Study in Ireland: A Guide for Indian Students

Introduction

• Approx. 250,000 Indian students chose Canada last year.
• USA and UK also saw around 200,000 Indian students each.
• Majority prefer USA, UK, and Canada.
• Ireland often overlooked by Indian students.

Why Choose Ireland?

• Easy to enter and good job market.
• English-speaking country, favorable for students considering European countries (e.g., France, Sweden, Germany).
• Global companies like Amazon, Google, LinkedIn, Airbnb have European HQs in Ireland due to low corporate tax (12.5%).
• Recruitment by big companies like Apple, influenced by favorable corporate environment in Ireland.

Job Market and Opportunities

• Sectors in demand: Financial Services, Legal, Marketing, Life Sciences, Technology, etc.
• Special emphasis on tech fields—high ranking for tech jobs.
• Comparison: Ireland favored over UK considering the current economic scenario.
• Post-study work visa: 1-year Master’s program leads to a 2-year post-study work visa (1+1 extension).
• Path to PR and citizenship: 5 years to EU PR, eligibility for Irish citizenship after.

Advantages of Studying in Ireland

• Ranked 14th happiest country globally.
• Streamlined visa and PR process compared to USA and other countries.
• Study for 1 year, get a work visa for 2 years, and potentially a three-year extension leading to PR.

Cons of Studying in Ireland

1. Expensive Living Costs:

   • Especially in Dublin (approx. €1200/month for rent).
   • Part-time job opportunities are available but may not cover tuition fully.

2. Language Barrier:

   • Irish accent can be challenging initially.
   • Takes about 1-2 months to get accustomed to.

3. Housing Complications:

   • Finding accommodation is not as straightforward as in India.
   • Longer and more complex process.

4. Unpredictable Weather:

   • Weather can change suddenly (e.g., sunny mornings turning into rainy afternoons).

Final Recommendations

• Consider specialized courses aligned with critically required skills in Ireland.
• Evaluate the demand for your chosen field before making a decision.
• Additional support and guidance available through consultancy.

Conclusion

• Ireland offers robust opportunities but comes with its set of challenges.
• Make an informed choice based on skill demand and personal circumstances.
• Contact consultancy for unbiased help and more detailed information.