International Parent and Guardian FAQs

• Promotes greater confidence, independence and self-sufficiency.
• Gives students an opportunity to see parts of the world and meet people whom they might otherwise never meet.
• Helps students gain in-depth exposure to another culture in a way that cannot be accomplished on a vacation or holiday.
• Exposes students to a new way of learning and studying.
• All qualifications from MIC are fully recognised worldwide, through the Irish National Framework of Qualifications and the European Credit Transfer System, allowing for further study or for international employment.

• Campus Accommodation - MIC students can choose to live in comfortable, welcoming and low-cost accommodation within very close proximity to MIC. Students will have the option of staying in MIC managed accommodation beside campus or nearby private company student accommodation options. All accommodation has self-catering facilities and students have their own single rooms. 
• Airport pick up: Students are collected from Shannon International Airport and advised on how to travel from Dublin airport to Limerick city where they will be collected each semester prior to orientation
• Tailored Orientation Programme: Tailored orientation programmes are offered to international students to ensure a smooth transition to college life in Ireland and Academic Advisors assist incoming international students with their subject selection. We offer a tailored orientation programme each semester. The programme includes day-time and evening events and takes place prior to the first week of classes. It is an ideal way to settle in, meet other students and familiarise yourself with the campus before lectures start!
• The MIC International Office organises a number of off campus activities each semester.
• Excellent support services: We encourage students to keep in touch with the International Office while on campus. We offer information and advice on immigration, accommodation and culture.
• The MIC experience is unique, giving students a home away from home and an international network of friends that will last a lifetime. Limerick, which is Ireland's leading third-largest city, is a safe and welcoming student focused city.
• MIC offers a range of holistic supports, both personal and academic, designed to help students if/when they may need them: Academic Learning Centre; Chaplaincy; Counselling Service; Health Promotion Unit; Medical Centre and the active MIC Students’ Union MISU.
• International students can find out about country specific student visa requirements here. Student visas also entitle students to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week outside the semester.
• Tuition fees at MIC are just €11,128 per year for our international students. Our dedicated Student Fees Office is also happy to arrange a payment plan for students so tuition payments can be broken down into smaller, more manageable increments.
• MIC has a thriving clubs and societies culture on campus with students availing of our excellent sports facilities, student recreational areas and our 500 seater fully operational performing arts theatre- the Lime Tree Theatre.

According to the 2020 Global Peace Index, Ireland is ranked the 12th most peaceful country in the world. MIC is located in a quite suburb, just a short walk from the social and cultural buzz of Limerick City centre and one of the city’s largest shopping malls. The College's leafy 25-acre campus combines architecture from past and present that makes it truly unique.

During orientation, we advise students on the best ways of staying safe and provide them with lots of useful information, including contact details in the unlikely event of an emergency and details of the various support services available to them. We also advise students of the importance of responsible behaviour, especially with regard to alcohol consumption. Please note that the legal age for the consumption of alcohol in Ireland (as in the rest of the European Union) is 18.

Students are asked to check in regularly with their family by phone/text or e-mail. Students are given a list of emergency contact phone numbers, which they can dial in the event of an emergency.

In addition, cell phones (mobile phones) are quite inexpensive in Ireland and most students use these to keep in contact. For many parents, simply knowing that they can reach their son or daughter at any time, day or night, reduces anxiety considerably.

Please follow the links below for the cost of living estimates when studying at MIC

and living in Limerick:

https://www.mic.ul.ie/international/study-in-ireland/essential-information/the-basics

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Limerick

• Take a look at the pre-arrival pack with your family member so that you understand both what has been provided and what is expected of them prior to departure.
• Encourage your family member to be proactive in their pre-departure preparations. Students sometimes tend to leave preparations to the last minute, which could cause needless stress and hassle. Be supportive of their feelings and reactions to their new environment, but try to keep an open mind when they report on living conditions or the city, especially in the first few days when they are likely to be overtired and suffering from jet lag.
• Keep in touch with them on a regular basis for your own peace of mind. We recommend a phone call/text or a couple of email messages per week.
• Encourage them to make the most of their experience abroad by getting involved in campus life at MIC. Joining one of the many clubs or societies is a good way to start this.
• Be aware that just as a student goes through a period of adjustment at the start of their time abroad, many go through a similar, difficult period of "re-adjustment" when returning home. We provide an orientation programme before the start of each semester for all international students. We also provide a re-entry/pre-departure session for short-stay students (Study Abroad) prior to their departure from MIC.
• Please understand that if your family member has had a full experience living and learning overseas, they will likely have grown more independent to some extent and may have difficulty returning to old routines.

If you wish to get in touch with your family member or have any questions about the programme, you can contact the International Office by telephone or email. For data protection reasons, we will never share information about your family member without their consent. We encourage students to stay in regular contact with their parent/guardian by telephone and email.

Please contact us if you have any questions or queries on our programmes, living in Ireland or the application process:

Contact email: International@mic.ul.ie

Alison.Ryan@mic.ul.ie  I  T: +353 61 204988 

Sandra.Wagner@mic.ul.ie  I  T: +353 61 204334