WHY STUDY IN IRELAND

Apart from having a great third level educational systems and offering really good programs studying in Ireland is indeed an attractive prospect. Ireland is a land rich in culture that will surely intrigue and interest anyone who gets immersed in it. Adjusting, as in any country, might take some time but is softened by the natural friendliness and hospitality of the Irish. If you do study in Ireland what ever course you take you will surely leave with more than just your academic achievements because you’ll probably learn just as much about Ireland’s history and culture. Students will surely love the atmosphere in Ireland learning institutions which is conducive not only to good academics but also to a very healthy social life and personal growth.

IRISH THIRD LEVEL INSITUTIONS

The third level educational system in Ireland is composed of the Universities, Institutes of Technology, Colleges of Education, Independent Colleges, and NUI Colleges. The academic year followed by the third level institutions usually starts at September and ends in June. Different institutions divide their academic year in either two or three semesters.

The academic reward that can be achieved in the Irish third level institution includes a Higher Certificate, Ordinary Bachelors Degree, Honours Bachelors Degree, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, and a Doctorate (PhD). If you want to improve your English before starting college in Ireland you can attend a language school: sprachschule englisch Cork. If you are interested in learning or improving your French, check this website: Franzosischkurse in Montpellier.

IRISH STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

In 1998 the Higher Education Authority issued some guidelines to the Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) which aim to help them develop their student support services. This was in answer to the growing number of students and the greater diversity and nature of the student body. The guidelines passed ensured a very good quality of student services that is able to address the needs of students regardless of their gender, age, socio-economic background, maturity, and race. In short HEIs all over Ireland are well prepared and equipped to aid their students both local and from overseas in dealing with whatever problems they might face.

Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle for its lush vegetation is divided into four provinces namely Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. Politically it is divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland, which is the one commonly simply called Ireland, is found on the southern part of the island and encompasses a much bigger portion of it. Northern Ireland, which occupies a much smaller portion of the island, is part of the United Kingdom. Though they are separate politically the whole island usually works together officially as especially when it comes to sports.

When it comes to religion the Irish are known for their fervor, which actually was the main cause for their bloody history. Today of course Ireland is a peaceful nation where people of all religions have learned to accept each other. Ireland’s largest religious group is the Roman Catholic Church (70%) followed by different Protestant denominations. The Muslin population is increasing due to immigration while the Jewish population continues to be a very small but constant minority.

Ireland is a country blessed with a mild climate. Though the climate can be unpredictably changeable it is not prone to extremes. The country cannot boast of a varied species of fauna and flora when compared to other countries but nevertheless has its own share of nature’s gifts.

What Ireland can boast about is its culture. Though you might not expect an island with a relatively small population to produce much great artists Ireland actually has contributed much to the world of literature and music. Among its famous writers are Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, and the its no less than four Nobelists George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Ireland also has more than its share of really popular musicians whose fame is not just local but international. Some of the more famous Irish musicians include The Saw Doctors, Enya, Moya Brennan, U2, Damien Rice, The Corrs, Sinéad O’Connor, Clannad, The Cranberries, Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher, Boyzone, Westlife, Gilbert O’Sullivan and The Pogues. The number of famous Irish musicians is a testament to the beauty of their traditional folk music which most of these musicians like to incorporate into their own more mainstream sound.

Ireland’s educational system is one of the best in the whole world. This is according to IMD’s World Competitiveness Report of 2006. According to the report from IMD Ireland’s country score of 7.43 means that the educational system of the country meets the needs of a competitive economy. As a matter of fact Ireland score is among the highest, higher than even Belgium, Netherlands, USA, Germany, UK, and Spain whose scores are 6.76, 5.68, 5.65, 5.48, 5.03, 4.40, and 3.51 respectively. Furthermore the percentage of Irish population that has reached at least a tertiary level of education is also among the highest sharing with France a percentage of 37%. Following closely and not so closely behind are Denmark, UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Germany whose higher educational achievement percentages are 35%, 33%, 29%, 28%, and 22% respectively.

The body responsible for overseeing the quality of education in the tertiary level in Ireland is the Higher Education Authority (HEA). It serves as the statutory planning and development body for higher education and research in Ireland and also serves as the funding authority for Ireland’s universities and certain higher education institutions. There are a total of eight universities in the Republic of Ireland while there are two in Northern Ireland. The eight universities of Ireland include the University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), the National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM), the University of Dublin (Trinity College), Dublin City University, University of Limerick and the St. Patricks College Maynooth (The Pontifical University). The two Universities in Northern Ireland include the Queens University and the University of Ulster. In addition to the universities Ireland has thirteen Institutes of Technology available and scattered throughout the country. Students who study in ITs can earn National Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees up to doctorate level depending on the courses they choose to take, just like in the university.

There are also Art Schools where available where one can enter sub-degree, primary degree and graduate programmes. The primary college of art in Ireland is the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). Other higher education institutes include eight Colleges of Education, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Law Schools, Colleges of Theology and Divinity, Management Institutes, Music Schools, Public Administration Institutes, and Hotel Schools.