Ireland

Basic Information about Ireland

Ireland is situated in the northwest of Europe, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea . The island of Ireland , which has a large central lowland with a relief of hills and several coastal mountains, consists of 32 counties, the six north-eastern of which make up Northern Ireland . The capital of Ireland is Dublin , the city pulsates with energy thanks to its excellent restaurants, legendary pubs, beautiful art galleries, verdant urban parks, elegant architecture plus its unique scenic location perched at the edge of the Irish Sea . Ireland has a population of approximately 4.5 million. There are two official languages, Irish and English. The language of instruction in schools is English.

Ireland is an increasingly popular destination for students from all over the world. The friendliness and hospitality for which Irish people are renowned, contribute to the ease with which overseas students adapt to the way of life and in particular, student life.

The Higher Education System

The higher education system (third level) in Ireland is broad in scope and encompasses the university sector, the technological sector, education colleges and private, independent colleges. The institutions which fall within the first three groupings are autonomous and self governing, but substantially state-funded. Admission requirements for overseas students are determined individually by each institution and are generally based on national examination performance and English language aptitude. The following academic awards can be acquired at Irish third level institutions:

Higher Certificate: two-year full-time course.

Ordinary Bachelor's Degree: three-year full-time course.

Honours Bachelor's Degree: normally a three- or four-year course.

Graduate Diploma: designed for graduates seeking vocational reorientation - usually a one-year course.

Master's Degree: either by research or through a taught programme. Normally one-two year(s) in duration.

Doctorate (PhD): usually takes a minimum of three years of original research. The academic year typically runs from September to June and is divided into either two or three semesters.

Scholarships

Some scholarships for overseas students are available from the universities and colleges themselves. Students are advised to contact the international office of the institution of their choice directly to obtain further information.

Where can I find more information?

Embassy of Ireland in Canberra : www.gov.ie

Education Ireland : www.educationireland.ie

The Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS): www.acels.ie

Irish Council for International Students: www.icosirl.ie

Science Foundation Ireland ( SFI ): www.sfi.ie

Tourism Ireland : www.tourismireland.com