What Are the Key Facts About Studying in Ireland?
The following data is sourced from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and individual Irish university admissions offices. All figures are for the academic cycle unless otherwise stated.
- Country
- Ireland — EU member state, only English-speaking country in the Eurozone
- Teaching medium
- English at all universities and institutes of technology
- Academic year
- September intake (main); some institutions offer a January intake for select programmes
- Tuition fees — undergraduate (international)
- €10,000–22,000 per year (individual university fee schedules, 2025–26)
- Tuition fees — postgraduate / Master's (international)
- €12,000–25,000 per year (individual university fee schedules, 2025–26)
- Living costs — Dublin
- €12,000–16,000 per year (Citizens Information published cost estimates)
- Living costs — outside Dublin (Cork, Galway, Limerick)
- €9,000–12,000 per year (Citizens Information published cost estimates)
- IELTS requirement
- 6.0–6.5 overall (undergraduate); 6.5–7.0 (postgraduate). No individual band below 6.0 typically. TOEFL iBT 80–90 and PTE Academic also accepted at many institutions.
- Student visa type
- Long-Stay 'D' Study Visa — applied for via INIS (irishimmigration.ie), followed by registration for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) on arrival
- Part-time work (during studies)
- 20 hours per week during term time; up to 40 hours per week during official college holiday periods (June–September and mid-December to mid-January), per INIS regulations (irishimmigration.ie)
- Post-study work permission
- Third Level Graduate Programme (stay-back visa) — 12 months for Level 8 Bachelor's, 24 months for Level 9/10 Master's or PhD (INIS, irishimmigration.ie)
- Long-term residency pathway
- Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit after securing a qualifying job offer during the stay-back period. Eligibility subject to Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment assessment. (enterprise.gov.ie)
- HOA service for Ireland
- Information resource only. House of Admissions does not apply to Irish universities. For UK applications, HOA guidance is 100% free.
How Much Does It Cost to Study in Ireland From Nepal?
The following cost estimates are for reference. Exchange rates are approximate; verify current rates at Nepal Rastra Bank (nrb.org.np) before any financial planning. At approximately NPR 207–212 per EUR (Nepal Rastra Bank reference rate, 2025).
| Cost Item | EUR (Approx.) | NPR (Approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition — Master's (1 year) | €12,000–25,000 | NPR 25–53 lakhs | University fee schedules |
| Living — Dublin | €12,000–16,000 | NPR 25–34 lakhs | Citizens Information estimates |
| Living — Cork/Galway/Limerick | €9,000–12,000 | NPR 19–25 lakhs | Citizens Information estimates |
| Long-stay 'D' visa fee | €60–100 | NPR ~12,500–21,000 | INIS fee schedule |
| Irish Residence Permit (IRP) | €300 | NPR ~63,000 | INIS fee schedule |
| Private medical insurance (est.) | €200–500/year | NPR ~42,000–105,000 | Private insurer policies vary |
| Proof of funds recommended | €10,000/year (in addition to tuition) | NPR ~21 lakhs | INIS financial requirements |
Ireland tuition is broadly comparable to UK tuition at postgraduate level, but the stay-back visa duration differs by degree level in Ireland (12 months Bachelor's, 24 months Master's), whereas the UK Graduate Route Visa gives a flat 2 years regardless of degree level (3 years for PhD). This is an important factor when comparing total value of study. See: UK vs Ireland comparison guide.
Irish Long-Stay 'D' Study Visa — Requirements for Nepal Students
Nepal nationals require a long-stay 'D' study visa to study in Ireland for longer than 90 days. All information below is sourced from INIS (irishimmigration.ie) and subject to change — always verify with the official INIS website before applying.
HOA does not prepare Irish study visa applications. For Irish visa guidance, consult a licensed Irish immigration adviser or the institution's international office directly.
To apply for an Irish long-stay 'D' study visa, the following documents are typically required (INIS, irishimmigration.ie):
- Letter of acceptance from a recognised Irish institution
- Evidence of tuition fee payment (or substantial deposit)
- Proof of financial support: approximately €10,000 for living costs, in addition to tuition (INIS guidance)
- Valid Nepali passport
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo English Test results (where required)
- Private medical insurance covering the full duration of stay
- Academic CV / statement of purpose
- Completed online application via AVATS (Irish visa application system) and biometric appointment at the visa application centre
- After arrival: register for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) — fee €300
Processing times vary by visa office. INIS publishes current guidance at irishimmigration.ie.
Third Level Graduate Programme — Ireland Stay-Back Visa
The Third Level Graduate Programme allows international graduates of eligible Irish institutions to remain in Ireland to seek employment after completing their studies. Source: INIS, irishimmigration.ie.
- Duration — Level 8 (Honours Bachelor's degree)
- 12 months
- Duration — Level 9/10 (Master's or PhD)
- 24 months
- Employer restrictions
- None during the seek-employment period — once a qualifying job offer is secured, graduates must transition to an employment permit
- Eligibility
- Must have completed a qualifying programme at a recognised Irish awarding body. Verify institutional eligibility before applying: INIS, irishimmigration.ie
- Long-term pathway after stay-back
- Graduates who secure a job offer meeting salary thresholds can apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit. Immigration policies change frequently — verify with INIS or a licensed adviser.
The UK offers a comparable Graduate Route Visa: a flat 2 years of unrestricted work rights post-graduation (3 years for PhD graduates) regardless of whether the degree is Bachelor's or Master's level, with no job offer or employer sponsor required (UK Home Office, gov.uk/graduate-visa, 2026). HOA can guide you to UK universities for this route — 100% free.
Which Programmes Do Nepali Students Choose in Ireland?
These programmes have historically attracted high numbers of international students at Irish institutions, partly due to Ireland's status as the European base for major technology and pharmaceutical companies. This list is for reference only.
Computer Science & IT
Software Engineering, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, AI & Machine Learning
Business & Finance
MBA, International Business, Finance, Accounting, Digital Marketing, Business Analytics
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Ireland is a major European pharma hub — Pharmaceutical Science, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing
Healthcare
Nursing, Public Health, Health Informatics, Healthcare Management
Engineering
Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, Biomedical, Renewable Energy Engineering
Law & Social Sciences
LLM, International Relations, Psychology, Education, Social Work
How Does Ireland Compare With the UK?
HOA works exclusively on UK admissions and can guide Nepal students through this comparison. The following is a factual overview of key differences. Full analysis available at the UK vs Ireland comparison guide.
UK vs Ireland — Side by Side
United Kingdom — HOA Specialisation
- Graduate Route Visa: flat 2 years regardless of degree level
- IELTS waiver (MOI) at 25+ universities for TU/KU/PU graduates
- Master's duration: typically 1 year
- Tuition: £9,000–£28,000/year (~NPR 17.5–54.6 lakhs at NPR 195/GBP)
- Chevening Scholarship — fully funded
- HOA guidance: 100% free — 153 partner universities
Ireland — Reference Information
- Stay-back visa: 12 months Bachelor's / 24 months Master's
- No MOI route — IELTS or equivalent generally required at all institutions
- Master's duration: typically 1 year, similar to UK
- Tuition: €10,000–25,000/year (~NPR 21–53 lakhs at NPR 210/EUR)
- Only English-speaking Eurozone country — useful EU gateway
- HOA does not apply to Irish universities
Considering UK Universities Instead?
House of Admissions places Nepali students in 153 UK universities — free of charge. 99% UK visa success rate (internal tracking data, 2016–2026). Offices in Putalisadak, Kathmandu and Trade Mall, Chipledhunga, Pokhara.
Questions About Studying in Ireland From Nepal
No. House of Admissions (HOA) is a UK-exclusive education consultancy in Nepal. HOA provides admissions support, visa preparation, and scholarship guidance exclusively for UK universities. For Irish universities, HOA provides factual reference information to help Nepali students compare UK and Ireland — but does not submit applications to Irish institutions. For UK university applications, HOA's service is 100% free.
Tuition fees at Irish universities range from approximately €10,000 to €25,000 per year for international students, depending on the institution and programme. Living costs in Dublin are estimated at €12,000–16,000 per year; cities outside Dublin (Cork, Galway, Limerick) are lower at approximately €9,000–12,000 per year. Total annual cost: approximately €19,000–41,000. Sources: individual Irish university fee schedules and Citizens Information published cost estimates.
Most Irish universities require an IELTS Academic score of 6.0–6.5 overall for undergraduate programmes and 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate programmes, with no individual band below 6.0. Some institutions also accept TOEFL iBT (minimum 80–90), PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test. Requirements vary by institution and programme; check directly with the university admissions office.
The Third Level Graduate Programme (commonly called the "stay-back visa") allows international graduates of eligible Irish institutions to remain in Ireland to seek employment. Graduates of Level 8 (Honours Bachelor) degrees receive 12 months; graduates of Level 9 (Master's) or Level 10 (PhD) degrees receive 24 months. Source: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), irishimmigration.ie.
After the stay-back period, graduates who secure a job offer meeting the minimum salary threshold can apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit to remain in Ireland long-term. Ireland is also a gateway to the EU's Common Travel Area, though full EU freedom of movement does not automatically apply to non-EU graduates. Source: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, enterprise.gov.ie. Note: immigration policies change frequently; always verify current eligibility with a licensed immigration adviser.
Key differences: (1) Stay-back duration — UK Graduate Route Visa gives 2 years (3 for PhD) regardless of degree level; Ireland's scheme gives 12 months for Bachelor's and 24 months for Master's/PhD. (2) MOI route — 25+ UK universities accept a Medium of Instruction letter instead of IELTS for TU/KU/PU graduates; Ireland generally requires IELTS or equivalent for all applicants. (3) Tuition — broadly comparable; UK ranges £9,000–£28,000/year, Ireland ranges €10,000–€25,000/year. (4) HOA expertise — HOA specialises exclusively in UK admissions and cannot apply to Irish universities. See the full UK vs Ireland comparison at houseofadmissions.com/study-in-uk/compare/uk-vs-ireland-nepal/.
A long-stay "D" study visa for Ireland (required for non-EEA nationals including Nepal) typically requires: letter of acceptance from a recognised Irish institution; evidence of tuition fee payment; proof of funds (minimum €10,000 per year recommended by Irish immigration authorities, in addition to tuition); valid passport; private medical insurance; evidence of English proficiency; and an academic CV/statement of purpose. Source: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), irishimmigration.ie. Requirements vary by nationality and individual circumstance.
Frequently cited Irish universities for international students include Trinity College Dublin (QS World Ranking #87, 2024), University College Dublin (UCD, #126), University College Cork (UCC), Dublin City University (DCU), and the University of Galway. Rankings sourced from QS World University Rankings 2024. Note: HOA does not partner with Irish universities and provides this information for reference only.
Sources & Further Reading
Considering the UK Instead?
Page last updated: · Source data: INIS, irishimmigration.ie