Exclusive Interview: Ireland offers great education opportunities for Indian students, says Barry O’Driscoll

Shiksha spoke with Barry O’Driscoll, Regional Manager for India & South Asia at Education in Ireland to understand various study abroad opportunities the country offers to Indian aspirants.

Following are the excerpts of the interview: 

Q: What is the application process for Indian students, particularly regarding the timelines, documentation, and entrance exams required?

A: All Irish higher education institutions have a September intake for their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and applications generally open in October of the previous year. A few institutions have a January intake while only 1 or 2 may have a May intake for postgraduate studies only.

Students can apply online on the university portals and will likely be asked to submit mark sheets, a statement of purpose and letters of reference. Additionally, some universities may request an English language test score, which becomes mandatory when submitting the student visa. For certain degrees, there may be specific prerequisites, such as a background in Mathematics for Engineering programs or relevant work experience for an MBA. Notably, however, there are no entrance exams for most courses.

Q: How supportive are Irish universities in terms of student services, such as accommodation, career counselling, and cultural adaptation, especially for international students from India?

A: Irish higher education institutions offer comprehensive international support services to meet the diverse needs of international students. Pre-arrival orientations in India, followed by orientations during the first week in Ireland help students transition smoothly. Institutions often connect students through Facebook groups or WhatsApp, fostering a sense of community before they even arrive. The international office offers assistance with settling in, mental well-being support, career counselling, and peer mentorship. Clubs and societies are open to all international students, with many Indian students joining Indian Societies or even going on to create new cultural clubs.

Indian festivals like Holi and Diwali are celebrated on campus, and some institutions also provide multi-faith prayer rooms. International students can also participate in group trips to famous landmarks around Ireland, providing a wonderful opportunity to bond with peers while immersing themselves in the local culture.

Q: Can you elaborate on the scholarship opportunities available specifically for Indian students? How competitive are they, and what are the typical eligibility criteria?

A: The Irish Government and Irish higher education institutions offer some merit-based scholarships to international students though they are limited in number and can be competitive.

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship supports high-calibre international students who wish to study at master’s or PhD level in Ireland. The programme is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions and managed by the Higher Education Authority. Under the initiative, 60 scholarships are awarded each year for one year of full-time study. Applicants are expected to meet certain eligibility criteria and submit letters of purpose and references.

Irish universities and colleges offer scholarships specifically for international students based on merit. Each institution sets its own eligibility standards based on the applicants’ academic performance. These scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and can range from €2000 up to covering half of the tuition fee. Additionally, research scholarships are also offered on a need-to-need basis.

To learn about available scholarships, eligibility criteria, and application procedures, it is best to explore the websites of Irish higher education institutions directly. 

Q: Could you discuss the post-study work visa options in Ireland and the job market for international graduates? How welcoming are Irish companies to hiring Indian graduates?

A: International students can apply to stay in Ireland after completing their studies under the Irish Third Level Graduate Scheme. Undergraduate students are permitted to stay for up to 1 year, while postgraduate students can stay for up to 2 years. Ireland’s Critical Skills Occupation List highlights in-demand jobs and skills, including ICT professionals, engineers, health and nursing professionals, teachers, social science experts, and media professionals.

Indian graduates, like all graduates from Irish higher education institutions, have the opportunity to apply for jobs across various sectors based on demand. Ireland is known for its highly educated, skilled, and multicultural workforce, and it boasts one of the youngest populations in Europe. Its strategic location and reputation for producing highly skilled graduates have attracted many multinational companies, such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Apple, to establish their headquarters or regional bases in the country. Additionally, Ireland also serves as a major hub for tech giants like Intel, HP, IBM, PayPal, eBay, Amazon, and Twitter. As the world’s second-largest software exporter and home to 50% of the world’s major financial services companies, Ireland continues to rely on skilled international graduates to support its knowledge-driven economy and the demand for skilled graduates across various disciplines is expected to continue and grow.

Q: What are the living expenses in Ireland for an international student, particularly in cities like Dublin, Cork, or Galway? How does it compare to living costs in other European countries?

Living expenses in Dublin, including rent and groceries, are comparable to those in other capital cities like London. Students can expect to spend around €12,000-14,000 (approximately 11-13 lakhs INR) annually, excluding tuition fees. In cities like Cork and Galway, students may spend upwards of €10,000 per year (around 9-10 lakhs INR). In smaller cities such as Donegal, Dundalk, and Athlone, living expenses are lower, roughly €8000-€9000 annually (about 7-8 lakhs INR). Ultimately, the cost also depends on how well international students manage their finances and expenses.

Q: How diverse is the student community in Ireland? Are there active Indian student associations or cultural groups that help with the transition to studying abroad?

A: Every year, over 35,000 international students from more than 160 countries come to Ireland, creating a diverse and multicultural academic environment across our higher education institutions. Many of these students choose to stay and work in Ireland, contributing to the fact that over 23% of the workforce is now made up of individuals from outside the country. There are various student communities, such as the Dublin Indian Students Community, and similar groups in other parts of Ireland, which support and serve the interests of incoming international students.

Q: Tell us about the ongoing and existing academic partnerships between Ireland and India

A: There are over 20-30 existing collaborations between Indian and Irish institutions. These include institution-wide MoUs and academic and research partnerships in fields such as Engineering, Science, Design, and Law. Additionally, there are articulation agreements and exchange programs for students and faculty in areas like Hospitality and Pharmaceutical Sciences, among others.

Read more:

• University of Melbourne, Sony Group to develop technology-driven health professionals training
• Study in US: University of Illinois Urbana gets record enrolments in Fall semester