Studying in Ireland as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
In Ireland, tuition at a public university is €12k to €20k for a master’s and €16k to €28k for a bachelor’s. For the student visa you must show €10,000 / yr, you can work 20 h / wk while studying, and you can stay up to 24 months after graduating.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (1 year) | Bachelor’s (4 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | €12k to €20kEst., varies by program | €16k to €28kEst., non-EU undergraduate, 2026–27 |
| Tuition, private or top-ranked | €20k to €30kEst. | €28k+Medicine about €55k |
| Money to show for the visa | €10,000 / yrWe estimate €12,000 to live | |
| Health insurance | About €600 a year (estimate) | |
| Visa and permit fees | About €100, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ €24,700 | ≈ €138,000 |
*Diplonaut estimate at a public university: the lower tuition figure + the money you must show for the visa (a floor for living costs, not a budget) + health insurance, for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Tuition ranges are estimates: each university publishes its own fees. Irish tuition ranges are estimates; universities publish their own fees.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No permission needed (Common Travel Area); EU fee rates usually apply |
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No visa |
| Brazil | No entry visa needed: register for immigration permission after arrival (€300) |
| United States, Canada, Australia, South Koreaand some other passports | No entry visa needed: register for immigration permission after arrival (€300) |
| Most other countries | Study visa before travel |
Work rights
- While studying: 20 h / wk (40 in holidays).
- After graduating: Up to 24 months (Stamp 1G, 12 + 12). After a bachelor’s: 12 months.
Will my degree from Ireland be recognized?
Recognized Irish degrees sit on the National Framework of Qualifications. A private college’s degree must be awarded by a university or validated by QQI, Ireland’s quality agency.
Check an institution: QQI: Quality and Qualifications Ireland
For a bachelor’s: Non-EU applicants apply directly to each university, not through the CAO, usually with English test results.
By field of study
- No field yet (undecided): Some broad ‘common entry’ degrees let you choose your pathway at the end of year 1 (for example Maynooth Arts). Non-EU students apply directly to the university.
- Medicine or dentistry: Non-EU applicants apply directly to the university, not through the CAO. Example: University College Cork Medicine, €51,000 a year (2025–26); Dentistry the same plus bench fees.
- Art, design or music: Non-EU applicants to art college apply directly, with a portfolio (for example NCAD).
Recent official changes for Ireland
- No rule change for Ireland has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare Ireland
See Ireland next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Ireland?
Tuition at a public university is €12k to €20k a year for a master’s and €16k to €28k for a bachelor’s. With the money you must show for the visa and health insurance, a 1-year master’s comes to about €24,700 in total (Diplonaut estimate).
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Ireland?
€10,000 / yr (We estimate €12,000 to live).
Can I work while studying in Ireland?
Yes: 20 h / wk (40 in holidays).
Can I stay in Ireland after graduating?
Up to 24 months (Stamp 1G, 12 + 12).
Other destinations
Official sources
- Irish Immigration Service: student finances
- Irish Immigration Service: finance requirements from 30 June 2025
- Irish Immigration Service: Third Level Graduate Programme
- University College Cork: international undergraduate fees 2026–27
- QQI: Quality and Qualifications Ireland
- Maynooth University: Bachelor of Arts
- UCD: access routes to medicine
- UCC: international undergraduate fees 2025–26
- NCAD: international applicants
Information, not legal or immigration advice.