Study in Ireland

About Ireland

Ireland is an English-speaking EU country of about 5 million people. Dublin is the European headquarters of Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft and many pharma and finance companies. Main intakes are September and January. The currency is the euro (EUR).

Why study in Ireland

• Only English-speaking country in the EU after Brexit
• One-year Master's degrees (NFQ Level 9)
• Up to 2 years of post-study work for Master's graduates
• Strong jobs market in tech, pharma and finance
• Low visa fee and a clear route to long-term residence

Popular fields of study

Data analytics and business analytics, computer science and AI, cybersecurity, fintech and finance, pharmaceutical and biotech sciences, and business (MSc Management, Marketing, Supply Chain). Top universities include Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway and University College Cork.

Student visa, step by step

Indian students need a long-stay "D" study visa.

1. Get an offer from an institution on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
2. Pay at least €6,000 of your tuition upfront to the institution.
3. Show at least €10,000 a year for living costs, in your own or a sponsor's account.
4. Buy private medical insurance.
5. Apply online through AVATS, then submit documents and biometrics at a VFS centre in India.
6. Wait for the decision, usually 4–8 weeks.

After you get your visa

• Register with immigration (IRP) within 90 days of arrival. You get a Stamp 2 IRP card. The fee is €300.
• You can work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and 40 hours a week in June–September and 15 December–15 January.
• Keep your attendance up and renew your IRP each year.

Work and staying on

Working while you study

You can work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and 40 hours a week in June–September and 15 December–15 January.

After you graduate

Up to 2 years (Stamp 1G) The Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) lets you work full-time for any employer with no job offer needed. Level 8 (Honours Bachelor's): 12 months Level 9 (Master's) and Level 10 (PhD): up to 24 months, granted as 12 + 12

Settling long term

Critical Skills Employment Permit: for in-demand roles above the salary threshold. After 2 years on it you can get Stamp 4 (live and work without a permit). General Employment Permit: for other eligible jobs. It can lead to Stamp 4 after 5 years. Citizenship: possible after 5 years of reckonable residence.

Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.

Visa expenses

Average salary

Graduates typically start at about €32,000–€40,000 a year (approximate). Tech and finance roles in Dublin pay more. The national minimum wage is €14.15 an hour from 1 January 2026.

Good to know

• Dublin rent is high. Book housing early or look at Cork, Galway or Limerick.
• Living costs are about €900–€1,500 a month in Dublin and €650–€1,100 outside it.
• Accommodation outside Dublin can be found from about €400–€550 a month in shared housing; Dublin costs more.
• Fields with job demand: engineering, pharmacy, IT, healthcare, hospitality, accounting and finance, and law.
• Big employers include Google, Intel, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Meta and Dell.