Two-year stay-back visa
Masters graduates of eligible programmes can stay and work in Ireland for up to two years under the Third Level Graduate Programme; bachelors graduates get up to one year.
Study in Ireland from Nepal
Globally ranked universities, a two-year stay-back visa and Europe's densest cluster of technology and pharmaceutical employers. Compare Irish programmes and apply online - free.
Why Nepali students choose Ireland
Ireland has become one of Europe's most popular study destinations - English-speaking, inside the EU, and unusually well connected to graduate employment.
Europe's tech and pharma hub
Dublin, Cork and Galway host the European headquarters of a large share of the world's technology, pharmaceutical and medical-device companies - so study and work sit close together.
Globally ranked universities
Irish universities rank consistently well worldwide, with particular strength in computing, pharmaceuticals, business, data science and the humanities.
English-speaking and EU-based
You study in English, and an Irish qualification is recognised across the European Union and the wider world.
The reason most students choose Ireland
Up to two years to work after you graduate
The Third Level Graduate Programme lets eligible masters graduates remain in Ireland for up to two years to find and take up employment, and eligible bachelors graduates for up to one year. That window is long enough to turn a degree into real professional experience - which is why a cheaper degree somewhere you must leave immediately after graduating often works out to be the more expensive choice.
Read: the stay-back visa explained
Where to study in Ireland
Your city decides your rent, your part-time job market and your employers. These four university cities take most Nepali students.
Study in Dublin
The capital and Ireland's tech and finance hub. Trinity, UCD, DCU and TU Dublin are here, alongside the most graduate jobs - and the highest rents.
Study in Cork
Ireland's second city, home to University College Cork and MTU. A strong pharma, medical-device and tech employer base at a noticeably lower cost of living than Dublin.
Study in Galway
A lively, compact university city on the west coast. The University of Galway and ATU anchor a med-tech cluster, and student life here is famously social.
Study in Limerick
The University of Limerick runs one of Ireland's best-known work-placement programmes. Rents are among the most affordable of the university cities.
Popular courses in Ireland for Nepali students
One-year taught masters dominate, and the subjects that line up with Ireland's employers are the ones most students choose.
- MSc Data Analytics and Business Analytics
- MSc Computer Science, AI and Cybersecurity
- MSc Cloud Computing and Software Engineering
- MSc Fintech, Finance and Accounting
- MBA and MSc Management / Marketing
- MSc Supply Chain and Logistics
- Pharmaceutical science, biotech and med-tech
- Hospitality, tourism and international business
Ireland intakes
- September (main intake)
- Nearly every undergraduate and masters programme starts in September. Apply from October to April of the year before for the widest choice and the best scholarship odds.
- January / February (spring)
- A smaller intake for selected masters programmes, mostly in business and computing. Fewer seats, so apply by early autumn.
How to apply to study in Ireland from Nepal
Seven steps from shortlist to arrival. Read the complete Ireland guide for the detail behind each one.
1
Shortlist programmes
Compare Irish universities and courses on Admission Bravo by subject, city, fees and intake.
2
Check entry requirements
Match your +2 or bachelors grades, and plan IELTS, PTE or an accepted alternative.
3
Apply online
Submit your application, SOP, transcripts, CV and references. Most decisions take a few weeks.
4
Accept and pay the deposit
Accept your offer and pay the tuition deposit or fees the university asks for.
5
Prepare your finances
Arrange proof of funds for living costs, an education loan if needed, and medical insurance.
6
Apply for the Irish study visa
Complete the AVATS online form and submit your documents to the designated office.
7
Arrive and register
Book your IRP registration appointment, apply for a PPSN, and you can start working part-time.
What studying in Ireland actually costs
Compare the full total for a specific programme and city, not a national average - the gap between Dublin and the other cities is large.
Tuition (per year)
Varies widely by programme
Business, computing and engineering sit at the higher end. Always check the figure on the specific course page.
Living costs
Highest in Dublin
Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford are noticeably cheaper for rent and day-to-day spending.
Proof of funds
Required for the visa
You must evidence you can support yourself for the year, on top of tuition already paid.
Medical insurance
Mandatory
Private medical insurance must be in place before the study visa is granted.
The Irish student visa checklist
Refusals are far more often about inconsistent paperwork than about the student. Make sure your name is spelled identically across your passport, transcripts and financial documents. Follow our step-by-step Irish student visa guide.
- Letter of acceptance from the Irish institution
- Evidence that tuition fees have been paid
- Proof of funds covering your living costs for the year
- Private medical insurance
- English-language evidence (IELTS, PTE or an accepted equivalent)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- A statement explaining your course choice and your plans
Universities in Ireland
Browse Irish institutions on Admission Bravo, compare their programmes and entry requirements, and apply online.
Ireland guides and latest articles
Costs, visas, part-time jobs, scholarships and life in Ireland - written for students applying from Nepal.
Studying in Ireland: common questions
Can Nepali students study in Ireland?
Yes. Students from Nepal apply to Irish universities directly and then apply for an Irish study visa once they hold an unconditional offer and have paid the required tuition deposit. Ireland is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Nepali students.
How long can I stay in Ireland after graduating?
Under the Third Level Graduate Programme, graduates of eligible masters-level programmes can remain in Ireland for up to two years to find and take up work. Eligible bachelors-level graduates can stay for up to one year.
Do I need IELTS to study in Ireland from Nepal?
Most Irish universities require evidence of English proficiency, commonly IELTS or PTE. Some accept alternatives, including prior study delivered in English. Check the requirement on the specific programme before you book a test.
Can I work while studying in Ireland?
Students on an eligible study visa are generally permitted to work part-time during term and full-time during official holiday periods. Treat any earnings as a supplement to your funding, never as the basis of it - the visa requires you to show funds regardless.
How much does it cost to study in Ireland?
Total cost is tuition plus living costs, medical insurance and flights. Tuition varies substantially between universities and subjects, and Dublin is materially more expensive to live in than other Irish cities, so compare the full total for the specific programme and city rather than a national average.
When are the intakes for Ireland?
The main intake is September, when almost every programme starts. Many universities also run a smaller January (spring) intake for selected masters courses. Applying six to nine months ahead gives you time for the visa and for accommodation, which is the hardest part of arriving in Ireland.
Which are the best universities in Ireland for Nepali students?
Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, the University of Galway, the University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Dublin City University are the best-known public universities, alongside the technological universities. The best choice depends on your subject, budget and preferred city rather than on ranking alone.
Is Ireland good for PR after study?
Ireland has a clear route from study to residence: graduates move from the Stamp 1G stay-back permission onto an employment permit, most often the Critical Skills Employment Permit, which can lead to Stamp 4 permission and, over time, long-term residence. The exact salary thresholds and eligible occupations change, so check the current rules before you plan around them.
Is Admission Bravo free for students applying to Ireland?
Yes. Browsing programmes, applying and tracking your applications through Admission Bravo is free. You only ever pay official fees charged directly by the university.
Considering other destinations? Compare studying abroad from Nepal, study in India or earn an international degree in Nepal.
Start your international education journey today
Create your free account, explore programmes worldwide, and apply in minutes, then track every step in real time.
Applying abroad has never been easier.