Study and find schools in Ireland

Studying in Ireland

Ireland is a small English-speaking country on the western edge of Europe and, as Education Ireland points out, the only English-speaking country in the eurozone. The Central Statistics Office estimates its population at 5,525,600 in April 2026, of whom 1,597,700 live in Dublin. English is the main language of teaching; Irish is taught in schools but international students do not need it.

Two kinds of students come to Ireland. Many come to learn English at one of the country's many language schools, from a few weeks in summer to a full academic year. Others come for a full bachelor's or master's degree, or a semester abroad, at a university, technological university or private college. Language schools are spread across the country, from Dublin to small towns in the west, while degree study is concentrated in the main cities.

The education system

According to Education Ireland, the official promotion agency, Irish higher education is made up of universities, technological universities and institutes of technology, and private independent colleges. Public institutions include Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, Technological University Dublin, University College Cork, the University of Galway and the University of Limerick; private colleges include Griffith College Dublin and Dublin Business School.

All recognised qualifications are placed on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), a 10-level system managed by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) that runs from basic literacy to doctoral degrees. Bachelor's degrees usually take three or four years, followed by master's degrees and PhDs. The university year normally runs from September to May, with exams in December and May.

English language schools form a separate sector. Since 2024 QQI has been introducing TrustEd Ireland, a statutory quality mark for higher education and English language providers that teach international learners. Providers will need this authorisation to recruit students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who need a study visa, and it will replace the current Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) once fully in place.

Admission and recognition

There is no central application system for international students: most institutions ask them to apply directly through their own website. Each institution sets its own entry requirements, generally based on national school-leaving results and English language ability. Offers can be conditional on final results, and students confirm a place by paying a deposit. For immigration purposes, students from non-English-speaking countries need a high level of English, and the certificate must have been issued within two years of the start of the course. Students should check how their home country recognises Irish degrees; the NFQ level of each qualification helps with that comparison.

Student visa and immigration permission

Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is not valid there. Students who are visa-required nationals apply online before travelling: a short-stay C visa for courses of under three months, or a long-stay D visa (Stamp 2 or 2A permission) for longer study. According to Education Ireland (checked October 2026), a long-stay application must include:

• A letter of acceptance for a full-time course lasting an academic year, with at least 15 hours of study a week
• Proof of the academic ability to follow the course in English (unless it is an English course)
• Proof that the course fees have been paid in full
• Proof of funds of €10,000 for the first part of the stay
• Private medical insurance
• An explanation of any gaps in education and a commitment to return home after the course

A single-entry visa costs €60. Every non-EEA student staying more than 90 days, with or without a visa, must register with immigration within three months of arrival to get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP), which costs €300 and is renewed each year. English language students on a student permission also have attendance obligations; at International House Dublin, for example, they must attend at least 85% of their lessons.

Costs

Tuition for non-EU students varies by institution and subject. Education Ireland gives these ranges for undergraduate degrees in 2025/26: business €10,300-€29,000, engineering and science €14,500-€28,500, arts and humanities €13,500-€28,200, and medicine and health sciences €50,135-€62,500. For postgraduate degrees, the ranges include €14,000-€40,000 in business and €12,000-€23,000 in arts and humanities. Language school fees are set by each school. Private health insurance is compulsory for non-EU/EEA students and typically costs €300-€1,500 a year. Government of Ireland Scholarships are among the funding options for international students.

Where to study

• Dublin has the largest choice of universities, private colleges and language schools. Trinity College Dublin, created by royal charter in 1592, has about 22,000 students; Dublin City University, University College Dublin and TU Dublin are also in the capital, alongside language schools such as Emerald Cultural Institute, International House Dublin and The Linguaviva Centre.
• Cork is home to University College Cork, founded as Queen's College Cork in 1845, and to English language schools.
• Limerick, on the west coast, has the University of Limerick, with more than 19,000 students including over 3,300 international students a year, and its language centre.
• Smaller towns such as Bray, Kilkenny, Ennis, Westport and Schull in West Cork have English language schools that combine classes with homestays and activities.

Climate and practical life

Ireland's climate is mild, damp and changeable. Average winter temperatures are 5-8 °C and summer temperatures 15-20 °C, with rain possible all year. Accommodation is the main practical challenge, especially in Dublin: institutions offer on-campus residences, private rented flats and host families, and early application is recommended. Students with Stamp 2 permission can work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week from 1 June to 30 September and from 15 December to 15 January. Graduates can apply for Stamp 1G permission, which allows full-time work for 12 months, with a possible extension of 12 months.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to study in Ireland?

It depends on your nationality. Visa-required nationals need a long-stay D visa for courses of more than three months, and all non-EEA students staying over 90 days must register for an Irish Residence Permit.

Can I work while studying in Ireland?

Yes, with Stamp 2 permission: up to 20 hours a week in term and 40 hours a week in the summer and Christmas holidays.

How much are tuition fees in Ireland for international students?

For non-EU students, undergraduate fees in 2025/26 range from about €10,300 to €29,000 a year in most fields, and from €50,135 in medicine, according to Education Ireland.

Is health insurance compulsory?

Yes, for students from outside the EU/EEA. Private health insurance is needed for the visa and for immigration registration and typically costs €300-€1,500 a year.

Is Ireland part of the Schengen Area?

No. A Schengen visa does not allow entry to Ireland, so visa-required students must apply for an Irish visa.