International Students Coming to Ireland – Everything you Need to Know

International Students Coming to Ireland:  Everything you Need to Know

Where do they come from?

The biggest increase has been international students from other EU states, jumping from 1,934 in 2017 to 6,383 in 2022.

 

According to the Irish Times, the total number of full-time, non-EEA international students reached nearly 18,500 in 2018. The Irish Higher Education Authority (HEA) states that the main non-EEA sending countries for Ireland are the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Canada. Asia sends the largest share of students (43% as of 2017/18), followed by North America (30%), and the EU (20%).

 

As reported by this report, applications from British students increased by 9 per cent this year. In 2021, Ireland was home to 25,000 international students. India is the second-biggest source of international students on the island. 

 

International Students Coming to Ireland:  Everything you Need to Know
Photo by Javier Trueba on Unsplash

Top tips for International Students arriving to Ireland

Rental scams

September has approached, and students are heading back to college. The rental market has never been busier. With the surge in demand for accommodation, hopeful tenants are being advised to be cautious of a variety of rental scams.  HomeHak has put together some useful information about scams related to renting.

Bank account

One of the first things you should do is open a student bank account. Each university usually has a banking partner on campus.

Budgeting for international students

To enable you to enjoy your university experience to the fullest, you need to learn to manage your money correctly. One of the biggest ways to save money in university is through your grocery shopping. As an international student in Ireland, you can enjoy a range of great discounts and savings. These will make your finances easier to manage.

Shopping and discounts

Ireland has several student discount cards. They range from freebies to money off. Below, we list the cards we recommend adding to your student wallet.

 

iConnect Card

    – You can save up to €450 on MacBook iPad ranges with a valid third-level student card.

>Student Leap Card

    – Ireland’s primary student travel card.

ISIC Card

    – ISIC has been the mainstay discount card for international students for over 50 years. They offer exclusive discounts on a vast range of products and services in over 125 countries.

Affordable Supermarkets

Grocery shopping will eat up a large part of your student budget. It pays to shop around to find the cheapest supermarket in your local area. Here, we list the supermarkets that are the cheapest.

 

SuperValu

Dunnes Stores

Tesco

Lidl

Aldi

Manage your time

As you settle into the swing of things, your time in Ireland is going to fly by. Plan Your Next Adventure with Discover Ireland.

Ireland’s Weather

Ireland is the type of place where you can experience the four seasons in one day. Ensure to pack wisely for cold, warm and wet days.

 

HomeHak International students
Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash

Student Travel Card

A student travel card will get you discounts on your travel throughout Ireland. Also, giving you great savings is the Student Leap Card.

 

For more information on these tips, check out our article International Students Studying in Irish Universities Top Tips.

Embassies 

Full details of all Diplomatic Missions in Ireland or accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis can be found in the link below. This has been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It includes information on the index of missions and representations accredited to Ireland. Diplomatic List July 2022

Irish Banks

To open an Irish bank account as an international student, you will need:

    • Valid passport/ID card

Certificate of Attendance

These are Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and Ulster Bank. Each offers a student account with differing service fees and added extras.

Mobile phone

Ireland has a reliable phone network. The country is covered by several major network providers. There are a number of options available to you, depending on your budget and requirements. These include a fixed-term contract, sim-only plan or pay-as-you-go tariff.

 

The main operators we’d recommend in Ireland are

Healthcare

The INIS visa service offers information on the process of finding health insurance in Ireland. On average, health insurance for international students costs around €100 – €120 per annum.

Working in Ireland

Here are the conditions you need to be aware of:

EU Students

    If you’re travelling from the EU, you can work in Ireland without registering for a GNIB card.

Non-EU Students

  • Non-EU students can seek casual work of up to 20 hours a week during term-time, provided they have a card. In June, July, August and September, non-EU students can work up to 40 hours per week.
    You cannot work in Ireland if your course is under six months in length.

 

Start with the university careers portal. These list a range of term-time positions available on and off campus. Then, check job sites such as Monster, Jobs and Irish Jobs. Distribute your CV to local businesses, as not all positions are advertised online.

 

Why use a Tenant CV?

  1. It’s an easy-to-read document.
  2. HomeHak tenant CV shows off information a landlord would need to know.  Head to our article What is a Tenant CV? for more information.
  3. It promotes you as a suitable tenant.
  4. A tenant CV takes some frustration out of the rental application process.
  5. It provides all valuable and essential information for the homeowner upfront. Check out our article on 6 Reasons to Use a Tenant CV.

Landlord References

A landlord recommendation letter (rental reference) is an crucial component of your rental application. In a competitive rental market, a good reference can make a huge difference. Check out our article Importance Of a Reference for Irish University Student Accommodation.

Important links for international students

www.fas.ie

www.jobs.ie

www.argus.ie

www.Jobted.ie

Revenue office

www.revenue.ie

Safety 

www.garda.ie

Irish Newspapers 

www.independent.ie

www.ireland.com

www.irishtimes.com

www.independent.ie

www.irishexaminer.com

Travel in Ireland

www.discoverireland.com/ire

Irish Council for International Students

www.internationalstudents.ie

Link to University websites In Ireland For International Students

Trinity College Of Trinity

University College Dublin

University College Cork

Dublin City University

Technological University Dublin

University Of Limerick

Maynooth University

Galway National University Of Ireland

Athlone Institute Of Technology

Carlow Technology Institute

Dundalk Technology Institute

Limerick Institute Of Technology

Letterkenny Institute Of Technology

Waterford Institute Of Technology

Cork Institute Of Technology

Sligo Technology Institute

Institute Of Technology, Tralee

Dublin Business School

Griffith College Dublin

Useful articles for international students

Study in Ireland: A Guide for International Students

International Students

Student visas to study in Ireland

Study in Ireland

Top recommended websites for international students 

Irish Council for International Students

Irish Universities Association

Citizens Information

Education in Ireland

Embassy World

The Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service

Google Maps

 

LinkedIn – Why this is the Key Ingredient for Irish University Students

LinkedIn in Irish universities

LinkedIn – Why this is the Key Ingredient for Irish University Students

LinkedIn is like being on social media and advancing your future career prospects. HomeHak is going to explore why this social network matters as a student. If you are a student, here are some of the reasons why you should be on it.

Getting Job Email Alerts

Firstly, once you have created your professional profile on LinkedIn, you can set email alerts to receive notifications of recommended jobs. Secondly, students and jobseekers will be able to see the notifications on their homepage as soon as they log into their LinkedIn accounts.

Connecting with Professionals

If you have a look at LinkedIn, you’ll be surprised to find out the large number of professionals who choose to connect here. In fact, you can find your friends, co-workers, colleagues, classmates and family members on this platform. Consequently, it’s never a tough job connecting with them all. What’s more, you can even import your email list to find out who among your friends is present on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn in Irish Universities - HomeHak
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Conducting Company Research   

One of the biggest benefits LinkedIn offers college students and jobseekers is that they can check out the pages of their targeted employers. By visiting company, pages, you can conduct a research on the whereabouts of the company, the hiring process and what people have to say about that organization. This kind of company research on LinkedIn can always keep a stay ahead of your competition and increases your employability.

Getting Recommendations

What’s more, LinkedIn also offers a feature through which you can get other people to recommend you. People with a maximum number of recommendations have a great chance of attracting the employers’ attention. College students too can try to get as many recommendations as possible to increase their employability.

Letting Companies Find You

Today, a large number of organizations look for talented candidates on social networking platforms like LinkedIn. If you have created a good and detailed professional profile, chances are you will attract employer’s attention. And it would really be nice to be invited by companies for your job position you always wanted to occupy.

Connecting with Other Students

Furthermore, college students can also use LinkedIn to network with other students. This type of networking gives a wonderful opportunity to find out how other college graduates found a job or got hired by an employer.

Check this article out to learn more about how to stay organised as a student in an Irish University.

To summarise

It’s about time that college students too created their profiles.It is time to start to use this social media platform for connecting with professionals. To conclude, prepare yourself as early as possible. You can easily stay ahead of your competition when it comes to landing a job of your interest. For more reasons to be on LinkedIn, check out this article.

New Club or Society in an Irish Student University – How to Set One Up

Boys laughing in a library

Do you feel like there is something missing from campus life? Interested in setting up a new club or society? 

 

Everyone remembers being in first year. We are all stressed trying to get to our next class on the other side of campus.  Or, already behind on your assignments. But among the chaos, you carry the same interests and hobbies from secondary school. Did you like dancing, photography, or playing soccer?

But what if there’s no way for you to continue? Will you give them up or find different hobbies? Or would you create an opportunity to enjoy your hobbies again?

 

Idea for a new club or society

The first thing you need to have is an idea. It must be original and new. In addition, an idea needs to be distinguishable from other Clubs and Societies that are already established. Furthermore remember that new Clubs and Societies will not be considered if they break college policies, promotion of alcohol etc.

People-reading
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Elect

This includes, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relation Officer, Events Manager etc. Depending, usually there must be at least 4 full time students on the committee. Additionally, the committee posts can only be filled by fully registered, full time students of the college.

 

Constitution for your new club or society

With every Club and Society comes a constitution. Moreover, this document sets out how the Club or Society should be run. It will act as a set of rules for future committees.

 

Setup form

Next, you will have to complete the “How To Set Up A Club/Society” application form. You can find these on your university or students union website.

 

Membership

Members must be added to the application for a Club or Society to become recognised. If a clubs or society is not fully recognised then it is not entitled to collect a membership fee.

 

 

To summarise

To conclude, why not start up your own new club or society? Equally important, the process is easy to follow. Dont forget, the student union will be more than happy to help! We hope you have more confidence to start your own after reading this article. 

For more articles on student hacks, check out our other articles:

Moving into Your New Student University Accommodation – What to Pack

Bg with laptop, phone and glasses

There’s so much to think about when moving to university. HomeHak has put together this guide to help with all the practical considerations.

 

University Accommodation Moving Checklist 

We recommend that you write a list of what you need a couple of weeks before and keep a track of items you use in that time. You may well find your list alters. Don’t just be functional, you may wish to include something that reminds you of home. 

 

Put theses items on your moving list: 

  • Bed linen – including sheets
  • Duvet, blankets
  • Pillows and pillowcases 
  • Towels 
  • Clothes for all seasons, plus smart wear 
  • Coat hangers 
  • Extension 
  • Lead socket 
  • Adaptor (for international students) 
  • Personal items such as toiletries 
  • Kitchen items and some food to keep you going for the first week 
  • Stationery, including pens, pencils, notepads and highlighters 
  • Pc/laptop and any cables and chargers USB stick notepads mobile phone and charger medicine 
  • Washing detergent and cleaning items 
  • Games and sports equipment 
  • Umbrella 
  • A list of important numbers, in case you lose your mobile phone. 

 

It’s also important to bring the necessary documentation. ‘This differs per university and their registration procedures, but bring your university acceptance letter, accommodation paperwork if moving in to halls, student finance documents and some valid ID like a passport or driving licence,’ says Ruki. You’ll also need a letter or document with your address on, as this might be needed to register with a local GP. 

Don’t panic if you’ve forgotten certain items. Most things can be bought from nearby shops, or collected from home at a later date. 

 

Home comforts and room practicalities 

Most students spend the first year of their studies in some form of student accommodation. As you’ll be spending time in your room resting and studying, you should make this space somewhere you feel at ease. Decorate with photos of family and friends, posters, or your favourite bedding and cushions. 

Other practical suggestions for your room include: 

  • A desk 
  • Fan 
  • A desk lamp 
  • A torch 
  • Music speakers 
  • Drawing pins for putting up photos or posters.

Wondering where to buy these? We recommend checking out Harvey Norman, My Home Interiors, Arnotts and IKEA Ireland.

 

 Be aware that your room may be smaller than your bedroom at home, so take a look on the university’s website and work out how much space you’ll have. You’ll likely have a desk, bed and chair, so don’t clutter your room by packing items you don’t need. 

 

Your room may be the place to get some respite from the hustle and bustle of university life, but it’s also good to invite friends round and get to know those you’re staying with – especially during freshers’ week. You may want to have a couple of spare mugs and some biscuits at the ready. 

 

Desk with laptop and screen
Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

Kitchen equipment 

Most halls are kitted out with all the kitchen equipment you need so check what items are there when you arrive and share the cost of any extra items with your flatmates, instead of having six toasters. 

Check the rules of your accommodation as some halls ban items such as rice cookers or deep fat fryers. Make sure that electrical items have been PAT tested, or that you can prove they’re less than two years old. 

Some universities may also give you the opportunity to pre-order bedding and kitchen packs. These bundles can be in your room on arrival. 

Space in your room and kitchen is likely to be at a premium, so weigh up each item and consider its value. In general, you’ll need: 

 

  • Knives and a chopping board 
  • Saucepans and a frying pan 
  • Baking tray plates and bowls (microwavable ones are a good idea) 
  • Cutlery 
  • Glasses and mugs 
  • Corkscrew and bottle opener 
  • Tin opener 
  • Vegetable peeler 
  • Measuring jug 
  • Grater 
  • Cling film 
  • Tin foil 
  • Tea towels 
  • Dish cloth 
  • Student recipe book. 

If taking your own kitchen equipment, make sure all your items are marked in case there are any disputes over ownership. 

Wondering where to buy these? Check out stores such as Harvey Norman, Littlewoods, Arnotts and IKEA Ireland.

 

Study essentials 

You’ll need to bring your own stationery when moving, including: 

  • Pens, pencils and highlighters 
  • Lever arch files 
  • A4 file paper 
  • Ruler 
  • Eraser 
  • Stapler 
  • Hole punch 
  • Diary/personal organiser 
  • Different sized notebooks 
  • Post-it notes. 

Wondering where to buy these? Check out stores such as Hunt Office Ireland, Littlewoods, Etsy and Easons Ireland. 

 

Electrical items 

Having your own laptop will make your work and study much easier, as shared library resources are often oversubscribed. This is an investment that will keep your learning mobile, meaning you can work wherever you go. It can also remove the need to take a TV, as you can use it to watch your favourite shows online. However, if you bring a TV, you’ll need a TV licence. 

Different universities have different rules around electrical equipment but you should be fine with standard items like a docking station, games console and beauty items such as hair dryers, but other items like electric blankets, electric scooters and heaters may be deemed a fire risk and aren’t allowed. 

To ensure your connection to the internet is more reliable, consider buying an Ethernet cable. This connects your laptop to a modem or router to provide a solid internet link. 

A portable hard drive is also great for backing up your work – and they don’t take up much room in your bag. 

When moving, make sure you pack all the chargers you need (a spare one for your phone will come in handy when you misplace the original) and remember to bring a few memory sticks. 

Wondering where to buy these? Check out stores such as DID, Lenehans, Expert, and screwfix. 

 

 

 

To summarise

We hope you enjoyed our guide on tips on what to take with you, what to leave behind and how to make the move. Be aware that your room may be smaller than your bedroom at home, so take a look on the university’s website and work out how much space you’ll have. Moving should be exiting not stressful, this guide will be your best friend!

Here are some more articles on packing for Irish University:

Choosing your Housemates at Irish University – Best Tips

Housemates

Moving out of home and taking your first step towards independence can be exciting but also a bit of a minefield. It is important to thread carefully if you want to make accommodation sharing work. Here are HomeHaks top tips to help you in choosing your housemates at Irish University.

 

Make poor choices and you could find yourself falling out over dirty bins and dishes. Pick well and you will have so much fun and make lifelong friends. Don’t know how to go about picking housemates? 

 

Housemates
Photo by Wasa Crispbread on Unsplash

Know the sort of people you think you will get on with

Looking for housemates is a bit like online dating. You need to go into it knowing what you’re looking for and make that clear from the get-go. If you think you’ve found a potential match, ask your prospective house-sharer some questions. This is to see just how compatible you might be. Don’t make them feel it’s an interrogation. You just need to get a feel for what they’re going to be like once you’ve moved in together.

 

People can be very different once the front door is shut. Get to know them better before you agree to go house-hunting. This could spare you a lot of grief further down the line. Here are 30 questions to ask a roommate before moving in together. 

 

Get ahead of the competition

Don’t put off until tomorrow something you could do today. There’s always fierce competition for the best houses and apartments in university cities. If you want to stand a chance of finding nice housemates and a nice place to live, then it’s never too early to start.

 

You’d be amazed how many people leave it until the very last minute to decide on who they’re sharing with and where they’re going to look for houses. If you want to end up living in housemate heaven rather than housemate hell, you need to start broaching the subject with people as early in the spring term. This is so you can start arranging to view a few properties together. This article gives some more tips on starting your search early.

 

Choosing your housemates – Same course or different?

Sometimes living with the people you ‘work’ with isn’t always the best move.  You’re probably most familiar and friendly with the people doing the same course or modules as you but remember that everyone needs some space now and then. If you’re living with the same people you’re in seminars with day in, day out, you might get sick of each other’s company very quickly.

 

Try to have a mix in your house if you can – not only does it widen your social circle but it can broaden your mind. If people are studying different courses to you, you’ll each learn something about the other’s subjects. You’ll also be forced to find other things you can bond over, such as societies, hobbies or even your shared love of obscure foreign language films…

 

Set house rules from the start

Almost all household disagreements are avoidable in some way. You need to set out a few ground rules right at the beginning.  Before you agree to move in with other people, you need to make sure they’re the sort of housemates you can trust.

 

Chat with them and decide how to carve out who will organise things like paying the bills and how the rent will be managed. Pencilling a schedule for cleaning and cooking before you move in together will give you a good idea of whether or not they’re likely to pull their weight. If they look like they’re shirking responsibility, then maybe you need to look for someone else.

The following article is designed to help you and your roommate(s) establish guidelines for while you are living together.

 

To summarise

If a house share is going to be a success you need to know you’ll all get along and it’s not going to descend into chaos. Try to spend as much time as possible getting to know each other before you commit to moving in together. House sharing is a nightmare when it doesn’t work out but choose your housemates carefully and you could have a fantastic couple of years.