Why study in Ireland?
Ireland is an English-speaking EU country with many 1-year taught master’s programmes in computing, data, business and finance. Courses must be on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for you to get student permission.
If you need a visa to enter Ireland and will study for more than 3 months, you apply for a long stay ‘D’ study visa. You can apply up to 3 months before you travel. You must show at least €10,000 for living costs and have paid your fees (in full if under €6,000, otherwise at least €6,000).
After arriving, you register your permission (Stamp 2) with immigration and pay a €300 registration fee. After graduating, the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) lets you stay to look for graduate-level work.
- Many taught master’s degrees take 1 year full-time.
- Stamp 1G: 12 months for Level 8 (bachelor’s) graduates; up to 24 months for Level 9+ (master’s) graduates.
- Students can work up to 20 hrs/week in term and 40 hrs/week in set holiday periods.
- On Stamp 1G you can work full-time and apply for a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit.
- Funded awards include the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships.
Popular universities in Ireland
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin · Trinity Business School: MSc Finance and MBA
University College Dublin
Dublin · Global Excellence Scholarships for non-EU students
University College Cork
Cork · 12-month MSc programmes, September start
University of Galway
Galway · 1-year MSc in Computer Science specialisms
Dublin City University
Dublin · MSc in Computing with September and January intakes
University of Limerick
Limerick · 1-year MSc Software Engineering
Popular programmes
- Computer Science
- Data Science & AI
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- MBA & Management
- Software Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Courses from our Course Finder
MSc in Finance
Trinity College Dublin · Dublin · Master’s · 12 months
MSc in Business Analytics and AI for Management
Trinity College Dublin · Dublin · Master’s · 1 year
Full Time MBA
Trinity College Dublin · Dublin · MBA · 1 year
Business, Economic and Social Studies (B.E.S.S.)
Trinity College Dublin · Dublin · Bachelor’s · 4 years
MSc Business Analytics
University College Dublin · Dublin · Master’s · 1 year
MSc Computer Science (Conversion)
University College Dublin · Dublin · Master’s · 16 months
Cost of studying: financial breakdown
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition | €10,300–€29,000 / yr2025/26 ranges for business, engineering, science and arts; medicine €50,135–€62,500 |
| Postgraduate tuition | €11,000–€40,000 / yr2025/26 non-EU ranges by subject (business up to €40,000) |
| Living costs / proof of funds | €10,000 / yrOfficial minimum you must show for each year of study, on top of fees |
| Fees paid before the visa | Full fee if under €6,000; at least €6,000 otherwise |
| Study visa fee | €60 single entry; €100 multi entryNon-refundable |
| Immigration registration (IRP) | €300Paid when you register your permission after arrival |
| Private medical insurance | RequiredYour college may arrange it; cost varies |
Typical tuition in rupees: ≈ ₹11–43 lakh per year (European Central Bank and Bank of Russia reference rates, 9 October 2026).
Application checklist
- 1Letter of acceptance for a full-time course on the ILEP (at least 15 hours of daytime tuition a week)
- 2Proof of fee payment to the college (full fee if under €6,000, otherwise at least €6,000)
- 3Evidence of at least €10,000 to support yourself, plus the Summary of Finances form
- 4Private medical insurance
- 5English test result (for example IELTS Academic)
- 6Academic transcripts and certificates showing you can follow the course
- 7Explanation of any gaps in your education, with employment history
- 8Passport valid for at least 12 months after arrival, plus two recent photos
- 9Signed application letter and AVATS summary form
- 10Details of any previous visa refusals for any country
Student visa: Long Stay ‘D’ Study Visa
Visa-required students staying more than 90 days apply online through AVATS for a long stay ‘D’ study visa, then send their documents to the visa office. Apply up to 3 months before you travel and do not book tickets until you have a decision. After arrival you register your Stamp 2 permission and receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
What you’ll need
- Acceptance on a full-time course listed on the ILEP
- Fees paid: in full if under €6,000, otherwise at least €6,000
- Immediate access to at least €10,000 for each year of study
- Private medical insurance
- Evidence of English language ability
- Evidence of academic ability and an account of any gaps in education
- Passport valid for at least 12 months after your planned arrival
Processing time: Decisions usually within about 8 weeks of the application reaching the visa office
Work and employment options
- While you study
- Up to 20 hrs/week during term; up to 40 hrs/week in June–September and 15 December–15 January
- After you graduate
- Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G): 12 months for Level 8 graduates; Level 9+ graduates get 12 months, renewable for a further 12 months (up to 24 months), within the overall 7- or 8-year student limit
- Stamp 1G lets you work full-time while you look for graduate-level employment.
- Use Stamp 1G to apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit, a General Employment Permit or a research hosting agreement.
- Once you have an employment permit, you move to Stamp 1 conditions.
- Time on Stamp 1G counts as reckonable residence for citizenship; Stamp 2 does not.
- If you do not get a permit or other permission before Stamp 1G ends, you are expected to leave Ireland.
Good to know: The second 12 months of Stamp 1G for master’s graduates is not automatic: you must show you have taken steps to find graduate-level work, such as attending interviews.
Scholarships to explore
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships: 60 awards a year for Level 9/10 study, with a €10,000 stipend and full fee waiver. The 2026 call has closed.
- UCD Global Excellence Scholarships: limited 100% and 50% tuition fee awards for non-EU students; 2027/28 applications open in November.
- DCU Non-EU Scholarship: €5,000 off the 2026–27 non-EU fee on eligible Engineering and Computing master’s programmes.
Official sources · checked 10 October 2026
- Immigration Service Delivery: How to apply for a long term study visa (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Service Delivery: Student finance requirements from 30 June 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Service Delivery: Third level graduate programme (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration Service Delivery: Frequently asked questions for students (opens in a new tab)
- Education in Ireland: Undergraduate tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- HEA: Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Figures are indicative planning ranges and change often. Always confirm fees, funds and visa rules on the university and official government websites before you apply.