Study in Ireland

Students from abroad can apply for a place at an Irish university online, either through the Central Applications Office (CAA) or directly to the University of Higher Education of their choice.

Generally, you will need to provide a valid passport or travel documents, an acceptance letter from an approved Irish university or college, medical insurance, and a declaration of intent to leave Ireland at the expiry of your visa.

In Ireland, an honors bachelor's degree typically takes three or four years to complete. Specialist courses may take longer. Graduate courses typically last one to two years. Some programs, especially those based on research, may take up to two years to complete. PhD programs in Ireland usually last three to four years, depending on the type of research and the requirements of the institution.

Ireland offers various international student scholarships through universities, governmental agencies, and organizations. The Government of Ireland's Scholarship for International Education provides a full year of study for undergraduate, master's, or doctorate degrees. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) offers scholarships for living expenses and tuition. Fulbright offers scholarships for Irish and EU nationals to study, research, or work in the US or Ireland. The Irish Research Council provides scholarships for research-focused master's or doctoral degrees and there are many more.

International students can expect to pay tuition fees in Ireland ranging from 11,000€ to 35,000€ per year. Fees vary depending on the type of course and the institution.

Students may work forty hours per week only in the months of June, July, August, and September as well as from December 15 to January 15, inclusive, if they have a valid immigration stamp 2 approval. Students with Stamp 2 immigration permission may only work 20 hours per week during all other times.

For a single academic year, a student's estimated cost of living in Ireland is between €7,000 and €12,000 annually. Tuition fees are not included in this.

English is the primary language of instruction in the majority of Irish universities and educational institutions. As such, if you are applying to a programme at an Irish university, you will most likely need to submit documentation demonstrating your proficiency in the language. For this, standardised tests of English language proficiency are widely utilised, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and PTE.

Post-study work permits allow international students to remain in Ireland for a period of up to 24 months after completing their studies. The length of the work permit depends on the credential of the course.

It is mandatory for foreign students studying in Ireland to get health insurance. Since non-EU students are not covered by Ireland's public healthcare system, they must obtain private health insurance.

The top five Irish cities for international students are Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway & Waterford. The ideal city for students is determined by their needs.

Students from outside the European Union who study in Ireland are usually not allowed to bring their family members with them. International students' spouses and children can apply for a different visa to live in the country, but not on the basis of their relationship with the student.

In order to open a bank account in Ireland, international students must provide: Identification documentation, such as a national ID, driver's licence, or passport. Evidence of address, like a utility bill or bank statement. Verification of enrollment in a university at the third level. International students need to physically visit a local branch to open a bank account.