Gargi Tomar
Updated on Feb 17, 2022 8:04 PM IST
One of the most common questions that study abroad consultants have to answer is related to the job opportunities available for international students studying in Ireland. The country is one of the few that offers international students the opportunity to work in Ireland without having to apply for a work permit. However, there are rules and regulations that need to be followed.
Being a part of the European Union, students from different states in the European Union have different opportunities and benefit from them as well. However, all other international students, while they enjoy certain benefits, there are more regulations and restrictions in place. Ireland allows all non-EEA students to apply for employment, both during and after their studies, especially with the Third Level Graduate Scheme released by the government.
On this page, you will be able to find the necessary information you need to start working in Ireland.
All international students studying in Ireland are entitled to work while studying, however, non-EEA students need to satisfy certain conditions and abide by certain regulations. As per the immigration rules in Ireland, international students can work different hours depending on the time of the year and the type of employment and visa permissions.
In Ireland, international students are eligible to work 20 hours a week if they are studying during the week as well. However, during vacation periods and holidays, students are eligible to work 40 hours a week. Nonetheless, international students who wish to work while studying in Ireland need to abide by the following regulations.
All international students need to be registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Students should be enrolled in a programme leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister of Education and Skills. In other words, students must be enrolled in a full-time programme of education of NFQ Level 7 or Higher.
Students should also be undertaking a minimum of 15 hours of study during the day. They should also be getting tuition between 8 am to 6 pm every week, for a minimum of 25 weeks.
Students should be enrolled in a programme that lasts at least one year.
Those international students who meet the above-mentioned criteria will also be required to apply for a Personal Public Service Number as employers can only pay employees with a PPS Number. Additionally, the students must have an Irish bank account as fund transfers can only be done between Irish bank accounts.
There are several jobs that international students can take up when studying in Ireland, whether it is on-campus or off-campus. While in Ireland, students will be able to find jobs near and around their university or college or can find jobs on the university bulletin or through the careers or international office of the university. However, in the 21st century, when almost everything can be found online, employers list out the vacant positions that students can work in. Here are the top 5 part-time jobs in Ireland for international students.
Server/Waiter - One of the commonly opted professions anywhere abroad is the profession of a waiter, host or dishwasher. Social skills and the ability to work in an environment demanding professionalism at all times is some of the key requirements for anyone seeking employment in the field. It is also one of the fields where you may not always require a degree or qualification. Additionally, most restaurants, cafes and bars work in a shift system, so you can manage your work and study hours accordingly.
Entertainment and Other Social Events - Students can find a range of jobs such as backstage crew, security, ushers, stage crew, equipment handlers, etc, during social events.
Retail - Another popular profession chosen by international students is to work in retail shops, as salespersons, cashiers or storage workers. This is one of the more common jobs students opt for as this is also shift-based and also pays well. Students will be able to study the minimum amount required by Ireland while earning a decent amount to earn a little extra.
Tutors - Tutoring is also a popular choice among international students. Students often take out time and offer their services as tutors, to themselves or their juniors, but within the university compounds. As Ireland regulations go, international students cannot indulge in self-employment activities.
Cleaners - Cleaning crews across the country are always looking for someone to temporarily work with their crew, taking up jobs across the different counties. This can be a good part-time job for those seeking employment during vacation or holiday periods.
Note: These are just a few of the top job offers international students have opted for in the past. Students can also choose from on-campus jobs if the university is offering positions, such as a library or laboratory assistant.
The Third Level Graduate Scheme permission is a policy released by the Irish government that allows non-EU/EEA students to remain in the country to seek employment. The revised Third Level Graduate Scheme permission helps students to remain in Ireland for a period of 24 months to look for employment or apply for a “Green Card” or work permit.
To become eligible for the scheme, international students must:
Have received, in writing, a notification from the relevant body or institution that they have been conferred the award for twitch they had been enrolled in, as a student.
Hold a valid Stamp 2 immigration permission and updated immigration registration card and are required to apply within 6 months of receiving their award from a recognised institution in Ireland.
Ensure that they have not exceeded the seven-year limit on their immigration permission as a non-EEA student in Ireland;
Candidates may re-enter the Third Level Graduate Programme, if they have previously benefitted from the programme at a Level 8 or above, on achievement of a higher level award such as an NFQ Level 9 or higher This will be subject to the overall limit of 8 years.
However, subject to the above point, a graduate will not be permitted to enter the programme on more than two occasions.
Candidates must also be within the obligation of any non-EEA resident aspiring to renew their immigration permission to remain in Ireland. This includes being in good character and not seeking adverse attention from the authorities during their stay.
Additionally, candidates must provide proof of the final award in the form of parchment or, in the case where the graduation ceremony has not been conducted as on the date of application, an official letter from the institution awarding the degree that the student has achieved the degree.
Note: A recognised award in Ireland is considered to be one of the following
If it has been conferred by one of the seven Irish Universities, i.e., UCD, UCC, DCU, Trinity College, Maynooth University, the University of Limerick and NUI Galway; or
Dublin Institute of Technology; or
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland; or
Institutes of Technology; or
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
PPS, Personal Public Service Number is a unique reference number that helps anyone with it to access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland. A PPS number in Ireland is usually 7 numbers long followed by either 1 or 2 letters. If you plan to work in Ireland, you will need a PPS number for employers to pay you.
To register and receive your PPS number, you will need to meet certain requirements and submit documents for the same. Here are the documents that you, an international student aspiring to work in Ireland, need to submit.
Your Identity
Why You Need a PPS Number
Your Address
Proof of Identity
For international students applying for a PPS Number, the current passport will suffice as identity proof.
Proof of Address
International students can submit any one of the following documents as their proof of address for the PPS number. It should be noted that the document should display your name and should not be older than 3 months.
An official letter or document
Property Lease or Tenancy Agreement
Household utility bill
A financial statement
An address confirmation letter by a third party, for instance, a hostel or hotel administrator/manager, or a school principal or property owner.
Note: In case you are living with relatives or friends in Ireland, you can and must submit a household utility bill with a note from the bill holder confirming your residency at the billed address.
Proof of Need for PPS Number
All non-EEA students planning to work in Ireland must provide proof of the need for a PPS number. Students must provide a signed offer letter from an employer in Ireland confirming the start date of the job. The offer letter must be on company letterhead paper, with the contact details and registered number of the employer/company. It should be noted that you do not need a PPS number if you are searching for employment nor does an employer need it to offer you employment.
However, some other reasons as to why you could require a PPS number include:
To apply for or exchange driver’s license;
To register for a course in a school or a college;
To access public services;
To access medical services;
To apply for a social welfare payment.
Note: If you are confused with the work regulations for international students in Ireland, consult with our study abroad experts and seek the answers to your questions.
Students graduating from any one of the top universities in Ireland have been known to be recruited by industry giants in their respective fields, especially in the field of Computer Science and IT. Ireland has been a hub for tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Linked In, and more. Ireland Universities have reported an employability rate of around 80% - 90%. However, in Ireland, the most demand for skilled and qualified graduates have been reported to be in the sectors of Healthcare, Analytics, Pharma, Life Sciences, Data Engineering, Med-Tech, ICT, etc.
Reports across the world have revealed that Ireland is one of the booming economies in the world, where the country is expected to grow during the pandemic compared to other countries that have been gravely affected. This growth will directly result in a number of job openings for those in Ireland, including international students.
As stated above, Ireland is a country with a booming economy, which will result in certain positive outcomes such as more job opportunities and even more companies emerging. AS per BusinessBecause, 97% of MBA graduates from Trinity found employment within the first six months of graduation.
As per reports, an average of 51,000 euros per year has been the income of an MBA graduate in Ireland. Starting from 20K euros per year to 170K euros per year has been reported for different MBA graduates at different positions in a company. Here are some of the salaries of MBA graduates in Ireland at different positions.
Positions |
Salary Range (Per Year) |
Average Salary (Per Year) |
Marketing Manager |
€30k - €95k |
€50K |
Operations Manager |
€35K - €100K |
€60K |
Project Manager |
€40K - €95K |
€50K |
Marketing Executive |
€20K - €45K |
€30K |
CEO |
€50K - 170K |
€95K |
Note: The salaries listed above are for the purpose of reference and the actual salaries may differ depending on the market conditions, your qualifications and the job descriptions as well.
Companies across Ireland are in high demand for qualified and skilled engineering graduates, especially in the field of Data Science and Analytics, and Data Engineering, among other fields of study. As the country journeys towards a booming economy, jobs for engineers and graduates are expected to increase as well.
Job Position |
Salary Range (Per Year) |
Salary Average (Per Year) |
Data Engineering |
€30K - €80K |
€55K |
Software Engineer |
€30K - €70K |
€50K |
Computer Hardware Engineer |
€35K - €100K |
€45K |
Biomedical Engineer |
€30K - €65K |
€40K |
Electrical and Electronics Engineer |
€100K - €300K |
€180K |
Mechanical Engineer |
€30K - €60K |
€45K |
Note: The salaries mentioned above are for reference purposes only. The actual salary may vary depending on the company you join, your job description, your qualifications and other parameters as well.
How to get a work permit in Ireland?
There are various types of work permits in Ireland that students can choose from. They can apply for the Ireland work permit that's right for them and their job. Ireland has a working week that's usually capped at 48 hours. This country is also known for its flexible working conditions, which can help keep a balance in one's work life. There are also plenty of jobs in Ireland.
What is the average salary in Ireland for international graduates?
An individual working in Ireland makes an average salary of 38,500 EUR per year. Average professional salaries in Ireland range from 9,730 to 172,000 annually. The country is fourth in the world in terms of gross domestic product per capita. There are a number of job opportunities in Ireland that provide higher returns than the others.
What are the job opportunities for engineering graduates in Ireland?
The job opportunities for engineering graduates in Ireland are varied, depending on the specialisation of the graduates. The base salary for some Engineering fields in Ireland can be as low as €30K per year while the base salary for some fields can be upwards of €100K per year.
What are the job opportunities for MBA graduates in Ireland?
The job opportunities for MBA graduates in Ireland are immense across different industries. The salaries of an MBA graduate in Ireland can range anywhere between 20K euros per year to 170K euros per year
What do I need to apply for a PPS Number in Ireland?
Those seeking to work while studying in Ireland must apply for a PPS number by submitting your identity proof (passport), address proof and a reason as to why you need a PPS number in Ireland.
What is the Third Level Graduate Programme in Ireland?
The Third Level Graduate programme in Ireland is a policy devised by the Irish government for non-EEA students seeking employment in the country. The Third Level Graduate Programme allows students to stay in the country for a period of 12- 24 months for the purpose of seeking employment.
Can international students work after graduation in Ireland?
Yes, all international students, under the Third Level Graduate Programme, are able to work after graduation in Ireland.
Do international students need a work permit to work while studying in Ireland?
While there is no need for students to apply for a work permit to work while studying in Ireland, students need to have a Stamp 2 on their immigration permission and a PPS number to receive their salaries.
How many hours can international students work in Ireland?
All non-EEA students in Ireland are allowed to work 20 hours during the week while they can work 40 hours during the week when it is the holiday or vacation period.
Can international students work while studying in Ireland?
Yes, under the current regulations, all international students with a Stamp 2 on their immigration permission are allowed to work while studying in Ireland.
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