Ireland is a very good study destination right now, and it welcomes international students all over the world. So, if you are a Nigerian considering this country, that’s a smart decision. Today, we will be talking about how to study in Ireland from Nigeria. I will cover basically important information from the admission, and visa process and what you need to know about studying in Ireland from Nigeria.
Study in Ireland from Nigeria: Steps and How to
Just to clarify, I’m not an immigration consultant, and I’m sharing my own experience. I want to mention that I used an agency for my admission and Visa process. Initially, I got the admission on my own, but I later went through an agency linked with the school, so they could get their commission. That might be a lot to take in, but I hope it’s clear. I have a list of questions I want to cover in this post. I did my Master of Science in Interactive Digital Media at Griffith College. So, let’s get started on how to study in Ireland from Nigeria.
1. Prepare the Requirements for Your Admission
For admission, you will have to submit several documents:
- A personal statement
- IELTS scores (which weren’t necessary but I had them)
- Your degree certificate
- Transcript
- Passport data page
- CV
- One reference letter from your workplace.
2. Apply for a Visa to Study in Ireland from Nigeria
Now, the Visa process can be really tough for you to study in Ireland from Nigeria. You have to be mentally prepared because it’s tough. If I hadn’t had the agency’s guidance, I might have missed some steps. The requirements are more than you would expect, and more rigorous than in the UK. You have to submit many documents you might think would be unnecessary, but it is better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.
Even though I felt some things were unnecessary, I can’t be sure how they might have impacted the decision. You will be required to submit your six-month payslip, but I may not be required to submit your business bank statement. In my case, the agency advised against it, saying it might complicate things. So, I only submitted my work bank statements showing my salary. Honestly, it’s a bit unclear now, but I think I mainly submitted my sponsor’s bank statement, not my own. I had to get many documents notarized.
You can use your parent’s bank statement for the Visa, whether you are self-sponsoring or someone else is sponsoring you. Your parent should submit their 6-month payslip and, if they own a business, a letter about the business. Any large deposits in their statements need an explanation. They also need to provide an affidavit of financial support and a letter from their employer. You’ll also need a personal statement for the Visa, different from the one for admission, explaining why Ireland is the ideal place for your studies and how you’ll use the knowledge to improve your country.
4. Don’t Feel Anxious About This Process
I remember feeling anxious during the submission process. People at the embassy often suggest things such as taking passport photos or printing documents. Some may tell you to print all pages of your passport. So, let’s say you have about five passports, and you will end up photocopying every page, even though they only asked for the data pages. Those photocopies cost a lot, but it is better to be over-prepared. Make sure to do all your photocopies and printing in advance, and if you are working with an agency, ask them to tell you what is necessary.
5. Wait for Your Visa
Your visa can take around two weeks and a few days, less than three weeks. Remember to get medical insurance; it should cost about €150.
The appointment itself cost around 21,000 naira, but other expenses brought it to about 40K naira or more. Budget around 50,000 in total for the application. Registration with the school before arriving in Dublin is also important; I had a similar document for immigration but didn’t know about the school registration.
Let me break down the costs:
- Visa application: Around 21,000 naira, overall about 40K to 50K.
- Medical insurance is €150 Euro.
- A budget of around 40,000 naira for printing,
- About 30,000+ naira for notarization.
- Don’t forget the costs of errands, like Uber or fuel.
I received many questions about immigration and Ireland admission in my emails, which I’ll answer in this post.
How to Pay Your Ireland Tuition from Nigeria
About easier ways to pay tuition from Nigeria to Ireland: it’s cheaper but takes longer through certain methods. The black market is faster but risky. As for the proof of funds, the amount needed in Naira varies. I can’t recall the exact amount, but you should be able to show that you have paid your complete school fees before applying for your visa.
You also need to show you have enough for at least one year of accommodation, food, and miscellaneous expenses. So, having proof of around 35,000 Euro, covering school fees, accommodation, feeding, miscellaneous, and medical insurance, should be good.
Did You Have a Face-to-face Interview at the Embassy?
It is not really an interview, more like a document submission and quick Q&A session. It is not like an intensive American visa interview where the interview itself determines whether you will be allowed to travel and study in Ireland from Nigeria or not. The person just collects your documents and makes conversation without being involved in the decision-making.
They do not ask many questions. Just be prepared to answer questions like what you are going to do in Ireland, why you chose that school and course, where you’ll stay, and who’s sponsoring you. Just have answers to these basic questions ready.
Did You Need a Bank Reference Letter and a Police Clearance Report?
Yes, you need a bank reference because it’s the bank confirming you have an account with them for the embassy. As for a police clearance report, they did not ask for that. But as I keep saying, it is better to always be over-prepared.
Does the Irish Embassy Accept a School Statement or Recommendation Letter if Someone’s Results Aren’t Out Yet?
Not sure about this. Just make sure that you have your originals.
Are the Copies of Documents Made in Color or Black and White?
You can make copies in both color and black and white.
How Long Does the Visa Process Usually Take?
The embassy will tell you about 5 weeks, but sometimes it takes less than 3 weeks, around 3 weeks and a few days.
What Are Flight Prices Like?
This varies depending on the airline. Check online for flights from Nigeria to Dublin. British Airways usually comes up, and Turkish Airlines is often a cheaper option.
Conclusion
So we have been able to talk about how to study in Ireland from Nigeria. I hope this post was helpful. If you have read this far, you probably really need this information. I’m glad you found it useful. Always do your own research too, and keep finding the most current information for yourself.
Read Also: Cheapest Country to Study for Nigerian Students
