Studying in Europe is an increasingly attractive option

The Central Applications Office is not the only show in town. More and more Irish students are opting to study abroad, especially in mainland Europe. Over the past 15 years many Irish students have studied medicine or related courses (such as veterinary, dentistry, pharmacy) in Poland and Hungary. The points for those courses are high in Ireland because of restricted numbers of places. But in more recent years there has been a trend for a wider cohort of Irish students to study – through English – at continental European colleges.

Degree programmes in science, engineering, business, IT, pharmaceuticals, games design, animation, fine art, hotel management, law and psychology are all popular options.

The attractions are varied: a more cosmopolitan life and exposure to other languages and cultures for sure. And many continental European universities figure higher in international rankings than Irish colleges. Plus you can take your Susi grant – if you qualify for one – with you.

But points pressure in Ireland, because of a shortage of places and the high demand for third level, has also driven students abroad, where there can be more appropriate entrance requirements. A caveat: it may be easier to get the grades for a European college place, but students have to perform from day one or they won’t get to second year – first-year failure rates are high in many European countries.

With rising third-level fess in Ireland, the other big attraction in Europe is fees, or lack of same.

Third-level education in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland is free of fees. Fees of less than €2,000 apply in the Netherlands (where students can also apply for low-cost 35-year loans for fees and living expenses). In some countries, including Denmark, students working part-time for 12 hours or more a week can get grants of up to €750 a month.

It’s a far cry from Ireland, with ever- increasing fees and a pressurised points race, exacerbated by colleges manipulating points requirements upwards by creating a larger number of courses with a small number of places.

For those considering the European option, the European Universities Central Application Support Service (Eunicas) is a great resource, with information on availability, advice on options and application support (see eunicas.ie).

Even at this late stage there are possibilities of applying for college in continental European colleges for this autumn. "Though applications are closed for many programmes, particularly in the research universities in the Netherlands and in Denmark, there are still places available on a tantalising range of programmes," says Guy Flouch, head of Eunicas.

“In the Netherlands, applications are still open until the end of the month for many programmes at universities of applied sciences, in areas such as law, business, IT, hotel management, engineering and tourism. If you are quick, some of the excellent engineering programmes in Denmark are available.

“In Poland there are still opportunities in medicine, physiotherapy, archaeology and veterinary science. Several programmes have February start dates, including some of the popular liberal arts and sciences programmes in the Netherlands. In science you can still apply to biochemistry in Austria, and biotechnology, or pharmacy in Italy.

“Look closely at the vacancies on the Eunicas site and you might find a gem.”