Study in Ireland
A guide for students from India and Pakistan: courses and fees, the long stay study visa (for stays of more than 90 days), money proof, work rules and life after you arrive. Money is in euros (EUR).
Ireland Study Guide
Why Ireland Stands Out
English-speaking
The only English-speaking country among the countries that use the euro.
Work after study
After your degree, Stamp 1G lets you work up to 40 hours a week while you look for a job.
EUR 10,000
Money proof, first year
20 hours a week
Work while classes run
Up to 24 months
Stay after a master's (Stamp 1G)
Why Choose Ireland for Your Studies?
Fees and courses
What a master's costs, university by university.
Key Benefits
Study visa
Work while you study
How many hours you can work and the lowest pay allowed by law.
Key Benefits
Scholarships
Money to live on and lower fees for students from outside the EU.
Key Benefits
Ireland at a Glance
Essential information about Ireland to help you get oriented for your study abroad journey.
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Visa
Long stay study visa, then Stamp 2 (your student permission)
Visa fee
EUR 60 for a single entry visa (one trip into Ireland)
Residence permit
IRP card: EUR 300 when you register, within 90 days
Minimum wage (lowest legal pay)
EUR 14.15 an hour since 1 January 2026
Intakes
September (main), January (some courses)
EUR 10,000
Money proof for year one
EUR 300
IRP card fee, paid when you register
20 a week
Work hours while classes run
EUR 14.15 an hour
Minimum wage (lowest legal pay) since 1 January 2026
Top Universities in Ireland for International Students
| University | Top Programs |
|---|---|
| Trinity College Dublin (TCD) (opens in a new tab) | MSc Business Analytics & AI for Management |
| University College Dublin (UCD) (opens in a new tab) | MSc Business Analytics & AI |
| University College Cork (UCC) (opens in a new tab) | MSc Business Analytics |
| University of Galway (opens in a new tab) | MSc Computer Science (Data Analytics) |
| Maynooth University (opens in a new tab) | MSc Business Analytics |
| Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) (opens in a new tab) | MSc in Computer Science |
- Business analytics
- Computer science
- Data analytics
- Finance
Master's
A master's with classes, often 1 year full time.
Master's in Ireland
Most master's courses with classes are full time and start in September; a few start in January.
Program Duration
Often 1 year full time
Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, no part below 6.0 at UCD, UCC and the University of Galway
Grading System
Degree grades: 1H (first class honours), 2H1 and 2H2 (second class honours)
Business analytics
- UCD MSc Business Analytics & AI
- UCC MSc Business Analytics
- Maynooth MSc Business Analytics
Computing and data
- UCD MSc Computer Science (Conversion)
- University of Galway MSc Computer Science (Data Analytics)
- TU Dublin MSc in Computer Science
September start
Until places are full (most UCD courses)
• The main intake
• UCD courses open for applications on 1 October
January start
• Some courses only, such as Maynooth's MSc Business Analytics
Application Tips:
- • Apply early: many courses close when places are full.
Admission Requirements for Studying in Ireland
Everything you need to know about eligibility criteria, required documents, and application processes for Ireland universities.
| Course Level | Academic Requirements | Language Requirements | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | A bachelor's degree. UCD: usually a 2:1 (second class honours, grade one) or equivalent. Trinity College Dublin (TCD): at least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent. | IELTS 6.5 overall, no part below 6.0 (UCD, UCC, University of Galway) | Personal statement and references |
Choose a course on the ILEP
The ILEP is the Interim List of Eligible Programmes, the government's list of courses that can lead to a study visa.
Apply to the university
On its own website, with the application fee.
Accept and pay
Before you apply for the visa, pay at least EUR 6,000 of your fee, or all of it if it is less.
Apply for the visa
You can apply from 3 months before your travel date.
Register in Ireland
Within 90 days of arriving, register to get your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, your residence card. The fee is EUR 300 when you register.
Academic Documents
- Transcripts
- Degree certificate
- English test result
Personal Documents
- Personal statement
- Academic references
- Passport
Document Preparation Tips for Ireland
- • You can usually send copies when you apply. Your offer depends on the university's checks of your papers.
Costs and Scholarships for Studying in Ireland
Get a comprehensive overview of tuition fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities for international students in Ireland.
| Program Level | Public Universities |
|---|---|
| Master's (non-EU) | EUR 18,000 a year at Maynooth University (2026/27) to EUR 29,450 a year at the University of Galway (2027/28) |
Dublin
Cork
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
Value:
EUR 10,000 to live on and no tuition fee, for one year
Eligibility:
Master's or PhD students from outside the EU, the EEA (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), Switzerland and the UK, with an offer
UCD Global Excellence Scholarships
Value:
Pays 100% or 50% of your tuition fee
Eligibility:
People applying for a bachelor's or a master's with classes
Trinity Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship
Value:
EUR 2,000 to EUR 5,000 off your tuition fee
Eligibility:
Full-time applicants for a taught postgraduate course (a course with classes)
Financial Aid Tips for Ireland
- Pay before the visa: If your course fee is more than EUR 6,000, pay at least EUR 6,000 before you apply for the visa. If it is less than EUR 6,000, pay all of it.
- Show 6 months of bank history: Your bank statements must cover the last 6 months before you apply.
Student Life in Ireland
Discover what it's like to live and study in Ireland from the experiences of international students.
Dublin
Ireland's capital and biggest student city.
Cork
Ireland's second-biggest city.
Galway
A west coast student city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about studying in Ireland as an international student.
You must show that you can use at least 10,000 euros (EUR) right away for your first year. Your course fee is a separate rule. For each later year you need at least EUR 10,000 plus that year's course fees.
For students from outside the EU, one popular master's per university costs from EUR 18,000 a year at Maynooth University (2026/27). The highest on our fees page is EUR 29,450 a year at the University of Galway (2027/28).
Yes. Your student permission is called Stamp 2 (it lets you work part time). You can work up to 20 hours a week while classes run. You can work up to 40 hours a week in June, July, August and September, and from 15 December to 15 January.
Yes. Stamp 1G lets graduates work up to 40 hours a week while they look for a job. After a bachelor's with honours (level 8) you can get it for 12 months. After a master's (level 9) you can get 12 months more, so 24 in all.
At University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC) and the University of Galway you need IELTS Academic (an English test) 6.5 overall. Each part (reading, writing, listening, speaking) must be at least 6.0. Some courses ask for more.
First apply online on AVATS (the online visa application form). Then take your papers to a VFS Global centre (VFS Global is the company that takes your visa papers). In India, use the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi. In Pakistan, use Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore or Mirpur.
Still have questions?
Our education counselors are here to answer all your queries about studying in Ireland.
Your Complete Ireland Study Guide
Navigate through our comprehensive resources to guide your educational journey in Ireland from start to finish.
Why Ireland, universities and the education system.
Entry rules, English tests and deadlines.
Fees, money proof, living costs and scholarships.
Visa, health insurance and where to live before you travel.
Your IRP card, your PPS number (a tax and work number) and a bank account.
Ready to Study in Ireland?
Get personalized guidance for your Ireland study abroad journey.
How to apply to a college