Ireland’s long and honourable tradition in educational excellence is recognised the world over. Since the Middle Ages, Ireland has been one of the principal education providers to the western world. Successive modern governments have continued to regard education as a key priority and investments in this area have been sustained for a long period. This has resulted in one of the highest education participation rates in the world today, which, in turn, has had positive implications for Ireland’s strong economic growth and development.
The consistent increase in the numbers of students from overseas coming to study in the “Land of Saints and Scholars” over the last decade reflects the fact that Ireland offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy a novel mix of high educational standards combined with an exciting cultural experience. As the gateway to Europe, this modern, English speaking country, offers a truly rewarding experience for the visiting student.
Education has always been a high priority for the Irish and the achievements of its students it produces has been a major factor in the success of our inward investment programme, which has led to over 1,400 overseas companies choosing Ireland for their European location. In particular, it has led to Ireland becoming the largest software-exporting nation in the world. Ireland made a late entry into international education due to its rapidly expanding population (currently around 3.8 million). However, since the late 1990s this growth rate slowed, leading to the availability of places in third level institutions, universities, institutes of technology and independent colleges. The interest by overseas students from outside the EU in taking their degree courses here is reflected in the increase of such students from 3,000 in 2000 to over 6,000 in 2003. An additional 200,000 are studying general and professional English in the universities and in more than 150 private English language schools.
The main nationalities represented in Irish colleges are, amongst others, from China, India, Malayasia, Russia and the US. In addition to I.T, other popular courses include business studies, medicine, hotel management and engineering. Irish degrees are recognised worldwide. There are seven universities, 14 institutes of technology and three independent colleges, all of whose standards are closely monitored and validated by the Irish Department (Ministry) of Education and Science. All of the third level institutions and private colleges have international offices to receive and look after their international students and to assist them integrate into college life and social and sporting activities.
More specific information on courses details, entry requirements and fees are available on www.educationireland.ie , the website of the International Education Board Ireland, an agency of the Department of Education and Science.