Study Abroad: Number of Indian students in Ireland grew tenfold in 10 years

NEW DELHI: Ireland has received 7,000 Indian students in 2023. This is ten times the figure a decade ago. In 2013, just 700 Indian students had gone to study in Ireland. The Education in Ireland “roadshow” for 2024 is being held from September 30 to October 8 and across five cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru. Barry O’Driscoll, regional manager of India and South Asia, spoke to Careers360, about the study in Ireland, scholarships and post-study visas.

What are you offering to Indian students? Are you focusing on specific disciplines?

Once the Indian students graduate in Ireland, they are given a two-year stay-back visa. These two years allow them to remain in Ireland to find job opportunities. The career opportunities are very strong, especially in the technical field and engineering. We look for students for various types of computing courses and software engineering, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and they would have good post-study career options. There are over a thousand multinational companies that are based in Ireland. Ireland is globally well-connected. So, starting a career in Ireland can take a student globally as well.

Why do you want more Indian students?

It is the experience of the Irish higher education institutions which shows that Indian students do very well in Ireland. They come well-prepared and when we meet them on our roadshow, they have already done the homework and research. Also, many of them have a couple of years of professional experience already. They do exceptionally well. What the Irish institutions are looking for is a larger international student cohort and a diverse student cohort.

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Which programmes do most Indian students go for?

They would fall into three categories – business, science and engineering – but the largest number of students opt for big data. Around 90 percent of Indian students come to Ireland to study postgraduate programmes and only 10 percent to study undergraduate programmes. As a national priority, we are now trying to offer programmes in humanities and social sciences, design and hospitality. So, apart from big data, we want students in other areas like hotel management and hospitality and many more. Ireland has a wide variety of programmes for Indian students.

What kind of skills are you looking for and do graduates usually find jobs over the two years?

We are looking for skills in computer science and engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, skills in electronic engineering, graduates in data sciences, pharma graduates who excel in medical devices These are the skills that we require and are broadly across industries that are strong in Ireland.

Non-European students who graduate generally find career opportunities for graduate-level roles. We cannot guarantee that the students will get a job – you cannot guarantee that anywhere – but the opportunities are very strong. Currently, we have a need in Ireland for skilled graduates. We have a small population of just under five million, so we do have a need for skills and that is why we are offering the two-year stay-back visa.

International students, while they are studying, can work part-time for extra pocket money. They can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during the holiday period. Coming back to the two-year post-study visa, when they join a company, after two years the company usually allows them to stay and grab the opportunity. The students now will have to convert their visa to a work permit visa, which can be extended to a longer term. It is a step-by-step process for students to remain and work in the country.

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What are the scholarships offered to the Indian students?

Scholarships by the Government or Irish institutions are merit-based. Institutions offer a range of scholarships which can be anything from 2,000 Euro off the fees up to almost 50 percent off tuition fees. These are offered along with the offer letter. Some also have Global Excellence Scholarships where 50 percent or 100 percent of tuition fees are waived for exceptional international students.

The Government of Ireland scholarship for international students is also merit-based and opens up every year in January and applications are to be sent by the end of March. If successful, students will receive a full fee waiver of one year's tuition fee as well as a stipend worth 10,000 Euros for living expenses.

What is the duration of the undergraduate programme you are offering?

Most of the undergraduate programmes are for four years, only some are for three years. When students are admitted for the four-year undergraduate programme, three years they study on campus and in the fourth year, they have to go for study abroad or for an internship or a work placement. We want more students joining the undergraduate programme and the number is growing now.