India is a priority for Irish universities looking to draw students from across the world, said Ms Orla Battersby, Head, Education In Ireland.

Speaking to Indian mediapersons visiting Dublin at the invitation of the Dublin Airport Authority, she said the country is promoting post-graduate and Ph.D programmes in India.

Why Ireland?

The country's safety scores (Ireland was ranked 11th in the Global Peace Index 2011) will be attractive to parents, and students can be assured of a very personal teaching experience, she said. Pointing to companies such as Google, Apple, Pfizer, Citi and IBM being present in the country, she claimed: “These companies don't just focus on our science and technology graduates – their CEOs also highly rate the Irish-educated graduates in the arts and humanities, who they regard as having the creativity, collaboration, flexibility and other core skills necessary for modern business.”

This year seven universities and a ministerial delegation will visit the country to acquaint students with studying in Ireland. IIT Delhi and University of Pune are among those which are conducting research projects with Irish educational institutions.

Students can opt for flexible approaches to international programmes such as blended courses and one-year exchanges.

International graduates can remain in Ireland for a year to find a job or develop a business idea, Ms Battersby said.

Education costs

A note from Education In Ireland says a Masters could cost between €7,500 and €22,000 per annum, while a Ph D could cost €6,000 to €9,000. Living costs range from €6,000 to €9,000.

To a query, she said there were more efforts by the Irish government to focus scholarships on a smaller number of countries, of which India will be given top preference.

Currently, about 1,000 Indian students study in Ireland. About 33 per cent study business and administration, 26 per cent computing and engineering-related courses and 18 per cent sciences. Fifty-seven per cent are post-graduate students.

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