Best Ireland Universities for Masters
Ireland is growing in popularity as one of the best study destinations for postgraduate students. With universities ranking in the top 3% of the world and a vibrant job market, the best Ireland universities for masters can set you up for future success!
In recent years, Ireland’s popularity as a higher education destination has skyrocketed. The country is now competing with the UK for non-EU students planning to study in Europe. Currently, Indian students represent the second biggest group of international students in the country. Experts are positive this trend will continue into the future.
Let’s explore what contributes to Ireland’s spike in evolving popularity, and why it’s a perfect fit for future postgraduate students!
Why Study in Ireland for Your Master’s Degree?
World-Ranking Universities
Ireland is a small country with a relatively low population. But did you know that the best Ireland universities for masters are also some of the best universities in the world? As a small country with a similarly small number of universities overall, Ireland hits hard with its standards of academic excellence nonetheless.
The Irish Universities Association collectively represents the country’s world-ranking universities. These include one of the global top 100, Trinity College Dublin - among Europe’s oldest universities, TCD has a history going as far back as the 1590s. The Association also represents one of the continent’s youngest universities, Technological University Dublin, born in 2019.
Some of the best universities to consider for a master’s degree in Ireland are:
| University | QS World University Rankings |
| Trinity College Dublin | =81 |
| University College Dublin | =171 |
| University of Galway | #289 |
| University College Cork | =292 |
| University of Limerick | #426 |
| Dublin City University | =436 |
| Maynooth University | 801-850 |
| Technological University Dublin | 851-900 |
Popular Programs to Study in Ireland
According to the Irish Higher Education Authority’s Key Facts and Figures, the most popular subjects among international students are Business, Administration & Law, and Health & Welfare. 1 in 4 international students in Ireland pursue Masters Taught degrees, according to the HEA’s International Students report in 2022.
Below, we break down some of the best programs to study in Ireland for a master’s degree, along with the in-demand career opportunities they qualify you for.
| Program Area | Profession | Top Universities |
| Nursing | Registered Nurse | • Trinity College Dublin • University College Cork • University College Dublin |
| Computer Science & Information Technology | • Information Security Analyst • Data Scientist • Web Developer • UX/UI Designer |
• Trinity College Dublin • University College Dublin • Dublin City University |
| Environmental Sciences | Sustainability Manager | • University of Galway • Dundalk Institute of Technology • University College Dublin |
| Pharmacy & Pharmacology | Pharmacy Technician | • RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences • University College Cork • University of Galway |
| Engineering | • Automation Engineer • Software Engineer • Construction Manager |
• Technological University Dublin • University of Limerick • Dublin City University |
| Business | • Digital Marketing Specialist • Compliance Officer • Financial Advisor |
• Trinity College Dublin • University College Dublin • Dublin City University |
Affordability
One of the pros of studying for a Master’s degree in Ireland is the relative affordability. This is one of the areas in which Ireland is competing strongly with the UK - from tuition fees to living costs, Ireland goes easier on the pocket. Especially in comparison to other countries in Europe, the cost of studying in Ireland is remarkably lower. All this comes with a quality of education comparable to its neighbors, including the UK.
Cost of Studying
Tuition for universities in Ireland ranges between €12,000 and €30,000 per year for a master’s degree. This is significantly lower if we compare these ranges with tuition fees elsewhere in Europe, especially the UK.
The affordability applies not only to the best Ireland universities for masters but also to undergraduate degrees. The average tuition fee in the UK for undergraduate programs is around €24,780. In Ireland, the yearly tuition for undergraduate students comes down to about €14,675.
On top of tuition fees, you need to show proof of access to funds amounting to €10,000 for your visa application. The Irish government estimates this as sufficient to cover your living costs in Ireland as a student for a full year. This proof of finances requirement is also lower than in most countries for international students. It reflects a more manageable student life in terms of financial investment, without compromising on the quality of education or opportunities.
Living expenses in Ireland typically fall around these estimates:
| Expense | Cost Range Per Month |
| On-campus housing | €600 - €900 |
| Private complex | €700 - €1,200 |
| Shared housing | €500 - €700 |
| Utilities (Electric/Gas/Refuse) | €30 - €50 |
| Food | €250 - €350 |
| Travel (Monthly Bus Ticket) | €65 - €85 |
| Textbook & Materials | €75 |
| Personal Expenses (Social/Sports) | €200 - €300 |
Overall expenses per month amount to around €1,240 - €1880. Your monthly spending, however, is highly personal and will look different from the spending patterns of your friends or roommates. Costs can vary depending on where you are staying and in what kind of accommodation. Your lifestyle also plays a part in what your monthly expenses will look like.
As a student holding Stamp 2 authorization to study in Ireland, you can also work part-time to manage your finances. During term time, this allows you a maximum of 20 hours of work alongside your classes. During the yearly term breaks, you can work full-time.
Scholarships
The best Ireland universities for masters also offer excellent scholarship opportunities. Although the tuition fees are relatively more affordable than in other countries, scholarships can go a long way in making excellent higher education more accessible. Fortunately, both the Irish government and Irish universities offer scholarships to international students to encourage applications from overseas.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility |
| Government of Ireland Scholarships | Excellent communication skills and remarkable academic profiles |
| Trinity College Dublin, Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship | Students demonstrating academic merit and enrolling in postgraduate studies (excluding Business programs) |
| University of Galway Business Postgraduate Merit Scholarship | Students demonstrating academic merit |
| Dublin City University Faculty of Engineering & Computing International Scholarship | Postgraduate applicants for programs in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing |
| University of Limerick Indian Student Scholarship | Indian students in Kemmy Business School programs |
| UCD Global Excellence Scholarship | International students demonstrating remarkable academic merit |
Employment Opportunities
Ireland is currently the European Union’s fastest-growing economy. Many large corporations and multibillion-dollar organizations have headquarters in Ireland. Better yet, youth employment is much higher than the average in Ireland than it is across the rest of Europe.
This is great news for students in postgraduate education across various sectors of Ireland. These large corporations and growing markets increase employment opportunities for postgraduate students. Some of the biggest sectors for employability in Ireland include:
| Industry | Main Employers |
| Science and Engineering | Pfizer, Abbott, Intel, Jacobs Engineering, Johnson & Johnson’s, Arup |
| ICT | Google, Intel, DCC, Apple, Microsoft, HP, Amazon |
| Business and Finance | Bank of Ireland, Citi Bank, Bank of America, Deloitte, Accenture, Davy |
| Healthcare and Social Care | Department of Health and the HSE |
A direct impact of this economic growth is the bump in graduate hiring rates. 83% of graduates from Irish universities find jobs within 9 months. This is because of the excellent quality of the universities and the relevance of their degree programs to industry demands. The best universities in Ireland for masters are very responsive to industry trends and needs. This includes incorporating experiential learning, such as internships and work placements, into your degree!
A master’s degree in Ireland is a great way to start your career. 6 out of 10 students from Irish universities report that they are happy about the connection of their education with the industry.
How to Apply for a Master’s Degree
If you’re sold on getting a master’s degree in Ireland, the next step is to apply. Time is a big factor for applications, influencing acceptance rates and scholarship availability. So, the first thing to do is to find the universities that are the right fit for you and pick the majors you want to study. In order to apply, you will typically need to submit:
● Academic transcripts or certificates of your Bachelor’s degree
● Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
● Scores from an English language proficiency test
● Statement of Purpose (SoP)
● Letters of Recommendation (LoR)
For master’s programs with a research focus, your application may include a research proposal or letter of intention for your research. Business programs may ask for GMAT scores, while other postgraduate programs may require GRE General Test scores.
English Language Requirements
Irish (or Gaeilge) and English are Ireland’s official languages. As your classroom learning will take place almost exclusively in English, you will need to prove your ability in the language as part of your application.
Language proficiency tests are par for the course for study abroad applications. With the higher complexity of academic English, it is one of the ways admissions officials gauge your ability to succeed in their programs. Irish universities accept a range of English proficiency test scores or equivalent qualifications, including the IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, etc.
The minimum requirement for master’s courses in Ireland depends on the type of course and the university. However, typically you will require a 6.5 overall and 6.0 for individual subsets of the IELTS to qualify. Equivalent score requirements for other tests are also available.
The Irish student visa also requires proof of your English proficiency. The minimum eligibility requirement for higher education applicants is 5.0 overall in the IELTS Academic.
Student Visa Requirements
Along with the English proficiency scores, you will need a number of documents to prepare for your student visa to study in Ireland. You must apply for the student visa online, which will generate an application form. This application form lists the supporting documents you will need to submit as part of your application. Once you check off all the items you need to provide, you must print out and sign the application form with the date and submit it along with the supporting documents.
Supporting documents for the Irish student visa include:
● Application form
● Application letter
● Recent passport-sized photographs
● Current passport
● Full copies of all previous passports
● Proof of enrollment
● Validation for any study gaps (e.g., proof of employment or health breaks)
● Proof of fee payment to your university
● Proof that you have the academic qualifications to complete your program
● English proficiency proof
● Proof of funds and finances
● Private medical insurance
● Information about any previous visa refusals
Rounding Up
Ireland is one of the best places to get a Master’s degree in 2024. With the best Ireland universities for masters among the top universities in the world, you can apply with confidence. The sharp increase in international students in Ireland every year is proof of the country’s growing popularity. Not only do Irish universities offer globally relevant programs with high graduate employability, but their programs are also more affordable in comparison to other study abroad destinations.
