Study in Ireland
English-speaking, inside the EU, home to the European headquarters of the world's biggest tech companies, with a two-year stay-back for master's graduates.
Why students choose Ireland
Ireland gives you the English-speaking, one-year master's model of the UK with EU membership and a tech job market out of proportion to its size. Google, Meta, Apple, Pfizer and hundreds of others run European operations from Dublin and Cork. Degrees are recognised across Europe, and the graduate stay-back is generous. Dublin rents are the catch, so we help students look at Limerick, Galway and Cork too.
Intakes
Main intake. Apply from October for the following year.
Some master's and most private colleges.
What international students study in Ireland
After you graduate
Under the Third Level Graduate Programme, master's and PhD graduates get a 24-month Stamp 1G permission to look for work and take a job without a permit; bachelor's graduates get 12 months. Many then move to a Critical Skills Employment Permit, which leads to long-term residence after two years.
Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)
24 months after a master's or PhD, 12 months after an honours bachelor's. Work without a permit while you look for a role that qualifies for a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit.
Part-time work
20 hours a week in term, 40 hours a week in June to September and mid-December to mid-January. Wages of €13.50 an hour national minimum wage (2025).
Employment by sector
Technology and software (high), Pharmaceuticals and medical devices (high), Financial services and fintech (high). Full picture.
What it costs to study in Ireland
Living costs of €1,100 to €1,800 a month, with Dublin at the top of the range. Tuition of €10,000 to €25,000 for undergraduate and €10,000 to €25,000 for postgraduate study. Medicine and some business school programmes run higher. Many universities take a €500 to €1,000 tuition deposit.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €600 to €1,300 (Dublin highest; purpose-built halls fill early) |
| Food and groceries | €250 to €350 |
| Transport | €60 to €120 with a Student Leap Card |
| Utilities and phone | €80 to €150 |
| Health insurance | €50 to €70, compulsory private cover |
Fees and costs are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Long stay 'D' study visa (visa-required nationals) and IRP registration
Documents you will need
- Letter of acceptance showing course, fees paid and duration
- Proof of funds and, if used, a loan sanction letter
- Private medical insurance
- Evidence of English ability if required
- Letter of application explaining your study plan
- Passport, photos, prior education documents
Funding for international students in Ireland
| Scholarship | What it offers | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship | €10,000 plus a fee waiver for one year, for 60 high-achieving students. | HEA |
| University merit scholarships | €2,000 to €5,000 fee reductions based on grades at UCD, UCC, TCD, UL, DCU, Galway and more. | Universities |
| Early payment discounts | Some technological universities discount fees paid in full before arrival. | Universities |
Ireland in eight facts
Ireland is the only English-speaking country fully inside the EU after Brexit.
Most of the biggest US technology companies have their European base in Ireland.
Universities award degrees on the National Framework of Qualifications; a master's is Level 9.
Rain is frequent but rarely heavy; a good jacket matters more than an umbrella.
The Student Leap Card discounts buses, trams and trains.
Public health care is not free for students, so insurance is required.
Gaelic games, trad music sessions and a strong society culture shape student life.
Ireland's population is among the youngest in Europe.
Where to study in Ireland
Everything else about studying in Ireland
Student visa
How to get a Ireland student visa: fees, funds, documents and timeline
Cost of studying
What it costs to study in Ireland: tuition, living and one-off fees
Cost of living
Monthly cost of living for students in Ireland
Scholarships
Scholarships for international students in Ireland
Work after graduation
Working in Ireland during and after your degree
Education system
How the Irish education system works
Student life
Student life in Ireland: housing, work, weather and culture
Best student cities
Best cities to study in Ireland
Exams required
Which exams you need to study in Ireland
Master's degrees
Studying a master's in Ireland
Studying in Ireland: what students ask
How much money do I need for an Irish student visa?
You must show €10,000 in accessible funds plus fee payment, and recent guidance points to €12,000 for courses longer than a year. Money in your own or your parents' account, or a sanctioned education loan, is accepted.
Can I stay in Ireland after my master's?
Yes. Stamp 1G gives master's graduates 24 months to work and look for a permit-qualifying job. Roles on the Critical Skills list (most tech, engineering, health) lead to a permit and, after two years, Stamp 4 residence.
Is a study gap accepted in Ireland?
Universities accept gaps with an explanation. Immigration looks at whether the study plan makes sense; a clear letter of application and evidence of what you did in the gap usually resolves it.
Ready to plan Ireland?
A counsellor who knows this country's rules builds you a shortlist and a timeline. Free.