Australia vs Ireland: Which is Better for Students?

Pursuing study in Australia has a few key features for international students such as:

• Excellent education while being home to some top universities across the globe.

• A wide array of course options such as accountancy, business and management, nursing, engineering, computer science, and agricultural science.

• Excellent career opportunities

• Post-Study Work Permit

• High probability of getting a student visa and the opportunity to work part-time.

• Universities in Australia have scholarship provisions and student support services for international students.

Universities such as UNSW Sydney, Melbourne, Australian National University, and Monash fall under the renowned institutions for Study in Australia. You can choose from some of the top-ranking universities in Australia as per your course option and academic objectives.

In order to help you out with the decision-making process to Study in Australia, a list of top Universities in Australia is provided below as per the QS World University Ranking 2023 which is globally recognised and considered by students in their search for the best university.

• Admissions into diploma courses require a minimum of 60% score of applicants in class 12^th

• In order to enrol for a bachelor’s degree, 65% of scores are needed in class 12^th

• Application for a master’s program requires that you have a 3-year bachelor’s degree.

• Standard scores in cases of GMAT and GRE

• Need for IELTS/TOEFL

The annual tuition fee is approximately AUD 9,000 to AUD 50,000 for a bachelor’s degree in Australia and for a master’s degree, it varies from AUD 9,000 to AUD 54,000. Further, Australian scholarships for international students cover around 50% to 100% of the tuition fee and expenses which also include government scholarships.

Some of the prominent scholarships to study in Australia for international students include encompasses Australian Development Scholarship, International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, the Australian Leadership Awards, Endeavour Postgraduate Award, Endeavour Executive Award, Australia Leadership Awards Fellowship, and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

Some prominent features relating to pursuing Study in Ireland are outlined as follows:

• High-quality education

• Feature of Eight Irish universities in the World University Ranking

• Increase in Indian Students’ intake post-Brexit

• Proper student support and scholarships

• Facility for international students to work part-time that helps in managing their living expenses and financial burden

Ireland universities have enhanced their global ranking in recent years and some of the top-ranked Ireland universities for international students are University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as they come under the top 100 best universities list in Europe. Moreover, to assist you in selecting the best university in Ireland as per your career aspirations; a list of the leading Ireland universities according to the QS World University Ranking 2023 is given below:

• Applications for admission to undergraduate courses are received to Study in Ireland through the Central Applications Office via online mode.

• IELTS or TOEFL score is needed along with academic documents.

• Submission of standardised test scores in some universities.

• International students willing to apply must have a minimum of 60% in class 12^th or qualifying exams as conducted by the university. However, the eligibility criterion for applying to different Ireland Universities varies for international students.

• Submission of SOPs, resumes and LORs is required while applying to the UG and PG courses.

Public universities in Ireland charge around 6,000 EUR – 12,000 EUR annually for the UG programs while 6,150 EUR – 15,000 EUR are charged annually for PG or Masters program. Moreover, 9,000 EUR – 35,000 EUR per year is charged by private Universities in Ireland for international students.

However, Universities in Ireland for international students offer varied scholarships in addition to financial support programs that cover around 50% to 100% of tuition expenses. Some renowned scholarships are the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, and The Walsh Fellowship.

Furthermore, other scholarships are offered via individual educational institutions such as University College Dublin, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Waterford Institute of Technology and the University of Limerick.

Universities in Australia for international students are internationally recognised for their superior quality and standards wherein the availability of a variety of courses in different universities and immense focus on innovation and research offer excellent growth opportunities.

On the other side, Ireland has attained a reputation for academic excellence in the educational and research domain in recent times. Overall, both nations are known for having excellent education systems but the number of top-class universities and opportunities for research with a vast variety of course programs are available more in Australia in comparison to Ireland.

Australia is known to be an expensive destination to study for international students due to the high cost of living and tuition fees while pursuing Study in Australia is deemed to be more affordable for Indian students due to competitive tuition rates.

However, students can avail of scholarships in Universities in Australia as well as Ireland universities because scholarship opportunities are available for international students to Study in Australia or Study in Ireland.

Ireland and Australia both have efficient and well-established processes for visa application and approval yet the procedure and specifications vary. Therefore, you need to carefully examine the guidelines and prepare a proper plan for a smooth visa application to get into the universities of Australia or Ireland.

Q: Which is cheaper to live in- Australia or Ireland?

A: According to various studies, Ireland is 7.4% less expensive than Australia. This implies that moving to Ireland will be marginally less expensive for overseas hopefuls.

Q: Is it better to immigrate to Ireland or Australia?

A:There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to consider. Australia is more expensive than Ireland, although both countries have globally ranked and respected universities, strong economies, and sought-after commercial sectors for employment.

Ireland is more suited to people interested in technology and associated jobs, but Australia is good for engineering, mining, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, tourism, and other related fields.

Both countries have their own paths to permanent residency. Australia has a higher quality of life in many ways, whereas Ireland is strategically located near Europe (which means greater travel chances).

Q: Is Ireland better than Australia?

A: It's difficult to tell if one country is superior to the other. Australia has a stable and thriving economy with a lower unemployment rate but a higher total cost of living. Ireland has slightly lower living costs but a little greater rate of unemployment. Both countries have promising job opportunities and prestigious educational institutions. Both have travel, tourism, and leisure opportunities.

Ireland does offer a strategic location, however, Australia is known for its outdoorsy and vibrant lifestyle. It ultimately depends on the course you are applying for and your availability.

To conclude, both Australia and Ireland offer excellent opportunities for international students seeking a top-notch education. With renowned universities and diverse scholarship options, they attract students from around the globe. Whether pursuing studies in Australia or Ireland, Indian students can find enriching experiences and a promising academic journey ahead.

We hope you enjoyed learning about Study in Australia vs Ireland: Which is Better for Students. If you would like to get a deeper insight into Australia vs Ireland, we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad journey.

Get help with the application process, SOPs and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.