Study in Ireland

Renowned for its top-ranked universities, Ireland offers over 5,000 internationally recognised qualifications, ensuring a match for every student's interests and career aspirations

If you decide to stay after graduation, you'll have plenty of opportunities, as Ireland is home to an impressive number of international companies. Organisations such as Google, Dell, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, GSK, and Pfizer all have headquarters in the country.

Furthermore, the Emerald Isle provides a safe and friendly place to study. Its traditional Gaelic culture and rich history in the arts, combined with coastal landscapes, unspoiled countryside, and metropolitan cities offer endless leisure opportunities.

Irish universities

Higher education in Ireland is offered by various institutions, including universities, seven Colleges of Education, and 14 Institutes of Technology. Seven of Ireland's universities are state-funded and include:

Dublin City University
Maynooth University
Trinity College Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Galway
University of Limerick

Six institutions feature in the world's top 500 according to QS World University Rankings 2025. Trinity College Dublin is the highest entry, at number 87, followed by:

University College Dublin (126)
University College Cork (joint 273)
University of Galway (joint 273)
Dublin City University (joint 421)
University of Limerick (joint 421).

Popular student cities in Ireland include the capital, Dublin, which has the highest concentration of universities and colleges. Galway on the west coast and Cork on the south coast are also favoured by students.

The academic calendar in Ireland is similar to that of the UK. Typically, the academic year begins in September, continues through December, breaks for Christmas, resumes in January, and concludes in June/July, with a break for Easter in between.

Degree courses in Ireland

Irish universities offer a variety of undergraduate programmes which can be taken on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time courses typically last for three years.

Entry requirements differ among institutions and courses, so it's important to check with your chosen university before applying. Generally, you will need to have completed upper secondary education, hold a valid school leaver's certificate, and demonstrate proficiency in English.

If you are a UK or European Union (EU) student, you will apply for undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Non-EU or international students should directly apply to their chosen institution, either through online application or by downloading an application form and sending it by post.

To find undergraduate courses, visit CAO - Course search.

Masters degrees

Irish Masters programmes typically follow a similar structure to those in the UK and usually take one year to complete. Some research Masters programmes may take two years. During the programme, you will work through modular units of study, complete necessary assessments, and then embark on a dissertation in your final year.

Entry requirements vary between institutions and courses, but most programmes require a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a related discipline.

The majority of postgraduate courses in Ireland are taught in English. If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your proficiency. It is important to understand the entry requirements for the programme you are interested in before applying. If you have any questions, be sure to contact the university for clarification.

To search for postgraduate courses, visit Qualifax - Course search.

PhDs

Irish Doctoral degrees typically last three to four years when pursued fulltime, and you can opt for either 'traditional' or 'structured' programmes. The structured PhD programme encompasses all the academic components of a traditional PhD while also providing additional support through an organised scheme of training and evaluation.

Most PhD programmes are offered at universities, but high-quality courses are also available at Institutes of Technology. To be eligible for a Doctoral course, you will need a 2:1 (upper class) Masters degree in a relevant subject.

Student exchanges

The Turing Scheme is designed for students who want to obtain overseas placements and study abroad at a foreign university. The scheme provides support to thousands of students from schools, colleges, and universities to gain study and work experience abroad. To participate, your university needs to have a formal agreement with a partner university in Ireland. Make sure to verify that your institution is part of the programme and offers the scheme.

Course fees

Tuition fees vary widely for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In most cases, the cost will depend on your course, the institution and whether you're classed as a UK, EU or non-EU student. At both study levels fees for international students are considerably higher.

Undergraduate students from the EU/EEA, UK, and Switzerland attending publicly funded courses in Ireland are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative, meaning they do not have to pay tuition fees. This also applies to students with official refugee status in the country and for those undertaking their first full-time undergraduate course.

If eligible for the scheme, students only need to pay a registration fee of around €3,000 (£2,532). For more details, visit Citizens Information - Third level student fees and charges.

For postgraduate studies in Ireland, the fees are determined annually, so it's best to check your chosen university's website for the most up-to-date information. Fees can range anywhere from €3,000 (£2,532) to €30,000 (£25,290) for a Masters course in Ireland.

Funding to study in Ireland

Financial support in the form of scholarships and bursaries may be available from your chosen university. To find scholarships and check eligibility criteria, visit the individual university websites.

Additionally, financial awards are offered by the government of Ireland and other organisations. You can find a list of available scholarships at Education in Ireland - Scholarships.

The Student Grant Scheme is the primary source of financial aid for undergraduate students. It is divided into two parts: maintenance grants and fee grants. Maintenance grants cover students' general living costs, while fee grants are designed to cover tuition fees, the cost of field trips, or student contributions.

To be eligible for a student grant, you must be a national of an EEA member state or Switzerland or have immigration status or leave to remain. Postgraduate students may also receive financial assistance under the Student Grant Scheme, covering the cost of tuition fees for approved postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Postgraduate students may either:

receive a new flat rate fee contribution of €4,000 (£3,373) if they pass the fee contribution means test.
have all their tuition fees paid up to €6,270 (£5,284) if they meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant for disadvantaged students.

However, this kind of funding is subject to change. To check what assistance you're entitled to, visit Citizens Information - Student Grant Scheme or Student Finance Ireland.

EU students may also be eligible for postgraduate loans in Northern Ireland.

Non-EU/European Economic Area (EEA) students are not eligible for the Student Grant Scheme and postgraduate loan funding.

Student visas

If you are a student from the UK, EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in Ireland. A full list of countries exempt from needing a visa can be found at Citizens Information - Visa Requirements for Entering Ireland. If your home country is not on this list, you will need a study visa.

If you do need a visa to study in the country, you should apply for this online at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). If your course will take less than three months to complete, you should apply for a 'C study visa'. If your course lasts longer than three months, you should apply for a 'D study visa'.

You will need to submit the following documents with your visa application:

a letter of acceptance from a recognised school, college, or university confirming that you have been accepted onto a full-time course
evidence of your academic and English language ability
confirmation that course fees have been paid in full
proof that you or a sponsor has sufficient funds, usually €7,000 (£5,908), to support yourself during your stay
verification of private medical insurance
an explanation of any gaps in your educational history
confirmation that you intend to return to your home country after leaving Ireland

You will also need to provide two colour passport photographs, your current passport, and a signed letter of application including your full contact details.

If you're a non-EU student, you will need to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) upon arrival if your period of study will last more than 90 days.

Visa application fees are €60 (£51) for a single journey visa and €100 (£84) for a multiple journey visa. Aim to apply for your visa as early as possible - the standard processing time is eight weeks, but this can increase during busy periods.

How to apply

Postgraduate courses are usually in high demand, and competition for spots in popular programmes is intense. Each institution has its own application procedures and deadlines, so thorough research of your chosen course and applying well in advance can improve your chances.

In most cases, you will apply directly to the international office of your chosen institution, either online or by post. The application process typically involves completing an application form/personal statement, submitting transcripts of your previous results, and attending a postgraduate interview.

Some Irish institutions use the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) to process Masters and PhD applications. Similar to the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) in the UK, you submit your application online. PAC charges a non-refundable processing fee of €50 (£42). To find out if your university uses PAC, visit their website.

Language requirements

All postgraduate courses in Ireland are taught in English, so proficiency is required.

If English is not your first language, you must pass an approved language test before enrolling in your course. The approved tests include:

Cambridge English Language Assessments (CELA)
Duolingo English Test
English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic -
Language Cert
Oxford Test of English
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
Skills for English Four Facet Test
TOEFL
Trinity College London.

For a full list of approved language tests, please visit Irishimmigration.ie - Coming to study in Ireland.

If English courses are not available at your university, there are private English language colleges throughout the country that you may consider.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Qualifications gained in Ireland are widely recognised around the world and all degree courses studied in the country are directly comparable to their UK counterparts.

Find out more

Discover what it's like to work in Ireland.
For more information on studying in Ireland visit Education in Ireland.