendly people: Ireland has the reputation of being a safe and welcoming country to live and study. The Global Peace Index ranked Ireland as the 12th “most peaceful country” in 2009 and 2013. The leading travel site Lonely Planet voted it as the friendliest country in the world in 2008 and 2010. Irish people are renowned for their friendliness.

Ireland is a cultural hotspot: Students are sure to have the time of their life while studying in Ireland. The island has produced four Nobel Laureates in Literature; surprisingly, James Joyce, the country’s most famous literary icon never won the Noble. The streets of Dublin are steeped in art and literature. Students can chat with the locals in countless taverns, visit the museums and art galleries dotting the cities, attend storytelling events, learn and play traditional Irish sports, and soak in the rich musical culture on display in countryside festivals all year long.

Ireland is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU region making it a great option for students looking to kick start their career in the foreign country. Due to its well-connected geographical location and low corporate tax rates, an impressive number of multinational companies have European headquarters in the country, providing a wealth of opportunities for job seekers. Opportunities can be found in a number of major industries including the growing technology sector, where the demand for IT workers is high, and thanks to Ireland’s rising popularity as a holiday destination, the hospitality and tourism industry are in need of both skilled and casual workers.

Main Industries in Ireland : Information Technology, Financial Sector, Pharmaceutical, Medical Technology, Tourism & Hospitality, Aircraft Leasing, Alcoholic Beverage Industry & Healthcare.

Emerging Industries in Ireland: Transport and Logistics, Export and Trade, Financial Technology, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences & Biotechnology.

University – The Universities in Ireland offer various degrees such as Honours Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate (PH.D) and Undergraduate and Postgraduate in all discipline subjects.

Earnings during studies – Students can work for 40 hours per week without any additional permit.

Scholarships – There are various scholarships available for international students offered by the Irish Government, Higher Education Institution of Ireland and other organizations.

Living expenses – €7,000 to €12,000 annually.

Tuition fee – Undergraduate Program €9,850 – €25,500 annually
Postgraduate master’s program €9,500 – €34,500 annually

Intakes – Irish Universities and colleges have one major intake i.e. Autumn Intake: September-December
Other minor intake is: Spring Intake: January – May

Settlement & PR – The Third Level Graduate Scheme permits international to work in Ireland for up to 24 months.
Undergraduate program is permitted with one year of PSW permit and Post Graduate program is permitted with up to 2 years of PSW permit.