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Study in Ireland

Two years to stay and work after an Irish master's

Ireland is a member of the European Union and uses the euro, but it is not part of the Schengen Area, so permission to study in Ireland stands on its own and carries no travel rights elsewhere in Europe.

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Ireland1437 programmes · 82 universities
8Universities listed
$1,500Avg. monthly living cost
IELTS 5.5–8.0 overall, depending on programmeEnglish requirement
DublinCapital city1,437English-taught programmes

Overview

Why study in Ireland?

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Ireland is a member of the European Union and uses the euro, but it is not part of the Schengen Area, so permission to study in Ireland stands on its own and carries no travel rights elsewhere in Europe. Irish qualifications sit on the National Framework of Qualifications, where an honours bachelor's degree is Level 8 and a master's is Level 9, and that level decides how long you may stay to work once you finish. The university sector has been reshaped recently: five technological universities, TU Dublin, MTU, TUS, ATU and SETU, were formed from 2019 by merging the older institutes of technology, and NUI Galway became University of Galway in 2022, so older names still appear on some listings. Ireland has no states or administrative provinces; its 26 counties are the working unit, while Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster are traditional groupings only.

Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance.

Language of instruction
English / Irish
Tuition fees
EUR 2,955 – 64,000 / year
Avg monthly cost
$1,500 / month (approx.)
English test
IELTS 5.5–8.0 overall, depending on programme
Top student cities
Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick
Currency
EUR
Dublin · Wikimedia

Where students go

Top student cities

From the capital to quieter university towns — where our Ireland students actually enrol.

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  • Dublin3 universities · 420 programmes
  • Cork1 university · 244 programmes
  • Galway1 university · 145 programmes
  • Limerick1 university · 256 programmes
  • Waterford1 university · 271 programmes

City photographs from Wikimedia Commons · Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford

Before you travel

Student visa

Get your student visa with a simple and transparent process.

Study permission in Ireland is granted as Stamp 2, and it requires your course to appear on the current Interim List of Eligible Programmes, so confirm the specific programme is on that list before you accept an offer. The amount of money you must show is tiered rather than a single flat figure, and for applicants from India it is assessed at the visa stage.

Read the full guidance

Ireland is in the European Union but outside the Schengen Area, so an Irish study visa does not allow travel to Schengen countries. It does not allow entry to the United Kingdom either: the British-Irish Visa Scheme covers short-stay visit visas only, and the Common Travel Area is an arrangement between citizens rather than a right that comes with a student permission.

  1. 1Apply to a universitySecure your admission offer
  2. 2Prepare your documentsWe check every page with you
  3. 3Submit the applicationLodged with the consulate or online
  4. 4Receive your permitTravel with your study permit in hand

Documents we prepare with you

  • Valid passport
  • Admission letter
  • Proof of funds
  • Academic certificates
  • Passport photos

While you study

Work while studying

Earn, gain experience and build your future.

  • After you graduate, how long you may stay to look for work depends on the level of your qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications: twelve months after an award at Level 8, an honours bachelor's degree, and twenty-four months after Level 9 or above, which includes a taught master's.
  • A one-year taught master's therefore carries twice the post-study permission of a three-year honours bachelor's degree, which is worth weighing when you choose the level you apply for.

Work today, build tomorrow

Our counsellors explain the hours, permits and paperwork before you land.

Funding

Scholarships and funding

Programmes in Ireland that list a scholarship on our catalogue.

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Programmes

Top programmes in Ireland

Popular programs from our catalogue — Empire Overseas Education verified ones carry a verified badge

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Institutions

Top universities in Ireland

Institutions we can apply to on your behalf.

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Compare Ireland with other countries

Tuition, living costs and work rights, side by side.

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Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common questions about studying in Ireland.

What are the tuition fees in Ireland?
Programmes on our catalogue for Ireland range from EUR 2,955 – 64,000 per year. Fees are set by each university and programme.
What are the living costs in Ireland?
Budget around $1,500 a month for accommodation, food and transport. Costs vary by city.
Is IELTS required for Ireland?
IELTS 5.5–8.0 overall, depending on programme. English-test requirement derived from 835 of our 1001 verified Ireland programmes. Individual programmes set their own; your counsellor confirms the exact score.
Can I work while studying in Ireland?
After you graduate, how long you may stay to look for work depends on the level of your qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications: twelve months after an award at Level 8, an honours bachelor's degree, and twenty-four months after Level 9 or above, which includes a taught master's. A one-year taught master's therefore carries twice the post-study permission of a three-year honours bachelor's degree, which is worth weighing when you choose the level you apply for.
Which cities do international students choose?
Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford
How does the student visa work for Ireland?
Study permission in Ireland is granted as Stamp 2, and it requires your course to appear on the current Interim List of Eligible Programmes, so confirm the specific programme is on that list before you accept an offer. The amount of money you must show is tiered rather than a single flat figure, and for applicants from India it is assessed at the visa stage. Ireland is in the European Union but outside the Schengen Area, so an Irish study visa does not allow travel to Schengen countries. It does not allow entry to the United Kingdom either: the British-Irish Visa Scheme covers short-stay visit visas only, and the Common Travel Area is an arrangement between citizens rather than a right that comes with a student permission.