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International Students
The International Office at Empower Colleges
The International Office at Empower Colleges provides:
- Information and Support to International students prior to their arrival in Ireland
- Provide assistance to international students in the areas of accommodation, travel, academic and social life
- Ongoing assistance to Empower Colleges International students while studying in Ireland
- Information for prospective international students.
Further details from Empower Colleges International Office may be obtained from:
Karen Moore, International Student Office
Telephone: + 353 (0)56 77 56736
Email: karen@empowercolleges.ie
Why chose Ireland as your study destination?
- The Irish education system is among the best in Europe. Education has been a key factor in making Ireland one of the fastest growing economies in the world over the past decade.
- The Irish are renowned worldwide for their friendliness and hospitality.
- Ireland is packed with exciting villages and towns, historic castles, beautiful natural scenery and vibrant cities for great weekend trips away.
- Despite being an English-speaking nation, Ireland has a distinctively rich cultural heritage with its own music, culture, and sports.
About Kilkenny
Empower Colleges is situated in Kilkennny city (approx 1hour 15mins from Dublin)
Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most attractive small cities. The city is steeped in history and is internationally renowned as a centre for craft and design. Kilkenny city offers students plenty to do during their spare time from studying. There are a wide range of shops, restaurants, historical sites and social and leisure amenities to keep students busy and enjoying their time in Kilkenny.
Accommodation and Living Costs in Kilkenny
Kilkenny city is extremely cost effective for International students to come and study in. Accommodation and living costs are much lower in Kilkenny than in the larger UK and Irish cities. There is a good supply of quality student accommodation in Kilkenny City. The main types of accommodation include private residential self-catering in houses or apartments. Some of the most popular online accommodation sites for Kilkenny include:
Living Costs in Kilkenny are much lower than larger UK and Irish cities. Prices are much more competitive in Kilkenny and students receive greater value for their money. Approximate living costs including accomodation for a student in Kilkenny would be in the region of €600 to €800/month. This figure does however depend on each individual students needs.
Can I work in Ireland while studying here?
If you are from an EU/EEA country, you can work in Ireland without a work permit.
However, if you are from outside of these areas, you must be registered as a full-time student on a course leading to a recognised qualification in order to work legally in Ireland. Full details of all recognised courses by the Department of Education are available on the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland website in the Internationalisation Register section.
Non EU/EEA students who are studying a course leading to a qualification which is recognised by the Irish Department of Education and Science are entitled to work 20 hours per week and up to 40 hours per week during the College holidays.
The entitlement to take up employment ceases once your student visa runs out. Following completion of your studies, if you wish to continue employment, you will require a work permit.
All employees in Ireland have a PPS number for tax purposes. You must apply for a PPS number first before you gain employment. You can acquire one of these numbers by application through your local social welfare office.
We strongly advise students to regard study as a full-time activity. The courses in Empower Colleges are intensive and require a lot of effort by our students. This is especially so for those whose first language is not English.
Do I need a visa to come to Ireland?
There are certain countries which require an entry visa for Ireland. Full details of countries whose citizens do not require an entry visa is available from the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service.
Once you have applied and been offered a course of study in Empower Colleges you should apply for this entry visa. International Students should submit evidence that the annual tuition fee has been paid in full with their study visa application.
Visa applications should be made to the Irish Embassy or Consulate in the Country in which you reside. If there is no embassy or consulate you can make the application to your nearest Irish Embassy or consulate or direct to the visa Office, Dept. of Foreign Affairs, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
Although you may apply for your visa through the Department of Foreign Affairs, the decision on visa applications is made by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Important: You should allow 6-8 weeks for your application to be processed if applying from abroad.
Full information on applying for a visa is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice.
