MS in Ireland is a 1 to 2-year sought-after degree program available in formats like course-based, research-oriented, or a combination of both courses. Over 20,000 international students are currently enrolled across top masters universities in Ireland in a range of specializations. MS (masters) in Ireland costs up to 4 to 24 lakhs per annum for Indian students. With MS in Ireland, you can earn 36,000 to 71,000 EUR per annum at freshers level.

Wondering how to fund your education? Find Scholarships to study in Ireland

If you are planning to study in Ireland, you must have 3-4 years of bachelor’s degree in the related field along with a passion for research. Minimum eligibility requirements consist of a decent GPA, IELTS, impressive SOP, and GRE/GMAT scores. You will need work experience of 3 to 5 years is highly recommended for most programs. Basic knowledge of programming languages like C, C++, Java, Python, etc. is a mandatory requirement for most courses.

Top Universities for MS in Ireland

Tabulated below is the list of top universities offering MS in Ireland along with corresponding program details:

THE National Rankings 2023 University Average Annual Fees (in EUR)
1 Trinity College Dublin 24714.76
2 RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences 58756.28
2 University College Dublin 26431.07
5 National University of Ireland, Galway 24301.63
4 University College Cork 23631.65
6 Maynooth University 14011.38
7 Dublin City University 15007.27
7 University of Limerick 18601.06
9 Technological University Dublin 22044.41
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 9450

Why Study MS in Ireland?

  • Ireland is home to big global magnates: Ireland headquarters of a range of international businesses like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Pfizer, among others. This ensures plenty of post-degree options in Ireland for international students.
  • Spike in Labor Productivity: Survey Results of CEIC reflect that the labor productivity of Ireland saw a sharp increase to 9.64 % (YoY) in September 2020 in comparison to the growth of 0.15% in the last quarter. This hints towards better salaries and improved working conditions for job seekers in the future.
  • Two-year Stay Back Option: International candidates enrolled in MS in Ireland have the stay-back alternative of up to 2 years during which they can find employment in the country.
  • Increasing employment opportunities: As per the reports of the Labour Force Survey, Ireland’s unemployment rate stood constant at 7.30% in October 2020 with nearly 2,295,200 available job positions for people over the age of 15. The country is expected to show similar results by 2025 with major growth in sectors like Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Finance, among others.

MS in Ireland: Course Highlights

Duration 1 to 2 years
Application Portal Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) or respective University Portals
Application Fee 50 EUR (for PAC)
Exams Required IELTS or TOEFL
Work Experience Required (3 to 5 years)
Tuition Fees 5,000 to 25,000 EUR per year
Job Role Available Data Scientist; Senior Software Engineer; Business Analyst; Quality Assurance Manager
Prospective fields post-degree Engineering; Arts and Creative Streams; Science and Technology; Pharmaceuticals
Top Recruiters Google; Pfizer Ltd; Pfizer Inc; Bank of Ireland; Kerry Ingredients
Salaries at Fresher level 36,000 to 71,000 EUR per annum

MS in Ireland: Course Details

MS in Ireland is a 1 to a 2-year program in the country available in both Research and Taught formats across a range of Irish Universities.

  • Taught Masters in Ireland: This includes degree programs distributed further into MSc, MEng, MBA, and MA. Several graduate certifications available in a range of subjects also come under this category.
  • Research Masters in Ireland: Specially designed for students with a commitment towards research, this includes degrees like MPhil, MD, and certain PhDs and MSc degrees. These programs are usually shorter in duration, friendly on the pocket, and require the guidance of an academic supervisor for the most part.

Top MS in Ireland Courses for International Students

Popular MS in Ireland degrees and their corresponding institutes renowned in the country for the program are mentioned as follows:

Popular Program Best Irish University for the course
MS in Business Analytics National University of Ireland, Galway; University College Cork; University of Limerick
MS in Finance National University of Ireland, Galway; Maynooth University; University of Limerick
Masters (MS) in Computer Science (Software Engineering) Trinity College Dublin; Dublin City University; Maynooth University
MS in Data Science & Analytics Trinity College Dublin; University College Cork; Dublin City University
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) University College Dublin; Trinity College Dublin; Technological University of Dublin

MS in Ireland Admissions

The detailed admission requirements for aspirants looking to study MS in Ireland comprising details like application deadlines, list of mandatory documents, exams to study in Ireland and their respective test scores are as compiled below.

MS in Ireland Application Deadlines

Application deadlines and application fee for different universities offering MS in Ireland are tabulated as follows:

University Deadline Application Fee
Trinity College Dublin June 30 55
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Rolling 50
University College Dublin Rolling 50
National University of Ireland, Galway Rolling 35
University College Cork Offers are made at a minimum of four times a year on a rolling basis
Round 1: January 16
Round 2: March 6
Round 3: May 1
Round 4: July 3		 50
Maynooth University Starts September (apply before June next year) 50
Dublin City University Rolling (December and July intakes) 60
University of Limerick - 35
Technological University Dublin June 29 45
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland February 1 -

MS in Ireland Admission Requirements

The detailed eligibility requirements for MS in Ireland are highly university-specific. However, some common eligibility requirements required during the application process for universities in Ireland areas listed below.

  • A 3-4 year bachelor's degree in related fields or equivalent.
  • Scanned copies of official transcripts translated into English
  • A GPA of 3.0 or above
  • SOP for MS in Ireland (up to 1000 words; highly essential for admission interviews)
  • English proficiency scores like IELTS or TOEFL
  • GMAT score 550 to 600 or equivalent GRE score.
  • Work Experience of 3 to 5 years is highly recommended.
  • Updated CV/Resume
  • LOR for Ireland (two to three)
  • Work portfolio forms an essential part of the admission process of many courses related to the stream of design.
  • Candidates will have to appear for a personal interview for most courses. Due to the COVID-19 situation, these interviews can be conducted online.
  • Basic knowledge of programming languages like C, C++, or Java might be a requirement for some courses.

MS in Ireland Eligibility

Some popular universities and their corresponding eligibility requirements for MS in Ireland are as follows:

University GPA Eligibility
Trinity College Dublin 60-69% Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, 
Work Experience (3 to 5 years)
CV; LORs (2); SOP (500 words)
Knowledge of C, C++ or Java; GMAT: 550
Dublin City University 80% Bachelor’s degree in a related field
3 yrs work experience
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences 50 to 62% A bachelor’s degree in a related field with stamped transcripts
Resume; Experience; SOP; LOR
University College Dublin 60% 2 LORs; Interview; Experience (3 to 5 yrs)
National University of Ireland, Galway 55 to 60% 2 LORs; SOP; Interview or presentation
University College Cork min 60% 3+ years work experience; 2 LORs; Resume
Maynooth University 60% or above Personal statement; CV; Research essay
University of Limerick 60% Bachelor’s degree in related field
SOP (1000 words); LORs
Technological University Dublin Min 50% or more 3-4 bachelor’s degree
Portfolio; CV

MS in Ireland Language Proficiency Requirement

Prospective international candidates from a non-native English background must provide language proficiency proof in the form of test scores. The detailed scores for the same areas compiled below.

University IELTS TOEFL
Trinity College Dublin 6.5 88 to 90
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences 6.5 to 7.0 79 to 95
University College Dublin 6.5 to 7 87 to 100
Technological University Dublin 6.0 to 6.5 92
National University of Ireland, Galway 6.5 88
University College Cork 6.0 to 6.5 90
Maynooth University 6.5 95
Dublin City University 6.5 92
University of Limerick 6.5 90
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 6.5 79

Ireland Student Visa Requirements

International candidates enrolling for MS in Ireland must apply for a relevant visa (D- type) for studying in the country. The process for obtaining the Ireland Student Visa is as detailed below.

How to apply: Register online for the visa application form but submit documents to the application center assigned. The standard application fee is 60 EUR. It might take you around 3 months to acquire a study permit for Ireland, hence plan accordingly. 

Documents Required:

  • Completed application form
  • Letter of acceptance
  • Standardized test scores like IELTS (6.5 or equivalent), TOEFL (88 or above), etc
  • Proof of minimum funds which must be 7000 EUR per year
  • Health insurance is a mandatory requirement for international students
  • Passport photos
  • Valid passport
  • Medical checkup might be required (not applicable for Indian students)

Visa Interview: Schedule an interview with the nearest Irish embassy to complete the final step of the visa application process. The waiting time post-interview: The final processing of the application can take up to 60 days post-interview.

Cost of Studying MS in Ireland

Though Ireland is considered to be one of the highly expensive study-abroad destinations, the country ensures a range of scholarships for bright students along with impressive job prospects ahead. Thus, if you have made up your mind of applying to MS in Ireland, the basic list of expenses that should be taken into consideration is detailed as follows:

Pre-arrival costs

International applicants need to pay the following one-time expenses at the time of applying to MS in Ireland:

Type of Expense Cost (EUR)
Student Visa Application Fee 60 (varies)
Health Insurance 45
IELTS Fee 166-170
TOEFL Fee 136-224
GMAT Fee 143
GRE Fee 192

MS in Ireland Fees for Indian Students

The tuition fee for MS in Ireland for Indian students is as tabulated below:

University Tuition Fee (in INR, per year)
Trinity College Dublin 19,71,546
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences 46,87,106
University College Dublin 21,08,459
National University of Ireland, Galway 19,38,590
University College Cork 18,85,144
Maynooth University 11,17,716
Dublin City University 11,97,160
University of Limerick 14,83,844
Technological University Dublin 17,58,527
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 7,61,822

Cost of Living

The expenses comprising the post-arrival section are usually preference and lifestyle-dependent. An average estimated cost of living in Ireland is as compiled below.

Type of Expenses Cost (in EUR, per month)
Book & Supplies 75
Student Accommodation 300 to 1200
Meals 250 to 350
Utilities (like electric/gas/refuse) 30 to 50
Travel expenses (monthly bus ticket expense) 65 to 85
Personal expenses (specifically social & sports) 200 to 300
Internet and Cell Phone 80

Thus, overall, an Indian applicant seeking MS in Ireland would require some 25 to 70 lakhs per annum for studying in the country. This amount is an estimate of all the expenses incurred inclusive of tuition fee, cost of accommodation, and other living expenditures.

MS in Ireland with Scholarships

Since studying MS in Ireland can take a heavy toll on the pockets of many, a list of few common scholarships in Ireland for international students along with their corresponding details is as tabulated below.

Note: Prospective candidates are also advised to explore a range of course- and country-specific popular masters scholarships in Ireland while applying to their dream institution.

Name of the Scholarship Amount (in EUR) Eligibility
MSc Merit-based Scholarship 50% tuition fee waiver Merit-based awards for international students enrolled in an M.Sc program at University College Dublin
MBA Entrepreneurial Scholarship 50% fee waiver against tuition fee Awarded by Smurfit Graduate Business School to creative and meritorious students in the field of business
Trinity College Dublin 5,700-11,400 Range of awards for international candidates at Trinity College
Centenary Scholarship Program One-year tuition fee is free International Students from Brazil, China, India, USA, among others
Maynooth University Scholarships 1,200 to 3,440 Range of awards available for candidates enrolled at UG and PG programs at Maynooth
Opportunities in Ireland for Ontario College Graduates Reduced tuition fee by more than 15% Students from Ontario
NUI Galway International Students Scholarships 2,200-5,700 Meritorious awards for international students enrolled at UG, PG or Research Level
JN Tata Endowment Scholarship Varies Designed for meritorious Indian students applying for higher education abroad
Irish Aid Fellowship Training Program Varies Students from Tanzania enrolled in a full-time program at University in Ireland
Postgraduate Fellowships: The Walsh Fellowships 28,760 For international candidates in Ireland pursuing research work

MS in Ireland Jobs

Ireland as a country has fared well in the terms of its unemployment rate which has remained more or less constant (~7%; LFS) and employment generation (2.33 million) even during the tough times of pandemic. As discussed above, an increasing productivity rate has given a major hope for the nation’s economy which is expected to expand in the upcoming years and will create tons of new opportunities for international students with an MS in Ireland.

The detailed statistics revealed as per the report of the Labor Force Survey for the third quarter of 2020 (September 2020) is as follows:

Indicator Standard LFS Methodology COVID-19 Adjusted Estimates
Employed persons aged 15 years and over 2,295,200 2,078,058
Employment rate for those aged 15-64 years 67.7% 61.0%
Unemployed persons aged 15-74 years 174,700 394,538
Unemployment rate for those aged 15-74 years 7.1% 15.9%
In labor force 2,469,800 -
Not in the labor force 1,514,300 -

Central Statistics Office, Ireland has recently released its reports for the weekly salaries earned across Ireland in the year 2020 which reflects good enough future prospects for the current students with a master's in Ireland. The detailed statistics are depicted in the table below.

Time of Year (Quarter-Q) Avg Weekly Earnings (in EUR) Avg Hourly Earnings (in EUR) No. of hours worked
Q3 2019 769.14 23.53 32.7
Q2 2020 817.55 25.39 32.2
Q3 2020 797.83 24.44 32.6
Annual change % 3.7 3.9 -0.3

To help you better understand the salary prospects, we have compiled a list of some popular jobs post-MS in Ireland along with their corresponding salaries which are as follows:

Designation Salary (in EUR, per year)
Software Developer 39,000
Data Analyst 36,000
Data Scientist 45,000
Senior Software Engineer 62,000
Business Analyst 41,000
Quality Assurance Manager 69,000
Executive Manager 71,000
Senior Product Manager 76,000
Civil Engineer 42,000
Technical Writer 32,000
Sales Director 77,000
Instructional Designer 40,000
Economist 37,000
Customer Success Manager 51,000
Human Resources Advisor 42,000
Interior Architect 35,000
Secondary School Teacher 35,000

In the concluding section, it is highly justifiable to say that Ireland is indeed rightfully a favored choice when seeking to study abroad. While the expenses initially can be a little daunting, the overall return on investment is very impressive. Though the country's overall employment rate is nearly 70%, the graduate employment rate for students with MS in Ireland from a prestigious university is over 90%. This and a lot more makes MS in Ireland a coveted choice for international students.

FAQs

Ques. Which are the top universities for studying MS in Ireland?

Ans. Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Galway, University College Dublin are some of the reputed Irish universities for pursuing masters in Ireland.

Ques. What is the minimum GPA requirement for MS in Ireland?

Ans. GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (60-70%) or higher is mandatory for pursuing MS in Ireland along with other eligibility requirements such as LOI, SOP, Resume, Work Experience, etc.

Ques. What is the best course to study in Ireland?

Ans. The country offers a range of popular courses to study in Ireland for international students some of which includes MBA, MS in Business Analytics and Data Science, MS in Computer Science, among others.

Ques. How much does it cost to study MS in Ireland?

Ans. MS in Ireland usually costs around 5,000 to 25,000 EUR per year plus the additional living expenses. This amount corresponds to nearly 4 to 23 lakhs per annum for Indian applicants.

Ques. Is MS in Ireland free?

Ans. No, though studying MS in Ireland is not entirely free, early applicants applying to affordable universities can avail heavy discounts and up to 100% scholarships in order to study for almost free in Ireland.

Ques. Is Work Experience a mandatory requirement for MS in Ireland?

Ans. Work experience is not mandatory but a professional experience of 3 to 5 years is highly recommended for most courses in MS in Ireland.

Ques. Are scholarships available for MS in Ireland?

Ans. Yes, Ireland offers a variety of international scholarships that ranges between 1200 to 28,000 EUR or up to 50% fee waivers. There are also a range of university and country-specific scholarships for international students in Ireland.

Ques. Is Ireland a good place to study master's?

Ans. Ireland is home to some of the biggest giants in industries, has renowned research universities to its credit and is one of the safest countries to live in with a diverse international population. Thus, students looking for MS in Ireland should think no more because MS in Ireland is definitely worth it.

Ques. How much salary does an MS graduate in Ireland make?

Ans. The average salary of a candidate with MS in Ireland is approximately 36,000 to 71,000 EUR per annum per year and varies depending on the experience and skill set of the candidate.