Germany vs Ireland: Which is Better for International Students?

Germany and Ireland are both great options for international students, but which one is the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Germany is known for its world-class education system, with many universities ranking highly. It's also a great destination for those interested in science, engineering, and technology, as the country is home to reputed IT companies. German universities offer a wide range of programs in English, and the cost of living in Germany is generally affordable compared to other European countries.

Ireland, on the other hand, is a smaller country with natural beauty, a rich history, and a welcoming culture. Its universities are also highly regarded, with many programs in fields such as business, computer science, and medicine. Ireland has a growing technology industry and is home to many international companies, making it an excellent destination for those interested in business and entrepreneurship.

Best Universities in Germany for International Students

To begin with, the comparison between both countries, having a fair idea of the universities is a must. Below mentioned are some of the top-ranked universities in Germany:

Best Universities in Ireland for International Students

The below-mentioned universities are the top universities in Ireland based on their QS world university ranking 2024, which can be chosen by an international student.

Eligibility and Requirements to Study at German Universities

Some basic eligibility and requirements that an international student must be aware of while planning to study in a German university are:

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  Need to have at least 60% marks in high school diploma and college/university education transcripts.
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  GRE or GMAT scores (600 - 650) are required to be enrolled for MS and Ph.D.
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  A score of 6 - 6.5 in IELTS or a score of 90 - 100 in TOEFL as an English language proficiency test is required.
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  Letter of motivation (generally known as the statement of purpose)
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  Letter of recommendation
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  Updated resume 
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  Student visa for Germany and valid passport 

Application Process for German Universities

Some important points that need to be taken into account while undergoing the admission process are:

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  Students need to apply for a German university during one of their intakes i.e. summer intake (ends 15th January) or winter intake (ends 15th July). 
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  Most universities accept direct applications from their respective websites or a student can apply through portals like uni-assist.
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  Applicants need to fill in all the required details (personal details and degree of choice), submit the necessary documents, and pay the application fee.
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  Need to complete the application process before the deadline and also have to appear for the interview with the university officials.
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  If selected then an appointment letter will be received within two months of application submission.

 Eligibility and Requirements to Study at Irish Universities

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  The applicant must have a minimum of 50% marks in college/university education transcripts. 
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  To get enrolled in an MBA in Germany a GMAT score of 550 - 600 is required.
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  The minimum GRE score to get enrolled in an MS or a Ph.D. program is 300 or above.
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  The majority of the courses taught in Ireland are in English therefore a minimum score of 6 - 6.5 in IELTS or 61 and above in TOEFL is required. 
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  Statement of purpose
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  Letter of recommendation
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  Updated resume 
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  Student visa and valid passport

Admission Process for Universities in Ireland

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  International students can enroll themselves in Irish universities during fall intake (September) and during spring intake (January). 
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  In case a student wants to enroll in the undergraduate course then they can apply through the Central Application Office (CAO) website. If an international student wants to apply for doctoral programs or MS in Ireland, they must do so through the website of the relevant university.
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  Need to fill in all the required details (personal details and degree of choice), submit the necessary documents, and pay the application fee.
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  Need to complete the application process before the deadline and have to appear for an interview with the university.
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  If selected then an appointment letter will be received within two to three months of application submission.

As you are aware of the eligibility requirements for both countries along with the best universities, predict your admission chances and evaluate your profile for free.
 

Cost of Studying in Germany vs Ireland

For an international student, the cost of studying is one of the major deciding factors in choosing an appropriate study-abroad destination. The cost to study in Germany is very different from the cost involved in Ireland universities. Tuition fees in a public university in Germany are almost negligible compared to the tuition fees in private universities.

A comparison of the cost of studying in Germany versus Ireland based on the study program is shown below:

Cost of Living in Germany vs Ireland

Cost of living is another crucial factor and thus to provide a better idea of the cost of living in Germany vs Ireland a summary has been provided:

Popular Courses for International Students: Germany vs. Ireland

Popular Courses Offered by Germany for International Students:

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  Computer Science
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  Mechanical Engineering
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  Civil Engineering
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  Chemical Engineering

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  Business Management is another highly sought-after course for international students.

Popular Courses Offered by Ireland for International Students:

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  Business Analytics
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  Data Analytics
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  Data Science
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  Cybersecurity
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  Computer Science

Best Scholarships in Germany for International Students

There are different scholarships that can be availed by international students to study at German Universities. The top scholarships which can be availed by international students are: