Letter from the Editor Contents

Welcome to Issue 3 of University Speaking. We had a plan to put out another issue earlier in 2023. However, staying fluid and flexible and responsive to feedback from our readers and The Learner’s Journey families, we arrived at a new concept – country editions!

Our intention is to bring to our subscribers bite-size, country-specific minizines or minimags that can deal with the idiosyncrasies of the application process, the different tertiary institutions, a snapshot of some of the most interesting courses offered, and what it’s like to live in that country as a student. We are especially grateful to Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support and putting their hand up to be the first.

We hope that you, our readers, see in these pages what I see whenever I visit universities in the Republic of Ireland. It truly is a country of welcomes. Despite its size, the opportunities and options for higher education are exceptional and often among the best in the world. And our South African passports need no visas to arrive there to study.

As always, our goal at University Speaking is to be a source for unbiased, impartial information and we thank the universities who have participated with their advertising to accompany our editorials.

Irish folklore tells us that St Patrick rid Ireland of snakes – we are not sure if that is literal or figurative. Folklore aside, one of the lessons of St Patrick is to “take risks with courage”, and pursuing higher education in Ireland is a calculated risk I can recommend. We hope that this issue gives prospective students (and their parents) the courage to take that leap of faith.

My immense gratitude goes out to the incredible University Speaking team, Vanessa, Ann and Dale. They are my mind readers, guardrails and inspiration to take a concept to reality. They never laugh at my hair-brained ideas and embrace the editorial risks with great courage!

Heidi Sulcas The Learner’s Journey

1. WELCOME

Foreword by Her Excellency Fionnuala Gilsenan.

2. TO DO LIST

How to get started on your Irish University Journey with The Learner’s Journey.

3. WHY IRELAND

Global education, world-class universities, friendly people and safe cities all a quick hop from the capitals of Europe.

4. WHERE TO STUDY

Ireland’s tertiary institutions are a real mix of ancient and modern. Take a look at all the options.

5. HOW TO CHOOSE

Struggling to decide on an Irish uni? These are the questions to ask yourself.

6. THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Heidi Sulcas explains how, when and where to apply.

7. STUDY IN A WORLD-CLASS TECH HUB

Find out about the degrees that made Ireland a world leader in the pharmaceutical, IT, finance and med technology fields.

8. THE POWER OF SOCIAL STUDIES! While Ireland has a well-deserved reputation as the hub of European tech, it also has a rich and deep history of social sciences.

9. WHY I CHOSE IRELAND

South Africans studying in Ireland share their experiences.

10. STAY BACK VISA

#DYK ... Ireland WANTS you to stay on after your degree?

11. THINKING ABOUT A POSTGRAD DEGREE?

Here are some great reasons you should choose Ireland.

12. SCHOLARSHIPS

Do you qualify for one of the 100s of scholarships available to international students?

13. WHAT ARE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITIES? Ireland’s technological universities.

H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan Ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of South Africa

I am delighted to be associated with the launch of the “2023/2024 University Speaking - Ireland” guide.

Ireland is a young and energetic country at the centre of Europe. We have an excellent international reputation for the quality of our education. For Irish people, education has always been centrally important and now we are happy to share this valuable asset with students from across the world.

Thousands of students come to Ireland each year knowing that they will deepen their knowledge and develop unique skills in our many excellent third level institutions. In addition, Ireland has a dynamic economy which warmly welcomes immigrants to work across many burgeoning sectors. South Africans do not require visas to visit or study in Ireland.

The Irish higher education system is globally renowned and regarded as amongst the best in the world. Ireland is a highly innovative and technology focused society with close links between academia and industry that is characterized by creativity, flexibility, pragmatism and high output.

Ireland is home to over 1,000 leading multinational companies who require a skilled, educated and highly capable workforce. Ireland also has a strong and highly innovative SMME sector. Students who complete their studies in Ireland can extend their stay for a period of 24 months to join industry and gain valuable work experience and practical skills.

When you come to Ireland, you will find yourself well supported by the Irish Council for Overseas Students (ICOS), who will meet and support you in your first few months in Ireland.

Let me finish by encouraging you to consider Ireland as the next step on your education and career journey. There is no better place to live, learn, work and play. Let this be the start of your high quality educational experience on the road to meeting your personal and professional goals.

H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan Ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of South Africa South Africa 28 April 2023