Liberal Arts in Ireland: Admission, Requirement, Course, Cost, Scholarships, and Careers

Highlights of Liberal Arts Course in Ireland

The recent years have seen the popularity of liberal arts degrees increase significantly. As many as 366,996 students completed their liberal arts degree in 2021, which is 0.278% more than the previous year.  Having a degree in this field of study provides students with a plethora of career options to choose from. Not only that, studying the subject improves their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The adaptability of liberal arts students has also been found to be more than those studying other subjects. All these qualities make these students the favorites of employers. On average, a liberal arts graduate earns around $7,000 per annum. The amount rises to $90,000 or even more for the top 25% of graduates.  

Why Study Liberal Arts in Ireland?

The main reason for studying the subject in Ireland is the quality of education at Irish universities. These universities are among the top 3% globally. All the courses they offer focus on global collaboration and research for students who study in Ireland. As a result, a degree in liberal arts from an Irish university allows students to engage in research and grab high-paying jobs in top companies around the globe. 

Ireland currently has more than 35,000 international students (12% of the entire student population of the country) studying at various universities. These students come from 161 nations, including India. Being an English-speaking country, Ireland has close educational, economic, and cultural links with other English-speaking nations, particularly the USA and the UK. It automatically makes Ireland a popular studying destination for Indian students. Indian students seeking a career in liberal arts mostly join Irish universities to complete their master's or a higher degree. 

Types of Liberal Arts Courses in Ireland

Degrees in liberal arts are interdisciplinary courses linked to areas of Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, or Humanities. Studying the subject provides students with immense career flexibility. They develop transferable skills in various industries. A degree in liberal arts can provide students the opportunity to work in the fields of Education, Arts, Public service, Social Work, Politics, and more. 

Here are the liberal arts programs enjoying maximum popularity among international students looking to study the subject in Ireland: 

• MA in Art & Research Collaboration 
• MA in Art & Process
• MA in Writing for Screen & Stage 
• MA in Renaissance Latin Culture 
• MA in Studio Art 
• MA in Drama & Performance Studies 
• MA in Theater & Performative Practices 

List of Universities Offering Liberal Arts Degrees in Ireland

Here are the Irish universities with the best liberal arts programs for international students: 

• Munster Technological University 
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin 
• University of Limerick 
• Burren College of Art 

Admission Process for Liberal Arts Courses in Ireland

Indian students looking to study liberal arts in Ireland will have the option of applying both for the spring intake and autumn intake. The spring intake runs between January and May, while the autumn intake runs between September and December. The application deadlines for both intakes vary from one university to another. So, checking the universities' websites is the best way to know the exact deadline. 

Some undergraduate programs require all students to submit their application to the CAO or Central Application Office. However, for most courses, Indian students looking to join an undergraduate course at an Irish university must apply through the university's official website.  Applying through the university’s website is the norm for most PG courses for Indian and international students. However, some Irish universities need students to submit their applications on the PAC (Postgraduate Applications Center) website. 

Here are the standard steps one must follow when applying for a liberal arts course at an Irish university:

Step 1: Students must pick the liberal arts program they want to enroll in. 

Step 2: Next, they must list the universities and colleges offering the course in Ireland. This should be followed by picking the educational institution best suited for application. Some factors to consider when making a choice include the global ranking of the university, eligibility criteria to meet for admission, etc.  Checking the university's official website and doing a little research online should be enough to gather relevant information. 

Step 3: The candidates should now gather details of the university's admission intake and find out the deadline for application. 

Step 4: The candidate must crack an English proficiency test like TOEFL or IELTS before applying. 

Step 5: All applicants must prepare their SOP or Statement of Purpose and obtain LOR or Letters of recommendation. 

Step 6: The candidates must submit the application form on the relevant platform (already discussed above) along with all the necessary documents.  If selected by the university, the student will be invited for an interview. Those passing this step successfully should do what is needed immediately to get their Ireland student visa. 

Eligibility Criteria

Indian students pursuing a postgraduate degree in liberal arts at an Irish university must score 60% or above in their bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. 

Documents Required

Here are the documents applicants must submit when applying for a liberal arts program at an Irish university:

• Academic transcripts 
• Certificates showcasing the candidate’s academic merit. 
• Documents supporting English language proficiency. 
• Scores of other relevant aptitude tests 
• A scanned copy of the candidate’s passport 
• Passport-size photos 
• Letters of recommendation 
• Statement of Purpose 
• Financial statements (bank account statements, loan sanction papers, IT return papers, etc.) 
• Detailed resume 
• Proficiency Test

To be eligible for admission, Indian students must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. They must score at least in every band of the test. The cut-off TOEFL marks for Indian students, on the other hand, is 80. 

Visa Process

Indian students studying a full-time degree program in Ireland must apply for a D-type Visa. It will allow them to study in Ireland for over three months.  Indian students and all other non-EU and non-EEA international students can apply for their Irish student visa online by visiting https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome.aspx. The application platform is called AVATS. 

Applicants will need to fill out a form with personal details. The form also mentions all the documents that applicants must submit along with the form. All documents and the application form must be self-attested. One can also submit the form and the documents via email. 

Upon submitting the filled-out form and all required documents, candidates will get a Unique Visa Transaction Number. It is crucial to remember the number (ideally, one must note it down and keep it saved in multiple places).

Students should book their tickets only after they get their visas. Usually, students get their visa within eight weeks of submitting their application. They should keep checking the website to know the status of their application (here, they will need their Unique Visa Transaction Number). 

The application fee for an Irish visa is usually between 60 Euros and 80 Euros (approximately between INR 5,500 and INR 7,300). However, once the visa application is approved and the student reaches Ireland, they must pay an additional 300 euros (approximately INR 27,500) to get the residence permit card. The person must schedule an appointment with the Irish Naturalization & Immigration office’s registration department. 

Cost of Studying Liberal Arts in Ireland 

1. Tuition Fees: The annual course fee of liberal arts programs in Ireland ranges between INR 12 lakh to INR 20 lakh per annum. 

2. Cost of Living: Depending on their lifestyle, a student may need to spend between INR 6.5 lakh and 11 lakh per annum when living in Ireland. 

Scholarships for Liberal Arts in Ireland

Some of the scholarships Indian students looking to study liberal arts in Ireland can apply for are:

• Government of Ireland scholarship
• Erasmus Scholarships
• The Walsh Fellowship
• Fulbright Scholarships
• The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Program

Job Opportunities on Completing Liberal Arts Degree in Ireland

Individuals studying liberal arts in Ireland can choose to have a career in writing, journalism, publishing, linguistics, psychology, law, politics, public relations, management, social work, and more. They can work as research analysts, financial analysts, human resource managers, and in many other responsible and prestigious positions. 

FAQs

• Can international students stay in Ireland after completing their liberal arts course?

Students who stay in Ireland for two years or more to complete their course become eligible to stay there for two more years using their General Employment Permit. 

• Can Indian students earn when studying in Ireland?

Yes, they do. All international students, including Indian students, who have enrolled in an Irish university's full-time program for more than one year can work 20 hours per week. During holidays, they are allowed to work 40 hours per week. They can join part-time jobs and earn approximately 10 to 20 EUR (INR 950 to INR 1900) per hour. 

• What are the different accommodation options for international students in Ireland?

International students studying in Irish universities can choose to stay in private residencies, residence halls owned by universities, shared apartments, homestays, etc., depending on their preferences and budget. 

• Is Ireland a safe place for international students? 

With a global peace ranking 12, Ireland is one of the safest places for international students to study. 

• Do international students need to have medical insurance to study in Ireland?

All international students from non-EU nations must have medical insurance to become eligible for an Irish student Visa.