Known as “the Emerald Isle”, the Republic of Ireland does not run short of beautiful places to see – lush green countrysides, castles, beaches, rolling hills, and other picturesque landscapes. It also ranked 13th place in the latest World Happiness Report based on economic stability, high life expectancy, freedom, social connections, and good living conditions of its residents.

Ireland is also called “the Land of Saints and Scholars” because of its long history and a strong commitment to educational excellence. All eight of Ireland’s universities rank among the top universities in the world according to multiple international university rankings. The Irish government also allocates a significant amount of funding to support its education sector and for its educational institutions to maintain their high quality of education and outstanding research.

Here are five of the best subjects to study in Ireland. If you are interested in pursuing an international degree in the country, this article will help you decide which course to take and the advantages you will be getting should you choose any of the subjects on the list below.

Top Subjects to Study in Ireland

1. Business

Ireland is one of the top destinations for different kinds of businesses and organizations, from startups to multinational corporations. It has a long list of successful companies that continue to grow and expand their reach to consumers all across Europe. The accommodating business environment, advanced technology, low corporate tax, and skilled and flexible workforce are some of the reasons why Ireland attracts numerous businesses around the world and is an ideal country for international students to study business.

Business programs in Ireland are innovative and research-driven, and among the best subjects to study in the country. Students are actively involved in the research process focusing on trends, strategies, and challenges of the modern business industry, and coming up with ways to further improve it. Business schools in the country are also members of multiple international alliances consisting of different business organizations and universities for students to gain international exposure through participating in exchange programs and internships in leading global businesses.

Some of the best business schools in Ireland include Trinity Business School, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Dublin City University Business School, Kemmy Business School, and Cork University Business School.

2. Biomedical Engineering

Ireland is a global leader in the research, design, manufacturing, and export of medical devices and machines. Many of these devices, such as the tricorder, breathing sensor, smart sharps bin, and blood clot trapper, are products of different biomedical and Medtech companies, research institutions, businesses, and universities in Ireland working together in developing advanced healthcare technologies.

Biomedical engineering is a top subject to study in Ireland and it is a combination of engineering and medical expertise applied to improve healthcare and the treatment of various diseases. With the country’s flourishing medical devices industry, the presence of several biomedical institutions and experts, and top-rated biomedical engineering programs, Ireland is a great choice to pursue a biomedical engineering degree. Students participate in several research projects and industry collaborations under the supervision of academic and industry experts with significant contributions in the field. Vast employment opportunities also await biomedical engineering graduates in Ireland, since it is a highly specialized and in-demand field.

Among the leading universities in Ireland for studying biomedical engineering are the Dublin Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, the National University of Ireland, University College Dublin, and the University of Limerick.

3. Digital Media

Digital media is also one of the fields in which Ireland is competitive. The country has a thriving internet sector with forecasts of further growth in the coming years. The Irish digital media industry has the advantage of using the most advanced technology, as well as the presence of numerous digital media startups and established companies dedicated to producing innovative, creative, impactful, and high-quality content for its vast network of internet users.

Digital media programs in Ireland provide students with the technical, analytical, communication, and creative skills required to meet the evolving needs of the industry. Students conduct research and other practical activities in state-of-the-art facilities and production studios and get to use the most advanced and industry-quality digital media hardware while learning a wide range of techniques and approaches in the development and design of digital media platforms and content. They also get to work on internships and collaborations with the leading production companies and creative agencies in the country.

Some of the most well-known universities that offer high-quality digital media programs include University College Dublin, University College Cork, Maynooth University, University of Limerick, and the National University of Ireland.

4. Medicine

Ireland is also sought-after by international students who want to study medicine because of its global reputation for producing excellent medical professionals. Graduates of Irish medical schools are known not just for their medical expertise but also for exhibiting good communication skills, professionalism, and critical thinking, thanks to their early exposure to various clinical activities and training. Medicine is an excellent choice for aspiring international students who wish to study in Ireland. Many doctors from Ireland also hold important positions in some of the most prominent medical institutions around the world.

Medical students in Ireland gain strong knowledge in bodily structures and functions and learn from healthcare professionals and medical experts. They also participate in several clinical skills workshops, practical demonstrations, case-based discussions, and research projects. Hospital placement programs are in place so students can interact with real patients, analyze their symptoms, and provide the treatment and care that they need.

Among the educational institutions in Ireland that provide the best medical programs is the University of Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University College Cork, University of Limerick, and Dublin City University.

5. Data Science

Every one of the eight Irish universities that placed in the latest QS World University Rankings offer data science programs, making Ireland a popular study destination for aspiring data scientists. Data science, or the study of extracting, analyzing, manipulating, and generating insights from available data, is essential in every industry, and among the leading subjects to study for international students in Ireland. Since Ireland is teeming with small and large businesses and organizations and is the headquarters of some of the biggest corporations such as IBM, Google, Facebook, and Pfizer, Ireland offers an abundance of high-paying job opportunities for data science graduates in the country.

Data science students undergo rigorous training to develop their analytical, scientific, and computational skills as they learn how to interpret available data, convert them into significant insights, and present their findings in a way that is easy to understand and assist industry leaders in the decision-making process.

Some of the best universities for studying data science in Ireland are the National University of Ireland, University College Cork, University of Limerick, University of Dublin, and Maynooth University.

 

We hope that this article on Best Subjects to Study in Ireland was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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