Ireland is an island nation on the Western Most edge of Europe. It is the continent’s second-largest island (after Great Britain). The Republic of Ireland occupies 80 per cent of this landmass, while a large chunk of land in the north is part of the United Kingdom.

Ireland is known for its wide expanses of lush, green fields. In fact, its nickname is the Emerald Isle. But there are also large areas of the rugged, rocky landscape. About 15,000 years ago, Ireland was completely covered by thick glaciers. The movement of these giant sheets of ice stripped the soil, leaving huge tracts of flat, limestone pavement.

Ireland is a nation of storytellers. The tradition dates back to Celtic bards, who would record and recite the country’s history. Many famed writers come from Ireland, including four winners of the Nobel Prize for literature. The Irish also excel in music and sports.

Ireland is ranked in the top 10 for education (IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2019) and provides students with one of the best education systems in the world; offering world-class universities, a diverse range of degree options and globally-recognised qualifications.

There are many great career opportunities in Ireland for international graduates due to its appeal to multinational businesses, including well-known companies such as eBay, Skype and Microsoft. Most universities, including UCD, offer internship opportunities that are a great way to gain real experience in the workplace that can prove invaluable when job-hunting.

When it comes to post-study work, Ireland is the only English-speaking country in Europe that offers post-study work visas to international graduates, making it an attractive destination to kick-start your career. Once you find full-time employment after studying in Ireland, you will be eligible to apply for residency – over 13,500 first residence permits were issued to higher education students in 2017 (European Migration Network).