Ireland

• Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the eurozone.
• Many large international companies, especially in IT and financial services, have their European headquarters in Ireland.
• Students can work 20 hours a week in term and 40 hours a week in the main holiday periods.
• Graduates can stay 12 months after a Level 8 degree, or up to 24 months after a Level 9 (master's) degree or higher, to find work.

Teaching language

English

Intakes

The main intake is in September. Some colleges offer other start dates for certain courses, so check each course page.

Master's

Usually 1–2 years

PhD

At least 3 years

Tuition

Education in Ireland lists 2025/26 international fee ranges of about EUR 10,300–29,000 a year for most undergraduate subjects (EUR 50,135–62,500 for medicine and health sciences) and about EUR 11,000–40,000 for non-EU postgraduate courses.

Most Irish institutions ask international students to apply directly on their own website, and you usually pay a deposit to accept an offer. For immigration you need a letter of acceptance for a full-time course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or the TrustEd Ireland Providers eligible programmes list, proof of fees paid (all fees if they are under EUR 6,000, otherwise at least EUR 6,000), proof of funds, private medical insurance and evidence of English. Visa-required students apply online through AVATS up to 3 months before travel.

The letter of acceptance is issued by your Irish college and confirms that you are enrolled on a full-time course with at least 15 hours of organised daytime tuition a week, giving the course details, the fees payable and paid, and any medical insurance the college has arranged.

1. 1

   Step 1: Choose an eligible course

   For study of more than 90 days you must choose a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or the TrustEd Ireland Providers eligible programmes list, then apply to the college. Stamp 2 is the permission to study a full-time eligible course.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
2. 2

   Step 2: Pay fees and get your letter

   Pay course fees in full if they are under EUR 6,000, or at least EUR 6,000 if they are higher (your college may ask for more), by transfer to the college's Irish bank account or through an approved fee payment service. Your letter of acceptance must show the course details, the fees payable and the fees you have paid.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
3. 3

   Step 3: Arrange insurance and evidence

   Get private medical insurance unless the college has arranged it (the letter will say so), and collect your English test certificate, evidence of academic ability, proof of funds and an account of any gaps in your education or employment history.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
4. 4

   Step 4: Apply on AVATS if visa-required

   If your nationality needs a visa, apply online for a long stay 'D' study visa through AVATS as soon as possible after accepting your place, up to 3 months before you travel, from your home country or where you legally live. If you do not need a visa you skip this step, but you will have to show proof of funds when you register.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
5. 5

   Step 5: Send originals within 30 days

   Print, sign and date the summary form AVATS produces, pay the fee as it instructs, and send it with your passport, two photos, an application letter and original supporting documents to the office it names within 30 days. Decisions usually take about 8 weeks from when the office receives your application.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
6. 6

   Step 6: Show documents at the border

   On arrival, show the immigration officer your passport, your visa if you need one and copies of your application documents, such as your letter of acceptance. The officer decides whether to let you in and puts a landing stamp in your passport, usually for up to 3 months.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)
7. 7

   Step 7: Register for Stamp 2

   Once your course has started, book a first-time registration appointment through your ISD Customer Service account (only possible after you arrive) and register within 90 days of arriving. Bring your passport, a college letter dated on or after your course start, proof of fees paid and medical insurance, plus proof of funds if you did not need a visa; your Irish Residence Permit card then arrives by post.

   Official page (opens in a new tab)

Visa

Long-stay study visa and Stamp 2 student permission

If you need a visa, apply online through AVATS up to 3 months before travel, from your home country or where you legally live, and post the original documents within 30 days. You need a letter of acceptance for a full-time ILEP course (at least 15 hours of daytime tuition a week), proof of fee payment and funds, private medical insurance, English evidence and an explanation of any gaps in your education. Every non-EEA student staying over 90 days, including those who do not need a visa, must register with immigration after arrival and get an Irish Residence Permit.

Proof of funds

EUR 10,000 for each year of study (for courses starting after 1 July 2023), plus course fees; for stays of 8 months or less, EUR 833 a month or EUR 6,665, whichever is lower.

Visa fee

EUR 60 single-entry or EUR 100 multi-entry visa fee if you need a visa (current Immigration Service Delivery fee list), plus a EUR 300 immigration registration fee after you arrive.

While you study

With Stamp 2 you can work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week in June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January, without an employment permit.

After you graduate

Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G): 12 months after a Level 8 (honours bachelor's) award, or up to 24 months (12 months plus a 12-month renewal) after a Level 9 award or higher, to look for graduate work and an employment permit. You must hold Stamp 2, apply within 6 months of being told you achieved your award, and stay within the 7-year (Level 8) or 8-year (Level 9 and above) limit on student permission. On Stamp 1G you can work up to 40 hours a week; the registration fee is EUR 300.