Study in Ireland

Study in Ireland for the best international education experience! Ireland is one of the best study abroad destinations now for several reasons. The Emerald Isle is known for its lush greenery, rolling hills and life changing outcomes for international students. The Irish higher education system is one of the best in the world with Universitas21 ranking it as the 19th best in the world (Universitas21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems 2020) and QS raking it as the 24th best in the world (QS System Strength Ranking 2020)
Ireland Study Visa
You can only apply for an Ireland study visa from your home country and the application can only be made online. You must meet the IELTS requirements and you may not change your course for 1 year. After this, you can change to a course at a higher level or the same level. You will also need medical insurance before you arrive in Ireland.
Ireland Student Visa Requirement
The first Ireland student visa requirement is academics. You should have at least 60% in your intermediate if you are planning to apply for a bachelor’s and for a master’s, you should have a CGPA of at least 6.5 on a 10-point scale.
IELTS is also very important. The general requirement is 6.5 in the academic IELTS.
Lastly and most importantly, your finances are important for an Ireland study visa. Irish immigration prefers parents as the main sponsor. Overall, they try to ascertain whether the family can afford the costs and maintain itself at the same time. Your bank statements (if you provide them) must be up to date and consistent. You need to show that you have access to € 10,000 on arrival for the first year’s living expenses. You will need to demonstrate that your sponsor has access to € 10,000 for each subsequent year of your studies.
Ireland Student Visa Process
Before you apply for an Ireland study visa, you need a letter of acceptance from an Irish institution. In addition, you also need to pay your fees. The fees paid is usually € 6000 or more as per university college/rules.
After your letter of acceptance has been issued and advance fees paid, you can apply for the visa in the following steps:Student Visa Work Rules and Living Costs
The Irish minimum wage is € 9.25 per hour. Work rules in Ireland are as follows: you are allowed to work 20 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week during the holidays.
Living costs are relatively low in Ireland. A shared room will cost you about € 400 per month and a private room about € 1000 in Dublin. Expect to spend about € 80-100 on food every week. For transportation, buy a student leap card.
Your phone connection could cost you as follows with some major companies in Ireland:Post-study Work Rules
All post study work is through the third level graduate scheme. To be eligible for the third level graduate scheme, you should have finished an honors bachelor’s or higher diploma which is at NFQ Level 8 or higher.
Students who have completed an NFQ level 8 course have 12 months of full-time work after their studies while students who complete NFQ 9 or 10 can get an extension for another 12 months.
Getting a Green Card
Once you have been accepted into the third level graduate scheme, you can apply for a green card. To apply for a green card, you should have received a job offer for at least 2 years. In addition, you must show that you are getting paid at least € 64,000 per year on any occupation list or € 38,000 per year in the highly skilled occupation list.
Ireland Universities
Ireland has 7 universities and 1 technological university. All Ireland universities are ranked in the top 3% globally. Irish universities are research focused and technologically driven. Irish campuses are vibrant places and hotbeds of innovation.
Top Ranking Universities in Ireland
Ireland universities rank highly in all global rankings. The top ranking universities in Ireland are Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, but all 7 universities in Ireland and the sole technological university are highly ranked globally. Here’s a summary of how they rank in QS and Times Higher Education (THE).
Name | QS World University Rankings 2026 | THE World University Rankings 2025 |
---|---|---|
Trinity College Dublin | 75 | 139 |
University College Dublin | 118 | 201-250 |
RSCI University of Medicine and Health Sciences | – | 251-300 |
Dublin City University | 410 | 351-400 |
University College Cork | 246 | 351-400 |
University of Galway | 284 | 351-400 |
Maynooth University | 771-780 | 501-600 |
University of Limerick | 401 | 501-600 |
TU Dublin | 781-790 | 1001-1200 |
Universities in Dublin
Dublin, Ireland’s vibrant capital, is home to top-tier Ireland Universities like Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin (UCD), and Dublin City University (DCU). Prominent colleges include the National College of Ireland and Technological University Dublin.
Life in Dublin buzzes with cultural festivals, historic pubs, and a thriving tech scene, making it ideal for students. For tech students, Dublin’s status as a global tech hub, hosting giants like Google and Microsoft, offers unparalleled internship and job opportunities.
MBBS in Ireland for Indian Students fees and admissions
Pursuing an MBBS in Ireland for Indian students is a compelling choice, offering globally recognized medical schools and more affordable tuition than the US or UK. MBBS in Ireland for Indian students fees range from €35,000 to €50,000, including living expenses.
Renowned institutions like the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork (UCC), University of Limerick (UL), University of Galway, and Dublin City University (DCU) provide top-tier medical programs.
Eligibility requires candidates to be at least 18, with a minimum 60% in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English in 10+2, plus a qualifying NEET score, ensuring access to Ireland’s esteemed medical education.
Top Tips for Admission
Scholarships in Ireland for Indian Students
There is a great variety of scholarships in Ireland for Indian students to choose from. Here are some of the main government scholarships and university specific scholarships:
Government-Funded Scholarships:
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship: Offers high-achieving international students a €10,000 stipend and full tuition waiver for master’s/PhD programs.
Irish Research Council Scholarships (IRC): Supports research students across disciplines with government funding.
University-Specific Scholarships:
- Global Excellence Scholarships: Partial tuition waivers for non-EU postgraduate students.
- Entrance Scholarships: Full tuition coverage for undergraduates.
- Global Excellence Scholarships: Partial/full tuition waivers for postgraduate programs.
- UCD Iseult Honohan Doctoral Scholarship: Full tuition and stipend for PhD in politics/international relations.
- Michael Smurfit Business School Scholarship: Covers 5-100% of tuition for MBA/MSc/PhD programs.
- Hardiman Research Scholarships: Supports PhD students.
- International Student Scholarships: Awards €2,000-€4,000, sometimes including tuition waivers.
- UL India Scholarship: Up to €5,000 toward tuition fees.
- Jim Kemmy India Scholarship: Covers significant tuition for business students.
Masters courses Ireland
Ireland is a prime destination for master’s degrees, offering globally recognized programs in fields like technology, business, and medicine. Masters courses Ireland in Universities such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin (UCD), and University of Galway provide diverse postgraduate courses with strong industry ties. Tuition ranges from €10,000-€25,000 annually for non-EU students, with scholarships like the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship easing costs. Dublin’s tech hub status and vibrant cultural scene make it ideal for international students seeking academic and career growth.
Top Universities in Ireland for Masters
Leading Ireland universities for masters courses Ireland include Trinity College Dublin, renowned for research-driven courses, and UCD, excelling in business and tech. University of Galway offers innovative programs with a focus on science and humanities, while University College Cork (UCC) and University of Limerick stand out for specialized fields like engineering and medicine. The top universities in Ireland for Masters provide robust support for international students, including scholarships like the Global Excellence Awards, and benefit from Ireland’s thriving job market, particularly in Dublin’s tech ecosystem.
Study Bachelor’s in Ireland
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Ireland offers Indian students access to world-class education in a welcoming, English-speaking country. Top universities like Trinity College Dublin, UCD, and Dublin City University offer programs in engineering, business, and sciences.
Tuition for non-EU students ranges from €15,000-€30,000 per year, with scholarships like the Entrance Scholarships at Trinity easing costs. Ireland’s vibrant student life, safe environment, and proximity to tech giants in Dublin make it an excellent choice for undergraduate studies and career opportunities.
Best Bachelor’s courses in Ireland
Top bachelor’s courses in Ireland include engineering at University College Dublin, computer science at Dublin City University, and medicine at Trinity College Dublin. University of Galway excels in sciences, while University of Limerick offers strong business programs.
These courses emphasize practical skills and industry connections, preparing students for global careers. Dublin’s status as a tech hub provides internship opportunities with companies like Google. Affordable tuition, scholarships like the UL India Scholarship, and a lively cultural scene make Ireland ideal for undergraduates.