Working in Ireland during and after your degree
Working during your degree
20 hours a week in term, 40 hours a week in June to September and mid-December to mid-January. Wages: €13.50 an hour national minimum wage (2025).
Working after you graduate
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.
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.
Sectors hiring graduates
| Sector | Demand |
|---|---|
| Technology and software | High |
| Pharmaceuticals and medical devices | High |
| Financial services and fintech | High |
| Healthcare and nursing | High |
| Construction and engineering | Medium to high |
| Hospitality and tourism | Medium |
Subjects that lead to these jobs
Figures 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.
Get this checked for your case
Rules change and every application is different. A counsellor confirms the current position for your country and course. Free.
Talk to a counsellorRelated questions
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.