The Best Place to Study Abroad

The Best Place to Study Abroad

With stunning natural landscapes, a fun-loving culture, vibrant history, and a lower cost of living than many places in Europe, (not to mention English being the main language of instruction), the reasons why Ireland is an ideal location to study abroad surely weighs more than a pot of gold!

Home to 4.7 million people, Ireland is known for ancient castles, fables and fairy tales, stunning landscapes, and rolling fields of green. Being home to people from over 200 countries around the world, Ireland’s cultural diversity means that everyone who visits is helped feel right at home.

However, the big question is where in Ireland can you study abroad? Surprisingly, there are only 20 universities in the whole country, spread out across ten different cities.

Here’s our look at where in Ireland you can study your Foundation Year Programme.

Some facts about Dublin City, Ireland

• Population: 565,000
• DIFC University Partners: Griffith College, National College of Ireland
• Top Attractions: Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Phoenix Park
• Dublin is your ideal city for study if you’re a city aficionado, history lover, or keen on being centrally located to travel.

As well as being the capital, Dublin is the economic heart of Ireland. While it is quieter than other European capitals, its Ireland’s largest city and the most diverse with a vast number of cafes, restaurants, social clubs, historical sites, museums and you just have to take a walk across the famous Ha’Penny Bridge and wander around Temple Bar!

Some facts about Cork:

• Population: 125,000
• DIFC University Partners: University College of Cork, Cork Institute of Technology
• Top Attractions: Cork City Gaol, Church of St. Anne, and the English Market. It’s also near Blarney Castle where you can pucker up to the Blarney stone and Cobh, the final port call for the RMS Titanic
• Cork is your ideal city for study if you’re into the alternative scene and looking to experience Irish pride at full force.

As Ireland’s third largest city, Cork has such a diverse range of things to do for all ages and interests. From strolling around the English Market (which is a favourite of both locals and tourists) or a trip out to kiss the Blarney stone to be forever blessed with the gift of the gab, you won’t be short of welcome breaks from your studies.

Some facts about Galway:

• Population: 79,000
• Universities: National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Shannon College of Hotel Management
• Top Attractions: The Spanish Arch, Galway Cathedral, Eyre Square, Salthill Promenade, the Aran Islands, Wild Atlantic Way, and the Cliffs of Moher
• Galway is your ideal city for study if you’re looking to experience Irish culture in a smaller city than Dublin.

Galway has been rightly described by Lonely Planet as the ‘most Irish of Ireland’s cities’, and once you’ve visited it, you’ll understand that statement fully. From winding medieval lanes, colourfully painted buildings, the lively Shop St. lined with pubs and shops, the city is everything you can expect and much more. And if you’re hoping to learn a ‘cupla focail as Ghaeilge’, listen out for the locals who often converse in Gaelic.

Other DIFC Partner Universities

DIFC currently have campuses in both Dublin and Cork but this is just a stepping stone into your progression into our partner universities in Dublin, Cork, Galway, the UK and beyond. For a full list of our partner universities, click here.

To apply for an Undergraduate or Pre-Masters pathway Foundation Programme, just click here, complete the application form and we will be in touch shortly.