Studying a master's in Ireland
Master's degrees in Ireland
Master's: 1 to 2 years. Level 9, taught or research.
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.
Cost
Tuition of €10,000 to €25,000. Medicine and some business school programmes run higher. Many universities take a €500 to €1,000 tuition deposit. Living costs of €1,100 to €1,800 a month, with Dublin at the top of the range.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelor's degree, usually at second-class honours or 55 to 65 percent depending on the university, English at IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, and a statement of purpose. Some programmes add work experience or a portfolio.
Popular master's subjects
After the master's
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.
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.