Germany vs Ireland: Which is the Better Study Abroad Destination?

International students intending to study in Europe frequently choose to study in Germany or Ireland. Each country offers a vast range of courses and welcomes a sizable number of international students. Making an informed decision will be assisted by comparing common factors between Germany and Ireland, such as employment, education, cost of living and study, and visa information.

Germany vs Ireland: CONCISE SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES

Aspect	Ireland	Germany
Language of Instruction	English	English, German
Average Cost of Study	Public- € 9,000- 15,000/yr Private- €18,000- €30,000/yr	Public: €500 – €700/year Private: €25,000 – €40,000/year
Average Cost of Living	€17,500/yr	€10,500/year
Exams Required	IELTS/TOEFL, GMAT/GRE	IELTS/TOEFL, TestDaF/DSH, GMAT/GRE
Intakes	two intakes: spring (February) and autumn (September-October)	Two intakes: Summer and Winter
Funding Sources	Part-time jobs, scholarships, grants, fellowships	Students at public universities in Germany receive educational assistance from the government. However, scholarships and part-time employment are available to give students additional funding.
Types of Degrees	Ordinary Bachelor degrees (NFQ Level 7) and Honours bachelor degrees (NFQ Level 8). Masters (NFQ Level 9) Doctoral (NFQ Level 10)	Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Diploma or Magister, Work-study degrees
Top Courses	Computer Programming, Data Analytics, Data Science, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing	Law, Engineering, Medical Science, Dentistry, Architecture, Economics, Business Studies, Philosophy, Earth Science, Historical and Cultural Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical and Computer Science
Top Universities	Trinity College Dublin University of Galway University College Cork University of Limerick	Technical University of Munich Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Freie Universitat of Berlin Humboldt University of Berlin
Student Friendly Cities	Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Maynooth	Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Aachen
PR Opportunities	minimum 5 years of residence to obtain Ireland Permanent Residence. It is possible to apply for Irish permanent residence after two years if you possess a tech permit or job permit that requires vital skills.	People who have been in Germany for the last five years and possess a valid residence permit are eligible to apply for PR. (2 years degree + 3 years of Post study work permit) Applying for German citizenship may be possible if you marry a German citizen or have resided in Germany for the preceding eight years.
Cost of Study	Higher tuition fees for international students	Low tuition/free tuition at public universities
Average Salary Package	€45,000-€50,000	76,000-103,000 EUR/year
Safety	Low crime rates	Considered one of the safest countries in Europe
Health Insurance	Health insurance is required	Health insurance is required during the duration of their study program.
Language Barrier	English and Gaeilge	English is widely spoken, especially in academia

Which one is worth studying?

If you’re looking for a top university without having to pay tuition, Germany might be a better choice. Foreign students pay no fees at most of the country’s public universities. The modest semester fee would still apply, costing each student anywhere from €200 to €500. Even Private universities in Germany are not that expensive compared to Ireland as the tuition fees range from €10,000 and €20,000 per year.

Depending on the programme, foreign students at public and private universities in Ireland pay anywhere from €15,850 to €55,000.

Ireland might be a better option if you’re looking for a smaller nation with a burgeoning digital sector and an emphasis on business and entrepreneurship.

WHICH ONE IS EASY TO GET A MASTER’S?

It should come as no surprise that Ireland has a higher university acceptance rate than Germany. For instance, a renowned university in Ireland has an admissions rate of almost 63%, yet a German university has a lower admissions rate of less than 30%.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GERMANY AND IRELAND

Fortunately, the employment rate for graduates is high in both Germany and Ireland. In Germany, over 90% of graduates secured jobs within a year of graduation, compared to over 70% in Ireland.

HIGH-PAID OR DEMAND PROFESSIONS IN BOTH

In Germany, the majority of graduates secured jobs in well-known industries such as business and management, healthcare, engineering and automotive, construction, electrical and electronic, IT and telecommunications, and aviation, among others.

The deficiency of trained labour in Ireland affects the job market, which makes conditions beneficial for international workers looking for work. In industries such as pharmaceutical and medical, agriculture, mining, finance, forestry and fishing, software and ICT, marketing, trade and export, etc., over 70% of the graduates found employment.

WHICH COUNTRY’S DEGREE IS MOST RESPECTED WORLDWIDE?

Both nations offer top-notch education, and their degrees are recognized across the world. A vast array of globally recognized courses with flexible study durations to accommodate student needs are offered in Ireland and Germany. In Ireland, programs are renowned for aligning with professional goals.

In a similar vein, German courses stand out for being based on research and practice. Both countries offer excellent opportunities, ensuring that students receive a top-notch education under their objectives.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF GETTING A STUDY VISA IN GERMANY AND IRELAND

Your application may be denied for some reason, even though the German government maintains a 92% success record for student visas. Only 5–8% of applications for student visas to Germany are denied.

On the other hand, the visa rejection rate in Ireland is only between 1-4 %

PART-TIME WORK OPPORTUNITIES

International students studying in Germany can choose to work full-time, 40 hours a week, 120 days a year, or part-time, 20 hours a week, 240 days a year. Ireland has slightly different rules. During the summer break, which runs from June to September, you can work 40 hours a week full-time. Then, outside of these months, you are limited to working 20 hours a week.

WHICH ONE IS COST-EFFECTIVE?

Compared to Ireland, Germany is an incredibly attractive study-abroad option for Indian students. The cheap or nonexistent tuition at many of its public universities is one of its most appealing features. The financial strain on students and their families is greatly lessened by this rule.

Since tuition at private universities in Ireland can reach €30,300 per year, private universities in Germany may also be less expensive than those in Ireland where tuition fee ranges start from €10,000 per year only.

This makes Germany a cost-effective study-abroad destination for international students.

SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES

Germany’s main financing agency is the German Academic Exchange Service or DAAD. Depending on the discipline or field of study you have selected, these organizations will provide you with a variety of scholarship and internship alternatives. Scholarships for research researchers or students are also available from numerous additional autonomous research institutes in Germany.

International students can apply for numerous scholarships from a wide range of sources, including the Irish Higher Education Institutions and the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, at various levels of study. Since each organization establishes its own eligibility and selection standards, students are encouraged to visit the relevant websites directly to learn more.

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