Ireland boasts one of the world's oldest higher education systems, with a reputation for high-quality teaching and research. The Irish Republic also has a rich and lively culture, and it is a popular choice for PhD study due to its reputation as one of the kindest and safest countries in the world.
Do you know the eligibility criteria to pursue PhD in Ireland? Have you any idea of the documents required to apply? If your answer is "No" to these questions, you can read the blog further.Here's a quick information about what a PhD in Ireland looks like for international students.
|
Course Name |
PhD in Ireland |
|
Course Duration |
3 – 4 Years |
|
Mode of Study |
Full time & Part time |
|
Average Tuition fees |
9950 to 34,500 EUR/year |
|
Scholarships |
50% - 100% tuition fee waiver |
|
Popular PhD Study fields |
Agriculture and Forestry, Applied Sciences, Arts, Design & Architecture, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Engineering |
|
Top University |
Trinity College Dublin, Technology University Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Dublin |
|
Employment Rating |
96% |
|
Post Study Work Duration |
2 years |
The table will give you details about the top universities in Ireland that offer PhD for international students.
|
University Name |
QS Ranking 2023 |
Popular Study Fields |
Tuition Fees (in EUR and INR) |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
98 |
Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Health Science and Technical Subjects |
3000 - 8800 EUR/ INR 2,38,809 - 7,00,000 |
|
Technology University Dublin |
801 - 1000 |
Environment, Energy & Health, Information, Communications & Media Technologies, New Materials & Devices, and Society, Culture & Enterprise |
6000 - 9000 EUR/ INR 4,77,618 - 7,16,427 |
|
University College Dublin (UCD) |
181 |
Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Governance, Veterinary Medical Specialization |
6,000 - 31,000 EUR/ INR 4,77,618 - 24,68,000 |
|
University of Limerick |
531 - 540 |
Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Psychology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Arts & Design |
11,000 -14,000 EUR/ INR 8,75,633 - 11,14,442 |
|
University College Cork (UCC) |
303 |
Social Science, Social work, Arts |
10,000 - 22,000 EUR/ INR 7,96,030 - 17,51,267 |
The admission requirements for PhD programs in Ireland for international students vary. We have covered the most frequent prerequisites that are still required in practically all Irish universities.
The following are the main PhD eligibility requirements in Ireland.
Even though Irish is the official language of Ireland, however, English is used for almost everything, including university instruction. All courses in Irish higher education institutes will be delivered in English.
Non-native English speakers will be asked to submit English language test results. The following are the typical necessary scores.
|
Test |
Score Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Internet-Based TOEFL |
88 |
|
IELTS |
6.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each component) |
|
PTE Academic |
Minimum score of 6.3 |
|
Cambridge Assessment English |
Grade C (both Advanced and Proficiency) |
All potential international Postgraduate students at Irish higher education institutes apply directly to the institute's international office.
Some universities require you to submit your application through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). This is similar to the UCAS system used by Undergraduate students in the United Kingdom. Each applicant is assigned an identification number, and all application data is provided electronically.
When applying, a non-refundable application fee is usually requested. This is €50 when utilising the PAC system. For universities that do not use the PAC system, this is generally between €30 and €50.
Additional documentation and assessments, such as a research proposal and an interview, will be required as part of the application process.
There are various procedures involved in applying for a PhD program in Ireland. Make sure your study proposal, personal statement, and transcript are ready.
After determining the university you wish to attend, here are the procedures you must follow to apply for their PhD program.
1. Find a supervisor:
After reviewing the university's website, you must select one or two potential supervisors to advise you during your research. Please get in touch with them by email. However, they receive many applications from kids. As a result, you must tailor your application to ensure that it stands out.
The list below may give you an idea of what to include in your initial contact email.2. Prepare a Research Proposal
This is crucial in the application procedure for the PhD program. A proposal should typically be between 1500 and 2000 words long. The proposal should explain your field of study and the purpose of your research and hypothesis.
The personal statement should include an explanation of why you wish to pursue PhD studies, what element of the topic field interests you, and how your previous job experiences have affected you.
3. Make Personal Statement & Get Academic Transcripts
A transcript is a document that summarises the outcomes of all the subjects you studied in your previous degree. A transcript is not always provided by universities. In that scenario, you must request that your university issue it.
4. Search for a person who can refer you
Some Irish universities require references from prior institutions to prove your academic abilities. The individual referring you can either fill out the referee form on the school's website or provide a letter of recommendation in their own words.
5. Complete the paper-based application process
The supervisor, college graduate school board, and school graduate committee will assess your application. Following their acceptance, you will complete a paper-based application procedure. You must include your contact information, CV, and required papers such as a research proposal, transcript, personal statement, and references.
The following documents are necessary to make the process of pursuing a PhD in Ireland easier for Indian students.
Individual universities define tuition fees in Ireland. Domestic students should expect to pay between €4000 and €9000 per year, depending on the university, style of study, and academic area. However, some areas, such as Medicine and Business Studies, can be more expensive.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students should expect to pay higher tuition of at least €9000 per year, with certain degrees costing up to €30,000.
The average monthly living expense for PhD students in Ireland is estimated to be around €1000.
International students must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau to get an Irish residence permit. This costs €300. International students will be able to work while studying with a permit. International Students cannot work more than 20 hours per week during the semester, although this climbs to 40 hours outside the semester days.
Many students are concerned about the expensive tuition costs or the cost of living. However, many universities and government industries in Ireland finance PhDs for Indian students. While some waive the entire tuition charge, others offer a scholarship that waives a percentage of the tuition fee. Universities in Ireland that offer PhD programs receive funding from charities, research councils, and industry partners. These endowments assist institutions in providing scholarships and stipends to deserving students.
Here are some of the most popular PhD scholarships available in Ireland.
|
Name of Scholarship |
Description |
Average Amount (in EUR) |
|
IPRA Foundation Peace Research Grants |
This is fully funded by the IPRA foundation |
€4653 |
|
ECF STEP Beyond Travel Grant |
It provides travel grants to those eligible |
Varies |
|
Rotary Global Grants |
The grant extends to students of all disciplines |
Varies |
|
European Molecular Biology Short-Term Fellowships |
It funds the research visits to laboratories |
Covers travel & subsistence |
|
John Dillon Fellowship |
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) hosts it |
Varies |
|
Institute for Current World Affairs Fellowships |
It provides full financial support to fellows & their immediate families |
Varies |
|
Department of History Clare County Nursery PhD Studentship |
This is offered for 3 years |
€5250, €5000 stipend, full tuition fee waiver |
|
Honourable Mr Justice John Murray PhD Fellowship |
This is offered for all years |
€5000 |
|
Professor Henry Ellis, PhD Award |
This is awarded to 2 students |
€5250 |
|
IRC-SFI Pathway PhD International Scholarships |
It is open to PhD students of History |
€18,500 stipend+€5750 off on tuition fees travel allowance |
Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are permitted to work in Ireland after finishing their studies.
Non-EU / EEA / Swiss national students are eligible for the Third Level Graduate Scheme (Stamp 1G), which allows you to work in Ireland for 12 months after completing your PhD. If necessary, this can be extended for another 12 months. This also necessitates the renewal of your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and a letter from the university confirming your PhD completion.
If you want to stay in Ireland for longer than the Stamp 1G allows, you must apply for a Work Permit from Ireland's Department of Business, Enterprise, and Innovation.
A PhD in Ireland gives a student in-depth knowledge of research procedures and practical experience. As a result, various professional options in Ireland are available to PhD students, such as process scientists, senior analytical development scientists, research scientists, and so on. Furthermore, all students enrolled in Ireland's Third Level Graduate Program are eligible for employment.
The following are the employment options available after completing a PhD in Ireland, along with expected pay.
|
Job Field |
Average Annual Salary (in EUR) |
|
Executive Management and Change |
EUR 74,000 |
|
Program and Project Management |
EUR 56,000 |
|
Healthcare and Alternative Medicine |
EUR 53,000 |
|
Legal Department |
EUR 50,000 |
|
IT and Software Development |
EUR 52,000 |
Pursuing a PhD in Ireland might be a great career option for Indian students and other international students. With an affordable price structure, grants/scholarships available, and well-ranked institutions, studying in Ireland can pave the road for a bright future. Analyse the above information and select the program and university that best meets your needs. Connect with our AECC counsellors if you require end-to-end expert FREE guidance during the process.
Are you thinking about getting a PhD in Ireland? Contact AECC education professionals to assist you from start to finish in locating relevant universities in Ireland. We will help students to choose at ZERO processing fees.
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