Living in Ireland
Drogheda is one of Ireland's oldest and most historical towns. Situated only 28 miles (45K) from Dublin. It is very accessible from Dublin and Belfast, Air and Seaports. Chartered in 1194 AD by the Norman King John, the history of the townland extends further back into the folklore of arrival of the Celts in Ireland.
Known as the "Gateway to the Boyne Valley" Drogheda is associated with an extraordinary number of significant events in the history of Ireland - The Battle of the Boyne, St Oliver Plunkett, Poynings Law, Cromwell's Siege and the surrender of the Irish Chieftains to the English King.
- VISA Application Process
- Pre-Arrival
- Accomodation
- Garda/Police Registration
- Health Insurance
- Living Cost
- Part-time working opportunities
- Religion
These requirements are intended to act as a guideline only and do not limit the discretion of the visa officer in determining individual applications.
They are subject to change as we continue in our efforts to provide a more efficient service to our customers. You should therefore regularly check for the most recent version which will have the date of implementation at the bottom of this document.
The following information outlines the minimum documentation you must submit with your application.
Important: Apply for your visa well in advance and allow six to eight weeks for your application to be processed if you are applying from abroad.
In their application students will be asked to supply the following information:
- Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected completion of your studies in Ireland. If you hold any previous passport, you should also submit this with your application.
- Evidence of Course:
- A letter of Acceptance from the college, confirming you have been accepted and enrolled on a course of full-time education, involving a minimum of 15 hours organised daytime study each week.
- This letter should specify the course you will be studying.
- It should confirm the amount of fees payable for your course, and that this amount has been paid.
- If the college has taken out medical insurance on your behalf, details of this must be contained in this letter of acceptance.
- Ability to Follow Your Chosen Course: You must provide evidence that you have attained the necessary level of academic achievement required to follow your chosen course.
- Such evidence will include - exam results, qualifications obtained and certificates proving this level of English
- Level of English: You must show that you have the capacity to fully partake in your chosen course through the medium of English and satisfy the Visa Officer in this regard.
- It is recommended that all applicants, regardless of nationality or educational background, undertake the IELTS test, and provide the original certificate with your visa application.
- Other acceptalbe certificates will be those from an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or Cambridge or ETAPP
- Failure to provide such a certificate may result in delays in processing your application, and possible refusal of same.
- Submission of false or fraudulent certicates with your application will result in it being refused and no appeal will be permitted.
- Any certificate must have been issued within 2 years of the expected commencement date of your course.
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The recommended band scores are :
· IELTS minimum score of 5
· TOEFL minimum score of:
- 173 (Computer-based)
- 61 (Internet-based)
- 500 (Paper-based)
- Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) or higher
- ETAPP - Minimum grade of B2
NOTE: This is for immigration purposes only if the English language requirement of the college is higher than the scores above, you must meet the college requirements. (Students applying solely for an English Language course are currently exempt from this requirement).
Short -term Preparatory English Language Courses
If you have been accepted on a specific course of studies, but you need, or are required, to complete preparatory course of English prior to commencing your main course, the following requirements apply:
- English language course must be short term, and not exceed a maximum duration of 6 months
- You must submit a detailed study plan, including the duration and dates of your preliminary English course, and details and dates of your main course of study
- Fees for both the English preparatory courses AND the first year of your main course must be paid in full to the college
- English Language Requirements for such courses:
- IELTS - minimum score of 137 (Computer based), 47 (Internet-based), 457 (Paper-based)
- Cambridge - PET (Preliminary English Test)
- ETAPP - Minimum grade of B1
- Private Medical Insurance: Every student should have full private medical insurance. Evidence of such insurance cover will be taken to be the Letter of Acceptance provided by the host school, college, university or other education institution.This Letter of Acceptance will contail details of the insurance cover taken out on behalf of each student by the host school, college, university or other educational institution on behalf of the student. Alternative evidence will be taken to be a Certificate of Private Insurance taken out by the student in his or her own country prior to travel.
- Family Members: Applicants should disclose details of family members who are already residing in Ireland or in other EU countries. For this purpose family members include first cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or grandparents. The granting of a student visa does not entitle you to have family members join you in Ireland.
- Electronic Transfer of Funds: From the 14th July, 2008, all student visa applications should contain a copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds from the applicant to the Irish Bank of the college, showing details of beneficiary's name, address, bank details and the same details for sender.
- Applicant's Self-sufficiency: Applicants must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland, including emergencies, without recourse to State funds. You must also demonstrate that you or your sponsor has ready access to an amount of at least €7000 for each subsequent year of your studies, in addition to the course fees for each of those years.
- Bank statements which clearly identify the holder together with a translation and details of conversion rates at the approximate date of application are required.
- Please note that although you may be permitted to work part-time in Ireland during your
Studies, these potential earnings will not be taken into account when assessing your financial capabilities . - If your studies were funded by a scholarship please provide details of the funding and a letter in support of this.
- A statement of purpose explaining why you wish to study in Ireland
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae with no gaps in history
- Employment Details of applicant in Country of origin: If the applicant is in employment the employer must state
- That all course costs are being met by the Employer or, if the employee is meeting the costs, the employer must state that in the opinion of the employer the employee has the financial resources to meet all such costs
- The length of leave being granted to the employee and this must not differ from the stated duration of the course on which the applicant has been accepted
- The purpose of participating in the proposed course of study
- The applicants level of pay and the currency it is received in
- 3 Recent passport photographs
- The processing times for Student Visa Applications vary depending on the volumen of applications lodged, and the time it takes for an application to reach the Visa section in Dublin from the Embassy in which it was lodged
- You should allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa but a minimum time of 8 weeks is recommended.
- Visa decisions are published weekly on www.justice.ie You can check a decision by entering the Visa Reference Number.
· Fees: Where the course fees are less than €6,000, fees must be paid in full to the college, prior to applying for your visa. Evidence of the amount paid should be included in your Letter of Acceptance from the college. Where the course fees are in excess of €6,000, you must pay at least this amount prior to applying for your visa, and evidence of this should be shown in your Letter of Acceptance.
The granting of a Student Visa does not entitle you to have any family members join you in Ireland.
Decisions
Right of Appeal
If you are refused a visa you may appeal this decision within 2 months
Appeals must be submitted in writing to:
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
IrelandNew students in the Ireland face many challenges but with the support of friends, family and Northeast College staff along with helpful information, no challenge should be too big.
The most important thing for all new students is to prepare yourselves fully for the move to Ireland to ensure that your first days and weeks are as fun as possible. If the first few days run smoothly then you will find that the rest of the time will also run smoothly. Arriving on time, having accommodation pre-arranged will help you to succeed in the long-run.
All students should read the information on this website in case there is any aspect that has not been considered.
College Accomodation:
Northeast College leases a number of houses which are available for students who are prepared to live as a group and share a bathroom and kitchen.
The houses are fully-furnished, but you provide your own bed linen, utensils and cutlery. Average weekly rent is about €65 per week; heating and lighting charges are additional to this figure. You will have to pay a €200 non-refundable administration fee before you can move in. Most agreements are for 46 weeks (some are 50 weeks).
Each student rents a single room and shares the rest of the house with other students. Usually four to five students rent rooms in a house and share a bathroom and kitchen.
If you are interested, you should apply as soon as you have a firm place on a course. If you wish to view properties, please call +353 41 9898 395 to book an accomodation.
Homestay Accomodation:
Finding private accommodation
The Host Family Programme is a unique programme which offers international students the opportunity to learn about Irish life and culture.
Students are placed with host families in safe residential areas. Student guests are treated as one of the family and are included in family outings and social occasions.
The services provided by agencies are by no means uniform. While some provide a very limited service merely introducing prospective tenants to landlords, others have a property management role which continues throughout the tenancy. This means that it is they who are responsible for repairs, inspections etc, rather than the landlord. Make sure you know with whom you will be dealing before you sign a contract. A booking fee, damage deposit and one month's rent is usually required to secure such accommodation.
Non-EU students studying at Northeast College are required to comply with Irish immigration laws. Students from visa required countries must possess a valid student visa in order to study in Ireland and to register as a student with the GNIB. Information regarding immigration and visa procedures for Ireland can be obtained at http://www.inis.gov.ie/.
For immigration registration students require:
- Passport
- Current Northeast College student identity card
- Original letter of offer from Northeast College
- A letter from Northeast College confirming your course of study and the start and finish dates of the course.
- Proof of your residential address in Drogheda e.g. a utility bill with your name and address or a letter from your landlord/student residence confirming your residential address. Changes of address must be notified to the GNIB within 7 days of moving address.
- Evidence of financial support e.g. original bank statement which shows the students’ name. Students must show they have a minimum of €1000 available to them. Documentation should be originals; photocopies are not accepted. It is advisable to open a bank account in Ireland in order to demonstrate your financial status to the GNIB. Student bank accounts with Irish banks are not liable to any bank charges. Letters to open bank accounts can be obtained from the International Affairs Office. Please note that bank statements printed from online bank accounts will not be accepted by the GNIB.
- Personal credit/debit card for payment of immigration fee of €150.If a student does not have a credit card, he/she will be issued with a bank giro form by the Immigration Officer and requested to return with the completed bank giro form, confirming payment of the fee. Payment may be made at the student’s bank on campus.
- Proof of comprehensive medical insurance which must include hospitalisation cover. You must provide the original policy document in English and the policy document should state your name. Your policy should clearly state the precise start and finish dates of the insurance cover. You should therefore ensure that you are covered for the full length of time you are in Ireland i.e. either for the academic year or the semester as appropriate. If you have an insurance card for your policy you should bring it with you to the GNIB office.
- Under immigration rules, all non-EU students must notify the GNIB of any changes to their registration details (including address) whilst they are in Ireland. The GNIB must be notified within 7 days of moving.
NB: Only original documentation should be presented to the GNIB. Photocopied or faxed documents are not acceptable.
Before you arrive in Drogheda, it is a good idea to be aware of the general costs associated with living in the city. In addition to your tuition fees, you should allow a minimum of €750 for the cost of your accommodation and food per month of study. Expenses for students living outside Northeast College's halls of residence may be as much as 20% higher.
International students are advised to ensure that they have comprehensive health insurance which includes cover in the event of hospitalisation. Students may wish to take out private health insurance in their country of origin or with an Irish health insurance company
Health Insurance Companies can only provide cover to students once they arrive in the country. Students cannot apply for cover while they are still living abroad. They cannot provide students with documentation for use when applying for a visa. Students will have to take out health insurance in their home country for this purpose.Part-time working opportunities
If you are from an EU/EEA country, you can work in Ireland without a work permit.
EU/EEA countries are the 25 EU countries and Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland plus Switzerland.
However, if you are from outside of these areas, you must be registered as a full-time student on a course leading to a recognised qualification in order to work legally in Ireland on a part-time basis i.e. up to twenty hours per week and full-time during holiday periods.
Ireland is a country where religion and religious practice have always been held in high esteem. Although the majority of Irish people are Roman Catholics, many other religions are respected and represented. There are Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist Churches, as well as Eastern Orthodox and Salvation Army communities. Several American gospel groups are represented as well as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. In addition to the Christian denominations there are centres for Buddhists, Hindus, Bahais and for people of the Islamic and Jewish faiths.
