Welcome to the International Students section of the USI website. The USI is dedicated to working on behalf of every student in Ireland, which includes supporting our international students.

This section of the website offers information and advice to international students studying in Ireland, and will hopefully answer the most common questions posed by new students to this country.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

I want to study in Ireland. What do I have to do?

If you are a citizen of a country in the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA) or of Switzerland you have free movement in other member states and there are no special requirements to study in Ireland.

If you are a national of a country outside this area, you will firstly have to establish if you are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. A list of countries whose citizens do not require visas is available on the websites of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). For all other countries, a visa will be required.

More information on student visas in Ireland is available from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

What are the English language proficiency requirements for third-level study in Ireland?

If you require a visa to study in Ireland, you must also have undertaken an English Language exam, recognised by the Department of Justice to take up third level or postgraduate study. 

Colleges and universities will also usually have specific language requirements, although these vary significantly from one course to another. You should contact the International Office or Admissions Office at the institution to check this information for the course you are interested in.

Only certain English Language exams are recognised by the Irish Department of Justice. Full details and required scores are given in the Department's Student Visa Guidelines

Do I have to pay fees to study in Ireland?

Ireland currently operates a system of free undergraduate fees for EU nationals who meet certain criteria. Those with official refugee status and EEA/Swiss nationals with long-term residency in the EU may also qualify. The free fees scheme does not apply to any postgraduate courses. Courses in Northern Ireland and in private colleges in the Republic of Ireland are also excluded. Click here for more information.

Where free fees do not apply, students must pay either the EU or non-EU rate. Since this can be determined by residence as well as nationality, non-EU nationals may qualify for the EU fee rate in some circumstances.

Can I get a grant to study in Ireland?

The Higher Education Grants Scheme applies to Irish and EU nationals who are resident in Ireland and is administered by the local government authority (County Council or County Borough Corporation) in whose area the applicant ordinarily resides. EU nationals who meet certain conditions, including residency and means-testing requirements, may be able to avail of a maintenance grant. Non-EU nationals are not eligible for local authority higher education grants.

For more information, please click on the link below:

Higher Education Grants Scheme

Are there any scholarships of funding available for international students wishing to study in Ireland?


Ireland is member of several international exchange scholarship schemes that are listed on the Department of Education and Skills website. You can also contact the Department of Education in your home country to ask if there are any scholarships for which you might be eligible to apply.

Some Irish universities and Institutes of Technology offer a limited number of partial scholarship schemes. Usually you can only apply for such scholarships after the university/institute has offered you a place. You should contact the International Office at an institution directly for more information about this possibility.

Education Ireland also provides a listing of scholarships and other possible funding opportunities for international students.