An Ultimate Guide To PhD In Ireland For International Students

Academic brilliance and world-class research facilities are only two of the numerous advantages of studying in Ireland. This makes taking a PhD program in Ireland extremely gratifying and educational. Many of Ireland’s finest universities offer PhD programs in subjects ranging from arts and design to sciences. If you are thinking about doing a PhD in Ireland, we have a guide specifically for you. Continue reading to learn about the best PhD programs in Ireland, as well as other useful information.

Why Study PhD in Ireland?

Studying PhD from well-recognized university matters as it helps in shaping your career opportunities better. Let’s understand why Ireland is the ideal country to pursue this program:

Popular Choice: PhD is one of the most popular programs in Ireland. The reason for its demand is high-quality teaching, excellent research facilities, recognized universities, and affordable education.

Structured Programs: The structured PhD programs in Ireland are conducted in partnership with non-academic bodies and enterprise stakeholders. Apart from providing research knowledge, the PhD programs Ireland offers skill development to practice the research in real-time.

Placement Opportunities: Ireland is home to multiple well-established multinational companies. Hence the career opportunity for PhD students remains high.

A typical full-time PhD in Ireland lasts roughly 3-4 years. During this time, students work in their school or research institute under the supervision of an academic supervisor. In addition to the primary supervisor, there may be a secondary supervisor and a supporting supervisory panel that oversees the research.

Students in Ireland can undertake structured PhD programs in addition to standard PhD programs. These programs enable researchers to collaborate with non-academic organizations such as industry partners. Such programs provide a practical path to further professional growth.

Top Universities in Ireland for PhD

Now that you have the complete information required to pursue a PhD program in Ireland, we have covered the top universities in Ireland for PhD that you should consider.

• Trinity College Dublin
• Technology University Dublin
• University College Dublin
• University of Limerick
• University College Cork

Now, let us take a look at each of these universities individually:

Trinity College Dublin

Due to its high reputation, Trinity College Dublin is one of the best choices for pursuing a PhD program. They provide a variety of PhD programs in fields such as business, science, the arts, and others. TCD is well-known for its PhD programs, which enable students gain the necessary research skills that will help them in their future employment.

• QS Rank 2023: 98
• Average Annual Tuition Fees: 3000 – 8800 EUR
• Popular Subject Areas: Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Health Science and Technical Subjects

Technology University Dublin

Technology University Dublin’s PhD programs are created to enhance students’ knowledge on the subject better as well as develop skills. The university has a population of 29,000 students across 100 countries. TUD offers three types of doctorate programs, International, PhD bridging, and programs for visiting research students.

• QS Rank 2023: 801-1000
• Average Annual Tuition Fees: 6000 – 9000 EUR
• Popular Subject Areas: Environment, Energy & Health, Information, Communications & Media Technologies, New Materials & Devices, and Society, Culture & Enterprise

University College Dublin (UCD)

For the past 160 years, UCD has been a research-intensive university. The overall number of PhD students affiliated with UCB is 1,666, and the figure is growing. UCD facilitates the development of transferable research skills in PhD students through courses, online modules, and workshops. As a result, I chose this university to pursue my PhD in Dublin.

• QS Rank 2023: 181
• Average Annual Tuition Fees: 6,000 – 31,000 EUR
• Popular Subject Areas: Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Governance, Veterinary Medical Specialization

University of Limerick

The University of Limerick currently has 8 fully partial as well as fully funded programs for PhD students. They offer full-time as well as part-time programs that will suit the needs of PhD students. UL offers multiple PhD programs that cater to all specializations, such as sociology, economics, medicine, and more.

• QS Rank 2023: 531-540
• Average Annual Tuition Fees: 11,000 -14,000 EUR/ INR 8,75,633 – 11,14,442
• Popular Subject Areas: Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Psychology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Arts & Design

University College Cork (UCC)

UCC is ranked high for its PhD programs. UCC supports research students by awarding them different research-based titles such as researcher of the year. Every PhD program offered by UCC ensures that students are able to grasp theoretical knowledge and apply the same in real-time.

• QS Rank 2023: 303
• Average Annual Tuition Fees: 10,000 – 22,000 EUR/ INR 7,96,030 – 17,51,267
• Popular Subject Areas: Social Science, Social work, Arts

Eligibility & Admission Requirements for PhD in Ireland

PhD in Ireland for international students differ with regard to the admission requirements. We have covered the most common requirements that remain standard in almost all universities in Ireland.

The main eligibility PhD requirements Ireland are:

• Masters Degree
• English Language Proficiency
• Work Experience
• Visa Requirements

A Masters Degree

Students must first complete their Master’s degree before enrolling in a PhD program in Ireland. The degree can be pursued in any field of study. Aside from that, evidence of any necessary research skills is also taken into account. A 2.1 honours degree from an Irish or other university is also accepted by few universities.

English Language Proficiency

Non-EU students are required to take an English language proficiency test to study PhD in Ireland. It is mandatory to meet the below-listed score requirements:

• TOEFL– 88
• IELTS- 6.5
• PTE Academics- 6.3
• Cambridge Assessment English- Grade C in Advanced and Proficiency levels

Work Experience

• For students looking to pursue PhD programs but have low academic scores, your professional work experience will make you eligible.

Visa Requirements

• Students wanting to study PhD in Ireland need to procure a student visa. You should apply for the visa at least three months in advance before you decide to travel to Ireland.

Note: Students wanting to pursue a full-time PhD in Ireland are initially registered for a Full-time Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree. After completing an assessment in the first year, they are upgraded to a PhD degree.

Documents Required for PhD in Ireland

To make the process of pursuing PhD in Ireland for Indian students easier, the below documents are required:

• Copies of all academic certifications (Masters and Bachelors)
• 2 coloured passport size photos
• Copy of the current and previous passports (if any)
• Signed application letter stating your contact details and reasons to study PhD in Ireland
• Acceptance letter from the university you’ve applied to
• Proof of any educational gaps
• Proof of fee payments
• Proof of funds that signifies your financial condition whilst living in Ireland
• Medical insurance

Once your documents are ready, you can now apply for a PhD Program. We have discussed the stepwise process below:

Application Process for a PhD in Ireland

How to apply for PhD in Ireland? To apply for a PhD program in Ireland, follow the below-listed admission process:

Find a supervisor: Reach out to the supervisors in your chosen university via email. Introduce yourself and include important details such as your academic achievements, reasons for choosing them as your supervisor, and why you wish to pursue a PhD in the selected subject.
Application form: Once your supervisor agrees to work with you, you will be required to fill and submit an online or offline application form.
Create a research proposal: Create a research proposal of about 1500- 2000 words outlining the research topic you are interested in, the hypothesis and the aim of the research.
Transcripts: Submit your undergraduate transcripts and graduate transcripts.
References: Students need to submit 2 or more references
Submit Application: Submit all the required documents and research proposals to the university along with the application form.

IMPORTANT: Each university may have a unique set of research proposal or document requirements. Visit the university’s website to learn more about the application process and deadlines.

Cost of PhD in Ireland

For students pursuing PhD programs in Ireland, the fee structure depends on two factors:

• University/ Institution
• PhD program chosen
• Mode of study (part-time vs. full-time)

Non-EU students pay a greater cost for PhD programs than EU students, which can range from 9,000 to 30,000 EUR/ INR 7,16,427 to 23,88,090 each year.

The cost of the curriculum varies depending on the field. PhD programs in Science, Engineering, and Technology, for example, can be slightly more expensive than those in Arts and Humanities.

PhD Scholarships in Ireland

Is it possible to pursue PhD in Ireland for Indian students with scholarships? To pursue a PhD program in Ireland, there are multiple PhD scholarships in Ireland opportunities available for Non- EU students. We’ve listed the top ones below:

• IRC – ESO Studentship Program Irish Research Council: It offers PhD scholarships for postgraduate and research studies. Students can avail of an annual stipend of 25,000 EUR. It also covers annual research expenses of 4,500 EUR  and contributions to fees of up to 5,750 EUR.
• Government of Ireland – International Education Scholarships (GOI-iES): The scholarship is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Students receive an amount of 10,000 EUR/ INR 7,96,030 for one study year, which can be used to cover the cost of studying and living.
• Enterprise Partnership Program: Students are connected to top enterprises that fund their education. The amount offered can be up to 24,000 EUR per year, which includes a scholarship stipend, research fund, and fees.
• Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship Funding: This scholarship is applicable to any student across the globe. It offers partial funding for technical subjects.
• University Scholarships: Universities in Ireland also offer Ireland PhD scholarships for international students. This information is available on their official website.

Career Opportunities after Studying PhD in Ireland

A PhD in Ireland provides a student with in-depth knowledge of research methods as well as practical experience. As a result, there are a variety of professional options available to PhD students in Ireland, such as process scientist, senior analytical development scientist, research scientist, 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 an expected pay.

Job Field and Average Annual Salary

• 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 terrific career option for Indian students and other international students. With an affordable fee structure, grants/scholarships available, and well-ranked colleges, studying in Ireland can pave the road for a bright future. Analyze the information presented above and select the program and university that best meets your needs.