Netherlands vs. Ireland: Which is the Better Study-Abroad Destination?

Thousands of international students choose to pursue higher education in the Netherlands and Ireland each year. It is not surprising, because these nations are home to some of the most prestigious and prominent universities in the world. It can become daunting to choose between these two countries for pursuing higher education as both of them are known for offering world-class education and a wide range of career opportunities. But you can put all your confusion aside as we will put an end to the Netherlands vs. Ireland debate in this blog. We will evaluate both countries and finally conclude which one is the best study-abroad destination. 

Parameters	Netherlands	Ireland
Area	41,850 KM²	84,421 KM²
Currency	Euro (€)	Euro (€)
Capital	Amsterdam	Dublin
Total Higher Education Providers	145	22
Total Indian Students Studying	55	4,000
Average Cost of Living	€800 – €1000 Per Month	€1,000 – €1,500 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	€6,000 – €20,000 Per Year	€12,000 Per Annum
Popular Job Sectors	IT professional, Engineering jobs, Finance sector, and Healthcare jobs.	Technology, Accounting and Finance, Construction, Creative Design, Web Development, Nursing, and Business Skills.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	16 Hours Per Week	Up To 40 Hours Per Week During Holidays and 20 hours Per Week During the School Year

Top Universities: Netherlands vs Ireland

Choosing the right university is a stepping stone to a bright career. We have provided below a list of list of best universities in the Netherlands and Ireland. We will conclude which country is home to the best universities towards the end of this section. The nation with the higher-ranked universities will be awarded +2 points in this section. 

Universities in the Netherlands 

Have a look at some of the best universities in the Netherlands:

Top Universities in the Netherlands	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Delft University of Technology	47	70
University of Amsterdam	53	60
Utrecht University	107	66
Eindhoven University of Technology	124	201–250
Leiden University	126	77
University of Groningen	139	75
Wageningen University and Research Centre	151	59
Erasmus University Rotterdam	176	80
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam	207	121
University of Twente	210	251–300
Radboud University	222	139
Maastricht University	256	145
Tilburg University	371	251–300

Universities in Ireland 

The table below provides a list of top universities in Ireland:

Top Universities in the Ireland	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin	81	17
University College Dublin	171	201–250
University of Galway	289	301–350
University College Cork	292	301–350
Dublin City University	436	401–500
University of Limerick	426
Maynooth University	801-850	401–500

Which Country is Better?

The tables above demonstrate that universities in the Netherlands hold a higher rank in comparison to Ireland. Hence, we will grant a score of +2 to the Netherlands in this round of our Netherlands vs. Ireland contest. 

Also Read: Part-Time Job Opportunities In Netherlands

Admission Requirements

You need to carefully assess the criteria for both the Netherlands and Ireland before you embark on pursuing education in any of these countries. In this section, we will understand the eligibility criteria for gaining admission to the universities in each country. 

Admission Requirements For Netherlands

If you want to gain admission to the universities in the Netherlands, you have to provide the documents listed below: 

• GMAT (minimum 550) or GRE (minimum 310 to 330) score,
• Mark sheets of Class 10, 12, and the bachelor’s degree (if applicable),
• TOEFL results (at least 550 for paper-based or 213 for internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score of 6),
• Results of Dutch language test Staatsexamen NT2 only for enrolment for programs in Dutch,
• The student must score a minimum of 75% in class 12, 
• Two letters of recommendation (LOR) from the employer/manager (if you have work experience),
• Motivation Letter,
• Proof of funds,
• Resume,
• Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses or architecture programs),
• Others (Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities),
• A copy of your passport, and
• Health insurance.

Admission Requirements For Ireland

The following are the criteria for attending Irish universities:

• Applicants need to have a current passport. 
• A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 is needed, as is a TOEFL iBT score of 90, a PTE score of 36 (UG), a PTE score of 63 (PG), and a Cambridge ESOL score of C1 or C2.
• Students are required to have a medical insurance policy of at least €25,000.
• The applicants are also required to provide proof of sufficient funds.
• You must additionally provide specific documents, such as: 

1. A letter from a college confirming your acceptance
2. Two passport pictures
3. Receipt as verification of registration and payment of tuition fees
4. Additional university-specific requirements

Which Country is Better?

As we can see, admission requirements for Indian students are generally easier in Ireland compared to the Netherlands. As a result, in this round of our Netherlands vs. Ireland contest, we will give Ireland +2 points. 

Also Read: List of MBA Scholarships in the Netherlands

Tuition Fees

We will see which country has the lowest cost of education. The country with the lowest cost of education will be granted a score of +2 points. So, let’s understand the tuition fee structure in the Netherlands and Ireland. 

Tuition Fees in the Netherlands

The average annual tuition fees in the Netherlands as per the website of the universities in the nation are listed in the table provided below: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€6,000 – €15,000
Postgraduate	€8,000 – €20,000
Doctoral	€6,000 – €20,000

Tuition Fees in Ireland 

The average annual tuition fees in Ireland as per the website of the universities in the country are listed in the table provided below: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€9,000 to €26,000
Postgraduate	€9,000 to €35,000
Doctoral	€9,000 to €40,000

Which Country is Better?

The tables above demonstrate that the tuition fees in the Netherlands are lower than in Ireland. As a result, the Netherlands will receive a +2 score in this section of our Netherlands vs. Ireland contest. 

Also Read: PhD in the Netherlands

Living Expenses

It is crucial to understand the cost of living in your destination country well in advance before you go there to pursue education. In this section, we will compare the cost of living in the Netherlands to that in Ireland. 

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

According to Numbeo’s website, the cost of living in the Netherlands is as follows:

Monthly Rent	€967.26 – €1,817.26
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€3,669.49 – €5,044.22
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€80.95
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€277.51

Cost of Living in Ireland 

According to Numbeo’s website, the cost of living in Ireland is as follows: 

Monthly Rent	€1,240.15 – €2,483.62
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€3,454 – €4,765.23
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€100
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€276.21

Which Country is Better?

Living expenses for Indian students can vary, but they are generally lower in Ireland compared to the Netherlands. Hence, Ireland will be granted +2 points in this round of our Netherlands vs. Ireland contest. 

Also Read: Chemical Engineering in Australia: Salary, Jobs, Courses, Companies

Work Permit and PR

Students often pursue education abroad to find employment and obtain permanent residency. Let’s see the easiness of obtaining a work visa and permanent residency in the Netherlands and Ireland. 

Work Permit in the Netherlands 

In the Netherlands, a work permit is granted as follows:

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in the Netherlands:

• You need to possess a valid employment contract with a Dutch employer.
• If you are an employee over the age of 23, you have to earn at least the minimum wage. 
• Your employer has to demonstrate that the post could not be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national.

Apply for a Work Permit in the Netherlands:

You need to apply for a visa in person at the Dutch mission, embassy, or consulate in your nation of residence. In case it’s not possible, you can contact a Dutch mission in another country. The processing time for a work permit in the Netherlands can range anywhere from 2 weeks to 90 days. 

PR in the Netherlands

Non-EEA residents who have stayed in the Netherlands for over 5 years can apply for permanent residence in the Netherlands.

Work Permit in Ireland

Let’s understand how a work permit is given in Ireland:

Eligibility for a Work Permit in Ireland

Students have to meet the criteria listed below to receive a work permit in Ireland. 

• The candidates need to be hired temporarily. They might also receive a bid from an Irish company. 
• The company has to clear the Labour Markets Needs Test in case the applicant is applying for a work visa (other than a Critical Skills Employment visa). 
• This test implies that the Irish-descent employer was not able to fill the vacant position with a qualified Irish or EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
• To become eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, candidates have to earn at least €30,000 or €80,000 per year. This is decided by the kind of work they seek. 
• Applicants for General Work Permits need to have a minimum yearly salary of €30,000.
• The minimum annual wage has to meet the National Minimum Wage, except for the Critical Skills Employment Permit and the General Employment Permit. 
• The Irish-based company that hires the work visa applicant needs to employ at least 50% of its personnel from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.

Steps to Apply for a Work Permit in Ireland

First of all, identify which type of work permit you wish to apply for. After figuring out the required work permit, the applicant has to complete the associated application form. Applicants have to be patient while they wait for an update on the status of their work visa in Ireland. 

The work permit for Ireland takes about 13 weeks to process. You are able to check the status of your work visa for Ireland on the DBEI website, You can pick up your visa after it has been accepted.

PR in Ireland 

In case you are a non-EEA national who has been legally living in Ireland for the last 5 years and has a work permit, you are most likely to be eligible for permanent residence in Ireland.

Which Country is Better?

Obtaining a Permanent Residency (PR) can be easier in the Netherlands compared to Ireland, but specific requirements and processes can vary based on individual circumstances and immigration policies. Hence, the Netherlands receives +2 points in this section of our Netherlands vs. Ireland contest. 

Also Read: How To Choose The Right Study Abroad Destination

Average Salaries: Netherlands vs. Ireland 

The average annual salary after graduation is €46,665 in the Netherlands, according to WeAreDevelopers. On the other hand, it is around €56,870 after postgraduation, as per Glassdoor. In Ireland, the average salary after graduation is €33,383 to €50,000 per year, whereas it is €65,000 per year after postgraduation. 

Which Country is Better?

As we can see from the above comparison, salary in Ireland is higher than in the Netherlands. Hence, Ireland will be given +2 points in this round of the Netherlands vs. Ireland. 

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Other Major Elements

Now, let’s dive into some other important considerations one must keep in mind while choosing a study-abroad destination. So, here are some of these important factors: 

Climate

The Netherlands has a mild maritime climate. This kind of climate is distinguished by chilly summers and warm winters. The country doesn’t have any dry season, and precipitation is common throughout the year. In the case of Ireland, its climate is greatly impacted by the Atlantic Ocean. So, the warm ocean currents keep the temperatures temperate in the country. 

Safety

The Netherlands is typically regarded as a very safe nation. Crimes such as narcotics, murder, and other forms of human hostility are exceedingly rare in the country. Ireland is also known to be a very safe country for international students. But it is important to take caution and follow the local guidelines and suggestions. 

Culture for International Students

The Netherlands is renowned for its openness to international students. The country’s culture is very diverse, and the Dutch people are known for their kindness and warmth. On the other hand, Ireland is famous for its thriving cultural traditions, magnificent castles, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. 

Also Read: Best Universities in Ireland

Conclusion

When the overall scores of the Netherlands and Ireland are computed, we discover that the Netherlands and Ireland both obtained 6 points. As a result, its a tie!

It is really important, however, to recognise that both the Netherlands and Ireland have merits and demerits. It is recommended that you select a degree or field of study before applying to any country’s universities. Evaluate the facilities for education and financial aid available for the degree of your choice to make a better-informed decision. Nonetheless, both the Netherlands and Ireland are excellent study-abroad destinations. 

Also Read: MBA in Ireland

FAQs

So, this was all about the Netherlands vs. Ireland. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.