A postgraduate or master’s course in Ireland follows the successful completion of an undergraduate degree, generally lasting for just one year compared to two-year master’s programmes found in many other countries of the world. This means students can save time and money and begin their careers much quicker with an internationally recognised Irish postgraduate degree. Search hundreds of master’s programmes using our in-depth course search.
Why Study a Master’s in Ireland?
Ireland is home to some of the leading universities in the world, renowned for their quality teaching and research. An Irish postgraduate degree is held in high esteem by employers, and for international students studying in Ireland, it presents a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in a multicultural and exciting community of academics and students. Studying in Ireland has the following benefits for international students:
- Improves career prospects
- Gain an internationally recognised qualification
- Opportunities to earn more over their career span due to highly reputable Irish degrees
- Flexibility to shape study around their schedule
Types of Postgraduate Degrees in Ireland
Taught Master’s
There are four main types of taught programmes: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Engineering (MEng), with each lasting 1-2 years full-time.
On a taught programme, students are expected to attend weekly seminars, tutorials and lectures, much like an undergraduate degree, and assessment can be via exam, dissertation or project.
Research Master’s
A Research degree requires students to take responsibility for their work and submit a thesis for their research work under the supervision of their academic guide. The most popular research degree is a PhD, which can take 3-4 years to complete, during which time students need to write their thesis between 60,000 – 100,000 words, followed by an oral defence presentation in front of the research committee.
Other types of research degrees include the Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Master of Research (MRes). These degrees are similar to a PhD, but not as academically demanding, with papers being much shorter.
How Much Does a Master’s in Ireland Cost?
The average cost of a postgraduate and master’s degree in Ireland for an international student is between €10,000 to €30,000. Tuition fees at the postgraduate level vary depending on the type of master’s you wish to study, which city in Ireland you wish to live in, and which university you attend.
Postgraduate schools in Ireland are, however, far less expensive than graduate schools in the USA, and studying in Ireland can be 30 to 60 per cent cheaper than the American equivalent.
Study a Master’s in Ireland
If you wish to learn more about studying for a master’s in Ireland, arrange your free consultation with StudyIn today.