Every day in Ireland more than 160 000 international students undertake short term, undergraduate and postgraduate studies. More and more of these students are South African.
These are some of the questions and answers received during a Q&A with parents of The Village, Heidi Sulcas from The Learner’s Journey https://www.learnersjourney.co.za and Ronelle Dinsmore from Education in Ireland South Africa.
Do South Africans require a study visa for Ireland and if so how easy is that visa to obtain and what are the costs involved?
South African passport holders are issued a student visa on arrival, which is very easy to obtain. The international office of each university will assist with this process.
What is the system in Ireland? Here, it’s generally bachelor’s, honours, master’s.
In Ireland, an undergraduate degree is a 4-year degree, resulting in an Honours qualification. Masters follows this undergrad degree. It is important for SA students who want to study post-graduate degrees in Ireland to ensure they have a 4-year undergrad/Honours degree to be admitted.
Which Irish universities are recommended as a good match for South African students, and where are their campuses?
The Universities in Dublin (UCD and Trinity College Dublin) are very popular with South African students, as well as the University of Limerick and the National University of Ireland Galway. All Irish cities are small, and accessible. South Africans seem to identify more with the country cities – Galway, Limerick – perhaps it’s the outdoor lifestyle, food, rugby, watersports, etc.
What degrees are Irish universities renowned for?
The Top 10 Global Faculty Rankings for Irish Universities include Immunology, Food Science, Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, and Marine Biology.
Ireland has good faculties in Interior design, Art, Museum & Gallery Studies (UCC), Nanotechnology, Theatre Studies (Trinity).
Any of the science programmes at the University College of Dublin and the engineering school are top shelf.
However, as a small country many of the courses are linked to industry Clusters as they position students along the learning journey into industries which challenge critical thinking, creativity, student development and career pathway.
Look into the Dual BA program at Trinity/Columbia, and the MSc in Emerging Media at Dublin City University – students discover new ways to communicate and tell stories by combining media production, innovative research, and experimental practices.
Let’s also not forget that the employability rate for graduates in Ireland is very high because of the accessibility to opportunities with Ireland being the English speaking capital of the EU.
What is the average cost of studying in Ireland? And what should a parent budget for living expenses?
Irish university costs differ, and for international students range from €12 000 to €20 000+ depending on the course. Courses like Medicine are much more expensive for everyone. Full details on costs are available on each individual university website.
In terms of Living expenses, unfortunately accommodation costs in Ireland have risen over the last 18 months, particularly in cities. You would need to budget for €800 for accommodation and additional €500 for living costs during term time. On the flip side, there is plenty of part time work available and students can easily earn €200 a week with part time work.
Is there a different rate or better financial assistance for SA kids who are Irish citizens?
The international student (on a SA or Irish passport) has to be living in Ireland for 2 years prior to University entry and the Guardian / Parent needs to have been tax resident in Ireland for 3 of the previous 5 years prior to application to qualify for local rates. Otherwise international rates apply.
Is it possible to get a bursary to study a master’s degree in Ireland or the UK.
The Irish Embassy in South Africa runs a scholarship program called the Kader Asmal Fellowship which offers some scholarships, mostly postgrad, to deserving students.
A number of the universities also offer discounts to international students, which are worth exploring. See the Education in Ireland Scholarships page.
Are SA students studying in Ireland allowed to do part-time work?
Yes they are! Students are allowed to work 20 hours a week during class time, and 40 hours a week during holidays. This really goes a long way to paying local living expenses for SA students in Ireland. There is lots of work available, and students are earning up to €200 a week doing part-time work.
Can SA students who’ve studied at Irish unis work in Ireland once they’ve qualified?
Yes! Once a student has obtained an undergraduate degree in Ireland, they are eligible for a one-year work visa and a two-year work visa with a post Graduate degree. It is up to the discretion of the employer to apply for extension beyond that period.
What would you say is the major advantage of an Irish academic experience – what makes studying there better, in your view, than anywhere else?
Ireland offers world-class education in a safe, friendly environment to international students. A major advantage is the opportunity and right also to work after study in this country which is a global centre for financial services, including being home to 9 of the top 10 financial service companies including Citi, SAP, and Zurich.
Ireland is also home to all of the top 10 medical tech companies including AbbVie, Abbott and Advant and finally, Ireland is home to five of Forbes top 10 companies; Apple, Google, Alphabet, Amazon and Samsung.
When should parents start investigating overseas options? When their child’s in Grade 10?
Given that the school year starts in September, applications can open anytime from the Dec beforehand onwards. Cut off can vary – sometimes when the course fills up, others right up to mid- July. Studying abroad is a big decision though, so the sooner the student starts to consider and explore opportunities, the better.
IEB and DBE-schooled kids come out with an NSC. Do Irish universities weigh them differently?
All Irish universities accept NSC qualifications and results – details are available on each university website. Both DBE and IEB systems follow the national curriculum which leads to the National Senior Certificate. The vast majority of overseas universities do not see a distinction between the two.
What if anything do I need to know about getting into overseas universities with a Cambridge qualification?
The right combination and level of exams and the scheduling and grouping of external exams is crucial. It is critical to be sure to plan properly for the university system that you are applying to. For example, some US universities only require 5 IGCSEs while Irish universities want 3 A levels in the same test sitting to prove university readiness. SA universities’ admission of 2 IG and 4 AS is unique to this country. When international universities see Cambridge, they expect the UK education sequence of testing.
How do I begin to find out which is the best uni in Ireland (or anywhere) for my child?
It’s a big decision (and expensive) and not one to be taken lightly. There are a lot of life and lifestyle factors to consider. It’s important to block out the noise and focus on what’s right for your child.
- Get in touch with Heidi Sulcas at The Learner’s Journey for experienced guidance.
- Visit Education in Ireland