Study in Ireland

STUDY IN IRELAND FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Study in Ireland: Get Admitted to the Right University or College

You can study in Ireland if an Irish institution accepts you, you meet its English level, and you can show your fees in full plus EUR 10,000 for a year of living costs. AIA checks all three with you first, applies for you, and charges no fee for admission.

No admission fee. We apply for you.

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AIA supports your admission. Visa applications are separate and are made by you with Irish Immigration Service Delivery.

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Why Ireland Admission English Money Work Start dates How it works Who we are Visa Questions Check my chances

The key facts at a glance

Study levels: Foundation, higher certificate and diploma, bachelor, master and doctorate, on courses from the approved list (ILEP)
English: Each institution sets its own score. Trinity, UCD and DCU ask IELTS 6.5 overall for most undergraduate degrees.
Money to show: EUR 10,000 for one year of living costs, plus your course fees paid in full (October 2026)
Visa cost: EUR 60 for one entry, then EUR 300 to register after you arrive
Work in term: Up to 20 hours a week, and 40 hours a week in June to September and from 15 December to 15 January
After you graduate: Third Level Graduate Programme: 12 months after a level 8 degree, up to 24 months after a master or doctorate
Start dates: Set by each institution. Most students apply directly to the institution.
AIA fee for admission: None
Last updated: October 2026

Why do students choose Ireland?

Students choose Ireland because the money rule is one clear figure, you can work while you study, and graduates can stay to look for work. You must show EUR 10,000 for a year of living costs on top of your course fees. After a level 8 degree you can stay 12 months, and after a master or doctorate up to 24 months, under the Third Level Graduate Programme (Irish Immigration Service Delivery, October 2026).

Three reasons come up most often:

Clear money rule: the Irish government sets EUR 10,000 for one year of living costs and asks for six months of bank statements.
Protected students: providers on the approved list must meet standards. For example, they cannot take fees in cash, and they must hold your fees in a separate account until your visa is decided.
A route after study: 12 months after a level 8 degree, and up to 24 months after a level 9 or higher award.

Can I get admitted? What do I need for each study level?

To be admitted, you need the right education for the level, English at the level the institution asks for, and a course on the approved list (ILEP) if you stay longer than 3 months. Each institution sets its own entry requirements, so the course page has the last word. Use the table as a starting point.

Study level	Education usually needed	English score	What to know
Foundation or pathway	Secondary school	Set by the provider	A foundation course is linked to a conditional offer for an honours bachelor (level 8) or a postgraduate course (level 9 or 10).
Higher certificate or diploma (levels 6 and 7)	Secondary school	Set by the provider	Higher education courses run from level 6 to 10 on the national framework, and you must move up a level as you study.
Bachelor (level 8)	Finished secondary school with good results	Examples: Trinity, UCD and DCU ask IELTS 6.5 overall, with no part below 6.0, for most degrees	You apply directly to the institution. It sets the entry marks.
Master (level 9)	A bachelor degree	Often the same as a bachelor, and some courses ask more	You apply directly to the institution.
Doctorate (level 10)	A master degree	Set by the institution	Check the institution for its research requirements.

The examples come from university pages and the Irish immigration service, read in October 2026. Your course page sets the final requirement.

Popular program types

Business

Bachelor or master. Many institutions offer both, so your marks and English score decide the fit.

Engineering

Bachelor or master. Strong maths marks help.

Science and technology

Bachelor or master. Check each course for its marks and English score.

Arts and humanities

Bachelor or master. Check each course for extra entry steps.

Health sciences and medicine

Check each course for extra entry steps. Fees are much higher for medicine.

Foundation or pathway

The way in when your marks or English score are just short.

Tuition varies by institution and course. We show your exact first-year fee when we match you.

What English level do I need to study in Ireland?

Irish institutions set their own English standard, and the visa office also asks for proof of your English unless your course is an English language course. Education in Ireland says your English certificate must be issued within 2 years of your expected start date. For most undergraduate degrees, Trinity, UCD and DCU ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no part below 6.0.

Where English matters	What it means
The institution	Sets its own score for each course. Some courses ask for more than 6.5.
The visa application	You show evidence that you can study in English, unless your course is an English language course.
Certificate age	Your certificate must be issued within 2 years of your expected start date.
English language courses	They must be on the approved list and last at least 25 weeks, with at least 15 hours of class a week. You can hold this permission for up to 8 months at a time, three times, so 2 years in total.

UCD does not accept retake scores and wants every minimum in one sitting. Check each institution’s rule before you book a test.

How much money do I need to show?

You must show EUR 10,000 for your first year of living costs, and your course fees must be paid in full before the visa (Irish Immigration Service Delivery and Education in Ireland, October 2026). For each later year you need EUR 10,000 again plus that year’s fees. The visa costs EUR 60 for one entry, and you pay EUR 300 to register after you arrive.

What you must cover	Amount (October 2026)
Your course fees	Paid in full before the visa application
Living costs for one year	EUR 10,000 in your own or your sponsor’s accounts
Courses of 8 months or less	EUR 833 a month, up to EUR 6,665
Each later year	EUR 10,000 again, plus that year’s course fees
Private medical insurance	Required for every student from outside the EEA. The price depends on the insurer.
Visa application fee	EUR 60 for one entry or EUR 100 for multiple entries, not refundable
Registration after you arrive	EUR 300, paid by card

Example only: a course fee of EUR 15,000 means you show EUR 15,000 + EUR 10,000 = EUR 25,000, plus insurance and the fees above.

What proof works: six months of bank statements on the bank’s headed paper, in your name or your sponsor’s. Credit cards are not accepted, and large or irregular deposits need an explanation. Students on degree programs can use an education bond of at least EUR 10,000 instead of bank statements.

Typical first-year fees (Education in Ireland, 2025/26):

Undergraduate business: EUR 10,300 to 29,000
Undergraduate engineering, science and technology: EUR 14,500 to 28,500
Undergraduate arts and humanities: EUR 13,500 to 28,200
Undergraduate medicine and health sciences: EUR 50,135 to 62,500
Postgraduate business: EUR 14,000 to 40,000
Postgraduate engineering: EUR 15,000 to 30,000
Postgraduate science and technology: EUR 15,000 to 31,000
Postgraduate arts and humanities: EUR 12,000 to 23,000
Postgraduate medicine and health sciences: EUR 11,000 to 30,000

Bringing family: students are typically not allowed to bring family members. Only very exceptional cases are permitted.

Can I work while I study and after I graduate?

Yes. With a Stamp 2 permission you can work up to 20 hours a week during term, and up to 40 hours a week in June to September and from 15 December to 15 January (Irish Immigration Service Delivery, October 2026). Do not plan to pay your living costs from work, because you must show your money before you come.

Placements that are a built-in part of a level 7 or higher course on the approved list can go over 20 hours. They cannot be self-employed work, and they cannot be more than half of the course.

After your studies, the Third Level Graduate Programme lets you stay to look for graduate-level work. You get 12 months after a level 8 degree. After a level 9 or higher award you get 12 months, and 12 more if you show you are looking for graduate-level work, so up to 24 months. You must hold Stamp 2, apply within 6 months of being told you passed, and pay EUR 300 to register.

When can I start studying in Ireland?

Most students apply directly to the institution through its own website. You choose your institution and course, apply, accept an offer by paying a deposit, then pay your fees in full and apply for your visa if your nationality needs one (Education in Ireland, October 2026). Start dates and deadlines are set by each institution, so ask yours for its dates.

Step	What to know
1. Choose a course on the approved list	For a stay over 3 months, the course must be on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes.
2. Apply to the institution	Most institutions take applications directly. Ask for its entry requirements and dates.
3. Accept your offer	You confirm by paying a deposit. A conditional offer means you still have conditions to meet, such as exam results.
4. Pay fees and apply for a visa	Fees must be paid in full. Apply online if your nationality needs a visa.
5. Register after you arrive	If you stay longer than 90 days, you register and get an Irish Residence Permit.

Dates change every year, so check your institution’s current dates before you plan.

How does admission work with AIA?

We find programs that fit your marks, English score and budget, apply for you, and follow each application until you have an offer. There is no fee for this. You only pay what the institution charges, such as an application fee or a tuition deposit.

Step 1: Check your admission chances

Answer seven short steps. You see where you are strong and what to fix first.

Step 2: Send your documents

If you look admissible, we ask for your passport, transcripts and English score through a private link, and send you a short agreement to sign.

Step 3: We apply for you

We submit your applications, follow each task and tell you when an offer arrives. A conditional offer is not final enrolment, so we show you what you still need to meet.

Ready to see where you stand?

Two minutes. Seven short steps. No fee.

“Know where you stand first. Then choose the school.”

Amir Ismail · Founder, Amir Ismail & Associates

Why students choose Amir Ismail & Associates

Since 1991, AIA has guided 25,000+ clients from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. We help you find programs that fit your marks, English and budget, and we apply for you at no fee. Schools make the decisions, and your visa stays a separate step that you handle yourself or through a regulated adviser.

Honest admission check

We tell you when a plan does not fit, before you spend money.

Programs that fit you

We match your marks, English and budget, not a template.

Free for you

Our admission help costs you nothing. You pay only the school’s own fees.

Clear on who does what

AIA supports your admission. You handle the visa yourself or through a regulated adviser.

A real application

We prepare your documents and submit your applications for you.

Since 1991

35+ years in immigration and 25,000+ clients guided.

What about the Irish student visa?

If your nationality needs one, you apply for a long stay D visa online after you receive an offer and pay your fees in full. AIA supports your admission. The student visa is a separate application you submit to the government yourself or through a regulated adviser in that country.

The visa office asks for a letter of acceptance for a full-time course that lasts an academic year with at least 15 hours of study a week, proof of your English, proof that your fees are paid, EUR 10,000 in funds, private medical insurance, an explanation of any gaps in your education, and your plan to return home when you finish. Read the full list on the official page: Irish Immigration Service Delivery, Coming to study in Ireland.

Frequently asked questions

What marks do I need to study in Ireland?

Each institution sets its own entry requirements, so the course page decides. Bachelor courses ask for finished secondary school with good results, and master courses ask for a bachelor degree. Check your chances with AIA to see where you stand.

What English score do I need for Ireland?

Each institution sets its own score. Trinity, UCD and DCU ask IELTS 6.5 overall, with no part below 6.0, for most undergraduate degrees, and your certificate must be issued within 2 years of your start date (Education in Ireland, 2026).

How much money do I need to study in Ireland?

You must show EUR 10,000 for a year of living costs, and your course fees must be paid in full before the visa. For each later year you need EUR 10,000 again plus that year’s fees (Irish Immigration Service Delivery, 2026).

Can I work while studying in Ireland?

Yes. You can work up to 20 hours a week in term and up to 40 hours a week in June to September and from 15 December to 15 January (Irish Immigration Service Delivery, 2026). Do not rely on work to pay your living costs.

Can I stay and work after I graduate?

Yes. The Third Level Graduate Programme gives 12 months after a level 8 degree and up to 24 months after a level 9 or higher award. You must hold Stamp 2, apply within 6 months of being told you passed, and pay EUR 300 to register (Irish Immigration Service Delivery, 2026).

See where you stand

Two minutes. Seven short steps. No fee. We tell you honestly if you are ready to apply or what to fix first.