Each year a significant number of Irish students decide to take the short trip across the water and enter the UK third level system. Currently there are approximately 8,000 Irish students studying in the UK and Northern Ireland. Some of these are students who have completed a Higher Certificate course at an Irish college and have decided to go to the UK to gain a degree, while others have decided to enrol directly in first year in a university or college course.
As the population of the UK is about 15 times that of Ireland, the UK education system is similarly much bigger, and there is a huge variety of options available to Irish students. There are more than 3,000 educational institutions that welcome international students in the UK, offering access to over 50,000 different courses at undergraduate level.
Many students decide to apply to the UK system as a back-up, to cover the possibility that they may not get enough points for their chosen subject at an Irish university. Popular choices include medicine, nursing, engineering, teaching and many other subjects. Students might also want to study a subject or specialisation (e.g. footwear design or oceanography) that is not available in Ireland as a distinct undergraduate course.
Entry to UK universities and colleges, including those in Northern Ireland, is through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), the UK equivalent to our CAO. Entrance requirements are a little different, as you have to get a certain amount of grades instead of adding all your CAO points together. There is also a possibility of applying to a UK college after you get your results, in their 'Clearing' process.
Possibly the biggest consideration when applying to a UK college is that there are fees to pay. From September 2006, universities and colleges in the UK can charge new students up to £3,000 (approx €4,500) a year for their courses. Different universities and colleges in different parts of the UK charge different amounts, and the level of fees also varies depending on the course subject. Worth noting is that EU students (which includes Irish people) attending colleges and universities in Wales are eligible for a tuition fee grant of £1,800, meaning students have to pay £1,200.
Students can pay the fees up front, or they can decide to take out a student loan, which can be repaid after graduation. Either way this is a very significant factor for many students. Maintenance grants can be available to cover some of the costs, but don't forget there are also the cost of living and travel expenses etc to bear in mind.
Most students won't find it too hard to settle down in the UK if they do decide to move over to study. For one thing there are the same channels on the telly. Also the university and college system is very similar to the Irish system, with a similar mix of lectures and seminars, and exams and continuous assessment. Students come to UK universities from all corners of the world, so the college authorities are used to helping people who are new to the city or country settle in.
Research is just as important when applying to a UK college as when you're applying to one at home. If you can, visit any college you are applying to. Check the reputation of the college and the course: there are several printed guides to UK third-level universities and colleges that are available in good bookshops here. Check out the links section of this site to browse around other websites, which offer good advice and useful information about studying in the UK.
It doesn't suit everybody, but for many people the advantages of a moving to the UK to study outweigh any bad points. The university system is well recognised throughout the world, there is a wealth of educational, cultural and social opportunities to explore, and with cheaper flights available it is nearly as handy to get home as from Dublin, Galway or Cork. So applying to a UK course is definitely worth considering for many Irish school leavers. |
