28 minute read
Study Abroad
Studying at one of Ireland’s internationally recognised universities is a life-changing experience. The education hubs have a unique development path that combines hundreds of years of expertise with a desire for new and creative innovation.
Ireland is ranked in the top 10 for education (IMB World Competitiveness Ranking 2019) and its degrees are recognised worldwide. It is also the only English-speaking country in the Eurozone, so with this being the global language of business and technology, knowing how to converse easily in English increases marketability and gives students a significant advantage in a multinational company.
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Ireland is relatively small in size with a population of just over five million, yet here you can find universities providing world-class Englishlanguage education in over 5,000 different courses at a cost significantly less than many other countries. The cost-effectiveness of studying in Ireland is a major draw when compared to the UK or USA and t h e level of education is higher.
There are currently over 32,000 international students from more than 161 countries studying in Ireland, making up roughly 17.9% of the university population. According to a study, the number increased by 45% between 2013 and 2017 and continues to climb. There are dedicated international offices in each institution that understand the unique needs of foreign students and help every one of them to adapt to the new culture with a range of clubs, societies, and supports.
COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Ireland also has its own Council for International Students (ICOS). The ICOS was founded in 1970 with offices based in Dublin, Ireland’s lively capital city. It collaborates with its members, student organisations and government agencies to ensure that international education policy and practice in Ireland is quality-driven and remains firmly focused on the educational and social needs of all students. It promotes the rights and welfare of international students who choose Ireland as a study destination, and it supports staff in colleges that work with them.
Individual universities also have their own ways of making international students feel welcome, such as the Global Room at Trinity College Dublin. The Global Room is a welcoming, internationallyminded space, where all students can come and experience cultural events, meet new people
and feel part of its international community. Its friendly team hosts regular events celebrating cultural holidays and international events, providing a space for Trinity students from all over the globe to connect.
LAND OF WELCOMES Apart from the glamorous landscapes, medieval castles and Christian monasteries, it is the lively youthfulness of Ireland that sets the country apart. Metropolitan cit-ies like Dublin and Cork bring out the spirit of the Irish youth; student hubs in Lim-erick and Galway combine old world charm with lively social scenes, while the ru-ral villages offer a glimpse of old Ireland set in stunning landscapes.
Culture is something that Ireland has in spades, whether it is historical spaces, natural beauty or a thriving social scene, with some of the world’s friendliest peo-ple known the world over for their ‘cead mile failte’ (a hundred thousand welcomes). The Irish take pride in their country and love to share their enthusiasm with students.
The Irish have a huge maternal side and love to welcome or ‘mother’ new guests. If staying with a host family, you’re sure to be treated as one of the family. If not, there’s always a greeting or a helping hand just around the corner. Irish cities are full of life but smaller than most, so it is easy to find your way around and discover all they have to offer. The infrastructure is excellent too with good public transport and most cities are easily walkable.
HOME FROM HOME Ireland is also a travel hub for other travel destinations. A country with open doors, it is well connected to the rest of Europe and beyond, which means it is easy to hop onto a flight and explore other countries by taking weekend breaks in your free time. If you would like to stay with both feet on the ground, Ireland is a small island nation with an incredible array of natural beauty, wonderful coastlines and rugged nature. There are two UNESCO world heritage sites, countless cathedrals, ancient monuments and castles to explore and stretches of wild open countryside.
Many international students call Ireland their ‘home away from home’ and throw themselves into the unique Irish culture abundant in music, dance, literature, and social spaces. The culture is vibrant and happening, with varied events and festivals all over the country. It is a perfect place to meet new friends in a unique society that feels progressive and modern.
Ireland ranks 12th on the Global Peace Index and 3rd in the world for quality of life, according to a report published by the United Nations, so the relaxing nature of the place soon rubs off on visitors who find it very easy to ‘go native’.
The education space is also progressive, with Irish universities in the top 1% of research institutions worldwide. The country is also known for adapting to industry needs and evolving alongside their respective market sectors.
Some of the world’s biggest companies have key strategic research facilities here and international students can join innovative research programmes as part of their study experience. There is also a great symbiotic relationship between the large amount of Foreign Direct Investment that comes into Ireland every year and the education sector, with huge multinationals that are based in the country offering internships for students and job opportunities for graduates. There has been an especially large demand within the areas that Ireland is known for hosting, including financial services, life sciences, engineering, agriculture, pharmaceutical and technology among others.
There is a large crossover in the most popular courses taken in the UAE and Ireland, showing that students from both countries are on the same track when it comes to understanding their futures. Ireland is home to five of Forbes Top 10 companies: Apple, Google, Alphabet, Amazon and Samsung and the Irish economy is rapidly growing in the Eurozone - it is the 6th most competitive in the world.
Irish universities work closely with industry to ensure that their graduates are ready for the workforce and have the best opportunities available to them. With an employability rate of over 80 per cent, Irish institutions offer many career opportunities for international students and it is an entrepreneurial country with global connections.
WORK PLACEMENTS AND VISAS Work placements are high on the agenda to create a readiness for work, with most university programmes and the Irish student visa allowing up to 50% of courses to be defined in this ‘handson’ way.
Education in Ireland is structured to ensure students will be ready to meet the real-life demands of the workplace and Ireland has one of the largest cooperative education programmes in Europe. The Ireland student visa also allows students from overseas to work up to 20 hours a week during studies and full-time during vacations. There is no need for a separate permit for employment where the only need is to obtain a PPS (social security) number. Once you have your PPS number, there are other benefits as a foreign student in work, such as free travel passes and public health services.
Most universities have a specialist officer who offers help in the process of applying for a student visa including all the necessary documentation. Bureaucracy runs smoothly in Ireland, with quicker turnaround times than most countries and a willingness to support students on their study path. Emirati students do not need to apply for health insurance for the Irish Study Visa - Visa Type D, which is another helpful step on the way to studying in Ireland. Emirati students simply need to prove they speak English well enough to study at an international university in Ireland. These language skills ensure that students can succeed in classes and manage their way around Ireland. In addition, Emirati students do not need to take a medical test before arriving in Ireland and there is no need to set up a Restricted Bank Account which as its name suggests can be too restrictive. A Restricted Bank Account restricts the amount of money that can be withdrawn every month, and only allows access when the student arrives in Ireland.
PASTURES NEW Ireland offers excellent opportunities to continue in the country and start a career, with post-study work visas available. The Stayback Visa or Stamp 1G visa offers graduates the opportunity to stay and work in Ireland for 12 months (for undergraduate students) and 24 months (for masters/graduate students). Following on from stayback visas, legally resident non-EU thirdlevel graduates can also apply for a Green Card Permit, which is a way to stay in Ireland long term. This allows graduates to work for an employer in an occupation where there is a shortage of skills. This visa flexibility makes Ireland an attractive option for long-term study and settlement as, after five years on a work visa, students can apply for Irish citizenship. Ireland is not only interested in international students while they are on their course of choice but wants to create an environment in which they can become a part of Irish society after they have finished their studies.
SO WHY STAY IN IRELAND? Ireland’s higher educational standards are based on the country’s dedication to excellence. The Irish government has made significant investment in the country’s academic infrastructure, making it a popular study destination for overseas students. Furthermore, the country’s higher educational institutions award internationally recognised and quality-assured certifications and qualifications, with over 5,000 programmes available.
The land of a thousand welcomes opens its arms and its heart to international students, offering a quality of life second to none and a top-class degree to be proud of.
AcceleratHER at Westford University
Westford University College, based in the United Arab Emirates, is a wellknown transnational educational partner of leading international institutions.
The prominent university, with two locations in Sharjah, UAE, provides postgraduate, undergraduate, PhD, and vocational programs. The university has approximately 10,000 students from over 130 countries enrolled.
With over 70 percent of Westford University College’s workforce being female, an initiative to empower and support women on their path to success was established with the launch of AcceleratHER - a scholarship geared towards empowering women to upskill. Scholarships are available to help women in their academic endeavours, which solidifies the institution’s determination to support women in following their dreams and aspirations.
AcceleratHER discounts tuition fees for women studying long-term courses, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. With the scholarship, Westford hopes to provide women with the opportunity to advance in their lives and careers without the burden of higher education costs. To date, the AcceleratHER Scholarship has been awarded to over 500 students, amounting to a million Dirhams. The scholarship has allowed Joceline Galy, a doctoral student in business administration at Westford, to stay focused on her academic journey and gain a work-life-study balance. Meanwhile, another MBA student with Girne American University enrolled at Westford says that the scholarship has eased her financial burden allowing her to focus on her education.
Westford is proud that it is effectively and successfully assisting in changing the role of women in society. As an organization, it will continue its mission to empower women personally and professionally, helping drive women’s desire to pursue their studies. Visit www.mywestford.com
University College Cork
University College Cork is more than the sum of its many parts and, collectively, it is many things:
SUSTAINABLE University College Cork is over 175 years old, with a tradition of independent thinking, a modern outlook, and a strong focus on sustainability. The university describes itself as ‘the connected university for sustainability.’ This is embedded in its core values and informs everything it does.
The university is connected: connected to its learners, to its alumni, to its community, to employers, to the city and the country by culture and by ambition. Secondly, it takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability which is recognised globally and is reinforced by its many accolades. UCC is the first green flag campus in the world, ranked number 62 in the world on the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and ranked number 8 in the world by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings, the only university ranking globally for sustainability.
Sustainability is a priority for the institution: The university’s sustainability agenda is student-led, research-informed, and practice-focused. UCC challenge its students - and they challenge the university - to ask tough questions and to take an active role in creating a sustainable world. UCC achieves this by embedding key skills, attributes, and learning through its curriculum. It does this by applying sustainable practices across all operations. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inform the university’s priorities and align with initiatives across the institution.
As a research-intensive university, everything UCC does is informed by deep, innovative research and data. The university is practicefocused, so it translates the activities of its research into its curriculum, practice, and university. This makes UCC a unique place to study: a connected, sustainable university of quality committed to engaging local and global communities.
GLOBALLY ORIENTATED UCC is a globally oriented university, with 100+ different nationalities in its student body, and a significant portion of staff come from abroad. The university is proud of this diversity. It has a vast range of external partnerships and collaborations. Institutionally, the university has more than 200 partners, spanning the entire world, working to address some of the biggest challenges we all face.
Internationalisation at UCC exposes students and staff to other cultures, perspectives and learning and provides opportunities to grow. UCC has a high volume of work placements embedded in its programmes, preparing students for global economic careers. Students can study for a portion of their degree abroad through mobility options, whether with Erasmus partners in Europe or via bilateral exchange around the world. Via global recruitment and numerous joint initiatives with partners in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East, UCC brings the world to Cork. That’s the joy of the university: that people are moving, connecting and collaborating for research, learning, and a better future.
INNOVATION Universities are about people and ideas, and UCC is proud to be a community of talented people pursuing great ideas. UCC plays a key role in the innovation ecosystem of Cork and Ireland. Its research institutes, including Tyndall National Institute, APC Microbiome Ireland (ranked number one in the world in microbiome research), and the Environmental Research Institute, among others, contribute to local, national, and global initiatives. The biggest challenges will only be solved by working across disciplines and fields of inquiry.
UCC is committed to attracting and retaining exceptional researchers and creating an environment for talent to grow and thrive. The Web of Science, for example, assesses global pioneers and research. Of the 32 named in Ireland, 13 are based at UCC. UCC has the infrastructure, the network, the people and the talent empowered by government, industry, and the private sector that enable impactful innovations.
Sometimes, when we think of innovation, we think of the economy. We must also look to social innovation and the extent to which we can re-engineer the world to tackle huge challenges like infectious disease, climate change, economic crisis and digitalization. Responding to these issues and seeking to mitigate future challenges remains at the core of what the university and its talented researchers do.
An ambitious new university-wide initiative, UCC Futures, sets priorities for research across ten interdisciplinary areas: Future Medicines; Children; Food, Microbiome & Health; Pharmaceuticals; Future Ageing & Brain Science; Quantum & Photonics; Collective Social Futures; Future Humanities; Sustainability; Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. The framework has been developed to inspire, engage, and enable researchers to create trans-disciplinary tangible solutions at a scale that can address emergent societal needs and grand global challenges for a sustainable future.
UCC Futures seeks to identify actions that will help to navigate climate change, achieve better planet and antimicrobial resistance, enable us to understand the technologies that underpin the medicines of the future and create a just and socially responsible future.
COMPREHENSIVE As a comprehensive university offering an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and lifelong learning through short courses, Continuing Professional Development, Executive Education. UCC’s expertise is vast. From Arts to Sciences, Business to Medicine, Law to Engineering, and much more, UCC is fully engaged. The diversity of topics pursued with passion makes the campus buzz with excitement.
UCC is active and committed to full-person development that includes bodies and minds. The university encourages students and staff to explore its world-class sporting facilities,
Professor John O’Halloran, President at University College Cork
activity resources and 52 Clubs. Sport is part of UCC’s identity, with the mantra “Pride on our chest; Belief in our heart; Sport in our bones.” The importance of sport goes much further than empowering people with health and wellbeing – sport teaches life lessons of confidence, teamwork, respect, ambition, discipline, integrity and it provides a source of great enjoyment. A bespoke Graduate Attributes Programme ensures that all students at UCC are supported to develop attributes and values beyond their disciplinary learning throughout their student journey. Support within and outside the curriculum ensures that they are recognised as well-rounded, curious, self-aware individuals who continually learn new skills, are open to new ideas and make things happen.
UCC believes that creative expression and experimentation are essential. A newly launched Arts & Culture Plan provides a roadmap to creative exploration. By promoting creative and independent thinking, UCC pushes boundaries to pioneer new ways of creating, evaluating, and communicating knowledge. In addition, there are over 100 student societies to spark interests, develop and nurture talents and enable social networking.
UCC is socially responsible, inclusive and open. The university encourages all individuals to seize and embrace opportunities to collaborate and to identify, devise and implement just and sustainable solutions to real-life problems in local communities and at a global level. UCC encourages students and staff to be aware of their values and abilities. Its Graduate Attributes Programme, for example, provides students and staff with the tools to explore their strengths, weaknesses, and values
. CONNECTED UCC has a community of over 24,000 students and 3,000 staff. The immediate population of the city is approximately 219,000. It is a university city with deep relationships throughout the region. As a UNESCO-designated learning city and as part of a comprehensive agreement with other local institutions and authorities, UCC has anchored Cork’s identity around learning. It has an education ecosystem that blends education with commerce and government. The result is further connectivity, coordination, and collaboration. This has numerous positive impacts and creates an opportunity for education, research and innovation, but also it increases the quality of opportunity. Cork is a major hub for foreign direct investment which attracts talent and people from all over the world who are committed to investing in education.
Cork is a safe, friendly, sustainable city on a manageable scale. From the world-famous local food to the incredible beaches and beautiful countryside, from a proud and ancient history to the vibrant arts and culture scene, it is no surprise that Cork residents are so proud of their city.
For industries and individuals who can benefit from a dynamic and growing location, Cork is the place to be. For students looking to experience the collision of creativity, ingenuity, and innovation, UCC is the place to be. The university invites those who want to change the world to join this student-centred, researchinformed university, where sustainability and inclusion are core values.
For more information about University College Cork visit www.UCC.ie Internationalisation at UCC exposes students to other cultures, perspectives and provides opportunities to grow. That’s the joy of the university: that people are moving, connecting, collaborating and learning, carving out a brighter future for one and all.
University College Dublin
UCD, Ireland’s Global University, is Ireland’s largest and most international university. Established in 1854, the university has a student body of over 37,000 students, with more than 9,500 international students drawn from 150 countries.
UCD is Ireland’s leader in graduate education, with over 12,000 graduate students, almost a quarter of whom are graduate research students. Located in Dublin, Ireland, which is hailed as one of the safest countries in the world and one of the friendliest cities in Europe.
Students are attracted to UCD by the university’s teaching and research strength. Another huge draw for international students is the programme portfolio. UCD offers Ireland’s most comprehensive range of programmes recognised and valued by academic institutions and employers worldwide. Students also benefit from a holistic studying experience at UCD.
Community and connections are at Ireland’s beating heart, particularly at UCD. The UCD alumni network is influential, successful, active and truly international. Many of the 288,000 UCD global alumni, living in 169 countries, hold positions in leading organisations worldwide. From the moment a student receives their UCD Offer of Study, the university provides access to the UCD Alumni Network platform. Students can instantly connect with successful alumni no matter where they are in the world. They can share their experience and advice on studying at UCD and how to best place themselves to secure roles in industry or sectors of interest.
Ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide, UCD is No. 1 in Ireland for graduate employability in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (QS Graduate Employability Rankings). UCD is aware that universities must take an active role in developing their graduate employability. The career services UCD offers students are top-class. Not only do international students have access to interview prep, internship opportunities and alumni connections, but through the UCD Jumpstart Programme platform students begin their preparations before they arrive on campus.
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT Earlier this year, University College Dublin and Abu Dhabi University announced a new partnership to allow Abu Dhabi University undergraduate and postgraduate students in business programmes to complete their studies in Dublin.
The College of Business at Abu Dhabi University introduced a joint programme that will allow students to study in the emirate for the first two years and move to Ireland for the last two years of their studies to earn a degree from UCD.
The joint programme will also give students a personalised study plan and they can enrol in an internship programme anywhere in Europe.
Prof Barry O’Mahony, Dean of the College of Business at Abu Dhabi University, said: “We are delighted to offer our students this unique academic experience. It will allow them to begin their educational journey at ADU for two years and move on to earn a degree from University College Dublin. This prestigious university is amongst the top 200 universities worldwide.”
Professor Don Bredin, Associate Dean of the College of Business at UCD, said the partnership reflected the importance both universities place on global engagement as part of their business programmes.
“The new collaborative programme emphasises UCD’s reputation as Ireland’s global university, and I very much look forward to welcoming students from Abu Dhabi University Business School to the UCD Quinn School in September,” said Professor Bredin.
Connect with UCD to learn more about studying in Ireland at UCD, as well as the scholarships and supports available. www.ucd.ie/global
University of Galway
University of Galway has been inspiring minds since 1845 as a research-led university, situated in the west of Ireland.
Its journey to being in the top 2% of universities in the world began more than 175 years ago when the institution was established as one of three Queen’s Colleges on the island of Ireland. Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, University of Galway is committed to utilising the talent and skills at its disposal to address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
University of Galway is one of Ireland’s oldest and largest universities with a global ambition. With over 18,000 students, the university’s unique culture and innovative teaching methods continuously attracts high-calibre students from around the world.
In the 2022 QS World University Rankings, University of Galway ranked 270th globally. This ranking confirms its position among the world’s elite educational institutions, placing it in the top 2% of universities worldwide. Furthermore, University of Galway has been named Irish University of the Year 2022 by The Sunday Times Good University Guide. University of Galway offers a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It is made up of four colleges, each of which is then made up of various schools of study. These include:
• College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies • College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences • College of Science & Engineering • College of Business, Public Policy & Law
University of Galway is one of Ireland’s top universities for graduate employability. It boasts a high employment rate for students, with 96% of undergraduates and 94% of postgraduate students working or studying further within six months of graduating. University of Galway Alumni Awards recognises individual excellence and achievements amongst the 120,000 alumni based in 100 countries around the globe.
The university has a number of students from across the MENA region studying at University of Galway, and some of the most popular courses with these students are Podiatry, Nursing and Medicine related programmes.
Meet Sarh who studied Podiatric Medicine at University of Galway
“I wanted to study podiatric medicine as I was interested in the medical field. I chose University of Galway as it was recommended by many Saudi students who completed their medical degrees at the university.
At the start, I was slightly nervous due to many different reasons. The main reason is the cultural differences between my home and Ireland. Another reason is the fact that I had a two-year-old boy. A few weeks after arriving in Ireland, most of the distrusting thoughts were gone as I was supported by the college’s staff who helped me to settle in. I also managed to register my child in the university creche, which took the pressure off about ‘who will mind my kid?’. Studying podiatric medicine at University of Galway was a great opportunity as it allowed me to explore an important field that is not available in Saudi Arabia yet.
It also shaped my practical skills as I was required to complete 1,000 practical hours to graduate. During the course, there were external placements in both private and public sectors, which allowed me to see the differences between both sectors and prepare myself for my future career. Moreover, it allowed me to explore Ireland, meet with other students from different nationalities, share our experience, and learn from each other. “ “During this experience, I have never felt like an outsider and was treated without discrimination. My voice was heard, and all my issues were taken seriously. I managed to make great relationships that I do not want to lose by moving home, and most importantly, I got what I came for – a degree in Podiatric Medicine.”
Mary Immaculate College
Mary Immaculate College (MIC), founded in 1898, is Ireland’s leading university-level college of education and humanities.
The college has a growing and diverse community of over 5,000 students who are enrolled in undergraduate programmes in education, liberal arts, theatre studies and early childhood care & education. Additionally, MIC will welcome the first intake of students on the new Bachelor of Science in Psychology programme from September 2022. Students at MIC can also choose from a range of postgraduate programmes at Diploma, MA and PhD levels. Additional subjects available to international students include Irish heritage studies, beginners Irish language, English as a foreign language and English for academic purposes.
MIC has a vibrant international community, collaborating with more than 50 partner universities and colleges across The Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe and hosting over 500 international students annually. The college has a highly research-active faculty, which participates in international mobility schemes and regular exchanges.
Mary Immaculate College welcomes international students from all over the world and ensures they are fully integrated with Irish students in all aspects of college life. The International Office at MIC has numerous dedicated staff members providing information and support to students coming to Ireland to study.
MIC is recognised and appreciated for its excellence in teaching, learning and research and is renowned worldwide for top-quality education provision, educating 40% of Ireland’s elementary school teachers. The highly research-active faculty, 82% of whom have PhDs, pro-actively engage in developing international best practices. MIC plays a pivotal role in third-level education in a diverse and inclusive Ireland, providing an ethos and an environment where students have both the freedom and the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Study programmes at MIC are among the most highly sought-after in the country. Still, the college is equally proud of its reputation as a caring institution where there is genuine concern for the individual in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
VIBRANT LOCATION & STUDENT CULTURE MIC’s main campus is conveniently located in a leafy suburb just ten minutes walk from Limerick city centre. Limerick, a picturesque riverside city, was founded in the 10th century as a Viking
fortress. Ireland’s third-largest city, located in the Midwest region, is a safe and welcoming student-focused city with a population of around 162,000. With half the city’s population under 30 years of age and three institutions of higher education, international students are fully immersed in the vibrant student culture on offer.
Limerick also has its own airport, Shannon International Airport. This is just 20 minutes from MIC and close to all the most beautiful scenery and tourist destinations in the Shannon region, such as the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle. The city offers a complete experience, from stunning landscapes to its buzzing city and it consistently performs brilliantly in various European rankings. It has been ranked 1st by the Financial Times for “European City of the Future,” based on its population category, while Silicon Republic has named it one of the most exciting start-up cities and hubs in Europe, labelling it “a tech city and a beacon for digital ambitions”.
STUDENT LIFE The MIC experience is unique, giving students a home away from home and an international network of friends that will last a lifetime. The college has a thriving clubs and societies culture on campus with students availing of excellent sports facilities, student recreational areas and the 500-seater fully operational performing arts theatre - the Lime Tree Theatre. The central location means students can experience an active, safe and fun campus life and a vibrant city life within a few minutes.
Student support doesn’t stop at academics. MIC offers a range of holistic supports designed to help students if and when they need them, ensuring students can make the most of college life. Students will find supports for everything, both personal and academic. There is an academic larning centre, chaplaincy, counselling service, a health promotion unit, medical centre, EDII office (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Interculturalism) and the MIC Students’ Union. International students have the added support of the international office.
Students will also find comfortable and welcoming low-cost accommodation very close to MIC with various options, including oncampus, self-catering housing. Off-campus, self-catering accommodation is also available at privately run facilities nearby and students may also rent private accommodation in the neighbourhoods around MIC. Being a city campus, no city neighbourhood is outside walking distance and the international office is happy to assist students in selecting the option that suits them best.
LEARNING AT MIC MIC has experienced unprecedented growth in the last decade with a doubling of undergraduate programmes and student numbers. The college’s student retention rate of 94% is one of the highest in the country and with smaller class sizes, there are excellent student/lecturer ratios to benefit students.
International students thrive in this environment, especially when they have the opportunity to decide how they want to study. With the BA in Liberal Arts (dual honours degree) programme, international students have the option of exemption from the Year 3 off-campus placement/ study abroad programme. This allows students to skip straight from Year 2 into Year 4 and graduate in three years, saving on the costs of a fourth academic year. Students may even decide to use that fourth year to complete a one-year Masters programme.
Equally, if students want to complete the semester or year abroad for study or work placement in Year 3 they can choose from a range of university partners across the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe to complete their studies. At every stage the International Office is on hand to advise on locations and offer assistance with all the arrangements.
All qualifications from MIC are fully recognised internationally, through the Irish National Framework of Qualifications and the European Credit Transfer System. MIC graduates are found at the top level of many sectors nationally and internationally, most notably education, psychology, public policy development and media and communications.
