Talk to a counsellor Search Apply
Where to study

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.

2 yearsThird Level Graduate Programme stay-back after a master's (1 year after a bachelor's)
EU memberthe only English-speaking country fully in the European Union
20 hourspart-time work a week during term, 40 in holidays
No feewe charge students nothing for any of this

Why 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.

Strong subjects

Computer science and data analyticsBusiness and financePharmaceutical and biomedical scienceEngineeringNursingDigital marketingCybersecuritySupply chain

Intakes and deadlines

IntakeWhat to know
SeptemberMain intake. Apply from October for the following year.
JanuarySome master's and most private colleges.

Working while you study

20 hours a week in term, 40 hours a week in June to September and mid-December to mid-January. Minimum wage €13.50 an hour national minimum wage (2025).

What it costs

Indicative figures for 2026/27. €1,100 to €1,800 a month, with Dublin at the top of the range

TuitionA year
Undergraduate€10,000 to €25,000
Postgraduate€10,000 to €25,000
Living costA month in €
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

Student visa

  1. Accept the offer and pay the required part of the fees
  2. Apply online through AVATS and post documents to the embassy or VFS
  3. Wait 4 to 8 weeks for a decision
  4. On arrival, register with immigration for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card
  5. Renew the permission each year until you graduate

Visa rules change without much notice. Everything here is checked against the official guidance, but confirm the current position before you apply. We do that with you as part of the application.

Visa guidance

Universities in Ireland

Open one to see courses, fees, entry requirements and intakes.

University of LimerickLimerickView Dublin City UniversityDublinView Griffith College DublinDublinView

Questions 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.

Thinking about Ireland?

Send us your results and your budget. We will tell you what you can get into, and what it will really cost.

Apply nowTalk to a counsellor