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HE in Ireland
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Despite its size, Ireland packs higher education options at universities, institutes of technology, colleges of education and private colleges into its hospitable surroundings, as Matthew Knott discovers.
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The benefit of studying Higher Education in Ireland is the quality and range of courses that are on offer,” argues Celestine Rowland, Managing Director at Galway Business School. For Sinéad Lucey, International Education Manager at the Irish Universities Association (IUA), a network of seven universities, quality is key. “Irish qualifications are recognised for excellence worldwide,” she says.
IUA’s members – the seven universities in Ireland – are increasingly focusing on links with local industry. “Irish universities offer internships and work placements at undergraduate level to allow students to apply their learning in a practical context, while continuing to excel academically,” relates Lucey and she cites the example of NUI Maynooth, which is located in the heart of Ireland’s “silicon valley”.
Lucey also explains that students have time to find post-study work. “By availing themselves of the Third Level Graduate Scheme, international students are entitled to apply to stay in Ireland for an additional six months after they obtain their final exam results.” She adds that the universities have a dedicated office for helping international students find employment upon graduation. Rowland, meanwhile, believes that graduate employability is one of the factors that Galway Business School will be evaluated on, “Success rates in the employment market are very high, as students are equipped with real skills, competencies and knowledge that make them very desirable employees.”
“The significant edge to studying in Ireland is the level of support and student care that is on offer, because numbers are smaller and individual attention is guaranteed to ensure integration,” enthuses Rowland. “Galway Business School students can choose from an increasing portfolio of programmes and pathways. For example, they can gain a bachelors degree in three years or they can choose to join the programme for the final year, if they have the requisite European Credit Transfer System credits. They also have routes onto Masters and MBA programmes on completion of a postgraduate diploma in Management.”
Several foundation and orientation courses are available for overseas students. Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin launched a direct pathway Foundation Programme in conjunction with Study Group. At Galway Business School, foundation programmes include Business preparation. “The courses focus on developing academic English and research skills,” says Rowland. Meanwhile, at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), a college of education and the liberal arts linked to the University of Limerick, Holly Cowman, explains, “Tailored orientation programmes are offered to ensure a smooth transition to college life in Ireland.” She adds that Gaelige (Irish) for Beginners and Irish Heritage Studies courses are also offered.
At the other end of the HE spectrum, Lucey praises the innovative approach of structured PhD programmes. “Postgraduate research at Irish universities crosses the traditional boundaries between academic disciplines and involves collaboration with national and international partners as well as interaction with a broad range of institutions, non-governmental agencies and private companies,” she relates. Meanwhile, Diarmuid O’Driscoll, MIC’s Director of External Affairs, says, “At MIC we consistently update our programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Our two new structured PhD programmes in Education and Philosophy of Art and Culture, together with our existing postgraduate programmes, offer attractive opportunities for international students to study at MIC.”
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