Completing a degree outside of Ireland has become particularly attractive, especially to those who are trying to access high-points courses. Many degrees in Europe offer high-quality education, lower fees, and flexible entry requirements. Luckily, the number of options to study abroad for Irish students continues to grow. This is largely due to the high cost of living and the difficulty in securing both university and private accommodation in Ireland.
While there is no one 'best place to study abroad', there are several excellent options to choose from. Traditionally, Ulster University and Queen’s University have been popular with Irish students, particularly for Allied Healthcare courses such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Radiography, and Physiotherapy. Optometry, Pharmacy, and Podiatry, are also available at Ulster University.
For Nursing and Allied Healthcare degrees at Ulster University, the MSAT Ulster exam forms part of the entry requirements. Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University do not require an entrance exam but do require an interview and a health portfolio. Students can apply to these courses through www.UCAS.com, and it is advisable to apply early, as applications close in January and this date is subject to change.
The Netherlands has become popular because the vast majority of courses, such as Engineering, Law, Science, Physiotherapy do not require Leaving Certificate points, and the tuition fees are notably cheaper. Eunicas is an individual application support service that assists students applying to courses all over Europe, including Poland, Holland, Finland, and Denmark. Students can register at www.Eunicas.com and request more support if necessary. Eunicas also offers in-person information days throughout the year so keep an eye out on their website.
Popular courses to study abroad include Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, partly because of their entry requirements. Most universities offering Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine abroad require Irish students to sit an entrance exam, which is mainly based on science subjects but can also include problem solving or verbal reasoning type tests. Websites such as www.MedicalPoland.com and www.MedEuropecareers.com also offer entrance exams and course places after the Leaving Certificate. MedEuropecareers is offering an entrance exam on July 4 in Dublin for those who would like to consider studying in Poland. Medicalstudyhungry.com supports those who wish to study Medicine or Veterinary Medicine in Hungary. Www.IrishdoctorsBulgaria.com supports Leaving Certificate students wishing to study Medicine and Dentistry in Bulgaria. Neil Smith, who works with www.IrishdoctorsBulgaria.com, documents his own journey studying Medicine in Bulgaria on TikTok, which provides students with valuable insights into what it is like studying Medicine in Bulgaria.
Another option available to Irish students is to study Medicine in Georgia. Galway native Ryan Mangan also documents his journey navigating studying and living in Georgia on TikTok. Ryan regularly gives updates on life in Georgia and tips on studying Medicine and how to apply to study Medicine in Georgia.
Www. Northcypruseducation.com offers Irish students six different universities in Cyprus to study Medicine, spanning six years, including a mandatory internship. While universities in Cyprus do not look at the Leaving Certificate in the same traditional way as Irish students, they do require a strong overall performance, particularly in the science subjects.
If anyone is planning to go abroad to study, I would always strongly recommend that they research the course, the university, transport links, entry requirements, professional accreditation and recognition. The entrance exams for all of these courses will require preparation, and I would advise students to start preparing in fifth year where possible and even visit where they hope to study before they commence studying.
While studying abroad can be very rewarding and exciting, it can also be challenging if preparation is not done. It is also important to check the fees of all courses, as some courses in Poland and Cyprus can cost up to €15,000 a year. It is also imperative that the course you have selected is, in fact, taught in English. As with any career or course, success ultimately depends on careful planning and research and choosing a course in a country that suits the student’s own specific needs.
