Want to study in Dublin? There are a ton of reasons why you should. But, for international students, the process can be quite daunting. So, to keep your stress levels to a minimum, here’s our step-by-step guide containing everything you need to know about making it a reality.
- Choose your course
There are a ton of universities and other institutions where international students can study. Investigate the courses that you’re interested in and make sure you meet the entry requirements.
- Apply and accept
Apply as soon as you have decided on a course, or courses, to take. If you’re applying for a postgraduate position, you may find our guide to qualification recognition useful during this process. You’ll typically receive an offer letter in the mail. To be enrolled in a course legitimately, you must consent to this. Make sure you are familiar with the enrolment procedures at your college because they may differ from others.
- Figure out if you need a visa
You must apply for a student visa if you’re from a country outside the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom. Within a month of your arrival in Ireland, you must also register with the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service.
- Purchase health insurance
It is strongly advised for international students to secure health insurance coverage before arriving in Ireland. If you receive private medical care, you will have immediate access to medical professionals and hospital lodging if you become ill. In fact, it’s possible that students from outside of Europe who are coming to Ireland to study will need to obtain private health insurance in order to obtain their visas. Even during the application process, proof of health insurance is occasionally necessary.
- Book your flight
Dublin is served by numerous airlines. Booking as early as you can is still a good idea.
- Pack essential documents
First, you’ll need your passport. A driving licence is also required if you intend to purchase or rent a vehicle. In either case, it’s a good idea to carry identification that shows your current address in case you need to open a bank account.
Additionally, European citizens should bring their European Health Insurance Card, while non-EU students should have their private health insurance information with them.
Finally, students should bring copies of their college acceptance letters and any prior credentials that colleges or potential employers may want to see.
- Start looking for a place to live
Finding a place to live for students in Dublin can be difficult. So get looking as soon as you can, especially if you’re looking for on-campus housing.
If you haven’t made arrangements for a long-term residence before travelling to Dublin, it’s simple to make temporary accommodations while you look for a home. You can find a room to rent on Homestay or Airbnb. A complete list of cheap hostel accommodations in Dublin can be found on Hostels.com.
Your college or university should be able to offer guidance on suitable housing close to the campus during the house search.
- Organize fee payment
Don’t forget to pay your tuition on time. Make sure you are aware of the specific deadlines and requirements that each college typically sets forth for you to follow. To make these payments, you might need to open an Irish bank account. This will be useful for other payments as well.
- Learn some “Dublinese”
Dublin is an English-speaking city. However, some words and phrases might need to be translated a little. For example, ‘grand’ means ‘okay’. And ‘story?’ means ‘what are you up to today?’.
- Safe trip!
It looks like you’re all set! Have a safe trip and enjoy the pubs, the restaurants, the music, the nightlife, as well as beautiful public green spaces: Dublin’s Phoenix Park is the largest urban park in all of Europe. Come and experience all that the Emerald Isle has to offer.
Contact Liffey College today to learn more about our English language courses in Dublin.
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