What is EUNiCAS?
EUNiCAS, the European University Central Application Support Service enables Irish and UK students to apply to up to eight degree programmes, taught through English, in universities across Europe.
It was set up to assist the ever- increasing numbers of Irish and UK students who cannot access their preferred university course at home. It also helps students whose primary objective is to study abroad. EUNiCAS does not charge universities for listing its programmes in its database. The EUNiCAS website, www.eunicas.ie, features detailed information on over 240 universities across continental Europe. The head of EUNiCAS is Guy Flouch, a Guidance Counsellor, based in Ennis, Co. Clare and has over 20 years’ experience working for third level institutions.
The most popular European destinations for Irish students are: the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. Irish Students are studying courses, throughout Europe, in Psychology, Politics, Business Management, Science, Medicine and Law to name a few. There are over 850 courses to choose from on the EUNiCAS database.
What are the advantages of choosing to study abroad?
· Free or low fees: many feel that studying abroad will work out expensive but this not the case in many of the Universities. The cost of attending many universities is often much lower than registering for an equivalent programme in Ireland or the UK. There are no fees for UK ( pending Brexit) and Irish students studying in the four Scandinavian countries, or Germany. In the Netherlands, fees are just over €2000 pa. Fees are also low in Italy. Some countries offer Tuition Fee Loans, where there are fees, with generous repayment terms. Irish students who are qualified for SUSI Maintenance Grants can take them with them, to public programmes in Continental Europe.
· Excellent quality of education: Many of the Universities offering these programmes are highly ranked Universities. Germany and The Netherlands have some of the highest- ranking Universities in the world. Nine of the Dutch Universities are higher ranked than Trinity College Dublin. This ensures applicants that they are gaining a high standard of education that is recognised worldwide.
· Availability of places: many EU countries work on the grounds that you have a right to a third level education if you meet the minimum entry requirements. Some courses use selection procedures such as a test, an interview or submission of a Letter of Motivation. The requirements are much lower than those being set by Irish and UK universities. For example, to study Physiotherapy, at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences in Finland, applicants are required to have six subjects at Leaving Certificate including at least two 2 at H5, to include Maths. They also sit an entrance exam. This is completely different to the high points needed to study Physiotherapy here in Ireland. Another example, to study Medicine, at Universita degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata in Italy, applicants need six passes at Leaving Cert., 2 at H5, which should preferably include a Science subject., and sit the IMAT test. This is much more manageable compared to the entry requirements for Medicine here in Ireland.
· Taught through English: Students can study degree programmes in a full range of subjects, through the English language. The lectures and books are in English. The Lecturers and other students are all fluent in English.
Studying abroad is not for everyone but it is an option for some. To begin your research, go to www.eunicas.ie . If you would like more information on the EUNiCAS system or if you would like help with your application, contact McCullagh Careers today at info@mccullaghcareers.ie or 0872120527.