International Learners

IRELAND

is well known for the beauty of its magnificent natural landscapes and scenery. The spectacular Irish coastline covers a length of 1,448 km with the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Irish Sea on the east. Colonised from around 6000BC, the island has an interesting history and heritage waiting to be discovered. Ireland is also rich in culture developed over many hundreds of years. Incredible cities lively with pubs and music create a wild and joyful atmosphere. Ireland – 4.58 million.  www.discoverireland.com

DUBLIN

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is built on the River Liffey and is also situated beside the sea, yet close to both the countryside and mountains. A city of fine Georgian buildings, Dublin has been influenced by its Danish, Norman and English antecedents. It has excellent stores and shops, museums, antique shops and a wide range of pubs and restaurants. Among the goods for which Ireland is particularly well known are tweed, knitwear, linen, glass, lace and silverware. It has four major theatres, including the world famous Abbey theatre, concert facilities, art galleries and cinemas. There is a wide variety of sporting facilities including golf courses, sailing and racecourses. Dublin – 1.5 million. www.visitdublin.com

CLIMATE

Ireland enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and relatively cool summers. Mean daily temperature in June and July is 18°C. Dublin enjoys reasonable sunshine and rain belts reaching the east coast are frequently light and generally clear quickly. However, it is always wise when travelling and staying in Ireland to pack a raincoat or an umbrella. www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/dublin

Immerse yourself in a different language and culture. Live in an English-speaking European capital. Begin the adventure of a lifetime. Liffey College welcomes learners from all over the world! As the Immigration rules vary for each different nationality, we encourage our learners to always stay informed of the rules and any news by checking the official Irish Immigration website: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/

European learners can study in Ireland without a study visa.

For Non-European learners, the requirements to enter Ireland are different for each nationality. You can find this information on Ireland’s Immigration Website (see the links below).

• Irish Immigration Official Website
• Study in Ireland Options
• Registering your Immigration Permission

Let us walk you through the steps you need to take to come study in Dublin at LIFFEY COLLEGE: 
http://liffeycollege.ie/steps/

For more information go to the steps page: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/at-the-border/entry-for-non-eu-non-eea-and-non-swiss-nationals/

NON-EEA STUDENTS
Students attending a full-time course and in possession of a Irish Residence Permit card are entitled to take up casual employment provided that their course of study is included on the government’s list of visa-eligible courses, known as the ILEP.
Casual employment is defined as up to 20 hours part-time work per week, except for two standardised periods when it is permissible to work full-time (i.e. up to 40 hours per week). The periods are December 15 to January 15 and June 1 to September 30 only. These dates are fixed for all non-EEA students, regardless of the actual college teaching calendar for their course.

All learners must register with immigration once they are here. This is know as IRP (Irish Residency Permit). You will have between 30 and 90 days from arriving in the country to register your stay. It will state on your passport. For the most up to date information you may wish to consult the following websites: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/information-on-registering/irish-residence-permit/

DO YOU WANT TO WORK IN IRELAND? YOU WILL NEED A PPS!
Since 1 January 2024, the national minimum wage is €12.70 per hour. PPS is your Personal Public Service Number. It is a unique reference number that helps you access public services and information in Ireland.

Before you can be allocated a PPS number, you must show that you need one. For example, if you are taking up employment, you need a PPS number to register with the Revenue Commissioners. However, looking for work is not a transaction with a specified body and employers should NOT look for your PPS number when recruiting. An employer should only seek a PPS number if you are actually taking up employment with the organisation. A PPS Number is always 7 numbers followed by either one or 2 letters. If you do not know your PPS number, contact your Intreo Centre or local Social Welfare Branch Office and staff there can find your number for you. For the most up to date information on PPSN you may wish to consult the following website: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/personal_public_service_number.html#

You need to show us that you have enough money to pay your programme fees and all other living expenses while you are in Ireland.

If you need a visa to come to Ireland, you will be asked to show proof of your financial resources by the visa authorities. Details of these requirements can be found at the following link: Information on Student Finances
Non-Visa required nationals: If you did not need a visa to come to Ireland, you must also prove that you can support yourself financially after you arrive here.
You do this by showing at the time of arrival in the state you had direct access to: €4,680, if you are staying for more than 6 months

If you don’t need a visa to travel to Ireland, you will be asked to show proof of your financial resources at time of registration. Details of these requirements can be found at the following link: Requirements and documents needed

You could also provide a valid credit or debit card with that amount of money available in the account.

If you have any further questions in relation to the cost of living as a student in Ireland, we would encourage you to liaise directly with the college, we will try to advise you as appropriate.

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Before deciding to study Ireland, you should ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover your costs of living. For learners who require a visa, being able to demonstrate this will form part of your application. While you may be able to undertake part-time work during your time here, you should not have to rely on this income to meet all your expenses.

Precisely how much you will need will vary depending on where you are studying in Ireland, on the type of accommodation you choose and, of course, on your own personal lifestyle.  But, on average, we estimate that a learner will spend between €10,000 and €12,000 per year.

When moving to Ireland for study, you should make sure to budget for one-off start-up costs, such as buying kitchen items, bedding, mobile phone, etc. – and also for any international travel you plan during the year.

Here are some guides produced by a selection of Irish universities in different parts of Ireland:

• TUD (Dublin) Cost of Living Guide
• UCD (Dublin) Cost of Living Guide
• UCC (Cork) Cost of Living Guide

For more information go to the accommodation service page: https://liffeycollege.ie/accommodation/

You’ve been accepted – Congratulations! So now what?

1. Prepare your immigration/travel documents.
   All non-EU/EEA nationals are subject to immigration control at the point of entry to the Irish State, so please ensure you comply fully with Irish Immigration Regulations and that you have all the required documentation ready for inspection immigration officials such as Letter of Acceptance.
   After receiving the fees in the College client bank account, the College will issue an Letter of Acceptance via email. You can print this Letter and keep it with you as proof that your programme has been fully paid. This letter can be used for Visa/Entry purposes. This Letter will contain your personal details as well as the details of your programme, along with any extras included (if applicable), such as Protection for Enrolled Learners (PEL) & Medical Insurance Policies, Final Examination, Accommodation, Airport Pickup, etc. Please double check the information on the Letter of Acceptance and contact us if you notice any errors or omissions.
2. Book your accommodation and airport pickup. 
3. Make travel arrangements.
4. Pocket money: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-options/a-fee-paying-private-primary-or-secondary-school/information-on-student-finances/
5. Plan your budget. It is important to understand all the costs involved, including tuition fees and day-to-day living costs. Budgeting is one of the key skills you will develop during your time at university and once you learn how to manage your money, you will be able to enjoy university life to the full.
6. Keep in touch. If you are unsure about anything, please contact us via email: info@liffeycollege.ie. You can also reach out via WhatsApp +353 86 123 2008.

For more information go to the steps page: https://liffeycollege.ie/steps/

For more information go to the handbook & policies-procedures page: https://liffeycollege.ie/policies-procedures/ 

For more information go to the services page:
https://liffeycollege.ie/services/

For more information go to the facilities page:
https://liffeycollege.ie/facilities/

For more information go to the certifications-partners page: https://liffeycollege.ie/certifications-partners/

1. Citizens Information, a national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice, and advocacy to the public on the broad range of social and civil services: Citizens Information
2. Department of Education and Skills: Department of Education
3. Department of Justice and Skills: Department of Justice
4. Education in Ireland; information on studying in Ireland: Education in Ireland
5. Europass; an initiative which aims to help learners ensure their skills and qualifications are clearly and easily understood in Europe: Europass
6. European Qualifications Framework: a common reference framework which assists in comparing the national qualifications systems, frameworks, and their levels: The European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
7. Irish Council for International Students; an independent organisation advocating for the rights of all international learners in Ireland: ICOS
8. Irish Department of Justice Immigration Service Delivery: information for non-EU/EEA learners: Immigration Service Delivery
9. National Framework of Qualifications: a 10-level system used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system: NFQ
10. Irish Register of Qualifications: public confirmation of the formal, technical relationship between a qualification and the National Framework of Qualifications: Irish Register of Qualifications
11. Qualifications Recognition; information on the academic recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland: NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications
12. Qualifax, the National Learner’s Database which provides Information on further and higher education and training courses: QualifaX National Learners Database
13. SOLAS; the Further Education and Training Authority in Ireland, responsible for funding, planning and co-ordinating training and further education programmes: SOLAS
14. Student Finance; source of information on financial support for further and higher education: Student Finance | Funding, Governance and Performance

For more information go to the FAQs page: https://liffeycollege.ie/faqs/