What Are the Best Cities to Study in Ireland for International Students?

Ireland is a small island nation in north-western Europe with a population of 4.9 million. This country is popular not only for its scenic beauty, but also for the quality of its education, top universities, affordable tuition fees and a wealth of job opportunities for international students. Ireland has a long academic past, earning it the moniker “land of saints and scholars.” A vibrant and amazing country with a rich heritage and culture, it is also the headquarters of information technology giants, pharmaceutical companies and international banks.

In this blog let us find out the best cities in Ireland where you can pursue your studies as an international student.

Dublin

The capital of Ireland called Dublin is Ireland’s biggest city. It is known as a student-friendly city with four universities and many colleges. The city is ranked 16th in the world for student mix according to QS Best Student Cities 2023 and is in the top 50 best student cities in the world. This reflects the high proportion of international students, making it a dynamic and multicultural city.

The city offers popular courses in fields such as accounting and finance, computer science, English language and literature, medicine, business and management, arts and humanities, law and pharmacy. These can be studied at world-renowned institutions. For example, Ireland's famous Royal College of Surgeons is located in Dublin.

Cork

Cork is located in the southwestern province of Munster and is the second largest city in Ireland. It is an important academic city in Ireland and has a higher student population than the national average. With a population of 2,21,452, including a student population of around 35000, this vibrant young city boasts an affordable cost of living and a unique quality of life. Certain important courses like life sciences, engineering and management are most popular at universities in Cork, Ireland.

To enable residents to help one another in all aspects of daily life and to reach their full potential, the city is constantly constructing and developing its physical and social environment. Since January 2012 Cork has been a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City.

Limerick

Limerick is a city in the mid-western region of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It is situated on the River Shannon and is one of the most beautiful cities in Ireland. The city has a total population of 205,444, including about 30,000 students, and is well known for its practical, industry-based education and good job prospects for graduates.

Named a National City of Culture in 2014, the city hosts many contemporary exhibitions, local playwrights and theatre productions. Riverfest is an annual summer festival that has been held in the city since 2004. The city has both Georgian architecture and modern high-rises. Most of the shopping centres, pubs and nightclubs in this city offer quality music too.

Limerick is home to some of the most sought-after universities for study abroad. The University of Limerick is ranked 531-540 in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Galway

Galway is a bohemian city in the west of Ireland on the River Corrib. The city is known for being an ideal blend of modernity and heritage. It offers a safe and student-friendly environment and a promising job market due to the rapid growth of technology in the area. It has an estimated 80,000 residents, of which about 22,500 are students, or 28% of Galway's total population.

Galway might be the best city for you because of its inspiring pace of progress and traditional small-town charm. A leader in research and medical technology, it is a promising city for international academics. It is home to some highly regarded universities. The National University of Ireland, Galway is ranked 270th in the QS World University Rankings (2023). The Galway Mayo Institute of Technology is another prestigious higher education institution in Galway.

Maynooth

Maynooth is a charming university town that is quiet, safe and affordable. It is located in the north of County Kildare, Ireland, 24 km west of Dublin city centre. Maynooth, Ireland, is known for its rich history in the humanities and sciences and is home to the 18th-century Maynooth University. Over 90 different nations send students to the city, making the student population diversified and competitive.

The town has many high street shops including Heatons, Next and Dunnes Stores. There are also many popular restaurants and pubs that are affordable due to the large student population.

Conclusion

Hope this blog gave you a fair idea about the best cities to live and study in Ireland as an international student. Whether you choose these cities for their charm, academic excellence, employment opportunities or a combination of all of these, you will make an excellent choice! Explore your career options and find your ideal match with an MWT Education Consultancy international education expert and start your journey to study in one of these beautiful cities in Ireland.