
Top Universities in Ireland for Masters: Salary, Cost & Career Scope
Universities in Ireland for Master’s are among the top choices for international students. When it comes to studying abroad, Ireland is considered one of the best destinations for International students because of its high-quality education, good ranked universities, friendly and welcoming culture, strong post-study work visa opportunities, and PR possibilities.
Why Indian Students Choose Ireland for a Master’s?
Ireland is located in the north-west of Europe, and it is the most Industrialised and entrepreneurial nation in Europe. It is a hub for major IT and pharma companies, resulting in good career growth and development. Additionally, the duration of a master’s degree in Ireland is 1 year, and after completion of this degree, students can stay there for a period of 2 years on a post-study work visa, search for a job, and work.
The tuition fees of Irish institutions are comparatively lower than those in other destinations, so one can get the benefit of quality education at an affordable cost. Even if the official language is Irish, the programs are in English, and English is widely spoken, so there is no language barrier for International Students. Unlike in the USA or Canada, Ireland recognizes 15 years of prior education, so students with a 3-year bachelor’s are eligible to apply for a master’s.
We have also posted a blog on topic Study Masters in Ireland.
Top Universities in Ireland for Masters
Higher Education in Ireland is categorised into the following –
- Universities – There are some of the oldest and research-focused universities in Ireland that provide Master’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Doctoral programs. Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), and the University of Galway are some popular universities that ranked in the first 150 in the QS ranking.
- Institutes of Technology – They provide work-integrated courses that focus on giving practical knowledge. Institute of Technology, Carlo, Cork Institute of Technology are some of the examples. Some Technology universities may further merge with universities, for example, TU Dublin or Munster Technological University.
- Colleges – There are some colleges that are recognised and independent, they provide quality education, master’s degrees in faculties like Business, IT, Law, Arts, and Design. Example – National College of Ireland, Dublin Business School, IBAT, Shannon College of Hotel Management
Universities and Colleges in Ireland to Study Masters
- University College Dublin
- Trinity College Dublin
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- University College Cork
- Technological University Dublin
- Dublin City University
- Maynooth University
- University of Limerick
- National College of Ireland
- Dublin Business School
- Griffith College
What are The Eligibility Criteria for a Master’s in Ireland
1- Entry Requirements for Master’s in Ireland Universities –
- Bachelor’s Degree with a Minimum 65% from a recognised University/ Institution.
- IELTS – overall score of 6.5, no band less than 6. Irish Universities may accept DET or TOEFL as well.
- Some Courses, like MBA, may require previous relevant work experience
- Some courses, like Design or Architecture-related, may ask for a Portfolio
- Maximum 5 Backlogs are acceptable
2- Entry Requirements for Master’s in Ireland Colleges-
- Bachelor’s Degree with a Minimum 55% from a recognized University/ Institution
- English Language Proficiency – IELTS overall score of 6.5, no band less than 6. DET and TOEFL are also accepted
- A maximum of 10 backlogs is acceptable
What Documents Do You Need for Admission?
Proper documentation always leads to successful and timely application and outcome. The documents mentioned below are required for the smooth application process-
- Academic Documents – 10th Marksheet, 12th Marksheet, Degree Marksheets and Passing Certificates, Degree Transcripts
- 2 Letter of Recommendations
- Statement of Purpose
- Updated Resume
- Valid Passport
- IELTS/TOEFL/DET Score Card
- Work-related documents – Appointment letter, experience certificate, Salary slips
What Are The Admission Process of Ireland Universities?
- Selection of a proper course and university
- Gather all the required documentation
- Filling out the application form and submitting it along with all the documents
- Application Outcome (Offer/rejection)
- Offer Acceptance and fees payment
- Getting Confirmation of Acceptance (COA)
- Visa application
What is the Cost of Studies in Ireland?
Breakdown Amount Per Year – In Euro
Average Tuition Cost of one year (Indicative) EUR 22000
Living Expenses for one year as per VISA rules EUR 12000
Travel Cost (Airfare) EUR 700
TOTAL Yearly Cost of Studies EUR 34700
Are There Any Scholarships Available to International Students?
There are various scholarships available to international students offered by Irish universities and the government.
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
- Global Excellence PG Scholarship by UCD – up to EUR 5000
- Merit-Based Scholarship by TCD – up to EUR 5000
Popular Master’s Degrees in Ireland for Indian Students
1- Computer Science and Information Technology
Ireland is known as a hub for the IT Sector. It leads to a wide range of career options for international students after completion of their master’s. IT courses in Ireland provide students with the practical knowledge, critical thinking, advanced technical skills, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Degrees available are-
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc in Cyber Security
- Master of Engineering in Technology
- MSc in Data Science
- MSc Computational Science and Engineering
- MSc Cloud Computing
Average Tuition Fees for the above courses are €12,000 to €30,560.
Graduates from these areas may get employed in top companies as an IT Business analyst or software developer or Cybersecurity specialist, IT Consultant, etc
2- Data Analytics
Master’s in Data Analytics is another popular master’s degree in Ireland, as it provides students with strong analytical skills and hands-on experience. It involves specialisations like Financial Analytics, Marketing Analytics, Customer Analytics, etc. Graduates from this degree may get employed as a data analyst or data scientist or business analyst, or financial data analyst, and many more.
3. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Are you planning for better career options in the Pharma Industry? Then Ireland is the best place to go to, as the majority of the top pharmaceutical companies have their headquarters in Ireland.
It’s not only restricted to the M.Pharm degree, but this sector has many opportunities in this field, like regulatory affairs, drug discovery, Biopharma engineering, Pharma business management, and Quality Assurance.
Degrees available are –
- MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences
- MSc Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs
- MSc Biotechnology
- MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering
- MRes Industrial Pharmaceutics
- MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutical Sciences, Operations and Management
- MSc Neuropharmacology
- MSc Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Regulation
- MSc In Pharmaceutical Business and Technology
Average tuition fees for the above courses are €15000 to €29100. Graduates from the above courses may get employed in top Pharma companies as a Bioprocess Engineer, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Quality Control Analyst, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Pharmacist, or even a Professor or lecturer as well.
4. Business and Management
Ireland is recognised as one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to quality of education, pattern of learning, structured assessments, and study infrastructure, particularly in the field of Business and Management studies!!
It offers a wide range of courses to international students, like financial management, accounting, marketing, human resources, operations, supply chain, etc. Top institutions such as University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) are especially renowned for their Business and Management programs.
Degrees available are –
- MSc Management
- MSc Strategic Management
- MSc Business Management
- MSc Marketing Management
- MSc Project Management
- MSc International Business Management
- MSc Marketing
- Master of Business Administration
The average tuition fees for the above courses are €19,680 to €37,910. Students, after completion of their degree may get employed as a Financial analyst, marketing analyst, Business development manager, Operations manager, Supply chain manager, project manager, etc
5- Finance and accounting
Accounts and finance are a very crucial part of each and every industry, or we often say it’s the lifeblood of all businesses, and therefore, it should be managed properly. As Ireland is a hub for the IT and Pharma Industry, and the majority of the top companies from various sectors have their setup in Ireland, there is a huge demand for Accounting and Finance experts in Ireland. Irish universities offer a wide range of courses in this sector. The programs are structured in such a way that students will get in-depth knowledge in theory as well as through projects and practical work experience.
Degrees available are-
- MSc Finance
- M.Sc. Law & Finance
- MSc in Quantitative Finance
- MSc Accounting & Finance Management
The average cost of studies for Finance and Accounting master’s is €21,320 to €28,140. Students can get jobs in MNCs in positions of Financial Analyst, Accountant, Investment Banker, Risk Manager, Portfolio Manager, Finance Manager, and Accounts Manager. Above-mentioned are some of the in-demand study areas in Ireland; however, Irish universities do offer master’s in other fields as well, like education, psychology, arts and humanities, etc, which can lead to promising careers.
Career Opportunities & Salary After a Master’s in Ireland
Ireland’s strong economy and presence of global companies like Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Pfizer, Deloitte, and KPMG lead to the development of strong career and development opportunities for international students. Irish and wider EU job markets, making Ireland a highly attractive destination for building a successful career in fields like IT, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Accounting and finance, Business and Management.
Name of the Industry Different Job Roles Avg Annual Salary
Accounting & Finance Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Accountant, Compliance Officer €40,000 - €71,119
Management & Consulting Management Consultant, Strategy Consultant, Business Analyst €50,904 - €70,000
Technology and IT Project Manager, IT Consultant, Data Analyst €45,000 - €70,000
Marketing & Advertising Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Brand Manager €50,000 - €75,000
Operations Operations Manager, Supply Chain Coordinator €55,000 - €80,000
Human Resources Human Resources Manager, Recruitment Specialist €50,000 - €70,000
Retail and Consumer Goods Retail Manager, E-commerce Manager €38,000 - €60,000
Pharmaceutical Sciences, MedTech & Healthcare Operations Manager, Quality Assurance Manager €42,000 - €68,000
The average annual salary reference is taken from the Indeed website.
Tips for Choosing the Right University & Program for a Master’s in Ireland
- Always give first preference to the Course structure and modules, and subjects that you are going to study
- Second preference will be the location and its benefits, it as Study Infrastructure, research facilities, and employment opportunities
- Third preference will be tuition fees, your budget, and how you are going to arrange your funds
- Check for the Scholarships available
- Then give preference to the University Rankings
How will Education Street help you in your journey to a master’s in Ireland universities?
- One-to-one counselling for the selection of the proper university and course as per your profile
- Admission Documentation and Application Process
- SOP and LOR editing services
- IELTS / DET / PTE Coaching
- Offer Acceptance process,
- loan assistance, accommodation assistance
- Visa process, documentation, and form filling
Frequently Asked Questions for Universities in Ireland for Masters
- Is Ireland good for a Master’s?
Yes, Ireland is a good destination for international students as it offers a wide range of specialisations in courses and practical work experience, along with 2 years of post-study work opportunities and career growth.
- What are the best universities in Ireland for Master’s?
Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork, Griffith College, National University of Ireland -Galway, Maynooth University, NCI, TUD, and DCU are some good institutions in Ireland that offer the best masters degrees.
- What are the tuition fees for a master’s Ireland?
Average tuition fees for master’s are approximately €15000 to €29100
- Is there any Consultancy that can help choose universities for a Master’s in Ireland?
Of course, yes. We, at “Education Street”, will help you select the right university and right course for your master’s degree in Ireland!
Connect now for a one-to-one profile evaluation with our counsellor.
Author Name: Ankita Thakker
Designation: Founder & CEO of Education Street