Study in Ireland - Cost, Intakes, Eligibility, Scholarships, visa requirements
Ireland is one of the popular study abroad destinations in Europe for international students. The factors that make Ireland worth considering are the safe environment and also the fact that English is the medium of instruction. The country has some of the best universities that offer courses in subjects ranging from science, technology, humanities to economics. The universities here encourage innovation and creativity from students.

Apart from this, Ireland is home to top companies in the pharmaceutical, agriculture and technology sectors, which provide multiple job opportunities to students who have completed their education here.
Eligibility to study in Ireland
International students wishing to study in Ireland must have a minimum score of 60% in the qualifying exam. You must have completed 18 years in order to apply for an undergraduate course.
If you are applying for a masters program then you have finished a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject.
Visa requirements to study in Ireland
Ireland has two types of student visas:
C study visa: You will have to apply for this visa if you plan to study in Ireland for less than three months. This short stay visa is used by those who wish to participate in a training program or course that is of duration of 90 days or less.
D study visa: You will have to apply for this visa if you enroll for a course that is longer than three months. This is the visa usually opted by international students.
Documents required
A valid Passport
Two passport size photos
Letter stating your acceptance into a college
Receipt as proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees
Proof of having adequate funds
Certificate proving proficiency in English language such as IELTS or a similar test
Medical insurance policy with a value of at least 25,000 Euros
Additional requirements as stated by the university
When to apply
Universities in Ireland have two intakes in a year. These are also called a semester in some universities.
Intake 1 or Fall Semester- Begins in September
Intake 2 or Spring Semester- Begins in January
How to choose university/ course to study in Ireland
Here are some basic steps to study as an international student in Ireland
List down the colleges and courses
Contact the colleges or visit the website for more information
Shortlist the universities where you wish to study
Write your SOP and arrange for your LORS
Make your registration at the Central Applications Office
Make application at colleges that match your interests
Cost of education and living costs to study in Ireland
The tuition fees to study in Ireland varies based on the country the student belongs to. Students from the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK will incur the same tuition costs as Irish students. The tuition fees will be around 3000 Euros for such students.
However if it is the first degree that these students are studying and there is no repetition of a year or semester, then the fees will be paid by the Higher Education Authority or HEA that comes under the Irish government’s department of Higher Education and Skills.
Students from outside these countries will have to pay their own fees. The tuition fees for these students is not regulated by the Irish government.
The tuition fees vary based on the course, duration of study and the level of study. The fees can range between 9900 Euros to 34,000 Euros. Undergraduate course fees are payable every semester while postgraduate program fees have to be paid on an annual basis.
Living expenses in Ireland
The living expenses for a student in Ireland will vary depending on the city or location he is studying in. Here is the average cost of living in the popular student destinations in the country
Dublin | 1,100-1,800 Euros per month |
Galway | 800-1,100 Euros per month |
Cork | 860-1,400 Euros per month |
If personal expenses are included, the average living cost for an international student comes up to 5000 to 9000 Euros per month.
Scholarships to study in Ireland
International students have access to a number of scholarships and funding programs offered by either the Irish government, universities or private entities. Every university has a right to establish the criteria for giving scholarships so before you apply to study in an Irish university check on this aspect as well.
Here is a list of scholarships available to international students
Irish Aid funded Fellowship Training Programme
DIT Centenary Scholarship Programme
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology scholarships
Claddagh Scholarship Programme (Chinese students)
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS)
Law PhD Scholarship Opportunity at DCU
National College of Ireland Scholarships
NUI Galway International Student Scholarships
DCU International Student Scholarships
Maynooth University Scholarships
UCC Excellence Scholarships
UCD Scholarships
Smurfit Business School scholarships
Undergraduate scholarships
Graduate scholarships
UCD USA scholarships
UCD Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship- USA
The Maria Helena Kopschitz Scholarship (MA in Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama, University College Dublin )
UCD Sutherland School of Law
University of Limerick Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Undergraduate Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Study Abroad Scholarships
Best universities in Ireland
According to the QS world university rankings for 2023, here are the top eight universities of Ireland.
Name of University | QS Ranking | |
1 | Trinity College Dublin,University of Dublin | 98 |
2 | University College Dublin | 181 |
3 | National University of Ireland,Galway | 270 |
4 | University College,Cork | 303 |
5 | Dublin City University | 471 |
6 | University of Limerick | 531-540 |
7 | Maynooth University | 801-1000 |
8 | Technological University Dublin | 801-1000 |
Work while studying and post course work options
Students can work part-time while studying. They can work for 20 hours per week and for 40 hours during their vacations.
Post study work options: Students can apply for a post study work permit with a duration of two years once they have completed their studies.
Students who have completed their studies can stay in Ireland for up to 24 months to find a job. Once they find a job, they can apply for a Green Card also known as the Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Top five reasons to study in Ireland
Excellent higher education system: The higher education system in Ireland is of high quality with the Irish government investing in the education system and infrastructure. There are more than 500 programs offered by universities here. The university degrees here are recognised globally.
Part time work opportunities: International students can work part-time during their course. The Irish government provides international students with a Green Card which allows them to work during their studies. Some of the universities here provide excellent internship opportunities to students.
English is the medium of instruction: The courses here are taught in English which is a blessing to international students who wish to study in Ireland as there are no language barriers to overcome.
Courses meet international standards: The courses taught here meet international standards and the students passing out of Irish universities have access to high quality education and training
Easy visa application process: The application process for a student visa is comparatively easy even for non EU and non EEA citizens.
Students can also read :
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - Study in Ireland - Cost, Intakes, Eligibility, Scholarships, visa requirements
Question: Is the IELTS score required to study in Ireland?
Answer:
Irish universities and colleges require a minimum band score of 6.5 from student applicants.
Question: What is the processing time for the Ireland student visa?
Answer:
The processing time varies based on the country the student belongs to. It takes an average of four to eight weeks to process the student visa.
Question: What are the entry requirements for admission to a masters program in Ireland?
Answer:
Students must have completed 15 years of formal education to apply for a masters program. Postgraduate programs have a duration of one year in Ireland.
Question: Can I study in Ireland without IELTS?
Answer:
Yes, it is possible to study in Ireland without IELTS. Some universities accept students without an IELTS score and consider other English proficiency tests. You must check with the university before making your application.
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Questions related to Ireland
Where can I get details about the various UG courses available in various Ireland universities. I am looking for specifically in Humanities stream (Geography, etc.)
Hello aspirant,
Best Universities in Ireland offering UG Humanities courses. Varies courses offered are B.A Hons. in Applied Theology, B.A. Hons. in Digital Humanities and Information Technology, etc.
- Maynooth University
- Dublin Business School
- Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
- University College Dublin
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- University College Cork
- Dublin City University
May this information was helpful to you.
Good Luck!!
what arevthe exams to be written to study masters in Ireland?
Hey there
Your profile suggest that you are a medical aspirant so I am mentioning below about master's medical degree:
- There are various entrance examinations for different universities and colleges for taking admission in PG Medical courses in Ireland.
- These entrance exams include GAMSAT, HPAT, IELTS.
what could be the pay in india after mim from ucd smurfit or Trinity college of Ireland?
Hello aspirant.
you need to select the right countries for the MIM. France, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden have 12–18 month stay back periods during which you can search for a job. You should be able to secure one after an MIM even with limited work experience because the degrees carry a lot of value in those countries. As of 2020, the UK is offering a 2-year stay back period for your job search as well. Hence you can consider these destinations.
what salary can I expect in india after doing mim from Ireland?
The MIM degree takes people in without work experience. Hence the curriculum being exactly like an MBA can work to your disadvantage sometimes. You have great classroom and case-study based knowledge in the areas of strategy, marketing, and finance. However, when an interviewer is thinking about hiring you, he will want to know the prior real-world experience you have with the relevant products/processes you have that will help handle matters effectively at your prospective company.
if I am working in Ireland for 2-3 years with a package of 30000 euros after mim will I be able to get a 24 lacks+ package coming back to india?
Not much information is available regarding the same as the demand keeps changing