There are many great career opportunities in Ireland for international graduates due to its appeal to multinational businesses, including well-known companies such as eBay, Skype and Microsoft. Most universities offer internship opportunities that are a great way to gain real experience in the workplace that can prove invaluable when job-hunting.

When it comes to post-study work, Ireland is the first English-speaking country in Europe that offers post-study work visas to international graduates, making it an attractive destination to kick-start your career. Once you find full time employment after studying in Ireland, you will be eligible to apply for residency – over 13,500 first residence permits were issued to higher education students in 2017 (European Migration Network).

You will be welcomed into Ireland by some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet and you will soon discover that the Irish are proud of their country, culture and traditions. Experience the feast day of Ireland’s Patron Saint with Saint Patrick’s Day, listen to traditional Irish music, watch Irish dancing, take part in Irish sports such as Gaelic football or get lost in Irish myths and legends.

Students enrolled on courses on the Degree Programme are allowed to undertake an internship where this forms part of their programme. This is subject to the following rules.

• The internship or work placement part of the programme cannot exceed 50% of the duration of the programme e.g. a 4 year programme would permit 2 years of work placement. In addition, the employment cannot be in a self employed capacity.
• Work placements as part of an academic programme must form an integral part of the programme which contributes to the final award.
• Educational facilities must also ensure that the placements are suited to the programme being pursued.

Entry requirements for courses may vary from year to year, depending on the number of places available and the number of applicants, so there is a great deal of competition for the more popular programmes.  Irish students compete for entry based on results achieved in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination. Students are graded on their six best subject scores.

The International Bacculaureate (IB) Diploma is also accepted as meeting the minimum entry requirement for higher education programmes, provided due notice is taken of the various grades and combinations of subjects indicated in the current published entry requirements. Specific programme and faculty requirements must be met at all institutions. All applications are assessed individually and the Diploma does not guarantee admission. Individual institutions may stipulate requirements additional to the minimum required.

English Language Requirements

A good grasp of the English language is essential for students whose first language is not English. You need to be able to understand, converse and write English well as it is the language of instruction at all Irish institutions of higher education.

Students must show a proficiency in English to be accepted for a degree programme.  Good news – many universities and colleges provide English language training courses for students hoping to study with them. There are also over 100 private English language training schools nationwide which run short and long-term courses.

The list below indicates the minimum standards in English which should be met. All English language certificates must have been issued within 2 years of the expected commencement date of your course. In certain circumstances, results in examinations other than those outlined below may be accepted as proof of ability.

Tuition costs vary considerably depending on the institution and the study programme. Tuition costs do not remain static, so it is important to double-check fees with the Institution(s) you are considering applying to.

Tuition fees  for undergraduate, Non-E.U. students at a higher education institution are as follows: 

EU or EEA countries aren’t required to get an entry visa to study in Ireland; this is also the case for a large number of countries outside of the EU and EEA, however, you may still need to register with immigration in Ireland when you arrive.

If you are a student from a country that requires a visa, then it’s likely you will need to apply for a D Type Study Visa. Most students will need to pay a visa fee of €60 — this increases to €100 if you want a multiple entry visa.

You can apply for an Irish study visa up to three months before your date of travel to Ireland, but it’s recommended that you don’t buy travel tickets until you know the outcome of your visa application.

Ireland student visa requirements

For a type D student visa you will need to provide documents during your application. These can vary slightly depending on the person and the country they are from, but can include:

• Two recent color passport photos
• Your passport, valid for 12 months following your arrival in Ireland
• Any old passports
• Proof of finances for your study
• Evidence you are enrolled and have paid the University any fees
• Educational history
• Biometrics
• A letter of application
• English language certification
• Private medical insurance — this may be provided by your university
• Visa documents — for registration when in Ireland

If your documents need to be translated into English, this must be done by a translator with their confirmation the translation is accurate, contact details, and signature.

Irish student visa processing time

How long it takes to get your visa varies depending on your nationality and other factors. Usually, you will get a decision in between four and eight weeks from the date you submitted your application.

Your application will take longer if you forget or need to re-submit any documents, so it’s worth making sure you supply everything first time round.

You can apply for your visa up to three months in advance of your travel date to Ireland, so it’s worth starting as soon as you can.

Working with an Irish student visa

A D Study Visa allows students to work full time during the months of June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January. For the rest of the year you can only work up to 20 hours per week.

In addition to the rules around working hours, international students are not permitted to work as taxi drivers or work as self-employed.