If you are looking for the best city in Ireland to study abroad then you have a few choices to make. Ireland is one of the most popular countries to study abroad. The English language attracts many students from the United States as well as students trying to learn the English language. Ireland has one of the most iconic cultures in Europe. From the spectacular coastline to the rolling green meadows, Ireland is also full of natural beauty.
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Cork
About:
Cork is the second-largest city in Ireland. The city sits around one of the largest natural harbors in the world. It is known for its beautiful limestone architecture. A large number of tourists come to Cork to see the historic landmarks as well as the beautiful countryside. The rich heritage can still be seen today through the remnants of the old medieval town center. There are thousands of international students studying in Cork.
Population:
210,000
# of University Students:
40,000
Things to see:
English Market, St. Patrick’s Street, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, St. Anne’s Church, Blarney Castle, Blackrock Castle, University College Cork, Elizabeth Fort
Nightlife:
Cork has excellent nightlife. Head to Oliver Plunkett Street to hit the bar scene. There are also clubs you head to if you want to dance the night away. As with any big city, you should wear decent clothing here if you want to get into certain bars or clubs.
Public Transportation:
There is a large network of buses in Cork. Students automatically save 20% for public transportation tickets. The city even does a rewards system for students when they continue to purchase tickets. There are also bikes you can rent for a few days or even for the whole year.
Airport rating (1-10):
5/10. Cork offers great prices to London. Flying anywhere other than London will be rather expensive.
Overall:
Cork is an excellent student city. The city has highly-regarded universities that draw many international students. It is not a huge city which makes it easy to explore but it is also big enough to have anything you could want in a university city.
Study Abroad Cork:
Galway
About:
Galway is often referred to as the cultural hub of Ireland. It is a lively city that combines the classic Irish heritage as well as the modern ways of Ireland. The city revolves are the Irish culture, dances, and language. Numerous festivals are held here including the Galway Arts Festival. In 2007, Galway was named on the Sexiest cities in the world and was also ranked as one of the best tourist destinations in the world. The National University of Ireland Galway is ranked as a top 1% university in the world.
Population:
80,000
# of University Students:
25,000
Things to see:
Latin Quarter, Eyre Square, Quay Street, Galway Cathedral, Galway City Museum, Kirwan’s Lane, Lynch’s Castle, Dunguaire Castle
Nightlife:
Bars and pubs are found all over central Galway. Every night of the week is lively in Galway. Pubs line the streets of William St, Shop St, High St and Quay St. The nightlife here is all walkable for the most part. The city does not feel like a huge European city which gives the nightlife a different feel that is desired by many.
Getting Around:
Buses can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. The city also offers buses that go into the countryside. Many of the bus routes here are free to students. The city is also very walkable for the most part.
Airport rating (1-10):
3/10. One of the biggest downfalls to studying or visiting Galway is the airport is nearly two hours from the city. You need to fly in Shannon Airport which is closer to the city of Limerick.
Overall:
Being the cultural center of Ireland, Galway will give you the purest form of Irish culture. The lively atmosphere, beautiful waterfronts, and many festivals make the city an excellent place to study as an international student. The University of Galway Ireland is also one of the top universities in the world and it attracts thousands of international students each year. If you want a smaller city to study in, Galway would be an incredible choice.
Study Abroad Galway:
Limerick
About:
Limerick is one of the country’s oldest cities being founded in 812 by the Vikings. In 2014, it was named Ireland’s National City of Culture. It is known for having an abundance of artistic and cultural events. It sits along the River Shannon which gives it a beautiful riverfront. Limerick is where the Irish Coffee is said to have originated. There are five institutions of higher education here including the University of Limerick.
Population:
95,000
# of University Students:
25,000
Landmarks:
King John’s Castle, The Hunt Museum, St. Mary’s Cathedral, The Milk Market, Treaty Stone, St. John’s Cathedral, Limerick City Gallery of Art
Nightlife:
Many of the bars here are filled up with students on a nightly basis. Most of the nightlife revolves are bars and pubs. Touch of Techno is a club-like scene where university students flock to for a night of dancing. Yes, there is a cover charge to get in here.
Getting around:
There is a network of buses for public transportation. If you purchase the Student Leap Card, you can qualify to save 66% on all public transportation.
Airport rating (1-10):
4/10. The Shannon Airport is the home airport for the city of Limerick. It is just outside of the city. The airport will give you cheap flights to London but anywhere else would be considerably more expensive.
Overall:
Limerick is a city full of history being one of the oldest cities in Ireland. With almost a third of the population being students, it has a youthful feeling to it. It has a smaller city feeling to it which could be an attractive trait to many students. Limerick makes for a great city for international students.
Study Abroad Limerick:
Dublin
About:
Dublin is probably the first city that comes to your mind when you think of Ireland. It is the capital and largest city in Ireland. With five highly regarded universities, it is also home to a thriving student population. Dublin is known for being one of the most youthful cities in Europe with nearly 50% of the population being younger than 25. The city is also known for its music scene. The Dubliners, U2, and The Script were all started in Dublin. Croke Park is the 3rd largest sports stadium in all of Europe. It is also home to the world-famous beer, Guinness.
Population:
555,000 (1.9 million in the Greater Dublin Area)
# of University Students:
120,000
Landmarks:
Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Wellington Monument
Nightlife:
Being one of the most youthful cities in Europe, Dublin’s nightlife is thriving. Some of the most famous bars in the world are here including the Temple Bar and The Globe. The city is home to a vast amount of pubs but there are also options for the club scene.
Getting around:
Trams and buses are available to get you wherever you need to go. As a student you can apply for the Leap Card here as well.
Airport rating (1-10):
8/10. You can travel to many cities in Europe, roundtrip, for under $100.
Overall:
Dublin, being a large city has many things that are attractive to international students. Most foreign students who want to study in Ireland choose Dublin. If you want to experience the Irish culture and have the feeling of a large city, Dublin would be the best choice for you.
Study Abroad Dublin:
There are a few other cities that could make this list but those cities are only for a select crowd. The cities above are all excellent choices for studying in Ireland as an international student. When you are trying to decide what is the best city in Ireland to study abroad, you need to know what aspects of a city attract you.
One of the biggest questions you have to ask yourself is whether or not you want to live in a large city. If all you want is city living, then Dublin or Cork are the obvious choices. If you are open to smaller cities, you should definitely consider Galway and Limerick. Any of these four choices will lead you to an incredible experience.
