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Ireland

Study Law in Ireland 2024

Study in Ireland

What is a Law Degree in Ireland?

There are various law degree programs available in Ireland. As an undergraduate, students can obtain a Bachelor of Law (LLB) in business, political sciences, as well as in various international legal studies. Post graduate programs include the Master of Law (LLM) as well as the "Interrogational and Comparative Law" degree and the "International and European Business Law" degree. A PhD in Law is also available after completing an LLM. There is a great amount of specializations available in Irish law studies.

Law Higher Education in Ireland

There are numerous law schools and universities throughout Ireland offering law studies. Students must compete to obtain acceptance into these schools, with an average of only the top seven percent gaining admission. Nonetheless, international students who can obtain permission, school acceptance, and a visa to the country are welcomed at these law schools. Admission requirements tend to be less difficult for international students.

Students are likely to spend between five and six years obtaining their education to sit for the licensing exam. Students with an undergraduate degree may also be able to complete their education in a law school, which usually requires three more years of education. After graduation, students can find work throughout Ireland.

Students will need to work in a law firm prior to obtaining professional licensing. The demand for qualified professionals in Ireland is moderate to high, with a new focus on more specialized lawyers than ever. International students may find this country's legal system to be a rewarding one for a long, lasting career.

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Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    845
  • Share of utilities

    57
  • Internet subscription

    51
  • Local transportation

    100

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    9
  • Cinema ticket

    12
  • Pint of local beer

    5

About Ireland

There's nothing quite like Ireland, a country that's part of Europe, sitting on the northwestern portion of the continent. This island nation is home to more than 6.4 million people, about 4.6 million of them living in the Republic of Ireland. From the low mountains to the open green plains, Ireland is a beautiful country. It is also an important and powerful economic force in Europe. The area has a rich culture, a vibrant, modern lifestyle, and a great deal of tradition.

For students who are considering studying law in Ireland, there are numerous benefits to doing so, including a demanding legal field that requires modern, fully educated students. International students are often welcome, if there are available openings in Ireland's legal schools.

What is the Law System in Ireland?

The legal system in Ireland is based around constitutional, common, and statute law. The laws of the country are held in the Constitution of Ireland. The country's common law system is based on the parliamentary style found in the British system. The law system breaks down further with local laws that are far more traditional and based on cultural influences. The country's Constitution provides for the cornerstone of all of the Irish legal system, though, and legal study in this area focuses on this particular area.

Visa Requirements

  • C study visa - If you wish to study in Ireland for less than 3 months
  • D study visa - If your course lasts longer than 3 months

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Student Visa (C study visa; D study visa)

Price and currency

Euro €

Irish student visa fees vary depending on your country of origin. Standard visa application processing fees are €60 (US$80) for a single-entry visa and €100 (US$135) for a multiple-entry visa.

Who can apply for the visa?

If you are a citizen of the EU or EEA (including Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) you do not need a student visa for Ireland in order to study in Ireland. There are a number of other countries that do not require Irish student visas or entry visas and these are listed on the Citizens Information site.

For the citizens of non-EEA nations who come to study in Ireland, they must be enrolled in a full-time course under the Degree Programme (for Higher Education) or the Language and Non-Degree Programme of Ireland.

Regardless of whether or not you require a student visa for Ireland, if you are a student from a non-EEA country you must report to an immigration officer upon entry into Ireland to be granted permission to enter. You must do this within the district you intend to live.

Please note: Ireland is not a member of the Schengen Agreement. You will, therefore, still have to apply for an Irish visa even if you have a visa for a Schengen country.

Where can you make the application?

AVATS online facility

You must make your visa application online using the AVATS online facility. The online visa application facility is available worldwide and must be used by all applicants.

Website:https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx

How to make the application?

You must apply online for a visa. When you have completed the online application process, you must follow the instructions on the summary application form that is created by the online system. The summary form will contain information on where you are to submit your supporting documentation. The summary form, which you must print, sign, and date, must be submitted with your supporting documentation.

You will need to provide the following with your visa application (original documents are required and must be in English or accompanied by a notarized translation):

  • Letter of acceptance from a recognized school/college/university in Ireland confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study. This course of study must be full-time (lasting an academic year) and have a minimum of 15 hours per week study time.
  • Evidence of your academic ability to pursue the chosen course through the English language (unless it is an English language course).
  • Evidence that the fees for the course have been paid in full.
  • Evidence that you have enough funds (€7,000) to maintain yourself for the initial part of your stay.
  • Evidence that you or a sponsor have access to at least €7,000 for each subsequent year of your studies, in addition to the course fees for each of those years.
  • Evidence that you have private medical insurance.
  • An explanation of any gaps in your educational history.
  • Confirmation that you intend to return to your country of permanent residence when you leave Ireland.

When should you apply?

You can apply for a study visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to Ireland. You will need to make your student visa application at least a few months before traveling to Ireland.

Students from a non-EEA country who intend to study in Ireland for a period of more than 3 months must register, after they arrive, with the local immigration officer for the district in which they are living. Their passport will be endorsed with the conditions and period of time for which they have permission to remain. Students who do not require a visa must have €3,000 when they first register.

Bear in mind that an Irish student visa does not automatically allow multiple entries into the country. If you think you will need to leave the country and return during your studies, you will need to apply for a re-entry visa.

Processing time

3 Months

Work opportunities

If you are attending a course on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), you will have stamp number 2 endorsed on your passport when you register with your local immigration officer. You will be allowed to take up casual employment of up to 20 hours part-time work per week in term time or up to 40 hours per week during college vacation periods, that is, from June to September inclusive and from 15 December to 15 January.

If you are not attending such a course, you will not be entitled to take up part-time work or engage in any business or profession. You will then get stamp number 2A on your passport.

Hours per week

20

Why do you need this type of visa?

Some of the reasons why a student visa to Ireland may be denied are the following:

  • If there are no sufficient funds to cover the entire visit/study in Ireland.
  • If the proposed study has not had a logical pathway.
  • If there are inconsistencies, misleading information, or fraudulent documents.