Ireland Student Work Rights 2026

International students in Ireland can work while studying if they meet the course conditions. After graduation, some can apply to stay and look for work.

Student life → Cost of living →

Students on full-time courses of at least one year can work during term time and full-time during holidays. They must not do self-employment or work with a work permit.

This means work is available alongside study, with more flexibility during scheduled breaks. The published rights apply to students in full-time study rather than short courses.

After completing an approved course, graduates may apply for the Third Level Graduates Scheme. This post-study work route can let them stay in Ireland for up to 24 months to seek employment and gain relevant experience.

For students planning to move from study into work, Ireland offers a clear path from in-study work rights to a graduate stay option. The country also has 28 universities, including Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork, and Dublin City University.

Universities in Ireland

QS World #75 #1 in Ireland Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Trinity College Dublin

Public University — The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, branded by the board as Trinity College, the University of Dublin, and officially incorporated as Trinity Colleg...

EUR 21,000 – EUR 28,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1592Founded

20,000Students

6,000International

Admissions open

#75 QS World University Rankings 2026

#1 in Ireland

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QS World #118 #3 in Ireland Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

University College Dublin

Public University — University College Dublin, commonly referred to as UCD, is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a member institution of the National University of Ireland. With more than 38,...

EUR 20,500 – EUR 27,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1854Founded

33,000Students

9,000International

Admissions open

#118 QS World University Rankings 2026

#3 in Ireland

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QS World #75 #2 in Ireland Ireland

University of Dublin, Trinity College

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#75 QS World University Rankings 2026

#2 in Ireland

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QS World #273 #5 in Ireland Galway, Connacht, Ireland

University of Galway

Public University — The University of Galway is a public research university located in the city of Galway, Ireland. The university was founded in 1845 as Queen's College, Galway. It was known as "University Co...

EUR 17,000 – EUR 23,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1845Founded

19,000Students

4,000International

Admissions open

#273 QS World University Rankings 2025

#5 in Ireland

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QS World #246 #4 in Ireland Cork, Munster, Ireland

University College Cork

Public University — University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in Cork.

EUR 18,000 – EUR 24,500/yrTuition (indicative)

1845Founded

24,000Students

5,000International

Admissions open

#246 QS World University Rankings 2026

#4 in Ireland

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QS World #410 #7 in Ireland Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

Dublin City University

Public University — Dublin City University is a university based on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. Created as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin in 1975, it enrolled its first students in 19...

EUR 15,500 – EUR 21,000/yrTuition (indicative)

1975Founded

19,000Students

3,000International

Admissions open

#410 QS World University Rankings 2026

#7 in Ireland

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All universities in Ireland →

Questions about working & jobs in Ireland

Can international students work while studying in Ireland?

Yes. International students in Ireland are allowed to work while studying if they are enrolled in full-time courses of at least one year.

What work is allowed during study in Ireland?

Students can work during term time and full-time during holidays. They must not engage in self-employment or work with a work permit.

What can happen after graduation in Ireland?

After completing an approved course of study, graduates may apply for the Third Level Graduates Scheme, which can allow them to stay in Ireland for up to 24 months to seek employment.

Student cities in Ireland

Each one has its own guide to life, costs and working.

Dublin 3 universities

Student life Cost of living Working & jobs

Galway 1 universities

Student life Cost of living Working & jobs

Cork 1 universities

Student life Cost of living Working & jobs

More on Ireland: destination overview · universities · scholarships · student visa